I plan on towing a U haul trailer prolly around 1500
pounds filled from Richmond to Philidelphia in a few weeks. I was wandering if the Xterra could handle that big of a trailer for a long trip like that? I know it sounds like a stupid question but i was just making sure before i do it and all.

yes

U-Haul has several sizes of trailers. They will decide which size you can haul with your truck. Most likley, it will be the largest single axle, but it is based on your GVR, hitch and magic formula. The largest u-haul trailer has a max weight of 4400#'s so dont expect them to agree to hook that to your truck even if it is below your max towing weight.

-Old Army

I towed the biggest trailer they have (6x12) full of stuff across Atlanta, which is only 50 miles or so (no, really) but it was no problem. Can't imagine you'd have any trouble as long as the trailer is loaded properly and you maintain a reasonable speed.

I pulled a 4,000lbs, 6x12, tandem axle Uhaul trailer from Bismarck, ND to Atlanta, GA in 3 days. Average speed was about 64mph and it still pains me to think about the gas mileage I got on that trip. The back was loaded with more stuff and cross-country skis were on the roof. This was with the underpowered 170hp V6 and the added weight of the 4x4 transfer case.

Im glad I have a transmission cooler.

I think you will be fine on your trip.

Cheers

***Edited to remove my mistaken belief that SE's have disks all around (thanks Kaiser)***

I attempted to tow my wife’s Pontiac cross country with my S/C XE, while I could easily get it moving the brakes were way, way inadequate.

While it's possible that I would have survived the trip over the mountains it would have been ugly and dangerous. I ended up driving both vehicles; my point being that just because the truck will pull something does not mean that it will adequately stop it as well.

As a side note I helped pulled fully loaded semi out of a snow bank with the X in 4 wheel low so it has some serious pull. (The driver was running as well but without the X he could not get any traction to get moving; when I offered to pull him he sort of laughed and said OK but his attitude went to pure amazement afterwards).

Interesting... what year did they do that? My '00 SE has rear drums.

Color me surprised, when I bought mine the salesman told me that disk brakes were one of the things I was giving up by going with the XE. I never thought to question it and just assumed all this time that the SE's had disks.

So I stand corrected. What I'd like to know then is how anyone is towing 4000+ pound loads with the X and actually being able to safely stop it.

I guess it depends on your definiteion of "safely"

I've towed about 6000lbs with mine (79 Malibu station wagon on a tandem axle trailer) - it was not pleasant - but it worked. Towed it maybe 60 miles.

U-Haul trailers have built-in surge brakes so its not totally suicidal. Most states require trailer brakes on anything over 2000#'s. It can be done.

-Old Army

i have towed my trailer(6x10 steel utility) loaded with 2 tons of mulch and had no trouble, but that was with my '00. i put my hitch on my 03, but have yet to tow anything.

I pulled a 4,000lbs, 6x12, tandem axle Uhaul trailer from Bismarck, ND to Atlanta, GA cross-country skis were on the roof.

I think you went the wrong why. Or very optimistic

My wife and I have been looking at wakeboard boats. anyone been pulling their boat with their X? how does it do? what size boat? any trouble getting out of the ramp?

I tow a 19ft chris craft all around town without any problems. The only complaint I have, and it was mentioned earlier, was the brakes. Its really not too bad, though since this is a pretty solid boat. As far as launching/retrieving goes, I haven't had to drop into 4 wheel yet. This is on both gravel/cement and nice ramps too. If you are just thinking a mastercraft or something along those lines, you will be fine. Enjoy!

I've got a 2K SE that I pull an 18-foot Crownline 180BR
bowrider. I opted for the surge brakes on the trailer when we bought it. I wan't about to trust my X's brakes with that much weight behind me. WELL worth it! I wish I had more power, but I don't pull it that much.

And I did pull a 6x12 U-haul trailer. Helped my brother move. It was about 60 miles and had no problems.

HIGHJACK ALERT
what kind of chris craft do you have?

I just drove 300 miles round trip (down to san diego and back) with a 1990 300zx in tow on a double axle trailer and no trailer brakes with my 06 x. Honestly...i was a little worried but it did really good getting moving and stopping as well. I am very pleased...let's not forget that the 300zx 2+2 is far from light weight.