tow bar NISSAN PATHFINDER 2008 R51 / 3.G Towing Guide

2008 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 or “stinger”) 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.
Like ball mounts, hitch balls are available in a
number of weight capacities and sizes. Always
make sure the hitch ball selected has the proper
shank diameter and weight rating for the ball mount as well as the coupler on your trailer.
Using a 1
7/8” hitch ball in a 2” coupler, for example, could result in the trailer separating

*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

2008 Nissan Towing Guide 21 serious injury.

5. As soon as the engine has cooled to its normal operating temperature, visually inspect
the drive belts for damage or looseness. A loose belt reduces water pump efficiency. Be
careful to keep your hands, hair, jewelry, and clothing clear of the running drive belt and
other moving parts when inspecting the engine and radiator. Also check to see if the
cooling fan is running, and inspect the water pump, radiator, and radiator hoses for leaks.
Keep in mind, too, that if your vehicle is equipped with an electric fan motor, it may start
without warning any time the coolant temperature is high. If you find leaking coolant, a
loose or missing drive belt, or an inoperable fan, turn off the engine immediately.

6. If no leaks are apparent and all other components appear to be operating properly with
the engine cooled to its normal operating temperature, check the coolant level in the
reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if needed. At this
point, if repairs are required, go to the nearest Nissan dealer. See the IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY section of your vehicle owner’s manual for additional information on

overheating.
NOTE – Armada, Frontier, Pathfinder, and Titan vehicles have an engine protection mode,
which helps reduce the chance of engine damage if the engine coolant reaches a specified
temperature. 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 or “stinger.”

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.