2023 Nissan Frontier towing capacity
The 2023 Nissan Frontier tows 6,220 lbs to 6,670 lbs depending on how it's built. The top number needs the King Cab, 2WD. • The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. • All towing above 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. • NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg).
✓ From 2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 541 ↗Checked 2026-09-292026202520242023202220212020
- 6,670
- Max towing, lbs
- 6,220
- Lowest rating, lbs
- 6
- Configurations
- 667
- Max tongue, lbs
Your exact truck
Which Frontier is yours?
Cab / body?
Not sure? The label on your driver's door jamb and your window sticker list these.
So far
6,220 lbs – 6,670 lbs
6 configurations still match. Answer to narrow it down.
Check your trailer →Try it
Will it pull your trailer?
Use the trailer's GVWR (on its VIN sticker) if you don't know what it weighs loaded — the dry weight leaves out water, propane and gear.
Yes, in every configuration
Across all 6 configurations in the maker's guide.
▲ top rating 6,670 lbs
- Tongue weight ≈ 370 lbs — 10% of the loaded trailer, the figure Ford's towing guide uses (no more than 200 lbs up to 2,000 lbs). It counts against your payload, together with passengers and cargo.Over the Genuine NISSAN step bumper used as a ball mount tongue limit of 350 lbs.
- Needed at this weight: For trailers over 3,500 lbs – trailer brakes are required.
- Needed at this weight: For trailers over 3,000 lbs – NISSAN recommends a tandem-axle trailer.
- ✓ up to 90% of the rating · ! 90–100% (little room for cargo, hills, wind — common advice, not a Nissan rule) · ✕ over the rating.
Read this before you buy
Why the numbers differ
Down 50 lbs from the 2022 model's top rating of 6,720 lbs.
In real life
What 6,670 lbs means in trailers
Ford's towing guide sorts trailers into four weight classes; the classes describe the trailer, so they apply to any tow vehicle. With the right configuration the Frontier reaches:
- Class I✓ Yes
up to 2,000 lbs
Small folding camping trailers and trailers for small boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
- Class II✓ Yes
2,001–3,500 lbs
Large folding camping trailers, single-axle, small- to medium-length (up to 18-ft.) trailers.
- Class III✓ Yes
3,501–5,000 lbs
Dual-axle or large single-axle travel trailers.
- Class IVUp to 6,670
over 5,000 lbs
Largest travel and 5th-wheel trailers made for recreation.
Real trailers
Can the Frontier pull these?
Similar boat package, not this model.Photo: Airman Nicole Sikorski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
G3 Boats · boat package · 23 ft
Sportsman 1710 (boat + motor + trailer package)
1,865 lbs boat + motor + trailer, before fuel and gear
✓ Any configuration
Similar utility, not this model.Photo: Xaver X. Dreißig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Carry-On Trailer · utility · 11.54 ft
5' x 8' GW2K Series 5X8GW2K (open utility, wood floor, gate)
2,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
nuCamp · teardrop · 15.5 ft
TAB 320 (Boondock)
2,069 lbs dry weight only — loaded will be more
✓ Any configuration
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 12 ft
5' x 8' CG3K Series 5X8CG (enclosed cargo, single rear door)
2,990 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Basecamp 20X
4,300 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Jay Feather Air 16RB
4,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.58 ft
Bambi 20FB
5,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 29.42 ft
Jay Flight SLX 260BH
6,500 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 3 of 6 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 26.08 ft
Imagine XLS 22MLE
6,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 16 ft
6' x 12' CG7K Series 6X12CGR7K (enclosed cargo, tandem axle, ramp door)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
6 heavier trailers the Frontier isn't rated for
Similar car hauler, not this model.Photo: Strubbl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Big Tex Trailers · car hauler
70CH-18 Tandem Axle Car Hauler (wood deck, 18' bed)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 31.17 ft
Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk
8,800 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Cullen328, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · fifth wheel · 29.83 ft
Reflection 150-Series 260RD
9,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 35.42 ft
Reflection 317RSTS
10,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · fifth wheel · 28.17 ft
Eagle Fifth Wheel 28RLT
11,400 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 35.5 ft
Eagle Travel Trailer 312BHOK
11,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Weights are what each trailer maker publishes (retrieved 2026-09-27). We compare the trailer's GVWR — the most it may weigh loaded — with each Frontier configuration's rating, and never a dry weight when a GVWR exists.
Fine print, made plain
What the rating assumes
Over 3,500 lbs
For trailers over 3,500 lbs – trailer brakes are required.
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Over 3,000 lbs
For trailers over 3,000 lbs – NISSAN recommends a tandem-axle trailer.
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Over 5,000 lbs
For trailers over 5,000 lbs – a weight-distributing hitch is recommended.
