How to Pick Out (and Install) a Nissan Trailer Hitch

Certain Nissan models and trim levels come standard with trailer hitches. Click here to learn more!
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Nissan
produces some rough and ready trucks and SUVs. Of the seven vehicles that Nissan rates as tow-ready, only a few come with a standard trailer hitch. For the ones that don’t, you can have one added on at the dealership or install one yourself later on. 
From fierce trucks like the
Titan
to sporty compact SUVs like the
Rogue
, Nissan offers a wide variety of vehicles with towing capacities ranging from 1,350 pounds to a whopping 11,060 pounds. While there are few hard-core trucks out there that can tow more, Nissan’s lineup should be able to accommodate the towing needs of most weekend warriors and summertime road trippers. 
Hitch your wagon to
insurance super app
Jerry as we take a look at the world of Nissan trailer hitches. We’ll cover which models come with them standard, which ones don’t, and what options you have to add a trailer hitch to your Nissan. And that’s not all—
Jerry
will also give you some tips on how to get fantastic
car insurance
coverage at a price that fits your budget. 

Which Nissans come with a trailer hitch? 

If you’re looking for a Nissan that comes standard with a trailer hitch, that would be either the
Armada
or higher trim levels of the
Titan XD
. These are Nissan’s largest SUV and truck, respectively, and offer the most towing capacity as well. 
For several other models, a trailer hitch can be had as an a la carte option, or as part of a package. Some models like the
Pathfinder
or the Titan have trailer hitches standard on some of the higher trim levels, but not on the lower ones. There are a lot of different combinations depending on the trim level and packages you choose, so make sure to do your research. 
You’ll need two different accessories to outfit a vehicle for towing: 
  1. a trailer hitch and 
  2. a ball mount
You’ll need both of these to successfully tow anything behind your Nissan—as long as it’s within the approved limits. 
The price and towing capacity of Nissan’s optional trailer hitch accessories vary from model to model. The Murano can tow a maximum of 1,500 pounds, while the Armada can handle up to 8,500 pounds.  Nissan offers a variety of accessories available depending on what (and how much) you’ll be towing, so make sure to ask your dealer for details. Check out the table below to see the towing capacity and some of the hitch options available for your model.
Model
Maximum towing capacity
Trailer hitch price
Ball mount price
Hitch cap price
2022 Frontier
6,720 lbs
$240 (Class IV)
$65 (Class III)
$14
2022 Titan
9,320 lbs
$430 (Class IV)
$81 (Class III)
$14
2022 Titan XD
11,060 lbs
$430 (Class IV)
$81 (Class III)
$14
2022 Rogue
1,350 lbs
N/A
N/A
N/A
2022 Murano
1,500 lbs
$400 (Class I)
$15 (Class I or II)
N/A
2022 Pathfinder
6,000 lbs
$425 (Class III)
$65 (Class III)
N/A
2022 Armada
8,500 lbs
Standard
$81 (Class III)
$14
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Nissan’s website doesn’t list any towing accessories for the Rogue, but they do include it on the list of Nissans with towing capability. Additionally, some models like the Pathfinder require additional accessories, like a tow hitch finisher or a trailer tow harness. Make sure you know exactly what you need for your Nissan! 

Can you put a hitch on a Nissan Altima? 

By this point, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve only been discussing Nissan’s trucks and SUVs. If you look at the accessories for a
Nissan Altima
or any of the other sedan or hatchback models, you won’t see any trailer hitches available.
Even though some of Nissan’s sedans are rated to tow around 1,000 pounds, it’s not recommended to use an Altima or any other type of Nissan sedan to tow. Even though it might be doable, it still goes against the manufacturer’s recommendations, and it’s not worth risking damaging your vehicle or voiding your warranty

How to pick a Nissan trailer hitch

If you want to add a trailer hitch to a Nissan truck or SUV that you already own, you have a bit more research to do, first. There are several types of trailer hitches that meet different needs:
  • Receiver hitch: This type of hitch is the most common and satisfies strict safety regulations by attaching directly to the frame of your vehicle. This is the standard hardware used for Nissan vehicles that include a hitch.
  • Front-mounted hitch: This type of hitch is installed on the front of your Nissan, rather than the back, and allows for front-bearing cargo.
  • Bumper hitch: This type of hitch is the most adjustable, but will likely limit your towing capacity since it’s not as stable as a receiver hitch.

