The Nissan Frontier was introduced into Nissan’s lineup as their first full-size pickup truck in 1997 and is still made today. The Frontier is one of the most popular vehicles in the USA and has many features consumers expect from today’s trucks including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2012 Nissan Frontier?
A 2012 Nissan Frontier has a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.
The 2012 Nissan Frontier tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s a bit more to know about the 2012 Nissan Frontier tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2012 Nissan Frontier Tow?
The 2012 Nissan Frontier has a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.
The 2012 Nissan Frontier tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local Nissan dealership for details to confirm how much your Frontier can tow.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
2012 Frontier Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are seven total trim levels for the 2012 Frontier, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2012 Nissan Frontier:
2012 Nissan Frontier Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
2012 Nissan Frontier S | 3,500 pounds |
2012 Nissan Frontier SV | 6,500 pounds |
2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X | 6,500 pounds |
2012 Nissan Frontier SL | 6,500 pounds |
Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain
2012 Frontier Engine Sizes
There are two engines option for the 2012 Frontier: a 2.5L V4 engine and a 4.0L V6 engine.
2012 Nissan Frontier 2.5L V4 Engine Towing Capacity: 3,500 pounds
2012 Nissan Frontier 4.0L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2012 Frontier Drivetrain Options
The 2012 Nissan Frontier drivetrain options are 4×2 and 4×4.
2012 Nissan Frontier 4×2 Tow Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2012 NIssan Frontier 4×4 Tow Capacity: 6,300 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2012 Nissan Frontier engine. Your Nissan Frontier may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
2012 Nissan Frontier Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2012 Nissan Frontier is 1,437 pounds.
Note that the max payload capacity of your 2012 Frontier will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.
You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.
2012 Nissan Frontier Tow Package
The 2012 Frontier does not come with a tow package installed, but it is available as an add-on for specific trim levels.
The Nissan Frontier towing package includes a hitch receiver, 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harness, and a trailer brake controller.
We recommend selecting the tow package so that your Frontier is ready for towing and is properly equipped from the get-go.
2012 Nissan Frontier Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2012 Nissan Frontier has a maximum tow capacity of 6,500 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty pulling. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2012 Honda Ridgeline and the 2012 Nissan Frontier.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Nissan Frontier and their towing capacities below:
2012 Chevy Colorado Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds
2012 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity: 6,500 pounds
2012 Honda Ridgeline Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2012 GMC Canyon Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds
2012 Nissan Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
Model | Towing Capacity |
2012 Nissan Titan | 9,500 pounds |
2012 Nissan Frontier | 6,500 pounds |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2012 Nissan Frontier Owner’s Manual on Mopar’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2012 Nissan Frontier.