Moderator: volvite
I do a ton of towing with my Ram Diesel but much heavier and longer trailers (40' 12,000# min). Anytime you have weight and a long trailer to deal with you'll be more exhausted then flying along without a care in the world. Passing takes extra precautions, watching other knuckleheads, watching further ahead for braking. It's mentally exhausting for sure. I use my PF for smaller loads, shorter distances. Usually no more than 4,000# as it's more comfortable and has more room for people. It's a comfortable towing vehicle and I don't have many complaints about the power out on the highway (and I'm just running the V6). I had about 3,000# on a couple weekends ago and did about 400 miles and honestly it tows as good or better than some full-size trucks I've owned with gas engines. At least from a power perspective.Ross Carlson wrote:I suppose what I'm most concerned about it exhaustion. I've done 16-18 hours before (only plan 12 at a time this trip) but those trips haven't been a rolling 10,000 lbs mass. For those of you that have done a long tow am I right that it's more tiring than just a drive?
All other advice welcome...
25psi is for everyday driving. I air them up to 35psi before hooking up to a trailer. 25 is a little rough when empty but it make the handling far better. Plus I don't mind loading up a bunch of people or stuff as there's no sag and at that point the ride is much improved.Ross Carlson wrote:Is that the pressure before or after you connect the trailer?I run my airbags at 25psi all the time. When I tow I run them up to 35psi regardless of load size.
Not crazy at all. I drove from Reno to Miami a number of years back in a Toyota SR5 pickup, while towing another vehicle. That little 4 banger could only hit 55mph max, which meant it REALLY sucked. Not only that, but the low beams were busted-I had to drive at night with the high beams on. Took me 3 days, mostly napping here and there at rest stops along the way. I would love to be able to do the same trip using the Pathfinder. You shouldn't have any problem.Ross Carlson wrote:
So tell me gents - how crazy am I??? Would love input from any of you that have towed long distances (and the rest of you can chime in too!)
All sounds reasonable. It's a very fine line when towing, particularly vehicles that hug the limit of payload capacity and tongue weight. You pretty much have to stay in the 10%-15% tongue weight to hit the payload limits on these if you're getting into the 6,000+ range. A longer vehicle will obviously take the overload better. Payload limits are a close game on most half-ton trucks these days as well, particularly with the bigger cab models. Some of them you can't even have more than one adult on board to hit the stated limits.staynlean wrote: Now, I did have it over loaded. I guess I had about 6500 total and more tongue weight than I should have. It was too much for the Path, WAY TOO MUCH. Not safe for driving at all.
Swapped over to a stock 2010 F-150 that pulled the load much safer.
These are just my experiences and are certainly not bias towards any vehicle I mention, I Love my Path but it's not meant for the loads you are talking about, you will find out.
Yes I have the V6 but power was not the problem.
Incorrect.skinny2 wrote:The V6 is rated for 6,500 and the V8 is rated 7,000.
Yep you're right. My brain filed that one incorrectly. They also show 10% max tongue weight (600# for V6 and 700# for V8 ). That can be a tough nut to crack.disallow wrote:Incorrect.skinny2 wrote:The V6 is rated for 6,500 and the V8 is rated 7,000.
In North America, the V6 is rated for 6000lbs, and as you said, the V8 for 7000.
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