Pathfinder/4-Runner as Tow Vehicle
Steven C. Zinski
lbs.
I am looking to purchase a good (used) vehicle to tow the boat to and from the river (about 3 hours round trip)
about 10 or 20 times during each summer season.
I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 V6. Both vehicles have excellent
dependability records and are highly recommended by various sources.
I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but have been assured by both dealerships
that the number is very conservative and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
without creating any harmful machanical stress.
I was told that if the trailer length is too long (compared to the wheel-base of the tow vehicle), it could cause
the trailer to sway from side-to-side when pulled at highway speeds possbily leading to an accident and that the
wheel-base is the crucial factor not weight alone. I was under the impression that the swaying was caused by
improper tongue weight and was not aware of the wheel-base requirement.
I would like to hear anyone's recommendations on this matter. I must purchase a SUV simply because I need room
for passengers (a pick-up truck is out of the question). I am looking for a dependable/reliable tow vehicle in
the $10,000 range (this eliminates all domestic vehicles - Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc. all have poor ratings when
it comes to long-term reliability - no offence intended). What I am left with is basically Toyota and Nissan
4X4's from the 1988 to 1989 model years.
Does anyone have any comment on these vehicles used in the above application? Any comment on the wheel-base
statement? My trailer has had the tongue length shortened by several feet (by the boat dealership) so that the
package will fit in my garage - I have measured the tongue weight and it appears to be in acceptable limits.
--Steve
--
=============================================================================
== Steven C. Zinski szi...@urvax.urich.edu ==
== Systems & Computer Technology Corp. ==
== University of Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. N9VAH ==
=============================================================================
Steven C. Zinski
the boat+trailer is roughly 3,500 lbs.
I am looking to purchase a good (used) vehicle to tow the boat to and from the
river (about 3 hours round trip) about 10 or 20 times during each summer
season.
I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
V6. Both vehicles have excellent dependability records and are highly
recommended by various sources.
I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but
have been assured by the both dealerships that the number is very conservative
and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
without creating any harmful machanical stress.
I was told that if the trailer length is too long (compared to the wheel-base
of the tow vehicle), it could cause the trailer to sway from side-to-side when
pulled at highway speeds possbily leading to an accident and that the
wheel-base is the crucial factor not weight alone. I was under the impression
that the swaying was caused by improper tongue weight and was not aware of the
wheel-base requirement.
I would like to hear anyone's recommendations on this matter. I must purchase a
SUV simply because I need room for passengers (a pick-up truck is out of the
question). I am looking for a dependable/reliable tow vehicle in the $10,000
range (this eliminates all domestic vehicles - Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc. all
have poor ratings when it comes to long-term reliability - no offence
intended). What I am left with is basically Toyota and Nissan 4X4's from the
1988 to 1989 model years.
Does anyone have any comment on these vehicles used in this application?
What are your comments regarding wheel-base? My trailer has had the tongue
Bill Driscoll
>I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 V6.
>I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but have been assured by both dealerships
>that the number is very conservative and that the vehicles can easily tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
>without creating any harmful machanical stress.
I have a 23 ft Sea Ray C/C with twin 135's. With a full tank of fuel
it weighs right at 5000lbs. Trailer has tandem axles. I towed it 1
1/2 on a straight flat road with a 88 Nissan Pathfinder with a V6. No
way this vehicle will tow 4500-5000 lbs. At least not with me behind
the wheel. In my opinion, Its unsafe. I think the wheel base is too
short. Besides being somewhat under powered. I had to use 4wd to get
it out of the water and I've seen alot steeper ramps. Also, makes
sure you get trailer brakes!!
I love the Pathfinder. Got 100k on it and no probs. Great in the snow
and sand. But I don't think it will tow 5000 pounds!!
Bill Driscoll
Pensacola, FL
bil...@gulf.net
b.d...@worldnet.att.net
Steve McAlister
as it does seem lathargic, when you tow with it, it really doesn't seem to make
any difference, unless you hit a good size hill.
I have the automatic which 1st and 2nd are pretty low, 3rd is medoicre as well
as 4th. When the torque converter locks up, the final drive seems pretty tall
as it is real quick to down shift when you hit a hill (not towing).
Towing of course is with the overdrive turned off (torque converter will not
lock up). My complaint is lack of low end torque, where toyota has tried to
make up for thru lower gearing of 1st and 2nd.
My boat and trailer weigh in at about 3200lb when loaded. I towed all the way
back from Fl to NC, I definately would not attempt to tow any more than that
with out a heaver tow vehicle.
I am getting ready to mod my 4-runner to get more oomph out of it (low end
torque), I'll post what the results are.
