I have a 1996 PathFinder that I want to use it to tow a 18-ft aluminum
boat that is around 2420-lb (maximum estimated weight) including the
trailer. The max trailing weight of the 1996 PathFinder is 2500-lb
(5000-lb with oil cooler), and its gross combined weight is 7000-lb
(9500-lb with oil cooler). Seem like this 1996 PathFinder just meets
the requirement of towing the boat.

My questions a

- This 1996 PathFinder barely meets the requirement
without having a transmission oil cooler. I am
wondering if I may be pushing it?

- I intend to tow the boat for a total 80-miles per
a round trip mainly in summer (I live in New Jersey).
Is this too much mileage for the 1996 PathFinder
without a transmission oil cooler?

Basically, I am just wondering whether I may need a transmission oil
cooler for the 1996 PathFinder.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 1996 PathFinder that I want to use it to tow a 18-ft aluminum
boat that is around 2420-lb (maximum estimated weight) including the
trailer. The max trailing weight of the 1996 PathFinder is 2500-lb
(5000-lb with oil cooler), and its gross combined weight is 7000-lb
(9500-lb with oil cooler). Seem like this 1996 PathFinder just meets
the requirement of towing the boat.

My questions a

- This 1996 PathFinder barely meets the requirement
without having a transmission oil cooler. I am
wondering if I may be pushing it?

- I intend to tow the boat for a total 80-miles per
a round trip mainly in summer (I live in New Jersey).
Is this too much mileage for the 1996 PathFinder
without a transmission oil cooler?

Basically, I am just wondering whether I may need a transmission oil
cooler for the 1996 PathFinder.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan


Heat is the death of automatic trannies. Any local auto parts store will
sell you a tranny cooler. Maybe $60. Easy to install.

agreed. this is a no brainer ... get the tranny cooler and also make
sure your motor cooling is up to snuff

I've towed a 2000+ pound boat with a '95 and a '01 Pathfinder no sweat for
lotsa
miles. But mine has a stick (slush boxes suck). If I had an automatic it
would have
a BIG tranny oil cooler. Do it.

Are you sure about those numbers? My recollection is that all the automatic
PFs were
at least 3500 as they came off the boat, some for 5000. But even if your
numbers are
low, I'd still put the tranny oil cooler on. They are cheap, esp if you can
do the install
yourself.

And alas, I suspect the next PF will have to have an automatic as they've
dropped
the stick.


wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 1996 PathFinder that I want to use it to tow a 18-ft aluminum
boat that is around 2420-lb (maximum estimated weight) including the
trailer. The max trailing weight of the 1996 PathFinder is 2500-lb
(5000-lb with oil cooler), and its gross combined weight is 7000-lb
(9500-lb with oil cooler). Seem like this 1996 PathFinder just meets
the requirement of towing the boat.

My questions a

- This 1996 PathFinder barely meets the requirement
without having a transmission oil cooler. I am
wondering if I may be pushing it?

- I intend to tow the boat for a total 80-miles per
a round trip mainly in summer (I live in New Jersey).
Is this too much mileage for the 1996 PathFinder
without a transmission oil cooler?

Basically, I am just wondering whether I may need a transmission oil
cooler for the 1996 PathFinder.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

Chuck Tribolet wrote:
I've towed a 2000+ pound boat with a '95 and a '01 Pathfinder no sweat for
lotsa
miles. But mine has a stick (slush boxes suck). If I had an automatic it
would have
a BIG tranny oil cooler. Do it.

Are you sure about those numbers? My recollection is that all the automatic
PFs were
at least 3500 as they came off the boat, some for 5000. But even if your
numbers are
low, I'd still put the tranny oil cooler on. They are cheap, esp if you can
do the install
yourself.

And alas, I suspect the next PF will have to have an automatic as they've
dropped
the stick.


wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a 1996 PathFinder that I want to use it to tow a 18-ft aluminum
boat that is around 2420-lb (maximum estimated weight) including the
trailer. The max trailing weight of the 1996 PathFinder is 2500-lb
(5000-lb with oil cooler), and its gross combined weight is 7000-lb
(9500-lb with oil cooler). Seem like this 1996 PathFinder just meets
the requirement of towing the boat.

My questions a

- This 1996 PathFinder barely meets the requirement
without having a transmission oil cooler. I am
wondering if I may be pushing it?

- I intend to tow the boat for a total 80-miles per
a round trip mainly in summer (I live in New Jersey).
Is this too much mileage for the 1996 PathFinder
without a transmission oil cooler?

Basically, I am just wondering whether I may need a transmission oil
cooler for the 1996 PathFinder.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan


In preparing my 95 Voyager mini-van to tow my 1800 lb load of
sailboat/motor/trailer, I had a local shop install a transmission cooler.
$ 74.00 for the cooler plus 90.00 labour..all in CDN funds.

go to your local wrecking yard and get the BIGGEST tranny cooler you can
find, usually off of a taxicab or a tow truck, grab the hoses off the tranny
lines as well as the hose clamps, you shoud be able to set yourself up with
the cooler and lines for less then 20 bucks.
Im not being cheap here but whats the difference between a new cooler and a
used cooler. NOTHING except for the extra money you will spend for the new
one.
Good luck


wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a 1996 PathFinder that I want to use it to tow a 18-ft aluminum
boat that is around 2420-lb (maximum estimated weight) including the
trailer. The max trailing weight of the 1996 PathFinder is 2500-lb
(5000-lb with oil cooler), and its gross combined weight is 7000-lb
(9500-lb with oil cooler). Seem like this 1996 PathFinder just meets
the requirement of towing the boat.

