Have I set myself up for failure? (Tow vehicle)

[Funtacular]

Nice. I appreciate all of the information. I understand completely and will take it easy. At least for the short period I wouldn't be going more than 10-15 miles so shouldn't be too bad. It is covered under an extended warranty so that is good at least. I have been researching trans cooler upgrades but really do not know what good brands are, etc. Anyone have any good experiences or recommendations they could make? How difficult is it to install something like this?

 

[2kwik4u]

Nice. I appreciate all of the information. I understand completely and will take it easy. At least for the short period I wouldn't be going more than 10-15 miles so shouldn't be too bad. It is covered under an extended warranty so that is good at least. I have been researching trans cooler upgrades but really do not know what good brands are, etc. Anyone have any good experiences or recommendations they could make? How difficult is it to install something like this?

I've put in more trans coolers than I would like to remember.

Hayden makes good stuff. I've used them in the past. If you're on a budget, go find a fullsize pickup in the junkyard and pull the trans cooler from it. Will require special brackets to be fabbed if you buy one for your particular year/model though. In this case a "kit" for your vehicle from a particular vendor might be best. Will come with the brackets and plumbing you need to make it fit and install properly.

There are two schools of thought on how to run the lines. These are assuming there is already a heat exchanger in the radiator for the trans fluid. MOST people will do it this way....Trans->Radiator->Auxiliary Cooler->Trans. However some will run through the Auxiliary first......I do the second. I want as much heat out of the fluid before it goes through the radiator heat exchanger as possible. This reduces the thermal load on the radiator, but retains the benefit of using the engine coolant to regulate the trans fluid temp (up in the winter, down in the summer). If there isn't a heat exhanger built into the radiator, then you'll want to find a thermostat to put inline with the trans cooler to ensure you don't keep the trans too cold in the winter time. Again, the CVT will be more sensitive to this than a standard automatic will be. Cold fluid requires more HP to pump (driveline losses), and will run at a higher pressure resulting in harder shifts, etc. CVT might like the cold fluid, I don't really know.

The install is pretty straightforward. Catch the fluid where you want, plumb it through the cooler, then back to the line it came from. I've tapped into lines right at the radiator for a quick/dirty installation, and I've run dedicated stainless braided all the way back to the trans inlet/outlet. Really just depends on what level of installation you want. Both will be equally effective in your situation.

 

[2kwik4u]

Went and found some pictures. This was on my 2004 ZR5 S10 pickup. This truck had a 4.3L V6 (195hp, 245lb-ft) with 4spd Auto combination. Was rated to tow 5,200lbs and I was dragging a '98 Rinker 182 with it. It did OK, but not great. Had a hard time keeping it cool, and this was an attempt to take a little thermal load off the radiator. In hindsight, I should have moved the trans cooler off the radiator to get that into free air. I ended up getting frustrated with it and traded it for an '03 GMC Yukon with a 7,400lb tow rating. NIGHT and day difference between the two. The Yukon was a significantly better platform.

Here's the combination all setup and ready to head to the lake:


Anywho, here's the cooler mounted behind the grill. I used small plastic "push clips" that went through the cooler, then through the radiator and had a little stopper on the back to keep them form pulling out. I wouldn't use these again either, but they worked while I had the truck.


Here's where I intercepted the stock lines and ran to the cooler. This was setup to go from Trans->Aux. Cooler->Radiator->Trans


Hope that helps a bit. Be sure to research the use of these on a CVT before buying anything. I'm not certain how the fluid in a CVT might be different from that in a traditional transmission.

 

[Ratket]

Can we get some exact vehicle specs?
Make/year/model/trim.

Also what are you wanting to tow?/Specs?

Are you mechanical inclined?

I understand worrying about the trans, but in all honesty, if the trans can’t handle it in stock form, then there are likely other parts as well that won’t fair to well from the stress of towing either. If you post the above info I asked for, my self and likely others can do some research and see what we can come up with. In the end, you may be better suited to find a Cheap 1/2 ton to dedicate as a “ Tow vehicle/kids vehicle” - but I’m not sure of your specific situation, and obviously you want to go the most reasonable/affordable route as we all do, or you would of already traded the current vehicle in lol.
Just trying to help.

What’s the GVWR sticker inside the drivers side door jam say? I can’t find a window sticker on line for a pathfinder.

