Chicken or the egg problem. The X is rated to pull 5000 lbs.. The hitch ( class III ) is rated to pull 5000. From what I know, only a class III can be hooked up to an X. ( I haven't seen anyone install a class II ?)

If the X relied on frame stiffeners, ( provided only by U.S. Nissan ).. I'm pretty sure Nissan would have put a note somewhere saying " an X will pull 5000 only with a Nissan hitch with stiffeners " They would have to protect their butts somewhere.. just like the max load for the rack, when it can hold more, etc.

I'm sure the stiffeners add something, but not sure what.

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