Do I need to do anything to my truck to tow a travel trailer?

Question

It's a 2003 Frontier Crew Cab Nissan, V6, manual, 2 wheel drive, with a 13500 lb. towing capacity. When I put a lot of weight into the bed (shortbed), it tends to ride pretty low. With most travel trailers, the weight stays mostly on their wheels, doesn't it?

Answer 1

I doubt if a 2003 Frontier has a 13,500 lb towing capacity.  That might be gross towing weight including truck, passengers, load, and trailer.  So don't plan on towing a 10,000 lb trailer with it.

My 2001 Pathfinder w/3.5L V6 is rated to tow a 5000 lb trailer with auto, or 3500 with manual transmission.

Trailers typically handle best with about 10% of their weight on their tongue.  But a heavy trailer may need a class III load leveling hitch.  The load leveling part has springs that sort of pull up the hitch and shift some weight towards the front of the truck.

Answer 2

when you pull a trailer only about 10 percent of the weight is on the tongue,(where the ball is on your trailer hitch),so if the trailer weighs 13500 you will have a tongue weight of 1350 lbs your pickup doesn't have this weight for a tongue weight more like 350 lbs.will need at least a one ton pickup a 3500 series truck.can only pull a trailer that weighs around 3500lbs.with your truck.if not sure go to your local nissan dealer and ask how much you can pull saftly...

Answer 3

i wouldnt... tow anything but maybe a popup camper or a small boat