tire type NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 L32A / 4.G Towing Guide

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 1
INTRODUCTION

SAFETY IS PRIORITY ONE
Obviously, your first concern should be safety. Your vehicle was designed to be used primarily
to carry passengers and cargo. Always remember that towing a trailer places additional loads
on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, steering, braking, and other systems. Therefore, be certain
that your vehicle can meet the demands of the towing application you have in mind.
Rent or purchase only the highest-quality towing and safety equipment you can find.
Reinforced tow hitches designed especially for certain Nissan vehicles are available from your
Nissan dealer.* Hitches for the other Nissan models should be bought from and installed by a
professional supplier of towing equipment.
Finally, it is important to follow the towing capacity limit set for your specific vehicle, and to
ensure that your vehicle is in top mechanical condition, especially the tires, brakes,
suspension, and engine cooling system. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.

NEVER EXCEED THE ESTABLISHED TOWING CAPACITY
Towing capacities vary from vehicle to vehicle. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this
guide for the towing capacities of 2008 Nissan vehicles produced at the time of Towing
Guide publication. Use this data to help select the proper Nissan vehicle to meet your
anticipated towing needs, and refer to it when renting a trailer or other piece of towing
equipment.

EQUIP YOUR NISSAN FOR TOWING
The frequency and type of towing should influence the manner in which you equip your vehicle.
If you plan to tow often, either for recreation or work, select the engine size, transmission type,
suspension, and towing capacity that are best suited to your requirements. This guide can
help you select that equipment.
If, on the other hand, your towing will be infrequent, choose the Nissan vehicle and
equipment that best meets your day-to-day needs. Be careful not to exceed the towing
capacity on those few occasions when you do tow.


READ THIS GUIDE BEFORE YOU TOW
This guide was designed to provide an overview of safe towing practices. Here, you’ll find
information on towing equipment, safety, proper loading and driving techniques, towing tips,
and much more.
It is also a good idea to discuss your towing requirements with either your Nissan dealer or
a professional supplier of towing equipment before you equip your Nissan vehicle for towing.

*
Quest tow hitch is factory installed only.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 2 Finally, there are state and local laws on towing that you should review to ensure compliance
with all regulations.


TOWING
EQUIPMENT

RENTING
The first thing to keep in mind when renting a trailer is to rent only from professional
companies that specialize in towing and towing equipment. More than likely, specialized
companies hire professional staff that can assist you in selecting and installing the proper
towing equipment for your Nissan vehicle.
When renting, make sure you have your vehicle owner’s manual on hand so that you can
reference the towing capacities for your specific vehicle. Never rent a trailer that exceeds
these capacities, and make sure that any related towing equipment you rent will be sufficient
for the loaded trailer.
While you’re there, ask questions. How much does the empty trailer weigh? How much
weight will the trailer hold? What is the trailer’s tongue load? With what type of brakes is it
equipped (if any)? All of these factors have an effect on whether your Nissan vehicle is
capable of safely pulling that type of trailer or piece of equipment.
Make certain that all of the trailer stoplights, taillights, and turn signals are connected and
are operating correctly, and that all safety equipments are properly installed. Check the safety
chains/cables, tie-downs, etc.
For safer operation, carefully inspect the condition of the trailer and towing equipment.
Specifically, check to make sure the tires are not worn excessively and are properly inflated.
Make sure there are not any broken welds, missing bolts, and that the hitch components are
not damaged.
Towing safety should be a high priority when choosing and renting towing equipment,
including hitches. NEVER RENT A CLAMP-ON-TYPE HITCH. Your vehicle’s bumpers are
not designed for using this type of hitch. Using it will damage your vehicle and could even
result in the trailer separating from the towing vehicle; this can cause death or serious injury.
To avoid this, use only a permanent-type hitch.

PURCHASING
If you are buying a travel or boat trailer, be sure that your Nissan vehicle has the towing
capacity to pull it. See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide or refer to your vehicle
owner’s manual for detailed information regarding the towing capacity of your specific vehicle.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 4 Š For receiver-type hitches using a ball mount, the ball mount should be removed when not
towing.
Š If you install a hitch yourself, remember that it must be securely attached to the frame or
underbody, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Never attach a hitch or towing
device to the vehicle axle housing. This may damage the housing, wheel bearings,
wheels, or tires.


Hitch Types


Bumper Hitch – This is a special reinforced
bumper designed to accommodate a hitch
ball.










