lock NISSAN PATHFINDER 2006 R51 / 3.G Towing Guide

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 7 SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES
Always use suitable safety chains/cables between the tow vehicle and the trailer. If the
hitch should break or become disengaged for some reason, these chains/cables will
provide an emergency connection between the vehicle and the trailer.
The chains/cables should be
crossed under the trailer tongue and
attached to the hitch or vehicle frame.
Crossing the chains/cables under the
tongue will help prevent the tongue
from hitting the ground should the trailer
become disconnected. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains/cables to
turn corners without binding; however,
note that excessive slack will allow the
chains/cables to drag on the ground.
Do not use S-hooks for attaching, as
they may become un-hooked, and are
illegal in many states. To avoid damage
to the bumper and chains/cables when
making a sharp turn, do not attach the
chains/cables too close to the coupler. Consult your trailer manufacturer for the proper
location of the chain/cable attachment to the trailer.

REAR VIEW MIRRORS
In many cases, a trailer can block your rear vision when you’re using only the standard
Nissan rear view mirrors. These mirrors were not designed for towing.
“Extended” mirrors specifically designed for trailer towing should be used when your
rearward vision is obstructed. Before using these mirrors, make certain that they comply
with state and local regulations. Telescoping Tow Mirrors are available as an accessory for
Armada and Titan vehicles. Contact your Nissan dealer for details.

Not OK

CouplerTrailer Tongue
OK

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 8 BREAKAWAY SWITCH
On a trailer with electric brakes, a breakaway switch can automatically activate the trailer
brake system if the trailer becomes separated from the tow vehicle. Should the trailer
become detached, a breakaway switch may help prevent the trailer from wandering into
another lane and will bring it to a safer stop with less damage.
A breakaway switch relies on the power of a trailer battery, so make sure it is not
discharged. Never use the breakaway switch to “park” the trailer on a grade. The battery
would eventually discharge and release the brake, allowing the trailer to roll.
Be sure to leave enough slack in the tether on the breakaway switch to turn corners
without binding. If not, the electric trailer brakes will lock-up and not release.
See your trailer manufacturer for proper installation of a breakaway switch that is
compatible with your trailer braking system.

TRAILER LIGHTS
Trailer lights should comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and
should be in proper working order at all times. A trailer’s taillights, stoplights, and turn
signals must be wired* into the tow vehicle’s electrical system. Many trailers use the same
filament of a dual-filament bulb for both stoplights and turn signals. The second filament is
used for the trailer’s taillights. All Nissan vehicles utilize separate filaments for each
function. Direct splicing of this type of trailer lighting may cause damage to your vehicle’s
electrical system and malfunction of the trailer lighting. When connecting your Nissan
vehicle to this type of trailer lighting system, a 3-wire to 2-wire power converter** must be
used. A power converter of this type creates only minimal additional demand (draw) on the
vehicle lighting circuits to power the trailer lighting.
Always check for correct operation of the turn signals, stoplights, and taillights every
time you connect a trailer for towing. Never replace vehicle fuses with fuses of a higher
amperage rating than the original.
NOTE – Improper or poor quality trailer harness wiring may affect your vehicle’s electrical
system. Use only a Nissan approved wiring harness, or consult your dealer or a
professional supplier of towing equipment for compatible equipment.



*See the SPECIFICATIONS section of this guide for wiring harness information specific to your
vehicle.
**Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, Titan, and Xterra vehicles are pre-wired for trailer lighting and do not

require a converter.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 16 VEHICLE SPEED
Some states have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles that are towing trailers.
Always obey these ordinances. Remember to reduce your speed in unsafe or less-than-
ideal road conditions or weather. When towing a trailer, braking distances increase while
handling agility decreases. Always leave yourself an extra margin of distance to respond to
emergency situations.

PASSENGERS
Never allow passengers to ride inside a trailer while it is being towed. Not only is this
unlawful in most areas, passengers could be seriously injured during sudden trailer
movement or in an accident. In addition, trailers may allow fumes from the tow vehicle to
leak inside. This could result in carbon monoxide poisoning from the engine exhaust.

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS
Vehicle modifications — beyond those required for proper hitch installation, wiring hook-up,
and necessary cooling system upgrading — are not recommended for any Nissan vehicle
being used for towing purposes. Changes to the drivetrain, suspension, exhaust systems,
frame structure/unibody, or other vehicle components are not necessary for towing within
the limits described in this guide. These changes may diminish the reliability and longevity
of your vehicle and possibly void warranty coverage as well.

TOOL KIT
It is always a good idea to travel with a special tool kit when towing. In addition to tools, it
should contain flares, a flashlight, emergency reflectors, jumper cables, extra fuses, extra
radiator coolant, oil, and easily replaced spare parts such as taillight bulbs. You should also
carry spare tires for your tow vehicle and trailer, as well as a jack suitable for use on the
trailer. Be aware that not all automotive jacks can be used safely on a trailer.

BEFORE STARTING OUT
Before starting out on a trip, make one last inspection of the tow vehicle and the trailer. Are
the tire pressures correct? Are the safety chains/cables securely in place? Is the cargo tied
down securely? Do all the lights work? Is the coupler properly attached over the hitch ball
and secured using a locking pin? Is the breakaway switch hooked up and functioning
properly? Are vehicle and electric trailer brakes working properly?
Make a checklist of key items to be inspected, and don’t forget the basics. When
towing, vehicle engine oil, transmission oil, and coolant should always be checked before
starting out. Finding a potential problem while in your driveway is better than discovering it
miles from home.

2006 Nissan Towing Guide 18 CORNER MORE SLOWLY
Know your vehicle and trailer capabilities. Entering a sharp corner too quickly or abruptly
can “crack the whip,” whereby the trailer can actually pull the tow vehicle off the road.
Therefore, when approaching a relatively sharp corner, begin braking sooner than you
would when not towing. Do your braking in a straight line prior to the corner, and turn
smoothly into it. In addition, remember to make a wider turn than normal to ensure that the
trailer safely clears the inside of the turn.
When towing a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, do not make sharp turns while driving or
backing as the trailer may contact the vehicle and cause damage to both the trailer and
vehicle. A special extended 5th wheel pin box or sliding hitch may be required to provide
additional trailer-to-truck clearance for tight maneuvering.

BACK UP WITH CAUTION
Backing up with a trailer is a difficult maneuver; however, there is a “trick” that can simplify
the procedure considerably. Simply steer with one hand at the bottom of the steering
wheel. To turn the trailer to the left, first move the steering wheel to the left. To turn the
trailer to the right, move the wheel to the right. All movements of the wheel should be done
in small increments. Of course, backing up should be done only at very slow speeds. For
large trailers that obstruct your rearward vision, have someone outside the vehicle act as a
“spotter” to guide you along.

PARK SMART
A tow vehicle and trailer can be an unwieldy combination in a small area, so always try to
park where you will have a relatively easy time maneuvering. Once parked, always block the
wheels on both the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Parking on a slope is not recommended. If, however, you must park on a slope, and your
vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, there are some precautions you should
take:
Š Have someone block the wheels once the tow vehicle and trailer are in position and
being held by the vehicle’s brake.
Š Next, apply the parking brake, and only then move the gear lever into PARK. If you move
the lever into PARK before blocking the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage may occur.

HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
An engine will lose about 4% of its performance for every 1,000 feet above sea level that
you travel. If you will be towing in high altitudes, it’s a good idea to allow more time than
usual due to the engine’s reduced performance.