tow bar NISSAN MAXIMA 2012 A35 / 7.G Towing Guide

2012 NISSAN Towing Guide 6 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch –
Mounted in the bed of a pick-up and
designed for heavy-duty applications,
these types of hitches are not available
from NISSAN but can be purchased from
a professional supplier of towing
equipment.*
A 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch is
usually installed and adjusted to meet the
requirements of a particular trailer, but two
basic rules hold true in every case. First,
the hitch should be mounted a minimum
2 inches forward of the rear axle centerline.
Second, it should be securely attached
directly to the truck frame. This installation
should be done by professionals only, as it
is very important to mount the hitch
correctly to distribute the king pin load for
the proper load carrying and sway control
performance.

BALL MOUNT
A ball mount (also known as a drawbar) is a bar that holds a hitch ball and is inserted into a
receiver-type hitch. Ball mounts come in a number of weight capacities (3,500 lbs., 5,000 lbs.,
etc.) and sizes (1
1/4”, 2”, etc.), and can be
weight-distributing or non-weight-distributing.

HITCH BALL
A hitch ball is bolted through a ball mount or
a hitch hole in the tow vehicle’s rear bumper.
The coupler on the trailer tongue attaches
over the hitch ball.

* At this time, Titan is the only NISSAN vehicle
approved for 5th wheel and gooseneck trailer towing. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.

5th Wheel Hitch

Gooseneck Hitch
Hitch
Mount BallBall

2012 NISSAN Towing Guide 22 Other Recommendations and Information – Towing performance and speed are affected by
vehicle payload, tow weight, road grades, and weather conditions, including high
temperatures. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.



TOWING
GLOSSARY

5TH WHEEL
HITCH Located just forward of the rear axle centerline, this hitch uses a king pin to
serve as the pivot point for the trailer.

BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver. Also
commonly called a drawbar.

BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle.
A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake
systems.

BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.

ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to
an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.

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.