Towing with Maxima
Charles Girard
/ pulling capacity a 92 GXE Max has versus 'safe' towing capacity. I
currently have a 2500lb trailer hitch installed (class B i think) and used
to tow my ski boat no problem (full rig boat and trailer possibly around
1250-1400lbs with a tongue weight around 50-65lbs).
I sold that boat, and am looking possibly at another....and before anyone
'eeeks' at the idea of using a Maxima to tow a ski boat, let me clear on
thing...it's a towing route that's less than 2 miles round trip to the
launch and it's a concrete launch.
The new boat would probably be the same route, unless I decide to moor it
for the summer, and only pull the boat out for full refueling (on water gas
is always 1.5 to 2 times the price compared to local gas station. The new
boat dry weight is 2700lbs appx. tongue weight n/a.
Any comments or input...new boat hasn't purchased yet....
Charles
Kevin
My '98 has a tow rating of 1000 lbs. Seeing how it's within a hundred pounds
of a 93 and is slightly longer (by an inch or so), the 93 tow rating has to
be about the same. Of course, 7 years of wear and tear on the chassis may
diminish the load slightly as well.
If you really did tow the jetski, trailer, gas, and whatever else in or on
the boat - you were lucky. You say only two miles, but that's other lives
your risking than just you're own. Now to consider a 2700# boat, plus: gas,
trailer, assorted boat gear - you are asking for plain ol' trouble. Go get a
truck or an SUV!
I can't even believe I'm replying to this post as it almost could qualify as
a troll-posting, but I am giving you the benefit of the doubt that you
really don't know much about transportation safety issues.
Go out and pick up the latest Trailer Boats magazine. Good article on
vehicle towing capacities and laws about towing. Also, the myth about stated
and real tow ratings are explored - they are one and the same and have been
for a few years - yet some just don't care. Don't put yourself into that
category.
Sorry to sound so angry to your inquiry, but I just can not understand why
so many have lost their common sense and their sense of responsibility.
Boggles the mind.
--
Kevin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
---Stephen Wright
"Charles Girard" <gir...@cyberus.ca> wrote in message
news:s7nun8...@corp.supernews.com...
C. Nolan McKinney
Maxima's towing capacity. Nissan probably just doesn't want to be liable
for what some people might do with a heavy trailer and that is
understandable. Trucks that are smaller than the Maxima are rated to tow
heavier loads. Also, I know that a 1984 Volvo 240 owners manual says the
towing capacity is 3,500 pounds! The 240 itself weighs just under 3,000
pounds.
But also consider trucks and 240s are rear wheel drive, the rear end of a
front wheel drive car is kind of vestigial.
Because I'm anal when it comes to my car, I personally wouldn't put a fat
guy in my back seat.
Kevin <Live_Spam_Free_Or_Die@Internet.(QQ)> wrote in message
news:u6_e4.7252$la6.2...@ndnws01.ne.mediaone.net...
Charles Girard
Kevin, thanks for the post but obviously you've never owned a boat, towed a
trailer with load and/or have a misconception of what responsible people
are. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, although I rather think it
interesting that you hadn't responded yet to the dude who does 120mph in his
4 mile highway stretch on the way to school (see a post a few days ago) with
his 92 GXE automatic....my 2 miles of towing for the past 5 years is there
and back at 6am...(I'M being sarcastic here....but I guess going real fast
is much cooler than driving at speed limits with a trailer...he he..) anyway
Back to my post...the 92 does indeed have a recommend towing load of
1000lbs, but with the usual warnings and disclaimers, (I won't even venture
into the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S certification)
One point from the warning is:"Information on trailer towing and required
towing equipment should be obtained from dealers who specialize in providing
trailers and other towing equipment", well I meet that requirement 5 years
ago when I purchased this Max from the Nissan dealership and in this case
they also sell more pick-ups and SUV's, and actually have towing hardware
there and install on the spot. The recommend towing package installed was
according to what this dealer and the Nissan Trailer Towing Guide
'approved'.
Now back to towing weight, the previous boat I had full rig, weighted at the
truck scale (after load/axle balancing changes) at 1157.4lbs. I'm not a big
guy and I could lift easily the tongue up, and walk the full trailer around.
