Towing Double Jet Ski Trailer with my 04 Maxima SE

[Dog]

Hi guys, i was wondering if you guys know anyone thats ever towed a little under 2k lbs with their maxima? I just installed a hidden hitch that was made for my maxima and its rated at 2k lbs. But the owners manual says maxima can tow 1k lbs max. I belive thats BS do to the fact the car is one tough machine.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

[Logan76]

make sure you have an electric trailer brake.

[MinisterofDOOM]

But the owners manual says maxima can tow 1k lbs max. I belive thats BS do to the fact the car is one tough machine.

I would not recommend it. Towing capacity depends on many factors. The Maxima certainly has the power to tow 2k lb. But the rest of the car is not up to it. The two biggest weaknesses are the transmission and frame. Unibody cars are just not designed to handle the stresses of towing. Trucks have strong ladder frames, cars don't. You'll risk damage to the car if you tow.Automatic transmissions in cars are also not up to the task of towing. Even much heavier-duty truck transmissions often come with special coolers and towing modes to alter their shift behavior, and even then towing in overdrive can fry a transmission in a hurry. It's not worth the risk of destroying a multi-thousand-dollar component.

If you're absolutely determined to tow with the car, consider the following:--NEVER use Overdrive. Ever. Use your manumatic shifter and stick to 4th and lower. Maybe even 3rd and lower if speed allows.--Use a trailer brake as noted above. This will go a long way toward reducing stresses on the unibody and subframe.--Take it very easy. Don't accelerate or decelerate abruptly, keep lane-change maneuvers calm, etc. You want to reduce the jarring stresses on the hitch and therefore the car.

But even considering the above, I highly recommend against it. Rent a truck or buy a small truck to tow (while they make less power, they're better suited to towing otherwise). Compact pickups are fine with a ~2k load and can be had for dirt cheap these days.

[Dog]

Just wanna give you guys an update. Im too damn set on trying this lol. I really want to tow my two jet skis to the lake this summer So ill be the Ginny Pig on this for the forum hahaha.

But no worries im pretty experienced with doing things like this and of towing things.

Side note: if there is a thread on here for crazy nissan sentra stories let me know ill put a kick a** store down.

I just got done finishing up on my hidden tow which is rated 2k (skis and trailer are much less) So i hooked them up and took them for a test run out in the city streets and highway.

For the record. this is my 4th nissan (three maxis now). And after tonight im more than ever a thankfull nissan fan.

It was almost like the car didnt even know it was there! Im very ginger on my car with towing besides that; the power is more than there. driving it in automatic had no issuses, still was running cool temp and Gears were swiching with ease and RPMS stayed normal. Even going over small bumbs and dips in the road car looked and felt pretty good, as well as the trailer.

Tires didnt even go too far into the wheel well, during bumbs on the roads no rubbing.

As for stopping............. Like there wasnt even a trailer. Seriously. I still enforce common sense (lol) and go easy on the stopping like any other time towing and the car didnt even know it was there.

Now the most important test is seeing how she does when pulling the trailer with skis out of the water. But im pretty sure it will be no problem. 1st gear with yoko tires and that slip control should make it more than easy for it lol.

Ill keep you guys posted.

[Blazingwolf]

One time probably wont do much. but just remember over time you are doing damage and after damage is done, even if you never tow again. it will continue to wear down your components. if your frame cracks or bends it will also only get worse over time as stress makes it flex and move.

Nissan puts the 1k weight warning on there for a good reasonso that if you break it, they don't fix it. they've probably done testing and found that it can cause serious repair bills. Please be cautious and don't do this. IT WILL damage your car in some way and will lead to problems over time

[Dog]

Hey guys just wanted to let you know how it went at the lake. Theres a reason why ive owned 4 nissans. Cuz they are built so damn well. Car had not one indicator of any stress on anything. Got me relizing that the tailer and skis are really not that heavy at all. Maybe 1500 max. When i pulled out the skis from the water the tires didnt even squeek once. So if anyone is ever wondering if they can pull two skis with a car. Im so far proof that it isnt that bad at all. If i do run into anything wrong ill definately let you guys know.

[Blazingwolf]

GOOD LUCK MAN!!!!! i definitely hope it works out for ya!! let us know for sure if anything does go wrong..