Hitch and Cargo Carrying Capacity of 2015 Nissan Rogue

Published 10/10/2015

Products Featured in This Question

20x47 Reese Cargo Carrier for 1-1/4" Hitches - Steel - 300 lbs

(1167)

$340.87

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(496)

$61.75

Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class II - 1-1/4"

(198)

$171.41

Question:

My 2015 Nissan Rogue has TW 100 and GTW 1,000 lb.s. - Is is safe to use a class II or class III ball mount rated at TW of 300 or 350? And, can I use this type of hitch with the Reese Cargo Carrier # 63155 which has a capacity of 300 pounds. I am wondering because of the 2015 Rogues tongue weight and towing weight.

asked by: Liza M

Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual for your 2015 Rogue, the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle is 1100 lbs GTW (gross trailer weight) and 110 TW (tongue weight).

The trailer hitch and ball mount you use might have higher ratings than that, but you'll always be limited to the capacity of whatever the lowest rated component of the towing system. This means that the weight of any cargo carrier you use and the cargo placed in or on it cannot weigh more than 110 lbs. Since the Reese Carrier # 63155 weighs about 40 lbs, that would leave you 70 lbs of capacity for cargo.

Since going with a higher rated hitch won't gain you additional capacity, you can simply go with the Draw-Tite Class II hitch, part # 36542. To power the taillights integrated into the Transporter, you'd need to install a trailer wiring harness on Rogue. I'd suggest the Tow Ready # 118480.

I've linked to installation instructions for the hitch and the wiring harness.