Steve
Richard Chahley
I have a 1989 Nissan Pathfinder and I have (continue to) tow my boat
with combined boat/trailer weight of > 5500 lbs. Looking back, this
is what my experiences are/were:
(1) Obtaining a class III hitch was done, but not easily. Class III
hitches are made for Pathfinders but they are not popular. Took
over a week to get mine (don't know if this is true or if the
hitch dealer I dealt with is incompetent).
(2) Longest I towed the boat was approx 550 Km (>300 miles). Top speed
I ever reached was approx 100 Km/hr in 4th gear (5th gear didn't
have enough torque to sustain that speed on flat hwy). Going up
any grade was difficult and usually meant a speed reduction,
sometimes as slow as 60 Km/hr downshifted to 3rd gear.
(3) Absolutely no trailer sway (boat 27.5 ft long, trailer approx 30').
(4) Engine ran hotter than normal but never overheated.
(5) Braking was slower but still OK. Surge brakes on the trailer a
must.
(6) Lots of comments and stares. My boat really dwarfs the pathfinder.
(7) A few came up to me at restaurant stops, couldn't believe that a
lowly 3.0L (4-cyl) pathfinder could tow something so big.
I continue to tow the same boat, but typically into/out of storage to
the launch ramp and the occasional rescues (boat hitting rocks, needs
to be hauled back :-(
Conclusion: Although generally satisfied with the towing capability,
I would prefer something bigger (like a Yukon). Overall, I love the
pathfinder, no problems in seven+ years. But I tend to restrict towing
to short bursts (approx 1 hour) with the boat. I would do another long
tow but only if I really had to. I think it does put a strain on the
vehicle and if you tow too often then I "feel" something will eventually
break.
But for short tows, haul-ins/outs, I think it's great. Just make sure
you get a standard (hate the automatic). Oh yea, when towing I never
needed 4wd, always used 2wd. The only time I used 4wd (low) is when
pulling the boat out of the water. I found I could always out-pull
the bigger pick-ups and suburbans (2wd). Indeed, I even helped pull
out a pickup/trailer that got stuck on the ramp (what a sight...
pathfinder towing pickup towing monster boat up a ramp... loved it :-)
Richard
------------
Steven C. Zinski wrote:
> I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
> V6. Both vehicles have excellent dependability records and are highly
> recommended by various sources.
>
> I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but
> have been assured by the both dealerships that the number is very conservative
> and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
> without creating any harmful machanical stress.
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
J. Richard Chahley rcha...@on.bell.ca
Ottawa, Ontario
Daryl R. Smith
: I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 V6. Both vehicles have excellent
: I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but have been assured by both dealerships
: that the number is very conservative and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
: without creating any harmful machanical stress.
I have an S-10 Blazer with the 4.3 liter V-6. It is in the body shop this
week because some kid in a Ford 4x4 pickup couldn't stop on the ice and
rear-ended me. Anyway, I picked up a Pathfinder with the 3.0 V6/automatic
as a rental car. I have noticed a great difference in the acceleration
of the Pathfinder compared to my S-10. The S-10 just seems to have a lot
more torque and acceleration than the Pathfinder. I'm not berating the
Pathfinder. It is a really nice vehicle and my wife wants to trade her
car for one. What I'm getting at is that I pull a 23' sailboat with the
S-10. It weighs in at around 3800 on the trailer. It is just about all
that the S-10 can handle. Given that I have driven both my S-10 and the
Pathfinder, my opinion is that I would not want to pull my boat with the
Pathfinder. I don't know the specs on the Pathfinder's 3.0 liter, but
the 4.3 has 160 hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque (the spec that counts for
towing/pulling loads IMO).
: I was told that if the trailer length is too long (compared to the wheel-base of the tow vehicle), it could cause
: the trailer to sway from side-to-side when pulled at highway speeds possbily leading to an accident and that the
: wheel-base is the crucial factor not weight alone. I was under the impression that the swaying was caused by
: improper tongue weight and was not aware of the wheel-base requirement.
Yes, tongue weight is important, but the short wheelbase can add to any
instability problems very quickly.
My S-10 has 123K on it with only a throttle position indicator problem at
106K. Yea, I'd buy another one.
Daryl Smith
dars...@spk.hp.com
OliverTug
4-Runner 4X4 >V6.
>>I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs.
but >have been assured by both dealerships
>>that the number is very conservative and that the vehicles can easily
tow >upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
The 1996 4Runner V6 has a max tow capacity of 5000lbs.
Oliver Tuggle
g. mellen
>
>I am looking to purchase a good (used) vehicle to tow the boat to and from the river (about 3 hours round trip)
>I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4 V6. Both vehicles have excellent dependability recor=
ds and are highly recommended by various sources.
