I have pulled a car trailer (Uhaul) with car (VW Beetle) with a 2001 Nissan Frontier. It had the supercharger so it had decent power. I have pulled alot of loads.  This one was not that fun. I went slow because I had to.  It didn't feel very comfortable going over 55 MPH. I could only imagine doing it with a load that moves around.  I would recommend not to do it.

Oh yeah, I am a nissan nut also, so it is nothing against the product.  I have a Dodge 3500 dually to pull my GN horse trailer with.  The only thing Nissan has that will pull a 2 horse BP is the Titan.

Xterras, Navagtors, Escalades, whatever other of those fancy vehicles are not physically equipped to pull things like horse trailers --- even two horse trailers.

1.  Length of wheel base of the towing vehicle is crucial to stability.

2.  Braking system is crucial - they aren't all created equal, even on 1/2, 3/4, 1-ton pickup trucks.

3.  Transmission cooling system is crucial if the vehicle is an automatic.

4.  Horses aren't boats.  If the trailer starts to sway for whatever reason (wind gust, driver error, very nervous horse), the live weight of an animal can further perpetuate the sway.

I have been pulling a 4-horse open stock for 30+ years and I've moved my own horses cross-country twice. So I have the experience to say that I also don't think the Xterra should be pulling even a one horse trailer. 

An Escalade or a Navigator would do just perfectly fine pulling a horse trailer. I've done it plenty of times. An Xterra is much much smaller...an Escalade has a 6.0 V8 and is basically same as a Suburban or a Tahoe...not a problem. I agree that the Xterra shouldn't even pull one horse for a mile!

"An Escalade or a Navigator would do just perfectly fine pulling a horse trailer" After I wrote that I realized I should've qualified that comment

I have always had a 4-horse open stock and have pulled up into the moutains on 15% grades and have hauled my horses cross-country twice. When those 15% grades go on for more than a mile or two, the brakes need to be manly-man brakes and in great working order.

I wouldn't recommend doing any of that unless one owns a pickup truck built for towing. My old heavy 3/4 4wd, logger truck doesn't pull my trailer as good as my husband's dually. The dually has a longer wheel base and much more stability.

I err on the conservative side and I guess my thinking was if someone has to ask about an Xterra, I figured I'd eliminate everything that didn't come with a Cummins and wasn't built to pull a freight train

The driver's common sense and abilities also plays a part in what they can get away with as a tow vehicle.

I apologize if I offended anyone.

For penance...You will have to muck stalls at my barn for one month...

"For penance...You will have to muck stalls at my barn for one month:

Oh crap (excuse the pun

I had to rent a Nissan Xterra when my truck was in the body shop, and I would have to say "No". I wouldn't think that it would be a good or safe vehicle for towing!!

JMO!!

Chadsalt, usually I sympathize with your logic. TrailBlazer has a little longer wheelbase though and feels safer to me when towing. I appreciate you bringing up all the safety things you need for towing with smaller vehicles like wdh.

When I go to media launches for new trucks and SUVs, I can usually tow with most of them. I know something's up when they don't have one set up for me to try. Had this problem with Honda Ridgeline, couldn't find one with a hitch. When I do get a smaller truck/suv with a hitch, I end up using a Brenderup to be safe. I've pulled a Brenderup with a Jeep Liberty diesel last summer in the high country off-road on a mountain trail.