Tow in and out of water only

[Jay Petzold]

I have a 2014 nissan pathfinder, towing cap at 5000 I tow my 17 ft boat hills and all no problem, would I be alright just moving a ar 240 from parking spot into lake and back I know the ar wheighs just over 5000 dry on the trailer but I'm only going 50 feet

 

[Bruce]

I would think that you would be fine. My only concern would be the rear suspension and you should be able to see if it is sitting on the bump stops.

 

[jawsf16]

Should be fine that short of a distance. Only concern would be if it is a steep, slick ramp.

 

[Jay Petzold]

Thanks... Ramps aernt that steep around here plus I have the awd I'm pretty mechanicly inclined so if I saw the suspension on the bump stops I wouldn't even be asking the question, appreciate the input everyone

 

[msavold]

I did it for several months at the beginning of the summer with our SX240 and Honda Pilot AWD, capacity 4500#. Mostly flat from house to ramp, concrete ramp. Didn't break a sweat at all, even on 90 deg. days plus - and that's a truck with over 200k miles. Suspension not an issue - but it's a BIG boat! Rear view is full of just boat.
(BTW, stopped when the lift was finished. No other reason. Towed to service and to storage since then.)

 

[Jay Petzold]

I did it for several months at the beginning of the summer with our SX240 and Honda Pilot AWD, capacity 4500#. Mostly flat from house to ramp, concrete ramp. Didn't break a sweat at all, even on 90 deg. days plus - and that's a truck with over 200k miles. Suspension not an issue - but it's a BIG boat! Rear view is full of just boat.
(BTW, stopped when the lift was finished. No other reason. Towed to service and to storage since then.)

 

[Jay Petzold]

I think I should be good then I still might argue need a truck to tow our boat

 

[NKTARHEEL]

You'll be fine, I move my AR240 from the ramp to storage (very short distance but longer than 50ft) with my explorer (tow package rated at 5000). Also I think the dry weight on the trailer would be a little under 5000 (thinking about 4500-4600).

 

[Jay Petzold]

Good to know I should be able to do what an explorer can thanks

 

[Bill D]

I tow my 242 all the time with my Grand Cherokee. It's rated at 7,200 lbs towing capacity, but does just fine. You know there's a boat back there, but with the surge brakes, we've had no problems.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

You should be fine. Don't forget to hook up the brakes or lock them out.

 

[BlacklimitedS]

Watch how the CVT transmission handles pulling out of the water. When Nissan switched to the new body style they lowered the towing capacity from 6000 to 5000. My understanding was the switch from a body on frame to uni-body and going from a conventional torque converter to a CVT were the factors in making the reduction. CVTs are great for performance and fuel economy but not the best for towing. Going such a short distance should be fine but these boats are heavy when loaded and pulling up a boat ramp.

 

[Jay Petzold]

Watch how the CVT transmission handles pulling out of the water. When Nissan switched to the new body style they lowered the towing capacity from 6000 to 5000. My understanding was the switch from a body on frame to uni-body and going from a conventional torque converter to a CVT were the factors in making the reduction. CVTs are great for performance and fuel economy but not the best for towing. Going such a short distance should be fine but these boats are heavy when loaded and pullinat ramp.[/QUOTEthank you and you atRe correct nissan

You are correct Nissan went to a unibody and got rid of the full frame, the cvt worries me a bit but hey it's a lease

 

[Peggy L]

We have a new pathfinder as well and are thinking of getting a 242 Limited S. Hoping it can tow!

 

[Speedling]

I towed my exciter 270 with a Hyundai Sante Fe. Sorry, just had to put my 2 cents in there...
Now I have an Expedition full of kids and gear and a boat that I load up with fuel before I go to Lake Michigan often, which is 30-40 minutes along with food, drinks, drinks, kids toys, extra friends, grill, stuff to burn on the grill, extra propane, ETC and have no problems. I like vehicles that are a good bit over the recommended rating because otherwise you are stressing the vehicle more than it should.
Besides, you never want to be stressing out a vehicle if you are going to drive through say... the Appalachian mountains, or, going down to the Bimini trip and have 1000 miles to travel.
That being said, I think your Pathfinder should be fine.

 

[McMark]

I've moved our ar240 a bunch of times with our Honda Element. Farther than 50'. More like 1000 feet but no hills or ramp and very slow.

I'd think a pathfinder would be fine.

 

[BlacklimitedS]

Unless you plan on upgrading to a larger tow vehicle you should stick with a 21 foot boat. Once you load up with fuel and gear the Pathfinder will be maxed out. I used a 2012 Pathfinder to tow our 242 and it struggled. It also had a higher towing capacity of 6000lbs.

 

[Jay Petzold]

Thank everyone for your input its become a non issue, found a GMC 2500 2011 got a great deal I can tow 10000 now

 

[Jay Petzold]

Told the wifey needed it to tow the boat

 

[Peggy L]

Well, our 2015 Pathfimder did just fine! My husband drove boat onto the trailer and I pulled it out and up the ramp with the Pathfnder. No issues at all, other than me being nervous! Towed it about 5 miles to home and all went well!.