2005 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual - Page 315

Weight distribution hitch This type of hitch is also called a "load-leveling" or "equalizing" hitch. A set of bars attach to the ball mount and to the trailer to distribute the tongue weight (hitch weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles can't carry the full tongue weight of a given trailer, and need some of the tongue weight transferred through the frame and pushing down on the front wheels. This gives stability to the tow vehicle. Another reason to have a weight distributing ball mount is to comply with the rating on your receiver. Most receivers have a weight carrying rating of 5,000 lbs. gross weight, 500 lbs. tongue weight and a weight distribution rating of 10,000 lbs. gross weight, 1,000 lbs. tongue weight. This means that without using a weight distributing ballmount, the receiver is only designed to carry 5,000 lbs. When hooking up a trailer using a weight distributing hitch, always refer to the hitch manufacturer's instructions. 1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and the doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it can level. 2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of the vehicle. 3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper height is within 0 - .5 inches (0 - 13 mm) of the reference height measured in step 2. The rear bumper should be no higher than the reference height measured in step 2. WARNING Properly adjust the weight distributing hitch so the rear of the bumper is no higher than the measured reference height when the trailer is attached. If the rear bumper is higher than the measured reference height when loaded, the vehicle may handle unpredictably which could cause a loss of vehicle control and cause serious personal injury or property damage. LTI0132 Bumper towing The genuine NISSAN step bumper has provisions to install a trailer hitch ball and is designed to tow trailers of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,588 kg). To install a trailer hitch ball cut out the circle in the center of the step bumper A , then remove it to install the trailer hitch ball. Class I hitch Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (909 kg). Weight carrying hitches A weight carrying or dead weight ball mount is one that is designed to carry the whole amount of tongue weight and gross weight directly on the ball mount and on the receiver. Technical and consumer information 9-31