Hey everyone. I just took delivery of a 05 Pathfinder SE. Fully loaded , but minus the leather and dvd console setup.
I have about 200 miles on her. One of my main about purchasing this SUV is will it really pull up to 6000 lbs? I traded in my 03 Tahoe w/ the 4.8L V8 which is rated at 270hp and 7000lbs towing. So I was like ok, this Pathfinder will do it but not as good. eeeekkkk!!
Well first thing this morning I had to go to my local trailer shop to get a 5 prong trailer wiring hooked up. The one that came on the Pathfinder was a 4 prong. At about noon time, I headed out to our boat storage, backed the Pathfinder to my 2004 FourWinns 194 Funship Deck boat. This is no small boat. I figure that the weight of the boat was :
Boat w/ motor 3600 lbs
Trailer: 960 lbs
Gas/ 50 gallon: 416 lbs ( 1 gallon= 8.328 lbs)
Water / 12 gallon: 99 lbs
Grand total weight is: 5075 lbs or very close. I did have a full tank of gas and water along with the tow test. I was told that fuel weighs less then water and these are math factors from weight of water per gallon, so it might be a little less but nothing to fight over.
Keep in mind I am not including weight on boat gear like tools, water sports gear, food, ice chest or anything like that.
But I hooked the boat up and the boat did weight down the rear end of the pathfinder some, but so did my Tahoe. So what!! It never bottomed out or anything during the ride.
Off I go. I was very amazed everyone!!! After about a 15 mile run down into the Texas Hill Country and Highway this Pathfinder did awesome. Highway running was quick and never lost speed. When I accelerated the gas pedal it would want to go even faster! I fell that there was really no loss in speed up hills as I expected. This SUV being a V6 has really shocked me what it really can compete against! I felt that my Tahoe accelerated a lot slower and shift from the Tahoe always had a clunky shift point in its weak tranny. The Tahoe took some time to get over 40mph versus the pathfinder getting there quicker!!! But hey that is Chevy for you.
So if I compare apple & oranges from my new 05 Pathfinder V6 vs my previous 03 Tahoe V8,, I prefer my Pathfinder to tow my boat. I now can get it to the lake faster! hahahaha.
Nissan did an awesome job w/ the pathfinders ability to do it all. The only thing I feel that the Pathfinder is not all up to was the room/size area (inside). It felt smaller, but I was aware of that since I was down sizing when I step off from our Tahoe.
I just wanted to say thank you Nissan for an awesome product and our family will be very happy with our purchase as years to come.
God Bless and thanks for looking everyone!
Last edited by shift_ : Jun 11th, 2005 at 08:24 PM.
...But I hooked the boat up and the boat did weight down the rear end of the pathfinder some...
...and looking at the pictures, it appears the trailer may not be set up quite right. 5% to 15% of 5100 = 255lbs. to 765lbs. Keeping it toward the lower end (around 300 lbs) should level your ride.
I added Air Lifts to my rear coils to level my trailer when towing. They are fairly inexpensive $80 or so and have held up for 4 years so far. You can see a few pics of them in the link below.
I added Air Lifts to my rear coils to level my trailer when towing. They are fairly inexpensive $80 or so and have held up for 4 years so far. You can see a few pics of them in the link below.
The rear suspension is a little soft. It is normal to get some sag. This trailer has a long neck as you see. From the boat and Pathfinder, it is still level, I might just need also a lower drop hitch to even out along with air lifts. No biggie at this time. I just wanted to put a review out there for fellow owners that own a "05" PathY that would worry if it would not tow the big toys out there. So no need to worry. I done it.
The rear suspension is a little soft. It is normal to get some sag. This trailer has a long neck as you see. From the boat and Pathfinder, it is still level, I might just need also a lower drop hitch to even out along with air lifts. No biggie at this time. I just wanted to put a review out there for fellow owners that own a "05" PathY that would worry if it would not tow the big toys out there. So no need to worry. I done it.
Thanks for the review. I didn't mean to sound critical, if I did. Most folks expect the marine dealer to deliver a rig already set up and a lot (most?) of dealers don't take the time or have anyone capable of balancing a trailer. In the pictures, it looked like the tongue was bowing, but I guess that is just an illusion.
A drop hitch sounds like a good idea. Upgrading from Rancho RS5000's (assuming that is what you currently have) to 9000's may help. I put 5000s on my '92, but wished I had done a little more reading 'cause I would have spent twice as much for the 9000s.
Thanks for the review. I didn't mean to sound critical, if I did. Most folks expect the marine dealer to deliver a rig already set up and a lot (most?) of dealers don't take the time or have anyone capable of balancing a trailer. In the pictures, it looked like the tongue was bowing, but I guess that is just an illusion.
