trailer hitch on 04 max
07-03-2005, 07:11 PM
#4
Moderator GT-R
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 19,780
Originally Posted by maxmale
does anyone have one on their max? just curious.
What's an RE edition?
07-03-2005, 11:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
In case the decision is made to mount a trailer hitch, don't go 'cheap'; get a good one that is designed to mount firmly to the 6th gen Maxima chassi/frame. Get one with at least a 1000 weight capacity, more if convenient. Don't forget to attach the two safety side chains when towing.
Don't try to tow a loaded (or empty) trailer with a tongue weight of more than 100 pounds, or with a total trailer and cargo weight of over 1000 pounds with the 6th gen Maxima.
Don't even tow 1000 pounds regularly in hilly country. Hills have a great effect on trailer towing, considerably increasing the stresses involved. The tranny on the Maxima (or most similar vehicles) was not designed for heavy trailer towing on a frequent basis.
If, however, the total trailer and cargo weight is under 500 pounds, a reasonable and cautious person should have no difficulty towing it most anywhere with the Maxima, even on a frequent basis.
edit - And if one is driving down the highway towing a trailer, and the car begins to sort of shift slightly from side to side, and a glance in the mirror shows the trailer wobbling from side to side, get a tight grip on the wheel, ease off the throttle, and keep your face away from the airbag, as you may soon be headed for the ditch.
I have often seen trailers wobbling badly from side to side, with the driver seemingly oblivious. Over the decades, I have also see some of these wobbling trailers overturn, and I have actually seen a few come apart and self-destruct. Taller, top-heavy trailers (short house trailers, tall campers, tall U-Hauls, etc) are especially prone to serious wobbling.
When towing, take a look back every so often. If the trailer is wobbling, there is a problem.
Also remember that, when towing with the Maxima, the relatively small type of trailer you would normally tow does not have brakes, so all the braking is done by the car tires, not the trailer tires. That means you have a longer stopping distance, and less flexibility in maneuvering. A fairly sharp turn while in full braking can lead to a jacknife situation. I have been in that situation both as a passenger in a pickup towing a U-Haul trailer, and as a passenger in the tractor of a semi. Neither was the least bit of fun. I had to be cut out of the tractor.
If towing at night (or in dim situations), the trailer must have lights, including brake lights. Some states also require turn signals on the trailer. Trailers also require license tags.
Don't try to tow a loaded (or empty) trailer with a tongue weight of more than 100 pounds, or with a total trailer and cargo weight of over 1000 pounds with the 6th gen Maxima.
Don't even tow 1000 pounds regularly in hilly country. Hills have a great effect on trailer towing, considerably increasing the stresses involved. The tranny on the Maxima (or most similar vehicles) was not designed for heavy trailer towing on a frequent basis.
If, however, the total trailer and cargo weight is under 500 pounds, a reasonable and cautious person should have no difficulty towing it most anywhere with the Maxima, even on a frequent basis.
edit - And if one is driving down the highway towing a trailer, and the car begins to sort of shift slightly from side to side, and a glance in the mirror shows the trailer wobbling from side to side, get a tight grip on the wheel, ease off the throttle, and keep your face away from the airbag, as you may soon be headed for the ditch.
I have often seen trailers wobbling badly from side to side, with the driver seemingly oblivious. Over the decades, I have also see some of these wobbling trailers overturn, and I have actually seen a few come apart and self-destruct. Taller, top-heavy trailers (short house trailers, tall campers, tall U-Hauls, etc) are especially prone to serious wobbling.
When towing, take a look back every so often. If the trailer is wobbling, there is a problem.
Also remember that, when towing with the Maxima, the relatively small type of trailer you would normally tow does not have brakes, so all the braking is done by the car tires, not the trailer tires. That means you have a longer stopping distance, and less flexibility in maneuvering. A fairly sharp turn while in full braking can lead to a jacknife situation. I have been in that situation both as a passenger in a pickup towing a U-Haul trailer, and as a passenger in the tractor of a semi. Neither was the least bit of fun. I had to be cut out of the tractor.
If towing at night (or in dim situations), the trailer must have lights, including brake lights. Some states also require turn signals on the trailer. Trailers also require license tags.
