The Infiniti QX56 has been discontinued and has been replaced by the Infiniti QX80 since 2013. What is the towing capacity of this car? How much has it changed over the years? What types of trailers can it easily tow? In this article, we’ll give you the answers to all of these questions.
All the models of the Infiniti QX56’s last generation (2011-13) have a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The 2WD and 4WD variants in the previous generations (2004-10) have a towing capacity of 9,000 pounds and 8,900 pounds, respectively. Infiniti recommends using a weight-distributing hitch system when towing over 5,000 lbs for all variants of the QX56.
Now that we have answered the main question of this car’s towing capacity, let’s dive deep to find out how it performs its towing duties in various circumstances and compare its performance to its competition.
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
The following table mentions the towing capacities of this car since its inception. We can note that there hasn’t been any improvement in the towing capacity of this car. In fact, it has decreased by little margins in all variants of the last generation.
Be aware that overloading or improper loading of a trailer and its cargo can adversely affect vehicle handling, braking, and performance. It may also lead to accidents. Also, keep in mind that additional passengers, cargo, and/or optional equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
| Year | Engine | Towing Capacity Braked (lbs) | Note |
| 2013 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2012 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2011 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2010 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2009 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2008 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2007 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2006 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2005 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. | |
| 2004 | 2WD | 9,000 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 4WD | 8,900 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
There is a wide variety of trailers used for different purposes and have different weights and sizes. We have done an extensive research to identify the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Infiniti QX56.
The last Infiniti QX56 variants can tow all sorts of small and medium-sized trailers regardless if they are empty or fully loaded. With a remarkable towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, there’s hardly a trailer that this car cannot tow. In the case of large trailers such as a large boat trailer or a large utility trailer, it can still tow them as long as they are not fully loaded with maximum payload.
Infiniti QX56 is a safe and reliable car for towing purposes. It is designed to perform in tough conditions. Thus, you don’t have to worry about its towing performance.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Infiniti QX56 Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No. |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
- Kayak: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500 which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Teardrop Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX56. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also within the limits of the Infiniti QX56.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- A-Frame Camper: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an a-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Pop-Up Camper: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Small Travel Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow a small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Tow Dolly: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an empty large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Small Horse Trailer: The 2009 H2 models will be able to tow a small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Car Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an empty car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds which is outside the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Large Flatbed Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an empty large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX56.
- Large Boat Trailer: All Infiniti QX56 models will be able to tow an empty large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX56.
How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?
The following table defines the relevant competition of this car and highlights its towing capacities. We can note that only the 2013 Lincoln Navigator has more towing capacity at 9,000 pounds. The rest of the competition lags behind the Infiniti QX56. As this car has been discontinued since 2013, we cannot expect any further improvements in the towing capacity of this car.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2013 Cadillac Escalade | 8,100 | 8,300 |
| 2013 Land Rover Range Rover | 7,716 | 7,716 |
| 2013 Lincoln Navigator | 9,000 | 9,000 |
| 2013 Mercedes Benz GL-Class | 7,500 | 7,500 |
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