Thermoguy wrote:
Before you get set on any specifics on trailers, first understand what your Pathfinder can tow. You need to look at payload, that is weight on the ball. That is the important number, how much weight can it safely tow which is commonly called payload. This includes cargo in your tow vehicle. Once you know that, you can look for trailers that meet that standard. Often the 6000 GVWR is an incorrect number.
Just to clarify:
- Tow rating: That's how much tugging power and braking power the vehicle has.
- Payload: that's how much you can load into the truck. It includes passengers, cargo in the truck, any bolt on accessories and the hitch weight from the trailer.
Usually, in light duty station wagons (modern crossover SUVs are essentially station wagons as opposed to body on frame trucks), you run out of payload before you run out of tow rating.
I did a quick google, and your truck has a payload of 1295lb (check or a yellow sticker on the door to see if the factory numbers agree with google). If you have a higher level trim package, you may have a lower payload.
At 6000lb GVWR, you are likely looking at 700-900lb hitch weight. Ideally, 12-15% of the trailer weight should be on the hitch. 2 "american" size adults are likely around 400lb...That puts you at 1100-1300lb of payload used up. If you have kids, cooler, fire wood, etc,...odds are you are going to be over the payload limits on the station wagon.
Personally, I would be looking a GVWR of around 4000lb...but if you have a family with 2 full size teenage boys, you might be looking at 300-500lb left for hitch weight and that could translate to a 2500-3500lb trailer.
