Towing 17B

[EDarby]

Would like to thank everyone again for their input on a tow vehicle for my 17B. I have been doing lots of research and have compiled a spread sheet of info found, which I have attached. It may be of interest to another newbie in the future.

The info was gathered from many places--actually some does not jive with what I've found from other i-net locations. For example, the RAV4, which I had been learning toward, showed less than the 3500#, even for the 2009-2012 models. Ex: 2012 RAV4, when googled, shows towing capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 lbs. This investigation has been kind of confusing, but enlightening.

As of this moment, am learning towards the Nissan Xterra (thx rbryan).

Am looking forward to meeting some of you at the Rally and will be bringing my Build Sheet questions for lots of brain-pickin'. At this point, with Build Sheet and tow vehicle options, am in major overload!!!

Oh, one more thing -- have learned SO MUCH from this forum and appreciate so much the time and knowledge you guys put into this. For example, because of posts here, sent a $15,000.00 check to EI a couple of weeks ago, and it turned out to be about $17,500 Canadian!!!

[EDarby]

hummmm, not seeing attachment.

[gbaglo]

The RAV4 Sport with V6 and tow package is 3500 lbs / 350 lbs tongue. If is only a 4 cylinder, tow capacity is much less. That's why you have a discrepancy. In 2013 the V6 was no longer available.

[EDarby]

OK, thanks, I should have realized that!!!
Still not seeing where the attachment shows up.

[jamman]

You cannot post excel (or other) format spreadsheets. You can post a pdf of it or a link if you have it posted elsewhere on the web.

[cpaharley2008]

Nissan products have recently been rated very low by Consumer Reports and other consumer rating companies. They used to be right up there with Toyota but not anymore.

[akoaoka]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Nissan products... They used to be right up there with Toyota but not anymore.

I wonder how recent was that rating? We plan to tow our 17B with our 2000 Pathfinder. It claims to have 5000lbs tow rating and 500lbs tongue capacity. We towed a popup camper for 3 years with it. We never weight the trailer, only the tongue last year and it was close to 450lbs (not the tongue load because and we have stuff in the trunk!). Climbing any grade more than 1% was hard to keep at 45mph on the interstate. We hope to keep the 17B at 3000lbs fully loaded and leave an empty trunk. Finger crossed!

[cpaharley2008]

If my memory serves me right, for the past 3-5 years. They are using dated technology with little upgrades. Due for a major style change soon. Just reading this months Road and Track about the new Nissan 5.0 diesel motor by Cummins. See here for info http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/2016-n...now-1676630787

[gbaglo]

I wouldn't buy an Xterra myself, based on what I heard from a well-respected mechanic who isn't known for dissing products. But, that was several years ago.
I'd do a lot of investigation.

[OneOleMan]

I had considered a used Nissan Pathfinder, 2012, 2013, but after reading several customer reviews I decided against it. The negative mentioned most was problems their 8 speed transmission.

[Donna D.]

These are the file types you can attach:

[EDarby]

Whoops, it was a PDF but I attached from the "Add Video" button.Hoping it works this time.TOW VEHICLES.pdf

[gbaglo]

You don't list tongue weights.
So, for instance, you have the Subaru Outback as having up to 3,999 tow capacity ( and I believe that is wrong ), but you don't have the tongue weight capacity, which is 200 lbs. Outback shouldn't be towing more than 2,000 lbs if a proper tongue weight of 200 is applied.
You need tow capacity and tongue weight capacity for all.
You have no weights for the RAV4. Might as well leave it out since your list is mostly 2014 and 2015.

I'd double check all your numbers before posting a final version.

[Dave&Jane]

Originally Posted by EDarby

As of this moment, am learning towards the Nissan Xterra (thx rbryan).

We are very happy towing our 17B with our 2008 Xterra. It's been a reliable vehicle - 85K miles needing only tires, wiper blades, oil changes and new gas struts for the rear hatch. Mileage is only 20-22 mpg on the highway and mid-teens in town, however. Highway towing is 16 mpg at best, lower with headwinds and mountainous terrain.

The 5000 lb. towing capacity and 500 lb. hitch weight are more than adequate for a 17B, and we also use a weight distributing hitch (Andersen). The hitch helps keep the Xterra level, which also stops our headlights from shining in other driver's eyes (we discovered this on a trip when I had under-tightened the hitch bolts). With a 4-liter V-6 I hardly notice the trailer during level towing, although we slow down a bit on mountain passes.

We have the factory towing package, which meant a simple plug-in install for the brake controller (I used industrial-strength Velcro to fasten the controller to the dash). I'm not sure, but the towing package may also include a better transmission cooler/radiator. We use extension mirrors for towing which helps us see behind the trailer.

You probably don't need our "Off-Road" version (bigger tires, skid plates, etc. - I think Nissan calls it the "Pro" version now), but 4WD comes in handy on snowy roads and towing up steep gravelly hills.

-Dave

[StarvingHyena]

Hello All and especially EDarby,
I down loaded your spredsheet on tow vehicles. Thank you. I must point out another error (sorry). I have an '98 Cherokee Sport for my tow vehicle ... my manual says that it has a 5000# tow capacity with a 500 lb tongue weight max ..... unless I have a weight distributing hitch which brings up the max tow weight to 6000 lbs and max tongue weight to 600 lbs. It has a 4 Liter in line 6 and auto tranny. My mileage (without trailer) averages about 18 mpg. I just installed a hitch and have no idea what the mileage will be then ... probably not brag able. Hopefully gas will stay down to $2.00 per gallon .... yeah right!


Thank you for all your work.


You listed a 2014 Cherokee with a max tow weight of 2000 lbs ... I'd doubt that unless it had a 3 cly. engine.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by EDarby

The info was gathered from many places--actually some does not jive with what I've found from other i-net locations. For example, the RAV4, which I had been learning toward, showed less than the 3500#, even for the 2009-2012 models. Ex: 2012 RAV4, when googled, shows towing capacity of 1,500 to 2,000 lbs.

A Google search will find many references to information, most of which are not reliable. If you're willing to take the time, you can now download owner's manuals for most vehicles from their manufacturers' websites... and that is the only reliable source. Check the 2012 RAV4 manual, for instance, and I'll think you'll find a clear statement of the 3500 pound limit (when properly equipped) which Baglo mentioned.
Toyota Online Owners Manuals and Warranty

Online listings of towing capacity are notoriously incomplete and incorrect.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by OneOleMan

I had considered a used Nissan Pathfinder, 2012, 2013, but after reading several customer reviews I decided against it. The negative mentioned most was problems their 8 speed transmission.

I believe that the generation of Pathfinder which started in 2012 (and is unrelated except in name to previous generations of Pathfinder) comes with only one transmission, which is a CVT (continuously variable transmission), not an 8-speed. Yes, the CVT would be a reliability concern if overloaded or not properly maintained.

[gbaglo]

The problem with doing a spread sheet like this is there are many manufacturers with many models and many trim levels and options.
Information on the web is often not specific about what exact model is being discussed ( and what trim level ).

[dfandrews]

I would like to suggest the following as a fairly accurate alternative to manufacturer's data sheets and manuals.


Trailer Towing Guides | Trailer Life Magazine


follow the link, then download the PDF for your year of interest.

[EDarby]

Thank you all for the great information. Thanks also for pointing out the errors!