07-04-2005, 06:50 AM
#8
Moderator GT-R
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 19,780
Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual and you should be golden. IIRC the manual that came with my AE said not to pull a trailer with your Maxima. The 2k4 manual clearly states it is okay. You can buy a nice receiver hitch at your Nissan dealer and they will install it for you too.
Lightonthehill's advice applies no matter what your tow vehicle/trailer combo.
Lightonthehill's advice applies no matter what your tow vehicle/trailer combo.
07-04-2005, 07:26 AM
#9
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,336
I've been toying with the idea of buying a trailer hitch too. I want to get a small trailer to tow loads of kayaks back and forth from town to the cottage. I teach sea kayaking and to get 3-4 boats out there is a PITA. Not sure I'm ready to commit to the expense tho. It would be nice to not have to mount the roof rack and tie down straps each time I want to carry boats.
07-04-2005, 08:24 AM
#12
Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
lol Hmm truck $30,000.+gas+insurance+repairs......Trailer, hitch, and custom boat rack $1200....which is the best value for the money? Soooo hard to decide.
you put like it's so obvious. (I know it is) he probably had a beater truck in mind. but the cost will still be higher. The 6th has plenty of power to do it, like bluemaxx stated. basically, just drive accordingly. i just wouldn't want to tow anything.
07-04-2005, 01:29 PM
#14
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,269
Ive seen a focus with a hole cut in the bumper about 3" from the bottom to allow a hitch to pop through. I wonder if you'd need to do that to the maxima too...some cars were made with that never taken into consideration. I ve never seen a 6th gen with one.
07-04-2005, 02:50 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
Seems some here are seriously thinking about pulling a trailer with a 6th gen. Those that do may need to get a hitch designed for the '06, because of the large rear bumper. I would not like to see anyone cutting through the rear bumper. That immediately tells everyone you are running a 'jury-rigged' (and possibly less-safe) setup. Not cool.
Also, although 32 or 33 psi rides rather nicely on the 6th gen, I feel that may not be the best pressure for trailer towing. If towing, I would begin with 35 or so psi front and rear, and, if the tongue weight is over thirty or so pounds, I would add a pound of air to each rear tire for every ten pounds of additional tongue weight (above thirty or so; doesn't have to be exact).
Extra pressure in the rear tires helps the tires maintain a normal profile and run cooler (important on hot summer days) with the extra weight at the rear, and also reduces the tendency of the trailer to wobble.
The most important point: if you are pulling a trailer and still driving the car like a Maxima, you will run into trouble at some point. Pulling a trailer is a totally different ball game than driving a Maxima. Drive it as if you are driving a semi (extra cautious, leaving extra distances, looking well ahead, etc), and you will be fine.
Also, although 32 or 33 psi rides rather nicely on the 6th gen, I feel that may not be the best pressure for trailer towing. If towing, I would begin with 35 or so psi front and rear, and, if the tongue weight is over thirty or so pounds, I would add a pound of air to each rear tire for every ten pounds of additional tongue weight (above thirty or so; doesn't have to be exact).
Extra pressure in the rear tires helps the tires maintain a normal profile and run cooler (important on hot summer days) with the extra weight at the rear, and also reduces the tendency of the trailer to wobble.
The most important point: if you are pulling a trailer and still driving the car like a Maxima, you will run into trouble at some point. Pulling a trailer is a totally different ball game than driving a Maxima. Drive it as if you are driving a semi (extra cautious, leaving extra distances, looking well ahead, etc), and you will be fine.
Deus, what kind of wheels are those and do you know what they weigh?
07-04-2005, 09:37 PM
#18
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 240
Good luck man. I woulden't do it. I loaded my car with material and hated the way it stopped. Note I have a stone stock MAX. Maybe with a few Gs woth of mods it might do the job to my liking and I would only to as heavy as a motorcycle. Kinda usless for me. I'd get a 500.00 beater and save the life of my max.
07-05-2005, 08:35 AM
#19
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD
Posts: 10,202
Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
lol Hmm truck $30,000.+gas+insurance+repairs......Trailer, hitch, and custom boat rack $1200....which is the best value for the money? Soooo hard to decide.
