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Nissan Frontier Towing
I am trying to find a reliable truck with as good gas mileage as possible that can tow a maximum 5,500 lbs hard sided (not fold-down) travel trailer (that's the GVWR fully loaded up + 2 passengers) without overtaxing the engine going up hill and while still getting decent gas mileage towing and around town (particularly around town). Decent gas mileage to me is at least 20 mpg when NOT towing. I have now heard from three people who use a Tacoma to tow up to 5,000 lbs. and feel that it works quite well while still getting 12-17 mpg. A fourth said he white-knuckled it with a Tacoma until he bought a Dodge Ram 2500.
I just test drove a 07 NISMO 4 x 4 Crew Cab Short Bed Frontier last night and really liked it (sweeet ride), but I wonder if it could safely and comfortably tow a travel trailer, or if I should go with a Tacoma or Dodge Ram instead. For power and safety, the Ram seems to be in the lead, for reliability, the Tacoma.
I own a 00 Altima that has been a terrific car, so I do like Nissans, but I need the right truck for the job.
Can anyone out there speak to the real-world towing abilities and mpg (towing and not towing)of the Nissan Frontier with a hard-sided travel trailer?
Any input is much appreciated!
I just test drove a 07 NISMO 4 x 4 Crew Cab Short Bed Frontier last night and really liked it (sweeet ride), but I wonder if it could safely and comfortably tow a travel trailer, or if I should go with a Tacoma or Dodge Ram instead. For power and safety, the Ram seems to be in the lead, for reliability, the Tacoma.
I own a 00 Altima that has been a terrific car, so I do like Nissans, but I need the right truck for the job.
Can anyone out there speak to the real-world towing abilities and mpg (towing and not towing)of the Nissan Frontier with a hard-sided travel trailer?
Any input is much appreciated!
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Thank you for your response--I have spent days online trying to find all the reviews I could on each truck, but had not come across this review, which is exactly what I was looking for. The 07 Frontier doesn't get as good gas mileage as the Tacoma, but has more a little more HP and torque, so I wonder if it might have just a little more ooomph going uphill too. That's why I got my Nissan Altima over the other makers back in 00... it had the strongest engine in a 4 cyl. and still got decent mpg. I have never regretted that decision. The bottom line is I just want to feel safe and steady going up hills with that load... I don't need to outrace anyone.
I can't respond in regard to the towing aspect, but I do know that these mid-sizers are very capable.
Enjoy your search and good luck!
p.s. I researched for 2 years before I bought. It pays to be patient.
That said, I'm O.K. with the mileage figures, but I drive with a light foot 90% of the time, and we only put 9-10 K on our vehicles each year, and only have the one.
This is a towing comparo thread, so enough said.
Cheers!
I would not recommend towing a heavier trailer with a 05 Nissan Frontier 4x4 or similar vehicle. I would not try to tow an E2 with a vehicle having a lower towing rating.
I could feel the presence of the popup (sort of a tension) except at cruising speeds of 65-70 mph on the Interstate. At all speeds, I could feel the impact on the suspension
system as the bumps was more noticeable. Fortunately, I have the off-road suspension.
I would use our Nissan Armada, with a towing capacity of about 9000 lbs., if I were driving a much longer distance. Need to get a brake controller installed in it first.
The weight distribution system seemed to work fine. I did drive off-road without it since this is at speeds 10 mph or less. Otherwise, the arms would not be hitting the bumps and humps. I had to remove the wheel since it was hitting everything. I asked Fleetwood why they used this design and they said due to the weight of the trailer.
I was not pleased with the extended hitch attachment that connects with the E2 tongue.
It is an adjustable model and is currently using the setting best suited for the Frontier which means the lower part of it is about 4 or 5 inches off the ground. It hits every bump and hump, but given its construction, I think it can take it. Even without it installed, the trailer hitch occasionally hits in some places. I have had to have the electrical connection replaced once, and I’m now more careful.
When I got the brake controller installed in the Frontier, the Nissan installed wiring would not work. Trailer dealer had to redo it at 2 hours labor cost to me.