Genuine Nissan trailer hitches vs. aftermarket hitches for Nissan

The next question: do you want to install a
genuine Nissan
trailer hitch or go with an aftermarket hitch? 
Aftermarket equipment has the benefit of being less expensive—sometimes several hundred dollars less than if you purchase a Nissan brand one. There are a lot of online options for aftermarket towing hitches, from
Amazon
to
U-Haul
and more. 
On the other hand, if you purchase your equipment through the manufacturer, you can be absolutely sure that it’s the correct one for your Nissan

Intro to trailer classes

Not all hitches are the same—they're divided into classes depending on how much weight they can accommodate. Make sure you know the capacity of your vehicle and the weight of what you're towing so you can choose your equipment accordingly! 
  • Class I: up to 2,000 lbs
  • Class II: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs
  • Class III: 3,500 to 8,000 lbs 
  • Class IV: 5,000 to 12,000 lbs 
  • Class V: 10,000 to 25,000 lbs 
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The best Nissan Pathfinder trailer hitch

Some of the higher trim levels of the Pathfinder come with a trailer hitch, but if you install one yourself it needs to be a Class III type. This will enable you to take full advantage of the Pathfinder’s maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds

The best Nissan Murano trailer hitch

For the smaller Murano, you’re going to want a Class I or II trailer hitch. The Murano has a towing capacity of just 1,500 pounds, which means you can tow things like a bike rack or a small cargo trailer.

The best Frontier trailer hitch

The popular Nissan Frontier pickup can tow a maximum of 6,720 pounds, which puts it in the Class III or Class IV territory. If you plan on maxing out the Frontier’s towing capabilities, opt for Class IV gear for extra peace of mind. 

The best Nissan Titan trailer hitch

The aptly named Titan has a towing capacity of 9,320 pounds, or 11,060 if you go all in on a Titan XD. This is the most towing power that you can get with a Nissan and should be enough to pull a smaller RV. For these, you’ll want to stick with the Class IV or Class V group. 
MORE: Nissan Pathfinder S towing capacity

How to install a trailer hitch on a Nissan 

There are two ways to install a trailer hitch on any Nissan. If you’ve got the time, the proper tools, and an inclination towards automotive DIY, you can install it yourself—or, if you’d prefer to just have someone else do the work, you can go to a professional. 
If you want to have it installed by a pro, head to your Nissan dealer, mechanic, or even your local U-Haul dealer. Expect to pay between $100 and $250 for labor, plus the cost of the trailer hitch equipment you’ve selected. It will vary according to location, model, and parts, but the total installation cost averages between $300 and $700.  
Installing a trailer hitch yourself involves more gear than what comes with a basic IKEA toolkit, so start by making sure you’ve got the right tools and the know-how to use them. You’ll need: 
  • A socket set
  • A ratchet and ratchet extension
  • A swivel socket
  • A torque wrench
  • Work gloves, safety glasses, and a work light 
Your Nissan receiver hitch should come with detailed instructions for installation. Follow those directions carefully, and keep the following tips in mind:
  • If safely possible, put the vehicle on jack stands for easier access to the rear of the vehicle where the hitch will be attached. 
  • Many pieces of towing hardware can be very heavy, with some parts weighing 50 pounds—get another helper if you can! 
  • Be sure to torque all bolts to the specifications given in your instructions.

How to upgrade your Nissan insurance

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FAQs

The Rogue compact SUV doesn’t come with a trailer hitch, but when properly outfitted with one can tow up to 1,350 pounds. This makes the Rogue capable of light duty-hauling of things like bike racks and cargo carriers.
None except the name! Both are used to describe hitches used for towing trailers.
With a maximum capacity of 1,350 pounds, the Rogue doesn’t have the power to pull an RV. But depending on the camper, a smaller pop-up or teardrop model might be able to be towed behind a Rogue.
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