which tv would you use?

[Mike Up]

I just recently purchased a Hyperlite toy hauler with 3200 lb capacity. I have 2 tow vehicles, a 2006 jeep liberty crd with 160 hp and 295 lbs torque and a 2007 nissan frontier b4000 with 261 hp and 281 lbs of torque. The liberty is auto and the truck is a 6 speed. I'm traveling to canadian rockies with 8-10% grades which may be too much for the Jeep. The trailer will be 2800 lbs loaded. Any help with my decision would be appreciated.

I just got rid of my 2005 Pathfinder. Look at your Front GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). This will limit your ability to have a heavier hitch weight because the lightweight Front axle will have to deal with transfered hitch weight. The 4X4 Pathfinder was pathetic with a puny 2775 lbs rating for the front axle. Most midsize trucks have 3200 lbs or higher so that transfered weight from the hitch can be accomidated.
 
If you have the manual, forget about towing as the limit on the manual is but 3500 lbs. Now the 5 speed automatic that Nissan offers in the Pathfinder, Frontier, Titan and Armada can be used to tow the vehicles max weight. My 4X4 Pathfinders was 6000 but with a light 600 lbs tongue weight.
 
While my Pathfinder did have a good torque rating of 291 lbs of torque at 4000 rpms, it seems way over rated next to my Sport Trac's 300 lbs of torque at 3950 rpms. The Sport track is a heavier vehicle but the torque is so much better at lower rpms. That's where the diesel would shine but I doubt the liberty diesel is meant to be used to tow anything as heavy as a toy hauler.
 
If you have the Frontier with an automatic 5 speed transmission, you'll be alright to tow, but even a light toy hauler will likely exceed the Frontier's low 630 lbs of tongue weight.
 
For a toy hauler, I would stick with a heavy half ton or 3/4 ton truck, not 1/2 ton trucks.
 
Good luck and have a good one.

[cpaharley]

I just got rid of my 2005 Pathfinder. Look at your Front GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). This will limit your ability to have a heavier hitch weight because the lightweight Front axle will have to deal with transfered hitch weight. The 4X4 Pathfinder was pathetic with a puny 2775 lbs rating for the front axle. Most midsize trucks have 3200 lbs or higher so that transfered weight from the hitch can be accomidated.
 
If you have the manual, forget about towing as the limit on the manual is but 3500 lbs. Now the 5 speed automatic that Nissan offers in the Pathfinder, Frontier, Titan and Armada can be used to tow the vehicles max weight. My 4X4 Pathfinders was 6000 but with a light 600 lbs tongue weight.
 
While my Pathfinder did have a good torque rating of 291 lbs of torque at 4000 rpms, it seems way over rated next to my Sport Trac's 300 lbs of torque at 3950 rpms. The Sport track is a heavier vehicle but the torque is so much better at lower rpms. That's where the diesel would shine but I doubt the liberty diesel is meant to be used to tow anything as heavy as a toy hauler.
 
If you have the Frontier with an automatic 5 speed transmission, you'll be alright to tow, but even a light toy hauler will likely exceed the Frontier's low 630 lbs of tongue weight.
 
For a toy hauler, I would stick with a heavy half ton or 3/4 ton truck, not 1/2 ton trucks.
 
Good luck and have a good one.

I believe that the new Frontier shares the same frame as the Titan and I have the 4x4 which may increase my front GAWR which is 3296 lbs.
The trailer weight is 1600 lbs w/o the bike so I estimate about 2500 lbs loaded with gear. The tongue weight should not exceed 15% or 325# or I have the trailer loaded improperly. I'll check that with a scale. If you have a chance go to the trailer website, it's an awesome setup.

[Mike Up]

I believe that the new Frontier shares the same frame as the Titan and I have the 4x4 which may increase my front GAWR which is 3296 lbs.
The trailer weight is 1600 lbs w/o the bike so I estimate about 2500 lbs loaded with gear. The tongue weight should not exceed 15% or 325# or I have the trailer loaded improperly. I'll check that with a scale. If you have a chance go to the trailer website, it's an awesome setup.

I had a Crew Cab Off Road Nissan Titan 4X4 and a new design 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4X4.
 
The Pathfinders FGAWR was 2775 lbs and it's RGAWR was 3500 lbs (which I don't believe because it was so soft) and it's GVWR was 6000 lbs and it's rated payload was 1308 lbs.
 
The Frontier, Xterra, Armada and Pathfinder were all based on the new boxed frame used by the Titan.
 
It's great that the Frontier has upped their Front GAWR but I hope the rear is just as robust. My new 2008 XLT 4.6L 4X4 Sport Trac (haven't even plated it yet) has a FGAWR of 3240 lbs, RGAWR of 3340 lbs, a GVWR of 6280 lbs and a payload of 1400 lbs. It has 7000 lbs towing with a 730 lbs of rated hitch weight.
 
That's just by comparision. Dodge Dakota has the lowest GVWR and payload of any truck yet has robust 3600 lbs front and rear axle ratings yet a 6010 lbs GVWR. Full size axle rating but low GVWR when paired with the 4.7L V8.
 
Regardless, your truck has the 6 speed manual. The manuals aren't rated high for towing. The previous models were only 3500 lbs but I'll check my 2007 Frontier manual. I have all the Nissan truck owner's manuals.
 
Good luck and have a good one.

[Mike Up]

Looks like on the newer model designs, the manual transmissions now have the maximum tow capacity. In that case I would use the Frontier over the lower Hp and shorter wheelbase Liberty as long as you can stay within the tongue weight limits of your hitch.

Have a good one.

[toynrnd]

Just for grins, I would run across a scale to find out how much your vehicles and trailers REALLY weigh.  You might be surprised.  The curb weight on our '06 Dodge Megacab was supposed to be 7350+/-.  Running it across the scales with a full tank of fuel and no one in it, we were at 7900 lbs.  Now 550 lbs doesn't seem like much, but add me, the wife and kids, and some gear for the weekend, and it adds up fast.  Then, if your trailer weighs a couple hundred pounds more dry than the data plate says, then you add gear for a weekend, you'll be surprised at how much you are actually pulling.  Have fun and be safe!

[joe dirt]

I also have a 2006 Liberty CRD. I pull my Starcraft 2701 all over the place including all through the rockies in Colorado. The diesel pulls the camper through the mountians as well as my Silverado 4x4. The torque is unbelievable and I have gotten as good as 24 mpg on the flats through Kansas. I put the cruise on and in 200 miles the transmission only kicked down one time, and this is with the overdrive not kicked out. I love that little diesel.

[cpaharley]

I also have a 2006 Liberty CRD. I pull my Starcraft 2701 all over the place including all through the rockies in Colorado. The diesel pulls the camper through the mountians as well as my Silverado 4x4. The torque is unbelievable and I have gotten as good as 24 mpg on the flats through Kansas. I put the cruise on and in 200 miles the transmission only kicked down one time, and this is with the overdrive not kicked out. I love that little diesel.

We love ours until diesel went thru the roof