I’ve been scouring the forums, and I haven’t been able to find all the information I need. Please forgive me if it’s here and I missed it…
In a couple of weeks, I will be driving about 300 miles to pick up a camper trailer. The first time I see it will be when I hook up to it to bring it home. So…..
1. I need to install an electric brake controller in my 2010 Pathfinder SE. It looks like the controller itself is pretty easy to install – just mount it somewhere convenient and plug it into the connector under the dash. The problem is on that my Pathfinder only has the 4-pin connector by the hitch. I can’t find any information on how to convert it to a 7-pin connector. I found adapters, but they just convert from 4 to7 to run the trailer lights – there’s no provision for the brakes. Is there another adapter? Do I need to run my own wire?
2. The trailer is just under the towing limits for the Pathfinder at 5770 lbs. I would like to use a Weight Distributing Hitch to help stabilize the rig, but I read somewhere that the factory hitch will not support this. Is this true?
3. Is there anything else I’m missing?
As always, thanks for any advice you can pass my way.
Towing advice needed
Moderator: volvite
Take your truck to a shop that specializes in trailers. They can install (usually pretty economically) a reputable trailer brake controller. They remove your old 4-pin connector and replace it with the round 7 pin. Shouldn't run you more that $200-300. The cost of a decent brake controller is over $100 for sure.
Our hitch works fine with a weight distributing hitch (WDH). Euro and Aussie models have a different hitch that does not work with WDH, but the North American version is fine. The trailer shop you take your truck to should have these for sale as well. I recommend a Reese system such as this:
http://www.reeseprod.com/content/produc ... part=65509
You are tipping pretty close to the max for the pathfinder. Have you done much pulling before?
t
Our hitch works fine with a weight distributing hitch (WDH). Euro and Aussie models have a different hitch that does not work with WDH, but the North American version is fine. The trailer shop you take your truck to should have these for sale as well. I recommend a Reese system such as this:
http://www.reeseprod.com/content/produc ... part=65509
You are tipping pretty close to the max for the pathfinder. Have you done much pulling before?
t
For my 2006 PF, I could have bought the 2 adapters needed online but found similar pricing at a local RV dealer. This was my experience:
There is an adapter plug that fit into the harness under the dash that is then pigtailed to your controller. I have heard that not all harness from the factory have the 12 volt pin live, so check that out. Mine WAS live.
As for the trailer socket, they have available a 7 pin assembly w/4 pin on same plate. For the brake lamps, it simply plugs into the existing 4 pin. I did have to run a heavy brake wire from the controller to the new 7 pin socket. I was then ready to go.
As for weight… I think yours is on the heavy side, yet some on the forum tow that & more than that. I tow 3K# and wish the engine & trans was beefier. Slow up hills. Nissan recommends not towing in OD. OK, but the trans is NOT designed to go into torq conv lock-up in 4th, only 3rd & 5th (due to internal dual clutch design???) Not all Nissan 5-sp have the same torq conv. Did the PF get short-changed vs. a true truck? That means a lot of heat is generated. The only man trans available with the 4.0L is in the Xterra & Frontier models. As for MPG, I averaged 11 doing 60MPH (similar to my 98 Tahoe 5.7L). Next time out will try to stay about 55 and see if MPG improves.
Some will suggest a good hitch set up with that much weight.
Use prem gas only.
There is an adapter plug that fit into the harness under the dash that is then pigtailed to your controller. I have heard that not all harness from the factory have the 12 volt pin live, so check that out. Mine WAS live.
As for the trailer socket, they have available a 7 pin assembly w/4 pin on same plate. For the brake lamps, it simply plugs into the existing 4 pin. I did have to run a heavy brake wire from the controller to the new 7 pin socket. I was then ready to go.
As for weight… I think yours is on the heavy side, yet some on the forum tow that & more than that. I tow 3K# and wish the engine & trans was beefier. Slow up hills. Nissan recommends not towing in OD. OK, but the trans is NOT designed to go into torq conv lock-up in 4th, only 3rd & 5th (due to internal dual clutch design???) Not all Nissan 5-sp have the same torq conv. Did the PF get short-changed vs. a true truck? That means a lot of heat is generated. The only man trans available with the 4.0L is in the Xterra & Frontier models. As for MPG, I averaged 11 doing 60MPH (similar to my 98 Tahoe 5.7L). Next time out will try to stay about 55 and see if MPG improves.
Some will suggest a good hitch set up with that much weight.
Use prem gas only.
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parkingpuckguy
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I also went through some of the same things as you in preparing to tow with my 06 Pathfinder.
I replaced my 4pin towing plug (stock on the Path) with a 7pin connector from Nissan. I would recommend getting the Nissan one because it is really a plug and play deal (no wires to cut or run). Very easy to install and purpose built for the vehicle.
If I'm correct, you will need a 7pin connector (and not just an adapter) for the electric trailer brakes to work. There is also a brown relay under the hood that you will need to install (I also got this from Nissan). There is a thread on the forum here somewhere with the part number.
As for the brake controller, I got a Tekonsha P3 and have a thread here on how I installed it http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=6927. I would recommend getting the Nissan adapter plug to wire it up and plug it into the connector under the dash.
As for the WDH, I am also going to get one of those but don't know yet which one to get.
Good luck.
I replaced my 4pin towing plug (stock on the Path) with a 7pin connector from Nissan. I would recommend getting the Nissan one because it is really a plug and play deal (no wires to cut or run). Very easy to install and purpose built for the vehicle.
If I'm correct, you will need a 7pin connector (and not just an adapter) for the electric trailer brakes to work. There is also a brown relay under the hood that you will need to install (I also got this from Nissan). There is a thread on the forum here somewhere with the part number.
