How Much Can a Nissan Rogue Tow Based on Year and Trim Guide in 2026
Last Updated on April 26, 2026 by Ryan
The Nissan Rogue can tow up to 1,500 lbs — but only if your year, drivetrain, and towing equipment check out. Older models sit closer to 1,100 lbs, and some configurations are not rated for towing at all without added accessories.
This guide breaks down the exact number for every Rogue generation, maps common trailer types to that capacity, and tells you when the stated rating quietly shrinks based on how you load the vehicle. By the end, you will know exactly where your Rogue stands — and whether it can handle what you want to tow.
Why the Nissan Rogue Towing Capacity Answer Depends on 4 Factors
Before you hitch anything to your Rogue, four things determine whether your setup is within the rated limit.
- Model year. Nissan updated the Rogue’s tow rating at least twice across its generations. A 2019 Rogue and a 2023 Rogue are not the same vehicle for towing purposes.
- Drivetrain — FWD vs AWD. The 2021–2025 Rogue’s maximum 1,500 lb rating requires AWD. FWD models in that generation are rated lower. On older generations, the rating applied equally to both.
- Towing package. The Rogue does not come tow-ready from the factory on most trims. Reaching the maximum rated capacity requires a Class I hitch receiver, a 4-pin wiring harness, and a hitch ball mount. Without this equipment, Nissan does not certify the full rating.
- Trim level. Unlike some vehicles where trim level determines tow capacity, the Rogue’s rating is consistent across S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims within the same year and drivetrain. Trim affects features — not the tow number.
Start with your model year, then work through the other three conditions. The section below covers each generation.
What Most Nissan Rogues Can Tow Without a Towing Package
If your Rogue is a 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 model with AWD and a properly installed towing package, the factory tow rating is 1,500 lbs.
Without the towing package installed, Nissan does not recommend relying on the maximum rating. The required equipment — hitch receiver, wiring harness, and ball mount — is not just a formality. It distributes tongue weight correctly and allows the vehicle’s trailer sway control system to function. Towing without it risks exceeding the structural limits of the rear bumper mounting points, which are not designed as load-bearing tow points on an unequipped vehicle.
If you have a 2020 Rogue or earlier from the second-generation era (2014–2020), the standard rating is 1,102 lbs for most configurations, regardless of whether you have AWD or FWD. Nissan also specifies that trailers over 1,000 lbs require a trailer braking system on the Rogue — a detail most owners overlook.
That baseline number shifts based on your generation, which we cover next.
How Model Year Changes the Nissan Rogue Max Tow Rating
The Rogue’s tow rating has not stayed the same across its generations. Here is the breakdown by era.
2014 to 2020 Nissan Rogue Towing Capacity
If your Rogue is a 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, or 2020 model, the towing capacity is 1,102 lbs when properly equipped. The 2015 model year was a slight outlier — Nissan rated it at approximately 1,000 lbs with a slightly different tongue weight allowance of 150 lbs.
This generation used a 2.5L four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower. The lower tow rating reflects both the engine output and the chassis design of this generation. FWD and AWD versions of this era share the same tow rating.
If you have a Nissan Rogue CVT transmission issue from this era, note that towing at or near the rated limit puts additional strain on the CVT. Address any transmission concerns before towing regularly.
2021 Nissan Rogue Towing Capacity
If your Rogue is a 2021 model, the capacity increased to 1,350 lbs with a maximum tongue weight of 134.9 lbs. This reflects the third-generation redesign that introduced the new 1.5L VC-Turbo engine platform. However, the 2021 model year had not yet reached the full third-generation rating.
2022 to 2025 Nissan Rogue Towing Capacity
If your Rogue is a 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025 model, the maximum tow rating is 1,500 lbs when properly equipped with AWD and a towing package. This is the highest rating Nissan has published for the Rogue to date. The 1.5L VC-Turbo engine produces 201 horsepower, which supports this higher rating over older generations.
The capacity has remained consistent across this model range with no mid-cycle changes to the rating.
How AWD and the Towing Package Affect Your Rogue Tow Limit
Two things trip up Rogue owners when they look up the tow rating: drivetrain and the towing package.
FWD vs AWD Towing Capacity on a 2022–2025 Rogue
For the current third-generation Rogue (2022–2025), AWD is required to achieve the 1,500 lb rating. A front-wheel drive Rogue from this generation has a lower effective tow rating. Nissan’s official guidance specifies the 1,500 lb figure applies to properly equipped AWD configurations.
For the second generation (2014–2020), the 1,102 lb rating applied to both FWD and AWD — drivetrain was not a differentiating factor in that era.
If you are unsure whether your Rogue has AWD, check the driver’s door jamb sticker or the vehicle’s original window sticker. The option code will confirm the drivetrain.