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Tongue weight limit
King Cab 2WD – maximum tongue load
667 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 541 ↗
Tongue weight limit
King Cab 4WD – maximum tongue load
650 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 541 ↗
Tongue weight limit
Crew Cab Short wheelbase 2WD – maximum tongue load
654 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Tongue weight limit
Crew Cab Short wheelbase 4WD – maximum tongue load
637 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Tongue weight limit
Crew Cab Long wheelbase 2WD – maximum tongue load
642 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Tongue weight limit
Crew Cab Long wheelbase 4WD – maximum tongue load
622 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Hitch limit
Genuine NISSAN step bumper used as a ball mount
3,500 lbs trailer · 350 lbs tongue
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 542 ↗
Trailer frontal area
30 sq. ft. maximum trailer frontal area. A tall, wide trailer can be too big even when it's light enough.
2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, p. 541 ↗
Every rating assumes a 150-lb driver and passenger and no other cargo. Add people, gear or accessories and the trailer you can tow goes down by the same amount.
New to towing?
The five weights, in one picture
- Loaded trailer weight — must stay under the towing rating
- The rating “It assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15% (5th-wheel trailer), and driver and passenger (150 lbs. each).” Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and hitch must be deducted from this weight. p. 7 ↗
- Tongue weight — the part of the trailer pressing on the hitch
- “For trailers up to 2,000 lbs., tongue load not to exceed 200 lbs. For conventional trailers over 2,000 lbs., tongue load is 10% of loaded trailer weight. For 5th-wheel trailers, king pin weight is 15% of loaded trailer weight.” p. 7 ↗
- Payload — people and cargo the truck can carry
- “Payload is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.” And: “When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.” p. 6 ↗
- GVWR and GCWR — the two ceilings
- “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo).” “Gross Vehicle Weight PLUS Loaded Trailer Weight EQUALS Gross Combination Weight (GCW) GCW must not exceed GCWR.” Your GVWR is on the label on the driver's door jamb. p. 6 ↗
Towing it behind a motorhome?
Can you flat tow a 2023 Nissan Frontier? No
Nissan says no — not with four wheels down.
From the maker's table
All 6 configurations
| Engine | Body | Drive | WB | Max trailer | GCWR | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | King Cab | 2WD | — | 6,670123 | 11,427 | p. 541 ↗ |
| — | Crew Cab | 2WD | Short | 6,540123 | 11,427 | p. 542 ↗ |
| — | King Cab | 4WD | — | 6,500123 | 11,427 | p. 541 ↗ |
| — | Crew Cab | 2WD | Long | 6,420123 | 11,427 | p. 542 ↗ |
| — | Crew Cab | 4WD | Short | 6,370123 | 11,427 | p. 542 ↗ |
| — | Crew Cab | 4WD | Long | 6,220123 | 11,427 | p. 542 ↗ |
- • The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. • All towing above 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. • NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg).
- The maximum towing capacity when using the Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg) and 350 lbs. (158 kg) tongue load.
- Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs.
Weights in lbs. “Not listed” means the maker printed no GCWR for that configuration — we don't estimate one.
More Nissan towing capacities
Questions people ask
What is the towing capacity of the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
From 6,220 lbs to 6,670 lbs, depending on engine, axle ratio, body and drive. The 6,670 lbs top rating is for the King Cab · 2WD (• The towing capacity is calculated using the SAE International SAE J2807 test method. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. • All towing above 3,500 lbs. (1,587 kg) requires the use of trailer brakes. • NISSAN recommends the use of a tandem axle trailer whenever towing above 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg). The maximum towing capacity when using the Genuine NISSAN step bumper as a ball mount is 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg) and 350 lbs. (158 kg) tongue load. Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lbs).
Does the 2023 Nissan Frontier need a tow package?
For trailers over 3,500 lbs – trailer brakes are required. For trailers over 3,000 lbs – NISSAN recommends a tandem-axle trailer. For trailers over 5,000 lbs – a weight-distributing hitch is recommended.
How much tongue weight can the 2023 Nissan Frontier handle?
King Cab 2WD – maximum tongue load: 667 lbs. King Cab 4WD – maximum tongue load: 650 lbs. Crew Cab Short wheelbase 2WD – maximum tongue load: 654 lbs. Crew Cab Short wheelbase 4WD – maximum tongue load: 637 lbs. Crew Cab Long wheelbase 2WD – maximum tongue load: 642 lbs. Crew Cab Long wheelbase 4WD – maximum tongue load: 622 lbs. Genuine NISSAN step bumper used as a ball mount: 350 lbs.
Can you flat tow a 2023 Nissan Frontier?
No — Nissan lists it as not towable with four wheels down.
Citing these numbers?
Can Tow That. "2023 Nissan Frontier Towing Capacity." From 2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information, PDF modified 2023-05-13. https://cantowthat.com/nissan/frontier/2023
Source: 2023 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information (Nissan North America, Inc., PDF modified 2023-05-13; retrieved 2026-09-29). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
6 ratings checked against the PDFHow we verify