Tow rating?

[Lonnie]

Was wondering what the tow rate is for my 82 720 SD22?

I know I won't have any issues pulling my ultralite as it only weights about 600 lbs with the trailer. But I have a 17' boat that weights around 1500 lbs total.

Will the boat be an issue?

Thanks,
Lonnie

[asavage]

I have only 1981 and 1984 720 Owners Manuals in front of me right now.

The 1981, under "Towing", mentions only how to tow the truck!

The 1984, under "Trailer Towing", says that the maximum towing load is 1000 lbs for a trailer that does not have its own brakes, and 2000 lbs for one that does. The section leads off with:

TRAILER TOWING

Your new NISSAN (Except for MPG models) was designed to be used primarily to carry passengers and cargo. For your safety and that of your passengers, please read the following section carefully before towing a trailer . . . Towing loads greater than this could have serious effects on your vehicle's handling and performance which could result in vehicle damage and/or personal injury.

MAXIMUM TONGUE LOAD

Never allow the tongue load to exceed 10% of the total trailer load . . .


It should be borne in mind that the SD22, in automotive trim is rated for 61 HP.

[Lonnie]

Never allow the tongue load to exceed 10% of the total trailer load

Wow, guess I'd better not ever stand on the hitch, I would over load the poor thing!

When I told my wife's cousin that I had bought this pickup he told me that he owned a 1981 720 gasser years ago. He said that one day they busted up his mother's concrete side walk & loaded it all up in the bed. When they drove across the truck scales they had #2300 in the back!

He said that his 720 was the most dependable pickup he ever owned, so I'm looking for many years of service!

Thanks Al!

[asavage]

I'm not saying you can't overload it -- I almost routinely overload:


(don't load a truck backward on a tow trailer like this, it induces "tail waggin'")

I once cut up an entire MB (minus the engine/trans) and hauled it on the back of my '69 Chev C10 -- that's a half-ton PU.

But load-on-vehicle is worlds different from load-being-towed. It's much easier to get into trouble towing too much weight (IMO), than overloading the truck's carrying capacity. Philip may have a different opinion.

[Lonnie]

Al,
Yes, I do understand hauling loads. I drove truck for a number of years in my younger days.

My biggest problem is I've always owned a 3/4 ton plus pickup not a little tonka toy! So I just didn't know what I could tow behind this thing & still be safe.

Thanks again!

Lonnie

[philip]

From my 1982 owners book. But the verbiage suggests these are guidelines for a car ... unibody.

So I would refer to the maximum axle weight limit stated on the door jamb tag (rear: GAWR: 2400 LBS). Next time I happen by the hazardous waste place, I'll try to get an unladen rear axle wt. My guess at the moment is 1000-1200 lbs in the bed is your limit.

The most payload I've had onboard was an estimated 1400 lbs (two motorcycles, gear, two passesgers) from Beatty, NV to Los Angeles. Chassis, springs, brakes at their limit. Wish I had the front stabilizer bar installed at that time.

[Lonnie]

That's good info, thanks.

Looks like with a GCWR of 5,000 lbs. I should be in fair shape to tow the 1,200 lb. boat but I will need some bigger mirrors first & a new brake job!

Worst case I can always use the Dodge.

I'm really starting to enjoy this! Bit by bit I'll get this pickup whiped into shape.

Lonnie