07-07-2005, 05:00 AM
#22
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27
Hitch on my 04 Max
I like to bike so I had one installed for my bike rack. I had trouble finding one at first since the car was so new (Spring 04), but finally located one through HiddenHitch for about $225 installed. (hiddenhitch.com). It is virtually invisible. I found out that Canadian Nissan dealers have a factory hitch available, but had trouble getting them to ship it. Also, at that time the factory hitch did not meet US standards which is why it wasn't available in the US. That may have changed by now.
07-07-2005, 08:51 AM
#24
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27
Hitch for 04 Max
I bought my car in October 03 but didn't look for a hitch until the following spring. Many of the manufacturers didn't have anything yet as they didn't have much demand for a hitch for the 04 Max. I did find some that were butt-ugly, required some cutting, etc., but I wanted to keep the appearance clean. The hidden hitch fit the bill. Besides the bike rack, I've towed a trailer with it a couple of times with no problems. That's basically all I needed it for. I do have a pic which I'll post when my membership updates...
07-07-2005, 12:21 PM
#26
Originally Posted by Defib
I'd buy a used pick-up before I would install a hitch! But, to each his own........
look here: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=378729
07-08-2005, 02:40 PM
#28
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 429
Originally Posted by CanadianMoFo
lol Hmm truck $30,000.+gas+insurance+repairs......Trailer, hitch, and custom boat rack $1200....which is the best value for the money? Soooo hard to decide.
07-08-2005, 07:32 PM
#33
Nations 1st 6th Gen Turbo
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Displaced New Yorker in Southern, MD
Posts: 10,202
Originally Posted by HWY2HELL
Hmmm....$200 hitch - or - $500 beater truck, place to store it, insurance, wife's complaints....
DON'T BE PU$$Y WHIPPED
, WHIP THE PU$$Y... 
07-13-2005, 08:07 AM
#36
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 27
Hitch Pic Link
Here's a pic of my hidden hitch if you're interested. The cover slides off then you insert the receiver/bike rack, etc., into the hitch. Replace the cover when you're done and the hitch is practically unnoticable. The hitch frame is not exposed at all and is a very clean installation.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pulpda...Jg9SDBzw2hlYUc
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pulpda...Jg9SDBzw2hlYUc
07-13-2005, 09:26 AM
#37
Newbie just Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: LA/OC, CA
Posts: 2,795
Originally Posted by HWY2HELL
Here's a pic of my hidden hitch if you're interested. The cover slides off then you insert the receiver/bike rack, etc., into the hitch. Replace the cover when you're done and the hitch is practically unnoticable. The hitch frame is not exposed at all and is a very clean installation.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pulpda...Jg9SDBzw2hlYUc
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pulpda...Jg9SDBzw2hlYUc
Have fun towing.
07-13-2005, 05:25 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: a meadow south of Atlanta
Posts: 8,143
RHMax - We frequently tow a trailer with our little Ranger pickup, and usually we are carring either the smallest of our riding mowers, which is around 500 pounds, or a few dozen bales of pine straw, again under 500 pounds, or fertilizer or lime or fence posts or drain pipes or any of dozens of things typically used on a farm, and all of which are well under the 1000 pound Maxima towing limit and could easily be towed by either of our Maximas, should we bother to put on a trailer hitch.
When we move to our low-maintenance retirement home, we will probably get rid of the truck and the 5th gen Maxima and put a trailer hitch on our 6th gen.
When we move to our low-maintenance retirement home, we will probably get rid of the truck and the 5th gen Maxima and put a trailer hitch on our 6th gen.
07-13-2005, 05:53 PM
#40
Newbie just Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: LA/OC, CA
Posts: 2,795
Originally Posted by lightonthehill
RHMax - We frequently tow a trailer with our little Ranger pickup, and usually we are carring either the smallest of our riding mowers, which is around 500 pounds, or a few dozen bales of pine straw, again under 500 pounds, or fertilizer or lime or fence posts or drain pipes or any of dozens of things typically used on a farm, and all of which are well under the 1000 pound Maxima towing limit and could easily be towed by either of our Maximas, should we bother to put on a trailer hitch.
When we move to our low-maintenance retirement home, we will probably get rid of the truck and the 5th gen Maxima and put a trailer hitch on our 6th gen.
When we move to our low-maintenance retirement home, we will probably get rid of the truck and the 5th gen Maxima and put a trailer hitch on our 6th gen.
If anyone choose to put a hitch on their car, please do so.