towing capacity NISSAN FRONTIER 2015 D23 / 3.G Owners Manual

9 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities.......9-2
Recommended fuel .............................9-5
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations ..........9-7
Air conditioner system (if so equipped)
refrigerant and oil recommendations ..............9-8
Specifications .....................................9-9
Engine ........................................9-9
Wheels and tires .............................. 9-10
Dimensions and weights .......................9-11
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country .................................. 9-12
Vehicle identification .............................. 9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate .........9-12
Engine serial number ........................... 9-13
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-13
Emission control information label ...............9-13
Tire and loading information label ................9-14
Air conditioner specification label
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-14
Installing front license plate ........................9-14
Installing front license plate with grommets .......9-14
Installing front license plate without
grommets .................................... 9-15
Vehicle loading information ........................9-15Terms
........................................ 9-15
Vehicle load capacity .......................... 9-16
Securing the load .............................. 9-18
Utili-track™ channel system (if so equipped) ......9-19
Loading tips .................................. 9-24
Truck-camper loading information ..................9-24
Crew Cab Models ............................. 9-24
King Cab models .............................. 9-24
Special Body vehicles .......................... 9-24
Location for center of gravity ....................9-25
Vehicle load weight capacity ....................9-25
Measurement of weights .......................9-26
Towing a trailer ................................... 9-26
Maximum load limits ........................... 9-26
Towing load/specification .......................9-30
T

owing safety ................................. 9-31
Flat towing for All–Wheel drive vehicle
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-37
Flat towing for front wheel drive vehicle
(if so equipped) ............................... 9-37
Uniform tire quality grading ........................9-38
Emission control system warranty ..................9-39
Reporting safety defects .......................... 9-39

5. Determine the combined weight ofluggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this re-
duces the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR for your vehicle. For additional
information, refer to “Measurement of
weights” in this section.
Also check tires for proper inflation pres-
sures. For additional information, refer to
the “Tire and Loading Information label” in
the Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion of this manual.
SECURING THE LOAD
For your convenience, tie down hooks (if so
equipped) are placed at each corner of the truck
box. These may be used to help secure cargo
loaded into the truck box.
WARNING
● Properly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
● Do not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage could
occur, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could result in loss
of control and cause personal injury.
LTI0102
9-18Technical and consumer information

Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW)/maximum Gross Axle Weight
(GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The GVW equals the combined weight of
the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional
equipment. In addition, front or rear GAW must
not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label.Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any options required
to achieve the rating. Additional passengers,
cargo and/or optional equipment, such as the
trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle and
reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity
and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to
confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front
GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured
using platform type scales commonly found at
truck stops, highway weigh stations, building
supply centers or salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capacity for
tongue load, use the following procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of the passengers and cargo that are normally
in the vehicle when towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum tongue load. To determine the available towing capacity, use
the following procedure.
1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the Towing Load/Specification chart found in
this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight, weigh
your trailer on a scale with all equipment and
cargo, that are normally in the trailer when it is
towed. Make sure the Gross Trailer Weight is not
more than the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown
on the trailer and is not more than the calculated
available maximum towing capacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the scale to
make sure the Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear
Gross Axle Weight are not more than Front
Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
The cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to
be moved or removed to meet the specified rat-
ings.
CA0036
9-28Technical and consumer information

Example:● Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale- including passengers, cargo and
hitch - 5,185 lb. (2352 kg) .
● Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
5,815 lb. (2638 kg) .
● Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification chart -
11,133 lb. (5050 kg) .
● Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Tow-
ing Load/Specification chart - 6,100 lb.
(2767 kg) .5,815 lb. (2638 kg) GVWR
– 5,185 lb. (2352 kg) GVW
= 630 lb. (286 kg) Available for tongue weight
11,133 lb. (5050 kg) GCWR
– 5,185 lb. (2352 kg) GVW
= 5,948 lb. (2698 kg) Capacity available for towing
630 lb. (286 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 5,948 lb. (2698 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less than
the maximum towing capacity due to the passen-
ger and cargo load in the vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight be-
tween 10 - 15 percent of the trailer weight or
within the trailer tongue load specification rec-
ommended by the trailer manufacturer. If the
tongue load becomes excessive, rearrange the
cargo to obtain the proper tongue load. Do not
exceed the maximum tongue weight specification
shown in the “Towing load/specification” chart
even if the calculated available tongue weight is greater than 15 percent. If the calculated tongue
weight is less than 10 percent, reduce the total
trailer weight to match the available tongue
weight.
Always verify that available capacities are within
the required ratings.
Trailer frontal area
CAUTION
Exceeding the maximum trailer frontal
area specification may exceed the towing
capacity of the vehicle. This may affect the
towing performance and lead to vehicle
damage.
The trailer frontal area affects the towing load of a
trailer. The frontal area is the total area of the
vehicle and trailer that is affected by air resis-
tance while towing. Do not exceed the maximum
trailer frontal area specification shown in the
Towing Load/Specification” chart. The frontal
area can be determined by multiplying the width
of the trailer by the height of the trailer. For
example, a trailer that is 8 feet wide by 6 feet tall
has a trailer frontal area of 48 square feet.
Technical and consumer information9-29

TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
King Cab 2WD (4 cyl) King Cab 2WD (6 cyl) King Cab 4WD (6 cyl) Crew Cab 2WD Crew Cab SLCrew Cab 4WD
Maximum Towing
Capacity*1, *2, *3 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg) 6,500 lb. (2,949 kg) 6,300 lb. (2,858 kg) 6,300 lb. (2,828 kg) 6236 lb. (2,828 kg) 6,100 lb. (2,767 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load*2, *3 350 lb. (158 kg) 650 lb. (295 kg) 630 lb. (285 kg) 630 lb. (285 kg) 624 lb. (283 kg) 610 lb. (276 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined
Weight Rating 7,936 lb. (3,600 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg) 6,236 lb. (2,828 kg) 11,230 lb. (5,094 kg)
Maximum trailer frontal area 30sq feet (2.78 sq meters)
*1:
● The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add
weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
● All towing above 1,000 lb (454 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes.
● NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lb (1,361 kg).
*2: The maximum towing capacity when using the Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is 3,500 lb. (1,588 kg) and 350 lb. (158 kg) tongue load.
*3: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs.
9-30Technical and consumer information

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional
trailer tow package. The trailer tow package in-
cludes a receiver-type frame mounted hitch. This
hitch is rated for the maximum towing capacity of
this vehicle when the proper towing equipment is
used. Choose a proper ball mount and hitch ball
that is rated for the trailer to be towed. Genuine
NISSAN ball mounts and hitch balls are available
from your NISSAN dealer.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the optional
trailer tow package, check the towing capacity of
your bumper hitch or receiver-type frame
mounted hitch. Choose a proper hitch for your
vehicle and trailer. A Genuine NISSAN trailer
hitch is available from your NISSAN dealer. Make
sure the trailer hitch is securely attached to the
vehicle to help avoid personal injury or property
damage due to sway caused by crosswinds,
rough road surfaces or passing trucks.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight
rating for your trailer:● The required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on the top of the ball.
● Choose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.
● The diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should
be no more than 1/16” smaller than the hole
in the ball mount. ●
The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and
the ball mount is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Choose a proper class ball mount based on the
trailer weight. Additionally, the ball mount should
be chosen to keep the trailer tongue level with the
ground.
Technical and consumer information9-31