The Dodge Nitro was introduced into Dodge’s lineup as a compact SUV in 2007 and was discontinued after the 2011 model year. The Nitro is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Dodge Nitro?
The Dodge Nitro has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds depending on if it has a towing package installed.
There’s a bit more to know about Dodge Nitro towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2011 Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
The 2011 Dodge Nitro can tow between 2,000 lbs and 5,000 lbs depending on if it has a towing package.
A 2011 Dodge Nitro without a towing package can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2011 Dodge Nitro with a towing package can pull 5,000 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2011 Dodge Nitro can tow.
| Dodge Nitro Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | No |
| All | 5,000 lbs / 2,267 kg | Yes |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Dodge Nitro in a review:
Dodge Nitro Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Dodge Nitro Braked Towing Capacity: up to 5,000 lbs.
Dodge Nitro Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Dodge Nitro tow capacity.
Towing Equipment Installed
For all model years, you needed a towing package installed to get the 5,000 lb max towing capacity from your Nitro.
If you didn’t have a tow package installed, the capacity for towing capped out at 2,000 lbs to 3,500 lbs depending on other factors below.
Transmission Type
For the 2007 and 2008 model years only, you could get 3,500 pounds of towing power if your Nitro had a manual transmission.
Automatic Transmission Cooler
For the 2007-2009 model years, automatic transmission Nitro models with an automatic transmission cooler installed could pull 3,500 pounds, compared to the same model years without the transmission being limited to 2,000 pounds of towing power.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Dodge Nitro, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Dodge Nitro Tow Package Info
Does The Dodge Nitro Have A Tow Package?
Dodge offers a Nitro towing package which includes the following:
- Receiver Hitch
- 4-Pin & 7-Pin Wiring Harness
- Engine Cooler
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Dodge Nitro?
If you plan on towing anything with your Dodge Nitro, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Dodge Nitro Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Dodge Nitro uses a Class 3 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Dodge Nitro trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight, 350 lbs. tongue weight, 5,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 500 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Dodge Nitro
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Nitro:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Dodge Nitro Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Dodge Nitro trailer hitch installation:
Dodge Nitro Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Nitro, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Dodge Nitro?
The Dodge Nitro stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
Does My Dodge Nitro Have A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Nitro to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Nitro.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2010 Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
The 2010 Dodge Nitro can tow between 2,000 lbs and 5,000 lbs depending on if it has a towing package.
A 2010 Dodge Nitro without a towing package can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2010 Dodge Nitro with a towing package can pull 5,000 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2010 Dodge Nitro can tow.
| Dodge Nitro Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | No |
| All | 5,000 lbs / 2,267 kg | Yes |
2009 Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
The 2009 Dodge Nitro can tow between 2,000 lbs and 5,000 lbs depending on if it has an automatic cooler and if it has a towing package.
A 2009 Dodge Nitro without an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2009 Dodge Nitro with an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2009 Dodge Nitro with an automatic cooler and with a towing package can pull 5,000 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2011 Dodge Nitro can tow.
| Dodge Nitro Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed | Automatic Cooler Installed |
| All | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | No | No |
| All | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | No | Yes |
| All | 5,000 lbs / 2,267 kg | Yes | Yes |
2008 Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
The 2008 Dodge Nitro can tow between 2,000 lbs and 5,000 lbs depending on the engine type, if it has an automatic cooler and if it has a towing package.
A 2008 Dodge Nitro (automatic transmission) without an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2008 Dodge Nitro (automatic transmission) with an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2008 Dodge Nitro (manual transmission) can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2008 Dodge Nitro with an automatic cooler and with a towing package can pull 5,000 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2008 Dodge Nitro can tow.
| Dodge Nitro Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed | Automatic Cooler Installed |
| All (automatic trans) | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | No | No |
| All (automatic trans) | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | No | Yes |
| All (manual trans) | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | No | N/A |
| All (automatic trans) | 5,000 lbs / 2,267 kg | Yes | Yes |
2007 Dodge Nitro Towing Capacity
The 2007 Dodge Nitro can tow between 2,000 lbs and 5,000 lbs depending on the engine type, if it has an automatic cooler and if it has a towing package.
A 2007 Dodge Nitro (automatic transmission) without an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 2,000 pounds.
A 2007 Dodge Nitro (automatic transmission) with an automatic cooler and without towing package can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2007 Dodge Nitro (manual transmission) can pull 3,500 pounds.
A 2007 Dodge Nitro with an automatic cooler and with a towing package can pull 5,000 pounds.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2007 Dodge Nitro can tow.
| Dodge Nitro Trim Level | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Installed | Automatic Cooler Installed |
| All (automatic trans) | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg | No | No |
| All (automatic trans) | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | No | Yes |
| All (manual trans) | 3,500 lbs / 1,588 kg | No | N/A |
| All (automatic trans) | 5,000 lbs / 2,267 kg | Yes | Yes |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Dodge Nitro Owner’s Manuals on Dodge’s website 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 your Dodge Nitro.
