New Pathfinder for tow vehicle? (Page 1 of 2)

like this year's model, or the truck-based one thru 2012 or so?

Truck= go for it
New style= HELL NO

These have chronic CVT Trans issues hauling themselves around, trailering isn't something I'd try even with a rented one. You probably won't get there.

Next door neighbor has a 2014, I've driven a couple of them... I could expound but basically its a great ride for people who like to compromise. Life is about compromise, sometimes, but the Pathfinder isn't GOOD at anything in particular yet sells like hot cakes.

Wow. I must've dreamed that 7k number. Thanks for the breakdown. This really helps. I really don't want to buy a truck or a huge SUV but damn, this is really tight on the numbers.

Within three years? How about this: IF you have to tow that load 500 miles, I think you had better put plates on your race car if you want to make it home. You might want to put a hitch on the racer if you want to make it home with the Pathfinder. Is that clear enough?

Seriously, I like the odds better using a Cavalier as a tow pig. You're asking about a vehicle with the most marginal driveline on the market IMO.

You would think the xterra would be better for towing, and while it has a solid rear axel and 5k tow capacity, the weight capacity is abismal at 1058 lbs...  http://www.autobytel.com/nissan/xterra/ … fications/ Gonna be an issue with 4 guys in there.

Just for reference. I just got an 05 Silverado Crew cab for the same reason. Take all 4 guys if need be, carry our gear, and trailer. My tow capacity is 7000 lbs, and my payload capacity is 1836 lbs. Obviously a much bigger vehicle, parking and milage are not as critical for me since my commute is short and I have a driveway.

This is one reason it's best to stick with a tow vehicle that's several decades old.

Except the Xterra I mentioned...it is an anomaly unless you consider the 4-door Wrangle mid-sized.

Basically a Grand Cherokee in a different suit of clothes.

I have to be the "voice of reason" here for a second...

Although I am all for buying a cool vehicles, how much do you tow? 

Renting a 4-door full-sized pick-up from Enterprise Local Edition with a 7500 GTW class 3 hitch is $90 a day all in (local prices may vary) unlimited mileage.  Assuming three races a year and 4-days rental per race, that is $1080 a year in rental.  Compare that to the additional payment for a compromise vehicle or the cost of driving a second vehicle to the track each time.

Using a CUV or minivan that can tow 5000 #'s to tow the car and having all the other folks drive the track in a second vehicle is an alternative.  The main downside on that one is having to either use the trailer to haul the fuel jugs to and from the gas station or carry them inside a vehicle.

Finally, even if you cannot park it at your place, a $2-3K late 1990's v8 pickup can meet all your towing needs and cost MAYBE an extra $180 a year to add to your insurance.  Unless the registration fees or smog ordinances in your area are outrageous, your only real issue is parking.

OK, speech over.

Just need to echo the statements here regarding the Pathfinder.  The larger Armada could just about do the job, but the pathfinder is far more of a jacked up station wagon than a truck of any sort.

Now as for a $2-3k pickup I haven't had the best luck there either, In that range be very very very critical, the older ones rot like no tomorrow, and with that low of a price you may be looking at one that had a lot of mileage or was used to tow a boat.  My last one was a boat tower, the front of the frame was fine, the back was rotting away (worse than I thought... which is why I stupidly bought and then immediately regretted it).

The whole truck rental idea IMO could be your best bet, vs keeping a truck around and insurance/maintenance/etc.  Unless you can find a use for a pickup, I never had one until I got one for Lemons towing and now I don't how I lived without it.

Yeah I always forget folks don't live in the land of rot like I do.  I considered going south for my truck, but ultimately for a little more money and less time (after costs of getting there, getting it back etc) I could just get a nicer truck up here.

Yeah Enterprise isn't the way to go for this, but Uhaul has various trucks you can do it with, including pickups.

My how things change...I put about 2000 miles on a cargo van from them once in a 4 day period.  I may be the one to blame if that is a change in nationwide policy. 

Of course U-Haul was particularly impressed with me when I showed up in an Enterprise van to pick up their second largest enclosed trailer.  When asked why I had a simple answer "unlimited miles" because their extended cargo van would have cost me $220 just in miles.