My questions a

- This 1996 PathFinder barely meets the requirement
without having a transmission oil cooler. I am
wondering if I may be pushing it?

- I intend to tow the boat for a total 80-miles per
a round trip mainly in summer (I live in New Jersey).
Is this too much mileage for the 1996 PathFinder
without a transmission oil cooler?

Basically, I am just wondering whether I may need a transmission oil
cooler for the 1996 PathFinder.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

Heat is the death of automatic trannies. Any local auto parts store will
sell you a tranny cooler. Maybe $60. Easy to install.

Seem like the part is cheap and it is a DIY project. Sound like a
no-brainer to me. Thanks for the good news.

Jay Chan

I've towed a 2000+ pound boat with a '95 and a '01 Pathfinder
no sweat for lotsa miles. But mine has a stick (slush boxes
suck). If I had an automatic it would have a BIG tranny oil
cooler. Do it.

Yes, the manual can tow heavier weight than the auto -- everything
being equal.

Are you sure about those numbers? My recollection is that all
the automatic PFs were at least 3500 as they came off the boat,
some for 5000.

I get the 2500 max trailing weight number (for auto) directly from
Owner Manual of my 1996 PathFinder -- I am sure about this. The 3500
number seems to be for manual shift if I remember this correctly. The
5000 number seems to be for auto that has transmission oil cooler.

Pre-1996 model of PathFinder had lower max trailing weight limit if I
remember this correctly.

I don't know anything about the latest model of PathFinder. The new
ones "probably" have higher max trailing capability than the old ones.

But even if your numbers are low, I'd still put the tranny oil
cooler on. They are cheap, esp if you can do the install
yourself.

You are quite right. This is what I intend to do. Thanks for the info.

Jay Chan

My '87 stick shift PF had a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics were
3500 off the boat, IIRC.

My '95 stick shift PF had a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics were
5000 off the boat, IIRC.

My '01 stick shift PF has a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics ARE
5000 off the boat. The stick is lower because it's kinda underated for the
250HP 3.5L twincam engine.



wrote in message
oups.com...
I've towed a 2000+ pound boat with a '95 and a '01 Pathfinder
no sweat for lotsa miles. But mine has a stick (slush boxes
suck). If I had an automatic it would have a BIG tranny oil
cooler. Do it.

Yes, the manual can tow heavier weight than the auto -- everything
being equal.

Are you sure about those numbers? My recollection is that all
the automatic PFs were at least 3500 as they came off the boat,
some for 5000.

I get the 2500 max trailing weight number (for auto) directly from
Owner Manual of my 1996 PathFinder -- I am sure about this. The 3500
number seems to be for manual shift if I remember this correctly. The
5000 number seems to be for auto that has transmission oil cooler.

Pre-1996 model of PathFinder had lower max trailing weight limit if I
remember this correctly.

I don't know anything about the latest model of PathFinder. The new
ones "probably" have higher max trailing capability than the old ones.

But even if your numbers are low, I'd still put the tranny oil
cooler on. They are cheap, esp if you can do the install
yourself.

You are quite right. This is what I intend to do. Thanks for the info.

Jay Chan

My '87 stick shift PF had a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics were
3500 off the boat, IIRC.

My '95 stick shift PF had a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics were
5000 off the boat, IIRC.

This is odd. My impression is that 1995 model of PathFinder is a
different model from 1996. And 1995 model had less towing capacity than
1996 model, and my 1996 model definitely cannot two over 2500-lb
without a transimission oil cooler according to the spec. This means
the towing capacity of a 1995 should be even less than 2500-lb without
the use of a transimission oil cooler.

I am wondering yours might already have "towing package" installed from
the manufacturer. This will explain the high "off the boat" towing
capacity of your PathFinders.

Anyway, I don't know much about 1987 or 1995 model. Therefore, I will
have to take your words in face value.

I am very sure that the 1996 model can only tow 2500-lb without the use
of a transimission oil cooler because I get this info from the Owner
Manual. Mine doesn't have towing package installed from the
manufacturer (I bought it as a used car). Therefore, I need to add
things in a pieces meal fashion, such as frame-mounted tow hitch and
the related wiring, and a transmission oil cooler. This may explain why
mine has lower towing capacity.

My '01 stick shift PF has a 3500 pound tow capacity. The automatics ARE
5000 off the boat. The stick is lower because it's kinda underated for the
250HP 3.5L twincam engine.

I am not surprised that the newer model of PathFinder has greater
towing capacity than my 1996 model -- this seems to be the trend
anyway.

Jay Chan