A drop hitch sounds like a good idea. Upgrading from Rancho RS5000's (assuming that is what you currently have) to 9000's may help. I put 5000s on my '92, but wished I had done a little more reading 'cause I would have spent twice as much for the 9000s.
Oh, no not at all. I am glad to be of assistant to help others that are considering ever-towing that this PUP can do it. Enjoy these new design Pathy's. They are nice rigs will a very nice setup and design. I am glad that I own one.
Don't regret leaving the Tahoe.
Guys, I know I posted a review about my boat in tow and said it did great. "BUT" I want to warn you about something else. I never tested the boat ramp tow.
Let me tell you my story:
As you know, I put in a nice report about my new 05 Pathfinder SE pulling my boat. Well yes it does to great.
about 1 week ago,,,,, it was put to it's real test. The boat versus The Pathfinder. What do I mean?
Well My cousin, son and I strap down the FourWinns boat to our Pathy and off we go. Up and down the hill country. Wow what a great job!!!
As we get to the Boat Ramp which was wet, like any other day. We prepared to back down the FourWinns down the ramp. As I first notice,,, boat was taking my Pathy down the ramp. Luckly I hit the brakes the Pathy skids about 1' or so and finally stops half way down the ramp. I slowly go a little further down. The boat again feels like it's taking my Pathfinder down. I locked the brakes again.
Let me just say one thing. You know when you have a feeling that you don't have a good feeling about somethingt? Well I did at this moment. I had the boat trailer rear tires about half way in water and I was not feeling comfortable about this. So I wuss out!!!
I put the Pathfinder in 1st gear. Accelerated slowly foward the ramp like I would in my old Tahoe suv and the Pathfinder was spinning its tires. The tires gradually stared to move the FourWinns back up. A littl bit of fish tailing and a small audience watching as if this is the last game of the NBA championship. The tires smoking like crazy, my foot on the pedal easy, not WOT.
As person walked up to my window and said do I have 4x4, I locked my brakes and I said "No I sure don't". As I stop the pathfinder (applying the brakes) and saying NOPE, no 4x4" to the gentlemen, I felt the FourWinns taking me down the ramp again. I hit the gas pedal again, and It started to get its traction. I finally made it out after about a 2 minute spin off/smoke out. Some sweat on my forehead, I felt like I just got done running the marathon. Boy that was scary.
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I was thinking my SUV was to light. Nope,, not the problem. After a conclusion and tested at anotherr boat ramp with the same results. All the time it was the BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires on my PF SE.
Guys I read some reviews and take it from me. These are dangerous tires in wet road conditions.
The reason why I know its the tires is b/c at the other (2nd) boat ramp the incline was like 20 degree and even when I was just backing just the TRAILER to retreive the boat I was sliding down the ramp the same distance.
So I read some reviews , complain the BFG and they were willing to buy my tires back @ 50% of the MSRP price which is about $60.00 each. To each and one of you that own these BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires, please please be very very carefull in rain or snow conditions. Here are some reviews for your judgement before it is to late.
As for me. I decided to keep the BFGs to be put back on at the end of my lease term. I did get new replacement tires which are the Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S. Let me tell you. WOW. No more sliding down the boat ramp. If you do keep these BFGs to all , please be super safe while you have your family with you.
Yeah I got that part. It was more a question around how did you get the rugged trails on a regular SE. Nissan must be doing things in different parts of the country.
I was only persisting because I was wondering if the 60/tire was for the rugged Trail or long trail. I'm contemplating trading my rugged trails in now before I get too many miles on them.
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Ordered April 8th, delivered June 20th
2005 SE OR Storm Grey with SAB
Yeah I got that part. It was more a question around how did you get the rugged trails on a regular SE. Nissan must be doing things in different parts of the country.
I was only persisting because I was wondering if the 60/tire was for the rugged Trail or long trail. I'm contemplating trading my rugged trails in now before I get too many miles on them.
Well from the reviews the Longtrails are better tires then the Rugged. So if you got the longtrails be happy. I know I am not w/ the Rugged'z
As I was reading your account of launching, I was thinking, "sounds like lack of tire traction. Wonder what tire come on Pathfinders theese days?" Then you answered that question. Thanks.
I put Yokohamas Geolander A/T +II on my '92 this year. Previously, I had Michelin Cross Terrains, which were a bit better on wet roads and ramps, but were worthless in the mud - I learned this the hard way. Over all, I am very satisfied with the Yokos and they were priced such that they were worth trying.
As a side note, a trick that works well with most tires (for low speeds only) on slippery surfaces is to reduce the air pressure. This puts more tread on the road, thus more traction. But, you'll want to reinflate them before you head out on the highway or prepare yourself for a possible blowout due to the added friction causing the tires to over heat - I did that too, after getting a slow leak from a large screw on the Ohio Turnpike years ago (not fun).
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