towing question

[chad77s]

Ive just purchased a 2011 nissan Rogue AWD and was wondering could i pull a small trailer with my atv or is it not a good idea to tow anything with the cvt transmission. Any help would be great

[kerrton]

You can tow up to 1500 pounds with an AWD Rogue and still maintain your warranty (FWD can only tow 1000 lbs), that is total weight of the trailer, ATV and gear etc.. I would think your ATV trailer would be right around the 1200 to 1500 pound range. Several owners have towed small trailers like this with their Rogue and reported that the Rogue tows very well and likely could tow much more, the 1500 limit is probably conservative on the part of Nissan to give a large buffer/factor of safety, but I definitely wouldn't recommend pushing the limits.

[chad77s]

My ATV is 578 pounds and trailer is 380 pounds

[philipa_240sx]

You can tow up to 1500 pounds with an AWD Rogue and still maintain your warranty (FWD can only tow 1000 lbs),

Actually, the 1500lb tow limit is for Rogue's equipped with the manual/paddle shift option. These models come with an auxiliary transmission cooler which permits the higher 1500lb tow rating.

There are very few models with this option, mainly AWD Premium pack models from 2008 through 2009. This option continued for one more year in Canada before it was deleted in 2011.

Seeing as the OP's Rogue is a 2011, he does NOT have the paddle shift option and is limited to a 1000lb tow rating. I would be hesitant exceed the 1000lb rating.

[kerrton]

I stand corrected, sorry about the mistake guys and thanks Philip for setting the record straight.........as a double-check to be 100% certain it will state in your owners manual the towing capacity for your specific vehicle.

[philipa_240sx]

From the 2011 Rogue Owners Manual:

TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART

Model: CVT With manual mode
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT: 1,500lb (680kg)

Model: CVT Without manual mode
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT: 1,000lb (453kg)

MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD: 150lb (68kg)(SCD)

I don't know why they still publish the 'manual mode' specs in the 2011 manual as the option was not available for that model year.

The 2012 manual has even different specs:

Except for S grade (for US)
SV premium grade (for Canada)
SL grade (for Canada)
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT: 1,500lb (680kg)

S grade (for US)
S grade (for Canada)
SV grade (for Canada)
MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT: 1,000lb (453kg)

There is one way to settle this debate though, check to see if your Rogue has the auxiliary transmission cooler. It's a small radiator located directly in front of the engine radiator. You should be able to see it through the grille. If you have the trans cooler, then you are good for the 1,500lb tow rating. And no, you cannot add it to a vehicle that does not have it already.

[Bill Lewis]

I went round and around with the towing question before I bought my Rogue and didn't get the right answer till after I bought it. Even two calls to Nissan didn't help. The above is correct about the Premium package and trans cooler. However I have a 2008 AWD Sl without the package. Had a Class 2 hitch put on and wiring harness and tow a 4X8 landscape trailer with my motorcycle on it. Trailer I guess would be about 500 lbs and the bike is 850 lbs. Two adults and all our stuff for a week vacation. Towed it twice to upstate NY into the hills around Lake george and no problem at all. Just take it easy and give your self extra stopping distance. First trip I wouldn't go over 65, coming home I hit 80 mph a few times passing trucks. No problem at all, the Rogue is great.
Go for it and just be care full till you get the feel for it

Good Luck

Bill in NJ

[psfod3]

Why is it such a secret from nissan as to the towing capacity of newer Rogue. I looked at the new Rogue pamphelt at the dealer and did not see a tow package offerd on any models. I guess I will walk around and look at some new models to see if any come with the transmission cooler. But if there is no tow package the installation of a hitch would require alot more wiring.

[kerrton]

I'm not sure about the reason behind the confusion either.

One thing I can say is that the Rogue is extremely easy to wire up a hitch and there is no need to worry about pre-wiring form the factory, I purchased a Professional Wire kit for around $40 and did it myself without any splicing or soldering requruired, it took about 1.5 hours mostly for removing and reassembling the cargo panels. I also installed my own hitch, it just bolts on to the factory holes, took about a half an hour and cost around $110 for the hitch.

Here is the link to the complete How-To with detailed photos: how-to-trailer-light-wiring-t333642.html

[300winmag]

^^^ Just did the same thing. We ran the wire to the battery through the inside of the car instead of outside under the car so it took a bit longer but it was worth the peace of mind. Moving in -26 weather sucks!!! But the Rogue had no problem towing.... The trailer is 800 to 1000lbs and the load was 500 to 800lbs at times.

[psfod3]

As far as 2012 american Rogues go I think all the SV models can tow 1500lbs thus they must have a transmission cooler. I believe the S model can only tow 1000 lbs. My o8 SL has the paddle shifters thus it must have the transmission cooler. When I open the hood I can not tell the difference when I look at the radiators on the different models I dont see the extra cooler on mine or the new sv or s models. any place to get a picture of this I want to get a 2012 and want to make sure it can tow 1500 on the sv model

[chad77s]

Just a update I ended up buying a 2012 rogue s
I've had towed the past 3 months with no problems
at all I tow my polaris RZR that 970 pounds and my trailer
Is about 550 pounds. I really don't lose that much gas milage either


2012 rogue s awd

[casperfun]

My o8 SL has the paddle shifters thus it must have the transmission cooler. When I open the hood I can not tell the difference when I look at the radiators on the different models I dont see the extra cooler on mine or the new sv or s models. any place to get a picture of this

[AZhitman]

Fixed pics in this thread for you guys... finally.