towing capacity

[Sevesturn]

Before buying a TT I need assistance in getting comfortable with what my vehicle can/should tow comfortably. I drive a 2013 Nissan Frontier SV with factory equipped tow package. Spec's state max tow capacity of 6,500. I understand the various terms of tow capacity. I'm seeking input on actual performance of the vehicle towing a 4,400 lbs dry weight trailer through mountain passes. My concern is that once loaded, my vehicle is approaching the limits and I don't want to struggle on grades.

Any experience you can share is appreciated.


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[bikendan]

Sevesturn wrote:
Before buying a TT I need assistance in getting comfortable with what my vehicle can/should tow comfortably. I drive a 2013 Nissan Frontier SV with factory equipped tow package. Spec's state max tow capacity of 6,500. I understand the various terms of tow capacity. I'm seeking input on actual performance of the vehicle towing a 4,400 lbs dry weight trailer through mountain passes. My concern is that once loaded, my vehicle is approaching the limits and I don't want to struggle on grades.

Any experience you can share is appreciated.

what's your Frontier's payload capacity? that's first, before towing capacity since you'll run out of payload before reaching max tow capacity.

[ib516]

It will do it, but it won't be much fun. Mountains will be slow and be at max RPM.

[philh]

OEM's test the max recommended wt through mountain grades. HOWEVER, this is on virtually new vehicle and closely monitoring vehicle performance.

I would have no issues towing at max rating, and have, but keep in mind that hot weather will punish the cooling system, vehicle brakes will be challenged, so make sure you have a properly adjusted brake controller. You're going to need weight distributing hitch, and sway control. Take it easy.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Posting Help and Support

[Lwiddis]

When the TV is purchased before the TT there may need to be compromises on both.

[KD4UPL]

Tow capacity is a moving target. Is that number specific to your truck or did you get it from a sales brochure. The same truck can have different tow ratings depending on the axle ratio, cab configuration, bed length, etc.
There are lots of different types of trailers: boat, flatbed, horse, dump, utility, cargo, camping, etc. Of them all a hardsided RV is probably more difficult to tow than anything else. They have a huge frontal area, huge side "sail" area, a high percentage of tongue weight, and not much ability to move weight around. Your truck might have an easier time towing a 6,000 pound boat than a 5,000 pound RV.
Also, as you add weight to the truck the tow capacity drops (the way most vehicles are rated) pound for pound. So, if you add 500 pounds of people, pets, cargo, and truck accessories to your truck that weight comes off the tow capacity.
Your 4,400 pound dry weight will be more like 5,500 when you get all your stuff in the trailer. Dry weights normally don't even include propane, batteries, water, or even dealer installed options like an awning or AC unit.
Even if all the weight numbers work I suspect when going over mountains you will have the gas pedal flat on the floor, RPMs around 4,000 or more, and running in 2nd or maybe 3rd gear. Is this "struggling" some would say yes, others no. It won't hurt the truck but you may not enjoy the ride and the overall longevity of the vehicle won't be that great.

[2edgesword]

I think any vehicle towing a trailer that is close to maximum capacity is going to struggle in height altitude, steep grades situations, especially if it's a gas, non-turbocharged vehicle. This isn't a knock on your vehicle just the reality of the situation.

For every 1,000 feet of altitude a normally aspirating engine is going to lose about 3% of it's power. So if you're really talk about a mountainous area the higher you go the further behind the power curve you get.

[MitchF150]

Yep... I tow a #5000 GVWR TT with the truck in my sig and I know it's there on the grades...

I have a truck that has a "tow rating" of over #11,000 too... So there you go..

It's just what works for me.. I know I can tow more, but I choose to tow what I tow because I've been towing for a long time now, and have "been there and done that" so there you go.. 🙂

Do whatever you need to do of course... But only you know if you like to be pedal to the floor and screaming rpms and going maybe 40 mph...

Don't have any clue if that's what you will see, but I've done that and it ain't fun... 🙂

Good luck!

Mitch

[Lwiddis]

I find payload varies between 919 to 1,515 pounds and towing capacity between 3,500 to 6,500 pounds for 2013s. Heck of a range. So at a loaded 5,400 pounds, tongue weight should be around 702 pounds. So, what’s YOUR payload and what are you carrying in the TV?

[Lwiddis]

Towing capacity or payload or both?