>
>I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but have been assured by both dealerships that the number i=
s very conservative and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.without creating any harmful machanical =
stress.
>
>I was told that if the trailer length is too long (compared to the wheel-base of the tow vehicle), it could cause the trailer to sw=
ay from side-to-side when pulled at highway speeds possbily leading to an accident and that the wheel-base is the crucial factor not=
weight alone. I was under the impression that the swaying was caused by improper tongue weight and was not aware of the wheel-base =
requirement.
>
>I would like to hear anyone's recommendations on this matter. I must purchase a SUV simply because I need room for passengers (a pi=
ck-up truck is out of the question). I am looking for a dependable/reliable tow vehicle in the $10,000 range (this eliminates all do=
mestic vehicles - Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc. all have poor ratings when it comes to long-term reliability - no offence intended). W=
hat I am left with is basically Toyota and Nissan 4X4's from the 1988 to 1989 model years.
>
>Does anyone have any comment on these vehicles used in the above application? Any comment on the wheel-base statement? My trailer h=
as had the tongue length shortened by several feet (by the boat dealership) so that the package will fit in my garage - I have measu=
red the tongue weight and it appears to be in acceptable limits.
>
> --Steve
For what it's worth:
IMHO, I believe that the vehicle's described will possibly give you
problems towing the boat. If the dry weight is 3500 lbs, you will
probably exceed 4000 lbs loaded (gas alone is 6 lbs per gal).
I can't remember the source, but I recall reading that 4 wheel drives,
and front wheel drives, do not tow as well as rear wheel drives. Also, I
believe that the torque output of the smaller block engines (I assume
they're 6 cylinder) will be too low, and the wheelbase dimensions may be
too short to give an acceptable ride. Also, the vehicle's weights may be
too low to be a good tow vehicle.
They may pull OK on level highways (except for possible sway), but the
real test will be going up hills, and especially pulling the boat out up
the steep, wet ramp.
You may want to consider a full sized Blazer, Bronco, or RamCharger. If
you can find one affordable, a Chevy Suburban is supposed to be one of
the best tow vehicles on the market. Maybe even an older full sized
Lincoln or Cadillac would be more suitable.
I currently tow a 21' boat weighing in at 4250+ lbs with a Dodge
RamCharger. Originally it had a 318 V8, and I had problems with steep
ramps and hills. After the engine went bad, I had it replaced with a 360,
which does much better - (except for fuel economy!).
As to the sway, it's my understanding that the towing vehicle's weight
and wheelbase, tongue weight, load balance, trailer tire pressure, and
trailer axle trueness all affects the amount of trailer sway.
Hope it helps and not hurts
Glenn Mellen
anchored in Southlake, Texas
*************************************************************************
"I am not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to
facts." ...........................................Mark Twain
*************************************************************************
Matt Snook
I bought my '91 Pathfinder new, to pull my '89 Mastercraft 190 Tristar. It also
is on a tandem trailer, and I'm not sure what it weighs, but I believed it to be
just under the 3500 lbs limit when I bought it. Also, I live north of Denver
(i.e. at 5000 ft. altitude), plus I have an automatic transmission, so consider
you may have more power - since you are probably at lower altitude and I'm
assuming you are considering a 5 speed.
Anyhow, I can pull it up boat ramps NO PROBLEM, and I've driven (on the flat
interstate) to Denver and not had any swaying problems at all (but this is
determined mostly by my trailer, and I wouldn't know how to compare it with
yours). I won't say it has a lot of power though, but since I live on a lake I
don't normally have to tow it more than a few minutes at a time. I feel the
automatic transmission is severely underpowered anyhow. Many times driving in
the mountains, 4 speeds is just not enough as there is too much gap between
gears. If I have 4 adults and ski gear in it, on some hills on I-70 west of
Denver it can't go 65 in 3rd gear, and dropping down to 2nd would be revving
about 5 grand or so, so I have to slow down to 50 in 2nd usually. (Side note: my
other 2 gripes are the shitty turning radius (with the big 31x15 tires) and the
poor gas mileage (15-16 around town 16-17 on hiway)). However, like you, I only
considered Nissan and Toyota for their proven reliability. I think the great
suspension (off-road) was what swayed me to the Nissan, as I have always liked
Toyota trucks and cars better in general and had never bought Nissan before.
I would guess if you buy a 5-speed and live at lower altitudes, you could get by
if you don't tow long distances up a lot of hills. Certainly it should be able
to pull up the boat ramp just fine (plus I think 4x4 helps for this).