Now if a normal size person can walk a loaded 1200lbs loaded trailer (not
fast mind you) but maneuver-it with ease, you'd figure a car that weight
3200lbs could easily pull 1/3 of it weight. I'm not sure but 2/3 should be
do-able...that's why I was asking (since some vehicles boast they can tow up
to twice their weight)..since the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight) is 4165, and
real axle is 2181lbs max, and if the tongue weight does not exceed 11%,
again my original question still stands, would the Max tow this weight or
force the engine unbearable stress?
Now when figuring 2700lbs that's app. numbers not scaled including trailer,
I don't think I'll lifting the trailer tongue will be an issue. I can
currently push this trailer with load no problem (ahem...have to put some
effort this time to start it moving) but the load is balanced, it's pretty
much the same as pushing the Max in neutral on a flat street.
My common sense hasn't been lost, rather it's right where it should always
be, active. The only reason I even asked in the NG is simply because I
don't believe in blind trust to any mechanic or dealership. Other's
experiences are way more telling. All I really know is if I can tow the
(possible) new boat to the launch, drop it then pull it out once every 14
days, fuel/maintenance, then back to the mooring. Normal road I know the
Max can tow it, I'm more interested in pulling up a grade...(you know
applying some of that 182lb/ft torque curve)..
Thanks thought, was much appreciated.
Charles
Greg Stewart
Kevin wrote:
>
> You have got to be kidding, right? This is a joke post - it has to be.
>
> My '98 has a tow rating of 1000 lbs. Seeing how it's within a hundred pounds
> of a 93 and is slightly longer (by an inch or so), the 93 tow rating has to
> be about the same. Of course, 7 years of wear and tear on the chassis may
> diminish the load slightly as well.
>
Thats strange, in Australia, my '93 Maxima has a towing rating of
1200kg, which in your language is about 2400lbs!!
--
Greg Stewart
Correct email address - gregjs 'at' ozemail 'dot' com 'dot au
Chuck.K
>
> My common sense hasn't been lost, rather it's right where it should always
> be, active. The only reason I even asked in the NG is simply because I
> don't believe in blind trust to any mechanic or dealership. Other's
> experiences are way more telling. All I really know is if I can tow the
> (possible) new boat to the launch, drop it then pull it out once every 14
> days, fuel/maintenance, then back to the mooring. Normal road I know the
> Max can tow it, I'm more interested in pulling up a grade...(you know
> applying some of that 182lb/ft torque curve)..
>
> Thanks thought, was much appreciated.
>
> Charles
The simple answer to your question is....... YES. It "CAN" to that kind
of load 2 or 3 miles, on flat surfaces. The question though is, can it
do it SAFELY, without putting undue stress on the mechanicals and
without damaging the vehicle. Those answers are a qualified NO!
The Maxima is a unit body vehicle. As such, there is no frame for the
tow platform (hitch) to attach to. The available hitches for the Maxima
are simple, bolt on affairs. They usually bolt to the rear bumper
mounts, and some bolt through the floor (sheet metal) of the trunk.
Needless to say, there really isn't much structure holding onto a
trailer of that weight.
Next, engine/transmission. The Maxima uses a high output, high revving
engine. It develops it's torque at high RPM. Tow vehicles need torque
at LOW RPM. The transmission is designed to pull the weight of the car
and it's occupants. It's NOT designed to pull, what is equal to, the
weight of another complete Maxima.
So, CAN IT? Sure.... it 'can'. But if all you are going to be doing is
towing it TO and From (once a year each), why not borrow or rent a
vehicle designed to do it for those few times you need to do it. You
have to have a friend or relative who has a killer SUV or pick-up who
would loan it to you for the afternoon. In the long run, you'll be
better off.
As far as fueling it, pick up a couple of 5 gallon "jerry cans" and fill
them at the local station before you head to the pier.
Chuck
to send e-mail, drop the "HatesSpam"
OH NO, they've KILLED KENNY (those bastards)
Franko
I just went through the same scenario with a VERY lightweight boat and a V6
4Runner. Long story short, after only one season, I sold my 4-Runner and
bought a Ford F-250 to do the hauling. Man-o-man, what a difference indeed.
My second car is a 97 Maxima. I cant begin to even immagine making the same
attempt with that car!
