Determining If 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Can Use Weight Distribution Hitch.  

Hello, What would be the correct set up for towing our popup tent trailer safely? We have a rear squat of 1.75 inches with the trailer hooked up. I also read that e-trailer recommended a weight distribution hitch if the travel trailer is half over half the weight of the vehicle and is seems our popup camper is right on the border. Would an air suspension kit be a better option? I emailed Nissan asking if I could use a weight distribution hitch with my vehicle and they sent me the towing guide. Below is my question about the weight distribution hitch and then followed by Nissans response. My question is can my 2014 Nissan Pathfinder SL -4X4 with the tow package use a weight distribution hitch system? I have read through the towing guide thoroughly and it does not answer that question. The towing guide is difficult to interpret because the towing capacity on my Nissan Pathfinder is 5000 lbs and the guide states that a weight distributing hitch ball mount Class IV is recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs. Which in turn would be over the recommended Nissan towing capacity for my vehiclemax tow capacity 5000 lbs. It does not clarify if I can use a weight distribution system when towing under 5000 lbs. Nissans response: Thank you for taking the time to contact Nissan North America and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance. While one can indeed install a class III/IV hitch receiver on a Pathfinder of that year, that you could indeed slide a weight-distribution hitch into, physically, what is NOT physically possible is for that vehicle to tow any vehicle or load that would require or utilize a weight-distribution hitch, which are designed and meant for loads in excess of 8K lbs. So, I am confused if I can indeed use a weight distribution hitch with sway control when towing under 5000 lbs. Here our our numbers from the door sticker Nissan Pathfinder SL with tow package and a tow capacity of 5,000lbs: GVWR: 5,986 GCWR:10,000 GAWR FR:2921 GAWR RR:3120 Curb Weight-4,837Although, I weighed the vehicle,without passengers or cargo at the CAT scale and the numbers were Front Axle-2400, Rear Axle-2040 and total axle= 4,440 Payload-1,149 Viking travel trailer 2011 2108st Dry weight-1932 Cargo-753 GVWR-2882 What are your recommendations for the correct towing accessories? Also, would I need to add additional transmission cooler to it? I want to make sure we are safe out on the highway. We are currently using a Curt Echo wireless trailer brake controller. Thank you for your help!

asked by: Lisa R