1997 Nissan Pickup towing car?

G

GudaXJ

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Richmond, Va
I've got a 97 Nissan Pickup 4cyl, 5speed, 2wd. The truck's max towing capacity in the manual says 3500lbs. I know its realllly pushing it, but I'm about to buy a tow dolly to transport vehicles 20 miles max on flat ground. Anyone have any experience towing vehicles with their 4 cylinder truck? I understand i'll have to drive cautious, but is it possible without horrible damage to my truck? Thanks..

P.S.
The vehicles I want to tow are a 98 XJ, 72' FJ40, and an 84 VW Scirocco
 
I don't think you'll have much to worry about going that far. Also I don't know about the Toy, or the VW, but you can't dolly a ZJ it's eather flat tow or trailer. You can disconect the drive shaft though.
 
Nope.

Do not tow anything that will exceed the max towing rating of the truck.

It is not an issue of getting going, it is an issue of stopping, handling, and just generally being safe.

If the vehicle being towed, and the dolly, add up to under 3500lbs. then go ahead....but if it is more, and it sounds like it will be, find another tow vehicle.

Rev
 
There are pretty good deals on rental trucks from places like u-haul, or even home depot rents trucks. Like it was said above stopping is the hard part. It is not worth the chance to me.
 
I agree with Rev, search Modified tech for "tow capacity" and you will find numerous discussions on the subject. Not the least of which is that if you tow beyond capacity and have an accident and kill someone, you may be held criminally responsible.

Not worth it IMHO...
 
I guess i should prolly look into full size trucks for a tow rig. Haha, i love the gas mileage from this truck though. Ok second question.. if installed electric brakes on the dolly would that at all help? Again, i have no experience towing so i apologize for my stupidity...
 
How much could it possibly cost to rent a fullsize pickup truck for a day? Spend the money for the peace of mind.
 
Last edited:
GudaXJ said:
I guess i should prolly look into full size trucks for a tow rig. Haha, i love the gas mileage from this truck though. Ok second question.. if installed electric brakes on the dolly would that at all help? Again, i have no experience towing so i apologize for my stupidity...
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I don't think it matters. Its about being able to control the extra mass, electric brakes won't cut it. Its more related to the weight of the tow vehicle as well as power and braking ability. What's the vehicle you want to tow and how much does it weigh?
 
Beej said:
What's the vehicle you want to tow and how much does it weigh?
Click to expand...

I'm gonna guess a '98 XJ, '72 FJ40, and an '84 VW Scirocco.
 
I towed a 5x12 utility trailer fully loaded when I moved with my 99 s-10 4-cyl 5speed 2wd and I had the back of the truck full of tools. it did the job. just watch your stopping distances and take it easy and you will be fine. Oh and dont even think about up-shifting any time before the redline. And your clutch will hate you when you takeoff.
 
I would not do it, especially since you indicate you are inexperienced at towing.

For 20 miles, wouldn't it be easier to get 3 friends and buy them pizza to each drive a vehicle?

Jim
 
90xj4x4 said:
I towed a 5x12 utility trailer fully loaded when I moved with my 99 s-10 4-cyl 5speed 2wd and I had the back of the truck full of tools. it did the job. just watch your stopping distances and take it easy and you will be fine. Oh and dont even think about up-shifting any time before the redline. And your clutch will hate you when you takeoff.
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That's some supremo dumbass advice you're dishing out there. Let's hope he doesn't try it, because when he kills someone, he can point to your advice and make you culpable too.

Take it back to JU...

:thumbdn:
 
GudaXJ said:
Ok second question.. if installed electric brakes on the dolly would that at all help? Again, i have no experience towing so i apologize for my stupidity...
Click to expand...

OK...I will try again, at least you asked before trying this...

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !

BAD IDEA!

DO NOT EXCEED THE MAX TOWING RATING!

Plain enough?

Rev
 
mavinwy said:
For 20 miles, wouldn't it be easier to get 3 friends and buy them pizza to each drive a vehicle?
Click to expand...

It would probably be safer and easier...

but then Darwin would get cheated.
 
Gil BullyKatz said:
It would probably be safer and easier...

but then Darwin would get cheated.
Click to expand...

Not if Darwin gets the straggler toppings that are left in the middle of the pizza box.
 
Rev Den said:
It is not an issue of getting going, it is an issue of stopping, handling, and just generally being safe.
Click to expand...
Rev Den said:
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !

BAD IDEA!

DO NOT EXCEED THE MAX TOWING RATING!
Rev
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know this first hand. Luckily nothing happened, but it was pretty scarey when it happened.

Two years ago at AT I was towing five-ton tractor trucks (818 and 931 for those who know) to and from our field camp back to the garages. I was using an 818, which is a lighter 5-ton, towing a 931, a heavier one. Coming around a corner I could feel the back end sliding out. Now, I'm not exactly sure how much heavier the 931 is, but it pushed that thing around like nothing. Now everytime someone wants to tow a truck thats not authorized, I absolutely refuse it to happen. I've told my E6 and an 1LT that they're retarded for even bringing it up.

If the vehicles are driveable, I'd say that the pizza idea is a good one. My $.02
 
Stupid question, why not use the XJ as a tow rig? Seems that the only one of that bunch the Nissan may be able to tow is the VW, according to the Illinois Airteam my '98 Limited weighs in at just over 3500lbs (granted I don't know where they get those numbers, they claimed my '85 Lebaron GTS weighed 3100lbs and most of the reference material I was able to find on that particular car had weight somewhere in the 2600-2800lbs range), and I can't imagine the FJ being anywhere near as light as the VW.
 
well the thing is i'd love to use the xj or even my fj60 as a tow rig, but all those cars listed are all dead. But I do understand that towing any vehicle period with that truck is retarded... thanks for the input
 
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