Edit > I got the specs off of your first post.

 

[Ratket]

No doubt it is a Gamble to say the least.

Boat is 3k Dry.
You plus 3 in the car “say 500 pounds” “plus gear/ essentials say 500 pounds” = 1000 pounds.

Let’s say you take the tongue weight around 400 pounds, and if you load stuff near the back of the boat that could lighten the tongue weight...

What size hitch is on the car?

So the Nissan is rated to Tow 6k, that’s 600 pounds of tongue weight by nissans estimate” most tongue weights are 10% of the trailer weight” You and your family and 1 days worth of stuff are Right at your pay load limit.

For a 15- 20 minute drive to the lake sure, but a 3-4 hour trip, I wouldn’t do it. Heaven forbid you have to slam on the breaks on the HWY with that boat in tow.

If it was a single axle trailer, like a 190 series boat, all day long, but a double axle behind what appears to be a cross over, it’s just not for me.

Even if you are the smartest/best driver in the world, you are surrounded by morons, and having that much load behind a vehicle that is not rated to pull that type of load 24/7 just means if someone does something dumb, you could end up paying the price.

Not trying to be negative, I just think it is a really bad idea, and again this is just my personal opinion.

 

[Funtacular]

Thanks 2kwik and Ratket. I appreciate you both. I agree with everything stated. The last thing I want to do is wreck up my car and boat because I did not have the appropriate haul vehicle. Fortunately most of the local boating we do is no more than 20-30 minutes away. When we sign up for the long haul I will just have to look into a different tow vehicle. Maybe a rental or maybe borrow a buddies. I'll figure it out. At least I have a ton of information to explore thanks to you good people. Thanks again!

 

[Ratket]

You Can get a “ Uhaul Truck” for next to nothing, when ever you go far. Hell where I live if I pick up the trailer/Vehicle on Saturday I get it for free on Sunday because I can’t return it untill they re open on Monday, I just have to have it there by 8am and the uhaul trucks ain’t to shabby.

 

[Funtacular]

Good call Ratket....Uhaul would work out nicely!

 

[Liveto99]

I think you could tow it with in a half hour drive with no problem at all. If your trailer has surge breaks you’re all set if it has electric brakes get a brake controller installed. If you have an extended warrantee just make sure that adding a transmission cooler will not void that. You could probably drive a half hour each way twice a week for a year or two without any problems at all. At 5000 pounds you’re still almost 20% under it’s rated capacity. The Pathfinders just have a weak transmission that is going to go before 150,000 miles what do you do with it or not.

 

[Funtacular]

So in discussing with the wife...she comes up with this idea to upgrade her Pathfinder to an Armada instead and says that the Armada has an 8500 lbs towing capacity. I look it up and sure enough it does...What say you about this? Same situation with questionable transmission, etc or is the Armada really that big of a difference?

 

[BlkGS]

So in discussing with the wife...she comes up with this idea to upgrade her Pathfinder to an Armada instead and says that the Armada has an 8500 lbs towing capacity. I look it up and sure enough it does...What say you about this? Same situation with questionable transmission, etc or is the Armada really that big of a difference?

HUGE difference. The Armada is loosely based on the Titan platform. It's got a much more robust drivetrain, the v8 and trans is actually shared with Titan. If finances allow it, it's a WAY better choice.

 

[swatski]

The new Armada/infinity Q80 are first cousins of worldwide legendary Patrol. One of the best outback trucks ever built!
Older Armada is a great truck, too.

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[Funtacular]

Hmmm this has possibilities then....Always easier to steer her to a new vehicle then it is to consider replacing my own LOL

 

[swatski]

Hmmm this has possibilities then....Always easier to steer her to a new vehicle then it is to consider replacing my own LOL

@MrMoose has trailered his 240 with the new Armada across the continent a few times, lol, I believe he loves the truck.

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[Beachbummer]

Nissan Patrol platform is legendary, compared in some countries to the even more legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. If you want to upgrade and are willing, it's a very impressive vehicle. Gas Mileage is Abysmal, and cost is a bit higher, so run all your numbers to be sure you will be satisfied with the outcome.

 

[Liveto99]

Good choice! Armada is awesome towed the 35 Fountain with my friends it towed great. And great family vehicle.