Another thing is that I bought the Nissan factory receiver hitch (big one - for
this class of trailer - I forget what Class # it is), which works great and is
easy to install, but the point is I had to add a drop on my hitch just to get it
low enough to clear the spare tire and be able to close the hitch clasp, yet it
still tilts the trailer up a bit in the front if you look at the tandem wheels
(i.e. the back tires seem to carry more weight as it isn't level). I wouldn't
want the hitch any lower though, as it doesn't have much ground clearance as it
is.
So my advice is: buy a 4-door (well worth it for easy access), a 5-speed manual,
and you will love it! I don't know what differences the 88-89 have (do they even
come in a 4-door), but I like my '91.
Hope this helps, good luck,
Matt
Steven C. Zinski wrote:
>
> I own a SeaRay 200 (21') boat which sits on a tandem trailer. The dry weight of
> the boat+trailer is roughly 3,500 lbs.
>
> I am looking to purchase a good (used) vehicle to tow the boat to and from the
> river (about 3 hours round trip) about 10 or 20 times during each summer
> season.
>
> I am seriously considering a Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 V6 or a Toyota 4-Runner 4X4
> V6. Both vehicles have excellent dependability records and are highly
> recommended by various sources.
>
> I am aware that both vehicles have a maximum tow capacity of 3,500 lbs. but
> have been assured by the both dealerships that the number is very conservative
> and that the vehicles can eaisly tow upwards of 4,000 to even 5,000 lbs.
> without creating any harmful machanical stress.
>
> I was told that if the trailer length is too long (compared to the wheel-base
> of the tow vehicle), it could cause the trailer to sway from side-to-side when
> pulled at highway speeds possbily leading to an accident and that the
> wheel-base is the crucial factor not weight alone. I was under the impression
> that the swaying was caused by improper tongue weight and was not aware of the
> wheel-base requirement.
>
> I would like to hear anyone's recommendations on this matter. I must purchase a
> SUV simply because I need room for passengers (a pick-up truck is out of the
> question). I am looking for a dependable/reliable tow vehicle in the $10,000
> range (this eliminates all domestic vehicles - Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, etc. all
> have poor ratings when it comes to long-term reliability - no offence
> intended). What I am left with is basically Toyota and Nissan 4X4's from the
> 1988 to 1989 model years.
>
> Does anyone have any comment on these vehicles used in this application?
> What are your comments regarding wheel-base? My trailer has had the tongue
> length shortened by several feet (by the boat dealership) so that the package
> will fit in my garage - I have measured the tongue weight and it appears to be
> in acceptable limits.
>
> --Steve
> --
> =============================================================================
> == Steven C. Zinski szi...@urvax.urich.edu ==
> == Systems & Computer Technology Corp. ==
> == University of Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. N9VAH ==
> =============================================================================
--
Matt Snook Matt_...@HP-Loveland-om2.om.hp.com
HP Manufacturing Test Division "X-rays R Us"
970-679-2492 Loveland, CO
Dale Strommer
: I own a SeaRay 200 (21') boat which sits on a tandem trailer. The dry weight of the boat+trailer is roughly 3,500
: lbs.
: I am looking to purchase a good (used) vehicle to tow the boat to and from the river (about 3 hours round trip)
: about 10 or 20 times during each summer season.
Random thoughts from someone who used to tow camping trailers and boats.
1. The vehicle should have a frame. IE, no unibody construction allowed.
2. Most pickups are not good at boat ramps due to light rear ends.
3. Low end torque is what you need on a ramp.
4. Invest in a copy of "trailer life" or some other magazine that
compares tow vehicles.
5. A little larger investment in the beginning pays off in the long run.
6. Be sure to install a tranny cooler.
7. A good trailer shop (dealer) can usually provide anti sway devices.
This may be dependent on getting the hitch from the shop.
8. Proper boat ramp procedure for the vehicle, trailer, and boat.
One or two other people have suggested Broncos, Blazers, RamChargers,
and even older sedans. My advice would be to make sure the vehicle has a
frame and a large enough engine. Towing with an undersized, underpowered
vehicle only leads to repair bills.
dale (benn there done that) strommer
Scott Harris
>==========Dale Strommer, 3/15/96==========
I would not recomend a Bronco (full size) as a tow vehicle. The
wheel base is
t00000000000000000 short when towing anything of any size. I
have towed both
a 1976 Searay 22' and a 1991 Bayliner 2556 with an 87 Bronco,
88 RamCharger,
85 1 ton Chevy pickup, and a Ford 350 crew cab dually. The
Bronco (302 V8) has
plenty of power but is just too squirly going down the freeway.
Scott (wish my Bronco had a longer wheel base) Harris