As for the brake controller, I got a Tekonsha P3 and have a thread here on how I installed it http://www.thenissanpath.com/viewtopic.php?t=6927. I would recommend getting the Nissan adapter plug to wire it up and plug it into the connector under the dash.
As for the WDH, I am also going to get one of those but don't know yet which one to get.
Good luck.
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FindyourPath
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:20 pm
- Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
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doctahjones
- Posts: 844
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:08 am
- Location: aurora, co
check the tongue weight of the camper, and make sure you're not exceeding what the path can handle.
also i would highly recommend installing the airlift 1000. i's ~$80USD shipped from amazon. takes a couple hours to put in yourself but is worth it if you're going to be towing + putting stuff in the cargo area. will keep you from sagging and bottoming out so much
also i would highly recommend installing the airlift 1000. i's ~$80USD shipped from amazon. takes a couple hours to put in yourself but is worth it if you're going to be towing + putting stuff in the cargo area. will keep you from sagging and bottoming out so much
Re: Towing advice needed
Before we get you too far into this project - where are you getting that number? Is that the dry/empty number quoted by the manufacturer? Did you have the dealer put it on a scale?kazeej wrote: 2. The trailer is just under the towing limits for the Pathfinder at 5770 lbs.
My worry is that you are talking about the dry weight of the rig. If so...you are going to have to add "stuff" to the camper and end up well over where you need to be. A camper big enough to be 5770lbs empty is no joke, and might get you in trouble VERY quickly.
Well, I went and did it. I met the guy, and hooked up to the camper. I had the air bags pumped up, and the Pathfinder did squat just a little. Not a problem. I jumped on the interstate, accelerated up to about 60, still no problem. Then it started to sway violently side to side. I kept control of it while I slowed down as easily as I could. I got off on the first exit I came to because I could barely keep it at 50mph.
I took surface streets back to my hotel, then went to the new Camping World God must have built just for me - it wasn't there the last time I was in town. I bought a weight distributing hitch and an anti-sway system. I installed that stuff in the parking lot of the hotel. They were gonna charge me 2 hours labor to install it. I did it in just under an hour.
When I hit the road again, it was very controllable, but it was the windiest day of the year, and the trailer was being pushed by the wind, and every car that passed us. I could still only do around 58 or so.
I spent the whole trip home watching the rear-view to see who was next in line to pass us, so I could be ready to react to the push-pull-push every passing car did on us. Even a big motorcycle was able to push us a little.
So now I have a decision to make. It's obvious the trailer is too big to safely pull with my Pathfinder, so I will either have to get a smaller camper, or a bigger tow vehicle.
I vote for the larger truck!
I took surface streets back to my hotel, then went to the new Camping World God must have built just for me - it wasn't there the last time I was in town. I bought a weight distributing hitch and an anti-sway system. I installed that stuff in the parking lot of the hotel. They were gonna charge me 2 hours labor to install it. I did it in just under an hour.
When I hit the road again, it was very controllable, but it was the windiest day of the year, and the trailer was being pushed by the wind, and every car that passed us. I could still only do around 58 or so.
I spent the whole trip home watching the rear-view to see who was next in line to pass us, so I could be ready to react to the push-pull-push every passing car did on us. Even a big motorcycle was able to push us a little.
So now I have a decision to make. It's obvious the trailer is too big to safely pull with my Pathfinder, so I will either have to get a smaller camper, or a bigger tow vehicle.
I vote for the larger truck!
Re: Towing advice needed
The number is from the manufacturer's plate in the camper. And you're right, the camper is starting out at the limit of the Pathfinder. Add the pots and pans, clothes, hiking gear, etc, and we're way over the limit.amr40509 wrote:Before we get you too far into this project - where are you getting that number? Is that the dry/empty number quoted by the manufacturer?[snip...]A camper big enough to be 5770lbs empty is no joke, and might get you in trouble VERY quickly.kazeej wrote: 2. The trailer is just under the towing limits for the Pathfinder at 5770 lbs.
I just need a new truck.
What model TT was it? Length?
I'd agree, 5770 dry is a lot for the Pathy. Mine is 4500 dry, and would not go any higher. Mine is a Keystone Passport 280BH, so 28 footer, but 32ft from front of the hitch to the rear bumper. In high winds, its a handful, and I do slow to about 50MPH. But in normal winds and conditions, 65-70 is no problem.
t
I'd agree, 5770 dry is a lot for the Pathy. Mine is 4500 dry, and would not go any higher. Mine is a Keystone Passport 280BH, so 28 footer, but 32ft from front of the hitch to the rear bumper. In high winds, its a handful, and I do slow to about 50MPH. But in normal winds and conditions, 65-70 is no problem.
t
I would agree the extra torque wouldn't hurt. However, the diff ratio is different (see Clay350 post on switching diffs) so would the extra torque be swallowed up by that? Also limited by the transmission, which according to a few on this forum does not allow TC lockup in 4th gear.volvite wrote:Agree. When you start at or near the total weight limit, it does not give you any room for the additional weight of People in your Pathfinder, gear in both the Pathfinder and the trailer, and any kind of fluid (water, propane) etc that you add to the trailer/pathfinder.
Should had a V8.
Also, I mentioned that wind is a factor. The real issue is the relatively short wheelbase of the pathy, and the length of the trailer one is trying to pull. You get into this situation where 'the tail wags the dog', and the wind's force on the trailer causes the truck to be adversely affected. It causes the truck to act counter-intuitively, ie in a crosswind you end up compensating by steering away from the wind instead of intuitively into it. This is because of the force of the wind pushing on the trailer and forcing the truck in the opposite direction through the fulcrum of the hitch.
Anyways, not sure if I've explained the phenomena that clearly, but I would put forward that having a v8 would not change this.
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