Xterra tow vehicle
In my last thread labeled Camplite I asked about towing the Camplite 21rbs with an Xterra. I got great feedback with lots of information. So I took that information and went back to searching for a TT...
Forum Discussion
Capeteacher wrote:
Tranny cooler? Brake controller?
In NJ, you will need a brake controller for any trailer over 2,000 lbs., it's the law. The Xterra's brakes are only sufficient for the Xterra and a trailer up to 2,000 lbs. If your Xterra has the tow package, it comes with a 7 Pin connector. I do not know if it is wired for a brake controller. My 1st generation X came with a 4 pin connector and I wired in a 7 pin connector for the brake controller. You can check out the forums on The Xterra Owners Club or the forums on TheNewX.org for Xterra info. The TheNewX.org is specifically for the 2nd generation Xterra, so it may be more useful. They can tell you whether or not the 7 pin is pre-wired for a brake controller. Most Travel Trailers will come with electronic brakes. They are a must for towing even with heavy duty trucks.
Like a lot of trucks, the Xterra has a small tranny cooler built into the Radiator. It is small yet sufficient when towing light loads, but towing over 3,500 lbs, get a transmission cooler. They are simple to install. I purchased a B&M cooler for like $65. It attaches to the front of the radiator and then just connect the transmission fluid lines from the stock cooler to the new cooler. Since we live in GA, I used both coolers. In NJ you don't want to do that, because in cold weather the transmission may have trouble getting up to operating temperature when not towing.
Edited to add: A new tranny for the Xterra will be in excess of $3k, so a tranny cooler is cheap insurance!
-Michael
