If you own or are considering a Nissan Pathfinder and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Nissan Pathfinder tow a trailer?
Yes, a Nissan Pathfinder can tow a trailer or camper up to 6000 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when towing a trailer with your Nissan Pathfinder which we’ll cover below.
Towing A Trailer With A Nissan Pathfinder
So, can a Nissan Pathfinder tow a trailer? Yes: the Nissan Pathfinder towing capacity is 6,000 pounds, so as long as your trailer, camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 6,000 lbs your Nissan Pathfinder can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a camper with your Nissan Pathfinder.
Nissan Pathfinder Tow Package Details
Does The Nissan Pathfinder Come With A Tow Package?
Not all Nissan Pathfinder models come with a tow package included, so you may need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Nissan Pathfinder Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper trailer with a Nissan Pathfinder.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A Nissan Pathfinder?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
Nissan Pathfinder Towing Package Cost
Nissan Pathfinder Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Nissan Pathfinder trailer hitches run between $175-$250.
Take a look at this recommended Nissan Pathfinder Hitch Kit:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 900 lbs. tongue weight, 6,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 900 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Nissan Pathfinder
A Nissan Pathfinder trailer hitch wiring harness runs between $30-$60.
- EASY TO INSTALL. No cutting! No splicing! This trailer wiring harness kit plugs into existing factory wiring on your vehicle and equips it with a standard, rear 4-pin trailer wiring connector for plugging in and towing a trailer
- STANDARD CONNECTOR. This plug-in 4-flat trailer wiring can be used to connect trailer tail lights, brake signal lights and turn signals. 4-way trailer light wiring is popular on a wide variety of trailers, adding versatile towing options for your vehicle
- VEHICLE-SPECIFIC. This aftermarket, vehicle-trailer wiring harness is designed for select years of the Nissan Frontier, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra and Suzuki Equator (factory tow package required)
- EASY GRIP. Plugging in your trailer wiring and trailer lights is easy with the ergonomic design of this vehicle socket. It features tabs on the top and bottom for a better grip when plugging into your trailer or unplugging
- DUST COVER. To promote long-lasting use and weather resistance, this 4-pole trailer lighting wire harness comes with a rubber dust cover. It easily fits onto the 4-way flat connector when not in use, protecting it against the outdoor elements
Nissan Pathfinder Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Nissan Pathfinder (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Nissan Pathfinder Brake Controller Cost
Nissan Pathfinder brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A Nissan Pathfinder? Nissan Pathfinder Tow Package Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Nissan Pathfinder trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Tow A Trailer With My Nissan Pathfinder?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be pulling with your Nissan Pathfinder, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Trailers And Campers Can A Nissan Pathfinder Tow?
Your Nissan Pathfinder can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 6,000 pounds which is going to be most lightweight trailers and some midweight campers.
The Nissan Pathfinder can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 6,000 lbs:
- Crossroad RV Zinger Lite ZR18DS
- Forest River Wolf Pup 15SW
- Coachmen Freedom Express Pilot 20BHS
- Jayco Jay Feather 24BHM
- Winnebago Micro Minnie 1800BH
- Lance 2295 Travel Trailer
- Keystone Passport 240BH SL
- Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 23FBDS
- Heartland North Trail 22 FBS
- Coleman Lantern LT 262BH
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of camper trailers that can be towed by a Nissan Pathfinder.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Nissan Pathfinder, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 6000 lbs so your Nissan Pathfinder can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 6000 pounds.
Nissan Pathfinder Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Nissan Pathfinder tow?
The Nissan Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
Nissan Pathfinder Towing Capacity: 6000 lbs
Nissan Pathfinder GVWR: 5,900 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Nissan Pathfinder can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Nissan Pathfinder GVWR or Nissan Pathfinder towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Nissan Pathfinder Tow A Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can tow a trailer with a Nissan Pathfinder as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 6000 pounds).
Most Nissan Pathfinder models don’t come with a towing package installed, so you may need to add one to the vehicle. Once you’re done, everything’s ready for you to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Nissan Pathfinder, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful trailer, camper, and RV repair guides:
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- How to fix an RV microwave not working
- Our guide to motorhome fuel pump replacement
- How to replace RV window glazing bead
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- Preparing for an RV one night freeze
