Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

[SUV]

Hi all,

I'm a city-dweller, new to towing, and shopping for a small SUV that could occasionally tow a 16' boat. Here's the type of boat i have in mind:http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=3404 .

Will I do okay with a Nissan Murano? The boat package weighing under 1500lbs appears to be well within the Murano's maximum towing capacity of 3500lbs.

I get the impression, from reading a few other posts about the Murano, that this should be easy enough. But, since I am new to towing, I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask you all.

Also, does anyone know if the factory tow package in a Murano includes anything more than a tow hitch? I might buy a used Murano and install an aftermarket hitch if that is no problem.

thanks all

 

[NYBo]

Re: Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

Welcome to iboats!

A Murano should handle that boat just fine. Not sure what the towing package contains; your best bet would be to consult Nissan.

If the one you buy doesn't have the towing package, you'll need a wiring harness for the trailer lights. A Nissan harness would likely save you some grief; modern vehicles can get very cranky if you slice and dice the electricals.

 

[Lowe170]

Re: Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

I have a 2011 Rav4 V6 4WD with Tow Prep (beefed up alternator, radiator and transmission cooler) towing my 17 ft Lowe 170 aluminum bass boat no problem. The towing rating is the same 3500#s as your Murano. I have plenty of power and with a couple of four hour plus interstate runs towing my boat, no problems. I don't have trailer brakes for such a relatively light load, but so far so good by paying close attention on the road. I hope this helps a bit as a relatively close comparison.

 

[SUV]

Re: Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

Thank you both for your input - much appreciated.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

I wouldn't give it a second thought about towing with your Murano. It's rated for 3500# tow capacity out of the factory. Unlike the Rav4 Lowe talked about needing an upgraded radiator, alternator, etc. to achieve its max. tow capacity, the Murano's "tow package" is simply a tow hitch and wiring harness for connecting to the trailer. The Murano needs no such upgrading to pull its rated capacity like the Rav4, Highlander, and numerous other Japanese SUV's need.

I've got a 2003 Murano myself, AWD version, and I just pulled a 17' fiberglass bowrider that has a 2500# boat/trailer combined weight from Milwaukee, WI to Cape Cod through on-and-off snow storms a few weeks ago without a single issue, and that includes pulling through the foothills in Ohio, PA, and NY. Never missed a beat nor struggled.

As far as having the hitch and wiring harness installed, I'd almost recommend the dealer for the install. While the hitch itself is pretty straightforward, you do have to drop the rear half of the exhaust system to accomplish the install. The wiring harness, on the other hand, is fairly involved and unless you feel comfortable removing most of the plastic from the rear of the interior to get to the tail light wiring, I'd leave it up to the dealer.

Good luck!

 

[dave11]

Re: Murano towing 16' tracker aluminum boat

No problem at all. The Murano was one of the vehicles we were looking at to tow our 16 ft aluminum boat, probably 24-2500# with boat motor trailer and stuff. I was looking at AWD vehicles.