Receiver Hitch – A receiver hitch is bolted
directly to the vehicle structure for added
strength and durability. Nissan bolt-on
receiver hitches are designed specifically for
Nissan vehicles and include the necessary
reinforcements, with ample clearance around
bumpers, frame members, etc. These hitches
allow for the removal of the ball mount when
not towing.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 5 Weight-Distributing Hitch System – This
type of system uses a “load-leveling” or
“equalizing” hitch. The weight-distributing
feature helps shift trailer tongue weight to all
trailer tires and the tow vehicle front tires.
For Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Titan
vehicles, a weight-distributing hitch ball mount
(Class IV) IS REQUIRED if you plan to tow
trailers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
This ball mount includes a 2
5/16” hitch ball rated for up to 10,000 lbs., and is available through
your Nissan dealer.





Clamp-On Bumper Hitch – This is a
temporary hitch that clamps onto the bumper
assembly. DO NOT USE this type of hitch on
any Nissan vehicle because using it may result
in the trailer separating from the towing vehicle;
this can cause death or serious injury. Use of
this type of hitch can also damage the towing
vehicle.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 12 On all Nissan vehicles, the GVWR is shown on the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (F.M.V.S.S.)
certification label located in the driver’s-side door area.
To avoid overloading the vehicle, be sure
to include the trailer tongue/king pin load as a
part of the cargo when determining how much weight
can be safely carried inside the vehicle. The weight of
the roof rack cargo should also be included.






















GROSS AXLE WEIGHT (GAW)
The Gross Axle Weight (GAW) is the maximum weight each axle (front and rear) is designed
to safely carry.
To determine the GAW, load the vehicle as you would for towing and attach the loaded
trailer. At a public scale, with the loaded trailer attached, place only the tow vehicle front
wheels on the scale to determine the actual front axle GAW. To obtain the rear axle GAW,
place all four tow vehicle wheels on the scale. From that figure, subtract the front GAW and
you’ve got the rear GAW amount.
The GAW you come up with must not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
for your vehicle. On Nissan vehicles, the GAWR for both axles is listed on the F.M.V.S.S.
certification label.

MFD BY NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
DATE
GVWR
GAWR FR.
WITH

GAWR RR.
WITH
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO
ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON
THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE
SHOWN ABOVE.
SEE OWNERS MANUAL FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
TIRES
TIRES
TYPE: TRUCK
MODEL: 3B000
COLOR TRIM TRANS
AXLE ENGINE

RIMS AT PSI
COLD SINGLERIMS AT PSI
COLD SINGLE

F.M.V.S.S.
Certification Label

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 14 example, to determine the proper trailer tongue load for a 1,500-lb. trailer, multiply the weight
of 1,500 lbs. by 10% to arrive at a figure of 150 lbs.
5th wheel and gooseneck trailer king pin load must be kept between 15-25% of the actual
trailer weight, within the limits of the king pin load allowable.
See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide or refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to
view the maximum conventional trailer tongue load listed for your vehicle.
NOTE – The vehicle weight ratings (GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, etc.) must not be
exceeded, regardless of trailer or hitch type.

HITCH & TRAILER HEIGHT
It is important that your trailer floor
and tongue ride as level as possible.
This will help prevent over-angling,
bottoming-out, and improper load
transfer. Therefore, the hitch or trailer
tongue must be adjusted during the
initial vehicle/trailer fit-up to ensure a
level ride. Ball mounts are available in
different configurations to
adjust the hitch ball height.

TIRE PRESSURE
When towing a trailer, increase tow vehicle tire pressures to the recommended cold
specifications. You will find these figures in the vehicle owner’s manual and on the tire
pressure chart located in the vehicle. Trailer tire condition, size, load rating, and inflation
pressure must be in accordance with the trailer and tire manufacturer’s specifications.


TOWING
SAFETY

Towing can dramatically alter the handling and performance characteristics of your vehicle.
Plus, it puts increased strain on the engine and drivetrain. Therefore, it is always a good idea
to approach towing from the standpoint of safety — whether you’re purchasing equipment or
actually pulling the trailer.

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 22


GOOSENECK HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a
ball to serve as the pivot point for the trailer.

GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.

GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.

GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING (GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including
passengers, cargo, fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional
equipment.

KING PIN
LOAD The amount of trailer (5th wheel or gooseneck) weight pressing
down on the tow vehicle hitch.

HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch and provides
the means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in
a number of sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the
trailer coupler size, and have a sufficient capacity rating for the
trailer being pulled.

RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows
removal of the ball mount.

SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and
the trailer, should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.

SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow
vehicle begins to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball,
consequently activating the trailer brakes.

TRAILER TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle,
and also carries the coupler assembly.

TRAILER TONGUE
LOAD The amount of trailer (conventional) weight pressing down on the
tow vehicle hitch.

WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTING
HITCH SYSTEM Type of hitch system that helps shift the trailer tongue weight to all
trailer tires and the tow vehicle front tires. Strongly recommended
when towing trailers with a Maximum Trailer Weight greater than
5,000 lbs.

WIRING HARNESS
Provides an electrical connection linking the tow vehicle’s electrical
system to the trailer’s system.