How much have you towed?

[Goblin]

Has anyone actually towed with the Rogue and if so how much weight and what was your experiece? Coming form V8 power, I have considerably downsized my life including selling my camper. I was on the Jayco site and realized the little pop up 806 is only 1300 lbs. Do you think once I load up for a trip the Rogue can handle this? How 'bout mountain travel? I just have no confidence in the CVT. Anyhow, give me your two cents.

[RiverRogue]

I'm towing a small 12' jon boat with a 15 hp outboard and a utility trailer with either kayaks or a rowable pontoon boat.

I'm sure neither weigh more than 1,000#.

With the a/c on, I feel the accelleration descrease when over 45-50mph.

Milage is affected by about 5-7%.

If I was going to tow a 1,300 # popup, I'd get a 6 cyl because consider the additional weight you'll add in the drawers and other storage space of the pop-up. A 4 cyl Rogue engine may be weak.

[Goblin]

I hear ya! I figure the couple or three times a year I'm able to use a pop up would not balance having a V6. If the Rogue can get me there than I'm good with that. Thx.

[philipa_240sx]

Although I have not weighed it, my personal best on the Rogue was about 1200lbs: 800lbs 7x10 landscape trailer + with 400lbs load. This is over the 1000lb rating for FWD models. I only have FWD, no paddle/manual shift either. Yes, you feel it a bit on the hills, but the QR25DE motor has lots of torque for a 4cyl. Honestly, it seemed like I wasn't even towing a trailer at times. My only concern would be how much gear you would be adding on top of the 1300lb trailer. Add some mountains in, and you may be really loading things down.

I hear you about the CVT though. I initially had some concerns about it, but it's been great so far. It resonds very quickly to downshifts and the O/D lock on the FWD models helps with accel/decel. The CVT has it's torque converter locked most of the time, so it alleviates some of the heat related problems that conventional autos sometimes have. The ECU will also limit engine and vehicle speed if you overheat the transmission to prevent damage.

BTW, Nissan uses the same QR25DE motor (with a 5spd automatic) for the Frontier King Cab 4x2 pickup and it has a 3500lb tow rating. The tow rating has alot more to do with the chassis, gearing and brakes than the motor.

[philipa_240sx]

Goblin,

Can you check something? The FSM shows an optional transmission cooler. It's mounted on the lower RH corner of the rad. I think it's only on AWD models.

[Leo2005]

I remember from manual that Rogue can handle 1500 lbs but only with upgraded brakes. I'm sure Rogue can handle more if the trailer has brakes too. I've seen these kind of trailers.

[philipa_240sx]

AWD models are rated for 1500lb capacity, FWD models are 1000lbs. Nissan recommends trailer brakes when towing over 1000lbs.

All trim models of the Rogue have the same brakes. The increased tow rating has to do with the drivetrain (engine, transmission).