Chuck.K <Chuck.K...@Bigfoot.com> wrote in message
news:387D98E9...@Bigfoot.com...
Charles Girard
and in Imperial it does really say 1000Lbs, and 454Kg.
Was worth the hope...he he
Charles
Greg Stewart <gjst...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:387D8111...@bigpond.com...
Charles Girard
or not, just pondering the options available (what to do with the money from
my stock options).
Charles
Franko <sha...@jps.net> wrote in message news:387df...@news.jps.net...
Charles Girard
Yes indeed it is the type of hitch described. What makes me wonder is why
it's rated as class B (2500lbs) if the type of 'connection' or attchment
isn't really to a structural frame or chassis....I'll hit Nissan for that
one.
I used to be able to borrow my father's Crown Vic if I need anything
'special', but he just got rid of it in dec 99 and got a new Catera...The
borrow or rent scenario isn't out of the questions (and even being
considered, IF is do go for this or a new boat). The jerry can (or
'bounce-around's) I though of, but since this prospective new boat is an I/O
I haven't figured out if I can use the 5gal bounce..I mean jerry can I have
and attach it to the fuel line somehow.
I figure towing on flat would be able, but like my original worry, was the
launch ramp, with the angle, that's the what if question...Although the high
rev portion of your post seems to discount what Nissan states, that the
torque on the GXE is curved at 182lb-ft @ 2800rpm, that to me isn't high
rpm's. Maybe I don't understand that much about engineering and torque
curves, buit I always believed that the torque curve over rpm was the high
point of the torque (the rev where torque is at maximum before droping
back). So the 182 would be available at 2800rpm (I know that way to high
anyway to come out of the ramp...since 2800 in O/D is 60mph...he...he) just
furthering my own knowledge here.
Again, unlike to misconception others (the first two post replies I got) I
was just enquiring. Thanks Chuck.
Charles
Chuck.K
I have a 3500 pound low pro skiboat (Merc I/O) on a custom dual axle
trailer, and even though I have my choice of ANYTHING in Nissan's lineup
(wife works for them), I use a GMC Yukon to tow it with. I've learned
the hard way that NOTHING tows like a good old American V-8 with a REAL
frame underneath it.
Of course, that MAY change next month when the new QX4 hits the street.
Nissan engineering seems to think it will pull my boat with no problems,
so I may wind up leasing a new QX4 instead of buying a new Y2K Yukon.
In the meantime, back to your problem.
Ramps create their own set of issues for a tow vehicle. Using ANY front
wheel drive car to launch and retrieve causes the following to happen.
The weight of the trailer/boat is pushing DOWN on the car, thus
unloading the driven front wheels. Add this to the inherent
slipperiness of the ramp and you have a problem many FWD cars suffer.
NO TRACTION.
Add in the low torque tied to an automatic transmission NOT designed to
pull a GCVW of 6000 pounds under low traction conditions and you have
imminent transmission failure. And remember, the GXE is not equipped
with traction control (Or limited slip), so only ONE wheel is turning.
Use the rental, borrow something else or buy a different vehicle.
As for the gas, each time you go, bring 2-5 gallon jerry cans of gas and
POUR them into the boats onboard gas tanks (get a transfer pump or a
suction hose). If it's a JET, just send someone back to the gas station
every hour or so (jets run through a LOT of fuel).
Greg Stewart
Charles Girard wrote:
>
> Thanks Greg, I'm in Canada but the manual is in both Imperial and Metric,
> and in Imperial it does really say 1000Lbs, and 454Kg.
>
> Was worth the hope...he he
>
> Charles
>
Must have a different suspension setup in Australia, I just checked the
manual again (since I was relying on memory last time), and it does say
1200kg and 2465lbs. and the tounge weight should be no more than 10% of
this.
I must say the rather large difference in towing ratings does surprise
me, considering the Australian Maxima is almost identical to yours!
Oh well, I just thought you might be interested to know!
whitefang...@gmail.com
> You have got to be kidding, right? This is a joke post - it has to be.
>
> My '98 has a tow rating of 1000 lbs. Seeing how it's within a hundred pounds
> of a 93 and is slightly longer (by an inch or so), the 93 tow rating has to
> be about the same. Of course, 7 years of wear and tear on the chassis may
> diminish the load slightly as well.
>