When I took the E-2 camping last week in the GW National Forest, my only problem was that the battery was defective and died. Had it replaced for free this week. The Frontier had plenty of power for towing the E-2 up steep hills. However, I wonder about the strain it's putting on the suspension and transmission.
Regarding gas mileage, I normally get 19-22 on the Interstate averaging around 70-72 mph. With the E-2, it dropped to 12-13mpg. I had expected a drop of up to 50%, so
this was not a surprise.
Reese2
No problem.
Under Uhaul rules they could not knowingly rent a dolly for towing a Windstar as the Windstar exceeds the 3,450 lb max wt. of the vehicle (FWD) being towed. This is true even if the tow vehicle was an F350.
A flat bed (auto transport Uhaul definition) from Uhaul would not have been an option either due to required weight ratios.
There are many tow dolly with electric brakes that would safely and legally tow the Windstar behind the Frontier.
See your owner's manual or Nissan Towing Guide for specific towing information.
It is your responsiblity to know the specifics of your individual towing requirements and compare them to specified Frontier capabilities, not Nissans.
About 2/3 of all vehicles I see on the road that are towing are towing at improper speeds, equipped improperly, or overloaded. An endorsement on drivers license and rigourous qualifications to obtain it are needed to be added for towing IMO.
I've used Frontier CC 4WD to tow a tractor on a flatbed (combined weight 5200 lbs) over 700 miles. Frontier handled the task very well.
Much safer than using bricks with bungee cords that I've seen people use.
:confuse:
I have a 4WD CC with automatic and have towed between 4,000 and 5,500 pounds several times on a flatbed trailer with electric brakes.
No problems and I felt the power was adequate. I never went over 60 mph and I did feel that the tail was wagging the dog but not to the extent I would not tow the load again.
I can't say how the Frontier will do with the 26ft Jayco as that is a large trailer in addition to a sizable weight.
Frequency of towing, distance to be towed and tongue weight are questions that are important.
Yes, you are better off with a full size truck to tow the Jayco.
The trailer of course would have the electric brakes but I was hoping to be able to get the Frontier over a full size just because of the gas mileage as a regular vehicle.
the tongue weight is about 540 lbs
Manual or Auto transmission?
Thanks
Are there any towing mirrors out there for the Nissan Frontier?
Is it possible to take the extened towing style mirrors from a Titan and install on the frontier?
Most of these posts on this thread refer to the current generation ( 2005-2012) Trucks.
I will be towing a Boy Scout trailer for weekend campouts, also a Ford Model T on a flat bed trailer. Both are 5,000 lbs or less.
I am reading the owner's manual but I just wanted to know what a typical trailer hitch installation would entail that would be cost effective and allow the Frontier to tow at it's maximum ratings.
Also, I am going to get the wiring harness from the Nissan dealer. Doesn't it make sense to just get the 6 or 7 pin harness even if I don't use all of the capabilities of that harness right now?
Down here in Texas, I got the 4 X 2 Frontier, it is rated at 6300 lbs, 200 lbs MORE than the 4 X 4 model. It doesn't snow down here ( or rain
Thanks for the feedback from those more experienced in the art of towing.......
-What kind of MPG have you experienced? in what region, road and terrain?
-What are you pulling?
-What hitch equipment?
-Any transmission or brake issues?
In our class C we're happy when we get over 8mpg towing our Matrix, if the Fronty would be in the single digits, we'll probably stick with our current setup. Thanks for your help!
I have a 2002 with 57k miles. The previous owner didn't drive it much.
I pull a pop up at about 1200 lbs and when I get to a steep hill I floor it and it feels like it won't make it. The engine is screaming. This is a v6 3.3 liter crew cab automatic. It seem like it could pull this kind of weight will little problems.
I'm considering getting a bigger camper that weights 2700 lbs dry.
I'm really afraid that this is going to be a problem.
It seems that this truck is rated for much higher towing, but I do live in Colorado so maybe the altitude has something to do with it.
Should I have it checked out or does this seem normal?
Jay