Class 1/2 Hitch or Class 3?

[tempest.runner]

I bought a new Nissan Rogue and this will be my primary tow vehicle. I have to buy a new hitch for my vehicle and I've pretty much convinced myself to get a class 3 hitch from Curt. Mfg. however I have one question I can't really seem to find a good answer for.

When I entered my vehicle specs into Curt's website, the site returns 2 results based on my criteria.

A class 1/2 Hitch (12247) and a class 3 hitch (13185). Being how the Rogue is meant to tow a maximum of 1500lbs and both hitches can easily tow what I'm going tow (1300lbs, TW 140lbs), Why do they offer 2 types of classes? I've convinced myself to get the Class 3 hitch because I can use a 2" ball on my receiver and it looks solid compared to the class1/2 but I can't think of any other reasons why Curt offers 2 different types of hitches for the Rogue.

Curt's general hitch information;

http://fileresource.sitepro.co...9.pdf

[philipa_240sx]

It don't think it's about the weight rating. There are a few good reasons to opt for the 2" receiver:

- Better support for bike racks.- Larger selection of drop/rise heights for the ball platform.

Personally, I use a 1.5" receiver class 1 hitch as it's lower profile.

[harryg]

cant the FWD rogue only tow 1000lbs??? and AWD can tow 1500

[tempest.runner]

cant the FWD rogue only tow 1000lbs??? and AWD can tow 1500

It doesn't matter if it's FWD or AWD. AWD doesn't increase towing capacity. AWD distributes power equally to all four wheels, which is very convenient in the snow or in the mud. Beyond 30 kph, power is shifted to the front. If the system detects a loss of grip, it will transfer up to 30 percent of the available torque back to the rear wheels.

Standard towing capacity is rated at 1,000 lbs, but the Premium Package adds pre-wiring which increases the capacity to 1,500 lbs. I've been told on the forum here that there is an auxiliary transmission cooler on all Premium models. (But I can't confirm this as I've never seen it myself).

[tempest.runner]

It don't think it's about the weight rating. There are a few good reasons to opt for the 2" receiver:

- Better support for bike racks.- Larger selection of drop/rise heights for the ball platform.

Personally, I use a 1.5" receiver class 1 hitch as it's lower profile.

Hey Phil, thanks for the reply... I never thought about using it for bike racks... that's a good point.

[wifes rogue]

tempest.runner - I think it is the AWD that has the auxiliary transmission cooler, and that is what allows you to gain the extra 500lbs of towing not the Premium Package . Prewiring would not affect anything for the towing. If I recall correctly, it states when over 1000 lbs the trailer should be equipped with trailer brakes. Again, this if from what i remember I've read on the forum

[going rogue]

The increased (1500 lb) towing capacity is due to the auxiliary transmission cooler in the Canadian premium package (FWD/AWD). The additional cooling is required by the manual paddle shifters. No other 2010 Rogue has it. Here are two threads with excellent towing info:

zer...w-fwdhttp://forums.nicoclub.com/zer...untry


Modified by goin' rogue at 5:02 AM 3/21/2010

[tempest.runner]

tempest.runner - I think it is the AWD that has the auxiliary transmission cooler, and that is what allows you to gain the extra 500lbs of towing not the Premium Package . Prewiring would not affect anything for the towing. If I recall correctly, it states when over 1000 lbs the trailer should be equipped with trailer brakes. Again, this if from what i remember I've read on the forum

Trailer brakes are recommended by Nissan if you're towing over 1000lbs it isn't mandatory. And yes, prewiring will not add 500lbs towing capacity. I re-read what I wrote and it does sound kinda of silly. :P The towing/prewiring that comes with the Premium package is suppose to come with the extra towing capactity as it supposedly comes with the aux trans. cooler, However, goin' rogue said it best. I'm surprised that it's only the models with the paddle shifters.

The increased (1500 lb) towing capacity is due to the auxiliary transmission cooler in the Canadian premium package (FWD/AWD). The additional cooling is required by the manual paddle shifters. No other 2010 Rogue has it.

[philipa_240sx]

Don't know why Nissan only added the trans cooler to the paddle shift models. Maybe they expect them to be driven harder?

Anyway, goin' rogue explained it and provided a link to the post where I described the tow rating differences:

Quote »The auxiliary trans oil cooler (visible on the lower RH corner of the rad) comes with all Rogues that have the manual/paddle shift option. This additional cooling gives allows the higher 1500lb rating.

Depending on year, only certain models/trim packages came with this option:

In Canada,

- You need the SL Premium Pack available on both FWD or AWD models. All model years apply.

In the US, it depends on model year,

- 2008: SL Premium Pack models, both FWD and AWD- 2009: AWD SL Premium Pack only- 2010: Not available. This means no 2010 Rogue in the US has the higher 1500lb tow rating.[/quote]