What the Nissan Rogue Towing Package Includes
To tow at the rated capacity, the Rogue requires three components:
- Class I hitch receiver kit — the structural connection point rated to the vehicle’s tow limit
- 4-pin trailer wiring harness — allows trailer lights to operate and enables trailer sway control integration
- Class I hitch ball and mount — the ball connects the trailer coupler to the receiver
These are available as Nissan Genuine Accessories through the dealer parts department. Third-party options exist but should be Class I rated and professionally installed to ensure the vehicle’s sway control system functions correctly.
The towing package is an optional add-on — it does not come standard on any Rogue trim. All four trim levels (S, SV, SL, Platinum) can be equipped with it. The 2024 Rogue also includes trailer sway control and a tow mode as standard features that work alongside the package. For more on hitch selection, choosing the right trailer hitch ball mount covers the key differences between Class I and Class II hardware.
5 Real Towing Scenarios and Whether the Rogue Can Handle Them
Here is how the Rogue’s 1,500 lb maximum tow rating maps to the most common things people actually want to tow.
Nissan Rogue towing scenarios — whether common trailers fit within the 1,500 lb rating
| What you want to tow | Avg loaded weight | Fits 2022–25 AWD Rogue? | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski + trailer | 900–1,100 lbs | Yes |
Comfortably within range. Confirm tongue weight stays under 150 lbs.
|
| Small aluminum boat + trailer | 800–1,200 lbs | Yes |
Single-person fishing boats stay well within the limit.
|
| Kayak / canoe trailer | 200–400 lbs | Yes — all Rogues |
Any generation Rogue handles this easily.
|
| Pop-up camper / teardrop | 1,200–1,800 lbs | Conditional |
Lightweight teardrops under 1,400 lbs fit. Heavier pop-ups often
exceed the limit when fully loaded. Always weigh loaded — not dry
weight.
|
| Small travel trailer (16 ft) | 2,800–4,500 lbs | No |
Exceeds the Rogue’s rating by a wide margin. A different vehicle is
required.
|
| Trailer Type | Avg. Loaded Weight | Fits Within 1,500 lb Rating? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet ski + trailer | 900–1,100 lbs | Yes (2022–2025 AWD) | Comfortably within range. Confirm tongue weight is under 150 lbs. |
| Small jon boat + trailer | 800–1,200 lbs | Yes (2022–2025 AWD) | Single-person aluminum fishing boats with trailer stay well within range. |
| Folded kayak/canoe trailer | 200–400 lbs | Yes — all generations | Any Rogue handles this without concern. |
| Pop-up camper / teardrop trailer | 1,200–1,800 lbs | Conditional | Lightweight teardrops (under 1,400 lbs) fit. Heavier pop-ups exceed the limit. Verify the actual loaded weight before hooking up. |
| Small travel trailer (e.g., entry-level 16 ft) | 2,800–4,500 lbs | No | This exceeds the Rogue’s rating by a significant margin. A different vehicle is needed. |
The most surprising result for most owners: a modest pop-up camper can easily push above 1,500 lbs when fully loaded with water, gear, and supplies. Always weigh the loaded trailer — not the manufacturer’s “dry weight” — before towing.
For owners whose needs consistently exceed 1,500 lbs, certified pre-owned SUVs with higher tow ratings may be worth evaluating as an alternative.
3 Conditions That Quietly Reduce Your Effective Towing Capacity
The rated tow capacity assumes your Rogue is carrying minimal load beyond the driver. Three factors can bring your real-world safe towing limit below the published number.
- Passenger and cargo weight reduces your tow headroom. The Rogue has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) — the maximum total weight the vehicle can handle including itself, occupants, cargo, and tongue weight combined. A fully loaded Rogue (five adults plus luggage) can add 800–900 lbs of passenger and cargo load. That weight does not disappear when you hook up a trailer — it competes with your tow rating against the GVWR ceiling. In practical terms: if your Rogue is carrying four adults and a full cargo area, your available tow capacity shrinks meaningfully below 1,500 lbs.
- Tongue weight cannot exceed 10% of the trailer’s total weight. This is a standard towing rule and the Rogue is no exception. A 1,400 lb trailer should have no more than 140 lbs of tongue weight pressing down on the hitch. Too much tongue weight causes rear squat and loss of front-wheel steering control. Too little causes trailer sway. The towing package’s Class I hitch is rated to manage this correctly — but the tongue weight limit itself is a hard constraint regardless of package.
- Nissan does not publish altitude derating guidance for the Rogue, but engine output and cooling capacity both decrease at high elevations. If you are towing near the rated limit in mountainous terrain above 5,000 feet, reduce your load by 10–15% as a practical precaution. The CVT is the component most at risk during sustained climbs near maximum load. Understanding Nissan Rogue transmission fluid maintenance becomes especially relevant if you tow regularly in these conditions.
Nissan Rogue Towing Capacity by Year Trim and Drivetrain
Use this table to find your exact Rogue configuration and its confirmed tow rating.
