Yes, I am making the trek from the New York City area to my new home in sunny Las Vegas. I will be hooking a hitch up to my '03 Pathfinder and towing my beloved Infiniti G20 behind it.
This is my first time towing - can anyone give me tips/suggestions?
My tranny will have a cooler installed with a class 3 hitch and the car will be on a dolly.
I would use your good judgement. At speeds above 65-70 or so, unless you go hammer down to pass, you won't often kick out of OD. My advice is to leave it off while accelerating after a stop, and once you reach your cruise speed, on flat land, where you can set the cruise and there's not too much of a chance of hopping into and out of OD, you can allow the transmission to upshift into it. That's what I've always done. Just be careful and, like I said, use good judgement.
BTW, I'm jealous of your cross country trip, it's something I've always wanted to do! But when I do it it's going to take me the better part of a few weeks so I can stop at various places
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2002 Canteen Green Pathy - AC skids - K&N - Garmin GPS - Cobra CB - KC Daylighters - Con Ferr Rack - Hella 500's - OME Lift - Rancho - KYB - Lot's of mud and a dented door!
Yes, I have a suggestion. Buy a full-size truck with a diesel, unless of course you want to keep replacing your rear differential or transmission every couple of years! Have you checked the towing capability of the Pathfinder. The VQ35 engine is strong, but you're better off renting a truck and trailer to haul your G20, unless you don't value your G20 either. I'm a Nissan/Infiniti tech, and I know what I am talking about! Thanks!
The Pathfinder's rated @ 5K lbs...why would he have an issue towing a 3000lb G20 w/ it? Sure it's not recommended for the long term to be doing, but I know PLENTY of people who tow copious amounts of weight with relatively stock pathy's, properly maintained, with decent external coolers that do just fine.
Plus, he may not be able to rent a diesel.
And what does towing his car with a Pathy have anything to do with not valuing it?
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2002 Canteen Green Pathy - AC skids - K&N - Garmin GPS - Cobra CB - KC Daylighters - Con Ferr Rack - Hella 500's - OME Lift - Rancho - KYB - Lot's of mud and a dented door!
The Pathfinder's rated @ 5K lbs...why would he have an issue towing a 3000lb G20 w/ it? Sure it's not recommended for the long term to be doing, but I know PLENTY of people who tow copious amounts of weight with relatively stock pathy's, properly maintained, with decent external coolers that do just fine.
Plus, he may not be able to rent a diesel.
And what does towing his car with a Pathy have anything to do with not valuing it?
Yes, but you're going cross country! A whole different scenario then just going across town. You will put a tremendous strain on the transmission and differential, and the stock oil coolers for the engine and transmission will not be enough. You might consider having someone follow you in the G20, or have it shipped. Otherwise, you'll be doing major $$ repairs on that truck.
Look, if you have a luxury car, you can afford to have it shipped. People spend $35-55,000 on those cars, so coming up with shipping shouldn't be too big a deal. What year is this G20 anyhow? All I am saying is that, probably before you get to Las Vegas, either the trans or rear end will fail or need serious service!
If it won't be enough, why has nissan built it to tow 5K. I will have a tranny cooler installed on it and the car will be on a dolly with the front wheels up. MY G is a 2001. I don't have the $ for a diesel or a shipping service, so I just have to take it nice and easy.
This will be the heaviest and probably the only time my Pathfinder will be towing anything.
I have a 2001, I've owned since new and have towed a 3500 pound boat over long distances at least once per year. 1600 miles round trip to the Florida Keys twice, just returned from Port Charlotte. 1200 miles round trip. My transmission and rear end have never failed. I do have a tranny cooler and have the fluid changed more often than recommended.
You could probably ship the car for $1000 or so. I had my hobby car shipped from Nevada to Atlanta for $950.
i gave up on the towing idea - it was becoming to costly. I put new tires on my G20 and we're good to go.... off to Vegas we go on wednesday morning...
With my OD off my engine revs. at about 3300 RPM @ 60-65 mph. Hope you have deep pockets!
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