NISSAN 2011 Xterra - Owner's Manual - Manual (Page 316)

MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive
to a scale and weigh the front and the rear
wheels separately to determine axle
loads. Individual axle loads should not ex-
ceed either of the gross axle weight rat-
ings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads
should not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). These ratings are
given on the vehicle certification label. If
weight ratings are exceeded, move or re-
move items to bring all weights below the
ratings.
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of
a trailer and its cargo can adversely
affect vehicle handling, braking and
performance
and may lead to
accidents.
CAUTION
● Do not tow a trailer or haul a
heavy load for the first 500 miles
(800 km). Your engine, axle or
other parts could be damaged.
● For the first 500 miles (800 km)
that you tow a trailer, do not drive
over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not
make starts at full throttle. This
helps the engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be
used primarily to carry passengers and
cargo. Remember that towing a trailer
places additional loads on your vehicle’s
engine, drive train, steering, braking and
other systems.
A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is
available on the website at www.nissa-
nusa.com. This guide includes informa-
tion on trailer towing capability and the
special equipment required for proper
towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value
specified in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart found later in this sec-
tion. The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo weight.
● When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) should not exceed the value specified
in the following “Towing Load/Specification”
chart.
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information 9-19