The Nissan Sentra is the third most popular compact sedan in the US. But is it any good for towing purposes? If yes, how much can it tow, and what types of trailers fall under its towing range? In his article, we’ll answer all of these questions. Let’s get started.
Nissan Sentra manufactured from 2012 onwards aren’t rated for towing purposes. However, owners have successfully been able to tow loads up to 1,000 pounds. Anything above this is not recommended and will likely damage your vehicle.
Now that we have identified the base figure for the Nissan Sentra towing capacity, we’ll dive deep to find out what you can do with this towing capacity. We’ll also look at this car’s competition and see how it performs according to the market standards.
Maximum Towing Capacity By Year
Nissan does not provide official towing stats for this car and recommends not to use it for this purpose. Therefore, the numbers mentioned in the following table are obtained by market research and the consensus among its users. Although these figures are considered safe and reliable for emergency towing purposes, we don’t recommend you test these limits to safeguard your car from possible damage.
| Year | Engine Type | Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| 2021 | All | 1,000 |
| 2020 | All | 1,000 |
| 2019 | All | 1,000 |
| 2018 | All | 1,000 |
| 2017 | All | 1,000 |
| 2016 | All | 1,000 |
| 2015 | All | 1,000 |
| 2014 | All | 1,000 |
| 2013 | All | 1,000 |
| 2012 | All | 1,000 |
Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?
In this section, we have identified the weighing limits of different types of trailers. The following table contains the average empty and loaded weights of several trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Nissan Sentra to give you an overview of your car’s compatibility with these trailers.
The latest Nissan Sentra can be used to tow small and mid-sized empty trailers such as canoe/kayak, jet ski, teardrop, and small open utility trailers. This car has a low unofficial towing capacity of only 1,000 pounds, which is insufficient to tow medium and large-sized loaded trailers. Attempting such action will not only violate your car’s warranty but also damage its engine.
| Trailer Type | Average Empty Weight (lbs.) | Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.) | Can A Nissan Sentra Tow It? |
| Canoe / Kayak Trailer | 200 | 400 | Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers. |
| Jet Ski Trailer | 300 | 1,800 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Motorcycle Trailer | 500 | 2,400 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Teardrop Trailer | 1,700 | 2,400 | No. |
| Small Open Utility Trailer | 700 | 2,500 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| A-Frame Camper | 1,700 | 2,900 | No. |
| Small Enclosed Utility Trailer | 1,000 | 3,200 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Fishing Boat Trailer | 600 | 3,300 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Pop Up Camper | 2,300 | 3,400 | No. |
| Small Travel Trailer | 2,800 | 3,600 | No. |
| Tow Dolly | 600 | 4,000 | It can only tow an empty trailer of this category. |
| Large Enclosed Utility Trailer | 2,700 | 7,100 | No. |
| Small Horse Trailer | 2,900 | 7,200 | No. |
| Large Travel Trailer | 6,700 | 8,300 | No. |
| Car Trailer | 1,900 | 9,000 | No. |
| Large Flatbed Trailer | 3,000 | 10,400 | No. |
| Large Boat Trailer | 2,200 | 13,600 | No. |
| Dump Trailer | 4,500 | 16,900 | No. |
| Toy Hauler | 7,600 | 17,900 | No. |
| Large Livestock Trailer | 7,300 | 18,700 | No. |
| 5th Wheel Camper | 12,700 | 18,700 | No. |
| Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer | 7,200 | 23,200 | No. |
Also read: The Types Of Gas A Nissan Sentra Takes (Explained)
- Kayak: All Nissan Sentra 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 Nissan Sentra.
- Jet Ski Trailer: All Nissan Sentra models will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Motorcycle Trailer: All Nissan Sentra models will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Teardrop Trailer: No Nissan Sentra model 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 Nissan Sentra. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds which is also outside of the limits of the Nissan Sentra.
- Small Open Utility Trailer: All Nissan Sentra models will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- A-Frame Camper: No Nissan Sentra model 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Nissan Sentra models will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Fishing Boat Trailer: All Nissan Sentra models will be able to tow an empty 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Pop-Up Camper: No Nissan Sentra model 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Small Travel Trailer: No Nissan Sentra model 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
- Tow Dolly: All Nissan Sentra 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, outside of the range of the Nissan Sentra.
Also read: Nissan Sentra Overview Of Transmissions And Problems.
Can You Install A Hitch On A Nissan Sentra?
From the factory, Nissan Sentras do not come with a trailer hitch. However, you can install an aftermarket class 1 hitch on your Sentra. Class 1 hitches are rated for a maximum towing weight of 2,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 200 pounds.
Therefore, they can carry more than what’s advised for the Sentra. Expect to pay around $150 – $200 for a class 1 hitch.
Also read: 8 Common Problems Of A Nissan Sentra
How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?
If one thing, compact sedans are not popular because of their towing capabilities. The Nissan Sentra is no exception, as it has the lowest towing ratings. But this is not the case with other manufacturers, as we can see remarkable towing capacities in several cars in this category. For instance, the 2021 Mazda 3 has a towing capacity of 3,306 pounds. The following table mentions the towing ratings of several compact sedans. Note that these ratings may or may not be derived from official sources.
| Year / Make / Model | Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| 2021 Honda Civic | 2,645 |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | 1,500 |
| 2021 Mazda 3 | 3,306 |
| 2021 Toyota Corolla | 2,866 |
| 2021 Volkswagen Jetta | 2,000 |
Also read: The Expected Mileage Of A Nissan Sentra
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
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