2009 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 315

Towing capacities are calculated assuming a base vehicle with driver and any options required to achieve the rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment, such as the trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's maximum towing capacity and trailer tongue load. The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity. All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured using platform type scales commonly found at truck stops, highway weigh stations, building supply centers or salvage yards. To determine the available payload capacity for tongue load, use the following procedure. 1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./ C.M.V.S.S. certification label. 2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of the passengers and cargo that are normally in the vehicle when towing a trailer. 3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining amount is the available maximum tongue load. To determine the available towing capacity, use the following procedure. 1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the "Towing Load/Specification" chart found later in this section. 2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the available maximum towing capacity. To determine the Gross Trailer Weight, weigh your trailer on a scale with all equipment and cargo, that are normally in the trailer when it is towed. Make sure the Gross trailer weight is not more than the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown on the trailer and is not more than the calculated available maximum towing capacity. Also weigh the front and rear axles on the scale to make sure the Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight are not more than Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label. The cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to be moved or removed to meet the specified ratings. Example: ● Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed on a scale - including passengers, cargo and hitch - 4,900 lb. (2222 kg). ● Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label 5,400 lb. (2449 kg). ● Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) from "Towing Load/Specification" chart 9,658 lb. (4380 kg). ● Maximum Trailer towing capacity from "Towing Load/Specification" chart - 5,000 lb. (2268 kg). 5,400 lb. (2449 kg) - 4,900 lb. (2222 kg) = 500 lb. (226 kg) GVWR GVW Available for tongue weight GCWR GVW Capacity available for towing 9,658 lb. (4380 kg) - 4,900 lb. (2222 kg) = 4,758 lb. (2158 kg) 500 lb. (226 kg) Available tongue weight / 4,758 lb. (1994 kg) = Available capacity 10 % tongue weight Technical and consumer information 9-21