Nissan Rogue towing capacity by year, drivetrain, and towing package — decision matrix
Nissan Rogue towing capacity — confirmed ratings by configuration
| Year range | Drivetrain | Towing package | Max tow rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014, 2016–2020 | FWD or AWD | Required | 1,102 lbs |
| 2015 only | FWD or AWD | Required | ~1,000 lbs |
| 2021 | FWD or AWD | Required | 1,350 lbs |
| 2022–2025 | AWD | Required | 1,500 lbs |
| 2022–2025 | FWD | Required | Below 1,500 lbs* |
| * FWD models (2022–2025): Nissan’s published 1,500 lb max applies to AWD only. Confirm your exact FWD rating in the owner’s manual or door jamb sticker. Trim level (S, SV, SL, Platinum) does not affect the rating — only drivetrain and year do. | |||
*Nissan’s published 1,500 lb maximum for the 2022–2025 Rogue applies to AWD configurations. FWD models from this generation have a lower effective rating — confirm yours via the owner’s manual or door jamb placard.
Trim level note: S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims all share the same tow rating within the same year and drivetrain. Trim does not affect the capacity number.
Where to verify on your vehicle: The door jamb sticker on the driver’s side lists your vehicle’s GVWR and key weight ratings. For towing capacity specifically, check your owner’s manual under the “Towing” section — it will list the exact figure for your configuration. If you bought the vehicle used and the manual is missing, your VIN lookup through Nissan’s owner portal will identify the spec sheet.
When To Get a Dealer Confirmation Before You Tow
This guide covers standard, unmodified Rogue configurations. A few situations require a dealer confirmation before you hitch anything up.
- Modified Rogues. Aftermarket lift kits, non-Nissan hitch receivers, or suspension modifications void the factory tow rating. A dealer service appointment can assess whether the modification affects tow safety.
- Towing near the rated limit with a full passenger load. If you are regularly towing 1,300+ lbs with multiple passengers and cargo, confirm your specific GVWR headroom with a dealer before making this a regular habit.
- Used Rogues with unknown history. A vehicle with prior collision damage — especially to the rear frame or bumper reinforcement — may not safely support even a Class I hitch load. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a frame check is worth the cost.
- Any trailer over 1,000 lbs. Nissan specifically requires a trailer braking system for loads over 1,000 lbs. This is not optional — it is a documented requirement in the owner’s manual. Ask your dealer about brake controller options if you are approaching this threshold.
When in doubt, a Nissan service advisor can pull up the tow specifications for your exact VIN and confirm whether your configuration is rated for what you plan to tow.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nissan Rogue Towing
Can a Nissan Rogue tow a camper?
It depends on the camper’s loaded weight. Lightweight teardrop trailers under 1,400 lbs are within range for a 2022–2025 AWD Rogue. Pop-up campers vary widely — many exceed 1,500 lbs when fully loaded with water and gear, which puts them outside the Rogue’s rated capacity. Always weigh the loaded trailer before hitching up.
Does the Nissan Rogue need a towing package to tow?
Yes. Nissan requires a properly installed towing package — hitch receiver, 4-pin wiring harness, and hitch ball mount — to tow at the rated capacity. Without this equipment, the Rogue’s rear bumper mounting points are not designed to carry a trailer load, and the trailer sway control system will not function correctly.
What is the towing capacity of a 2024 Nissan Rogue?
The 2024 Nissan Rogue tows up to 1,500 lbs when configured with AWD and a properly installed towing package. This rating applies across all trim levels — S, SV, SL, and Platinum — as long as the drivetrain and equipment requirements are met.
Can a Nissan Rogue tow a boat?
Yes, for smaller watercraft. A single jet ski with trailer typically weighs 900–1,100 lbs, which fits within the 2022–2025 Rogue AWD rating. A small aluminum fishing boat with trailer generally falls in the same range. Larger fiberglass boats with trailers often exceed 1,500 lbs loaded — those require a vehicle with a higher tow rating.
How does the Nissan Rogue towing capacity compare to the Toyota RAV4?
The current Rogue tops out at 1,500 lbs. The standard 2025 Toyota RAV4 gas model also rates at 1,500 lbs with FWD, while earlier RAV4 AWD trims (Adventure and TRD Off-Road) could reach 3,500 lbs. If towing is a primary concern, the RAV4 lineup offers more configuration options that exceed the Rogue’s ceiling.
Conclusion
The Nissan Rogue can handle light towing for jet skis, small boats, kayak trailers, and lightweight teardrops — but the exact number depends on your year, drivetrain, and whether you have the towing package installed. Use the table above to find your specific configuration’s rating, then check your door jamb sticker and owner’s manual to confirm before your first tow.
If your needs regularly push above 1,500 lbs, the Rogue is not the right tool for that job. But for the most common recreational towing scenarios, a properly equipped 2022–2025 AWD Rogue handles them well within its rated limit.
