2016 Nissan Frontier towing capacity
The 2016 Nissan Frontier is published in 17 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (6,000 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 2016 Nissan Frontier with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.
Per-trim breakdown
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S 4x2 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 152 | 171 | 4.08 | 3,000 | 4,690 | 3,708 | 982 |
| SV-I4 4x2 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 152 | 171 | 4.36 | 3,000 | 4,690 | 3,753 | 937 |
| S 4x2 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.54 | 6,000 | 5,690 | 4,219 | 1,471 |
| SV 4x2 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 2.94 | 6,000 | 5,589 | 4,140 | 1,449 |
| Desert Runner 4x2 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 2.94 | 6,000 | 5,690 | 4,215 | 1,475 |
| SV 4x2 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.13 | 6,000 | 5,730 | 4,312 | 1,418 |
| SV 4x2 Crew Cab 6 ft. box 139.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.13 | 6,000 | 5,730 | 4,343 | 1,387 |
| Desert Runner 4x2 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.13 | 6,000 | 5,730 | 4,336 | 1,394 |
| SV 4x4 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.13 | 6,000 | 5,690 | 4,343 | 1,347 |
| S 4x4 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.36 | 6,000 | 5,816 | 4,454 | 1,362 |
| SV 4x4 Crew Cab 6 ft. box 139.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.36 | 6,000 | 5,666 | 4,557 | 1,109 |
| SV 4x4 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.69 | 6,000 | 5,666 | 4,443 | 1,223 |
| SL 4x2 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.13 | 6,000 | 5,730 | 4,409 | 1,321 |
| PRO-4X 4x4 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.69 | 6,000 | 5,600 | 4,475 | 1,125 |
| PRO-4X 4x4 King Cab 6 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.36 | 6,000 | 5,600 | 4,406 | 1,194 |
| SL 4x4 Crew Cab 4.75 ft. box 125.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.36 | 6,000 | 5,816 | 4,594 | 1,222 |
| SL 4x4 Crew Cab 6 ft. box 139.9 in. WB | — | 261 | 281 | 3.36 | 6,000 | 5,816 | 4,725 | 1,091 |
How to interpret the headline tow figure
Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.
How this year compares to 2015
The 2015 Nissan Frontier carried a maximum tow rating of 6,500 lb. The 2016 model is rated 500 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2015 Nissan Frontier page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.
Other 2016 Nissan models
The rest of Nissan's 2016 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Titan XD | 12,000 |
| 2016 Nissan Titan XD Crew CAB | 12,000 |
| 2016 Nissan Nv3500 HD Cargo | 9,500 |
| 2016 Nissan Nv3500 HD | 9,500 |
| 2016 Nissan NV Cargo Nv2500 HD | 9,000 |
| 2016 Nissan Nv3500 HD Passenger | 8,700 |
All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.