The Infiniti QX80 has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 1st out of 19 for luxury full-size SUVs. But does it have a towing capacity to tow large-sized loaded trailers? Does it have the capability of competing with other cars in the same category? Let’s find out the answers to these questions.
All models of the Infiniti QX80 have a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Additional passengers, cargo, and/or optional equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity. Infiniti recommends using a weight-distributing hitch system when towing over 5,000 lbs for all variants of the QX80.
In this article, we’ll look at the change in the towing capacity of this car over the years. We’ll then identify the weights of various types of trailers to compare them against the towing capacity of this car. Lastly, we’ll compare it against its competition and analyze its performance.
Also read: Types Of Gas An Infiniti QX80 Takes (Explained)
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
The following table highlights the towing capacities of various generations of the Infiniti QX80. There hasn’t been any change in this car’s engine and design variants, and therefore we can witness a consistent towing capacity over these years.
| Year | Engine | Towing Capacity Braked (lbs) | Note |
| 2021 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2020 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2019 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2018 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2017 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2016 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2015 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
| 2014 | All | 8,500 | Always tow within the towing limits. |
Also read: 7 Common Problems Of An Infiniti QX80
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
Not all trailers have the same weight and size. Therefore, 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 QX80.
All models of the Infiniti QX80 can tow small and medium-sized trailers. With a remarkable towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, there’s hardly a trailer that this car cannot tow.
Be careful in 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. The Infiniti QX80 is a safe and reliable car for towing purposes, the complete opposite of the Q50 that doesn’t have any towing capacity at all. 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 QX80 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 QX80 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 QX80.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 pounds which is within the range of the Infiniti QX80.
- Teardrop Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also within the limits of the Infiniti QX80.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- A-Frame Camper: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Pop-Up Camper: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Small Travel Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Tow Dolly: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Small Horse Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
- Car Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX80.
- Large Flatbed Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 pounds, outside of the range of the Infiniti QX80.
- Large Boat Trailer: All Infiniti QX80 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 QX80.
How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?
The following table highlights the towing capacities of different cars that fall in the QX80’s competition. No car surpasses the Infiniti QX80 in its towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. As this car is still being produced, we can expect further improvements in the towing capacity.
| Year / Make / Model | Min. Towing Capacity (lbs.) | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2021 Cadillac Escalade | 7,500 | 8,200 |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 8,400 | 8,400 |
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator | 8,700 | 8,700 |
| 2021 Mercedes Benz GLS-Class | 7,700 | 7,700 |
| 2021 Nissan Armada | 8,500 | 8,500 |
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