2017 nissan pathfinder towing

Auto_Pilot · 08-03-2017, 03:57 PM

We just purchased a new 2016 Jayco Jayfeather x17z hybrid. Being a rookie I trusted the salesman when he said no problem towing it with a 2015 grand caravan! Van us rated for 3600lbs and the GVWR of the camper is 3500lbs. We pack light, never carry potable water and drive slow on short trips. We had an HD tranny cooler installed and have a Reece WD hitch. We are looking at a Nissan Pathfinder because it is rated for 6000lbs! Now looking at the size of the SUV I can't see it towing a 6000lb camper! However, would it be a good match for the camper we have? The summer of 2019 we are going to drive across Canada and back through the USA so I want to make sure the pathfinder is up to it. If a truck would be a better choice we can do that too.

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DebKen · 08-03-2017, 04:20 PM

According to the Trailer Life Towing Guide the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder can tow 6000 lbs. It would probably be fine for the camper you have but make sure you have a tranny cooler.

Auto_Pilot · 08-03-2017, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebKen

According to the Trailer Life Towing Guide the 2017 Nissan Pathfinder can tow 6000 lbs. It would probably be fine for the camper you have but make sure you have a tranny cooler.

I apologise for the typo...i ment 6000lbs. The nissan we are looking at has the tow package which includes a cooler.

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Auto_Pilot · 08-03-2017, 07:26 PM

We have been talking with a Nissan salesman and he is giving us a pathfinder, with the towing package, for two days in order to get a good feel for it. First thing I am doing is hooking the trailer up and heading for the highway to see how it works on the hills.

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SouthCo · 08-03-2017, 08:24 PM

Great idea. Real world test before you buy. Make sure the pathfinder and trailer are loaded like they would be for a normal camping trip.

Campers & Fishers · 08-03-2017, 08:53 PM

Hello,

I have had the PF for two months now, been on three trips of about 400 miles each. Our 195 RB weighs 2,925 empty. I have a WDH and the PF with trailer is rock solid, even in strong winds with semi's going by. No regrets at all.

Your trailer is about twice as heavy as mine. I would certainly take the salesman up on his offer to let you use the PF towing for a couple of days. That will tell you all you need to know. Be sure to try some strong hills, up and down. The PF has very good brakes, I've had mine on some 8% grades up and down, no white knuckles.

Overall, in my opinion, the Path Finder is a very good value. In my case, $200. a month less than a comprable deal on a Ford Explorer. Good luck.

Auto_Pilot · 08-08-2017, 11:24 AM

Been out looming at new tow vehicles and we are seriously leaning towards a Ram 1500 5.7Hemi with a tow package. I think the gears we want are the 3.75 for good towing but also hate decent fuel mileage when not towning.

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jim_l · 08-09-2017, 03:51 PM

I was in your situation last summer! I also bought an X17Z and listened to the sales rep saying my Outlander with tow capacity of 3500Lb would be fine. I bought it at the end of last summer and only had 2 trips planned. After my first trip I thought my tranny was going to go as it was shifting so hard.This spring I went and bought a 13 year old Chevy Avalanche just for towing. Very glad I did as we have expanded how much we pack and bring with us, outdoor tent, bigger BBQ, etc... We easily have 600-1000LBs of payload on top of RV weight now. Including people/food/gear. My truck has 7900LB tow rating and pulls easily.

My advice think long term, while you may get away with having 6000Lb tow capacity now, maybe in a few years you may have other camping equipment to bring which will add more weight.... Canoe, bbq, extra people?... I live in Ontario and frequent the provincial parks, MANY of the roads leading in have big hills.. Keep that in mind, going up and down those big hills are hard on the tranny. Personally, IMO crossovers/Vans are n't really built for towing a TT, popups only. The more camping I do, the more overloaded vehicles I see.

If you want an SUV get a full size, or get a pickup...

Auto_Pilot · 08-09-2017, 04:00 PM

I agree 100% with everything you said! I will say that the caravan tows the camper smoothly and that surprised me! Flat ground it is pretty good, slight hills it shifts down a gear a d holds 2500 -2800 rpm. Now on a bigger hill it will shift down 2 and sometimes three gears! On one hill it was at 5000rpm for about 5-10 seconds coming over the top of the hill. It has never "hunted"for gears or shifted hard, other the when it shift at 5000rpm! It is not made for towing a d it is being replaced next spring with a Dodge Ram! One one short trip to end this summer!

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ttavasc · 08-09-2017, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auto_Pilot

Been out looming at new tow vehicles and we are seriously leaning towards a Ram 1500 5.7Hemi with a tow package. I think the gears we want are the 3.75 for good towing but also hate decent fuel mileage when not towning.

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Make sure you pay close attention to the payload on any RAM 1500 you look at. The RAM 1500's have some of the lower payload ratings so you don't want to make the investment only to find out you are short on payload. Your best bet is to look at a Tradesman trim level and watch the installed options.

Auto_Pilot · 08-09-2017, 04:30 PM

The two we are looking at have tow packages and one is rated for 8610lbs and the other is 10600lbs. The higher rating has 3.95 gears I believe which would tow like crazy but be hard on gas when not towing. 8610lbs is more the enough but it would be nice to know we can tow more if need be.

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ttavasc · 08-09-2017, 04:39 PM

Check the actual payload on the drivers door sticker and make sure that it can handle the estimated tongue weight of the trailer (ideally 12-15% of loaded trailer weight), plus ~100lbs for weight distributing hitch plus weight of all passengers and other cargo you will put in the truck. It adds up quickly and you'll probably run out of payload before you get close to the tow capacity.

jim_l · 08-09-2017, 05:51 PM

I carry lots of gear when camping plus there is a few of us in truck and my payload is around 850-900LB. My max payload is 1300.

Next year I plan on getting a canoe and strapping to rough. After that I wouldn't want to load too much more into my truck.

bondo303 · 08-12-2017, 10:58 AM

I will comment about a RAM 1500. I am on my 2nd one. The first was a 14 with 3.21 gears and the 17 has 3.92 gears. As far as mpg's, the older one was slightly better on mileage. If I am not mistaken, I think that the 1st gear on the 8 speed with 3.21 gears is a lower ratio than the 3.92s. Both of mine had the 8 speed transmision and 5.7 Hemi. I leased the trucks which is why I have a new one now. Also, I picked the Express package which is basically a dressed up tradesman. I had to get a lower trim to get a higher payload. My payload is 1550 and the 14 I think was 1492. I agree with Rams having lower payload which is why you will need to look at the sticker to be sure it will work for you before you sign the papers. This truck is very comfortable not towing and very capable towing as long as you are within all weight specs and your wdh is dialed in. If you have any specific questions, I will be happy to answer them for you.

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