W. Kerr Scott Reservoir sits about 10 minutes west of Wilkesboro off US-421, and lake days there usually mean a boat, a cooler, and every kid's life jacket crammed into one vehicle. The 2026 Pathfinder tows up to 6,000 lbs and still seats the whole family on the way to the ramp.
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir sits just west of Wilkesboro, close enough off US-421 and NC-16 that a Saturday boat run does not eat the whole morning. The lake is run by the US Army Corps of Engineers, and its public ramps see steady traffic from bass boats, pontoons, and jet ski trailers all summer.
Backing a loaded trailer down a wet concrete ramp is where towing specs stop being a brochure number and start mattering. The 2026 Pathfinder is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped, enough for most bowriders, pontoon boats, and double jet ski trailers that launch at W. Kerr Scott. On 4WD models, a dedicated Tow drive mode adjusts throttle response and holds gears longer, so the SUV does not hunt for the right gear halfway down the ramp with a boat pushing from behind.
7 selectable drive modes come standard on 4WD Pathfinder trims: Auto, Eco, Tow, Sport, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Snow. Tow mode is the one that matters most at the ramp, and Mud/Ruts earns its keep on the gravel overflow lot after a wet weekend.
SV 4WD gets the transfer case, Tow mode, and enough ground clearance to handle a sloped, algae-slick ramp without scraping the rear bumper.
SL 4WD adds the same tow-ready hardware as the SV with more cabin comfort for the ride home when everyone is salty and sunburned.
A lake day at W. Kerr Scott is never just the boat. There is a cooler, a stack of life jackets, a couple of tubes, dry bags, and usually a folded set of aluminum loading ramps that need to ride somewhere besides the trailer bed.
The Pathfinder's cargo room handles the overflow without anyone riding home with a cooler between their knees. Behind the third row there is 16.6 cu ft, enough for the daily cooler and bag run. Fold the third row and that grows to 45.0 cu ft. Fold both rear rows and the Pathfinder opens up to 80.5 cu ft max, room for the full gear haul on a weekend when the boat, the tubes, and the extra gas can all need a spot.
The rear cargo area is wide and flat-floored, so loading a cased outboard cover or a stack of life jackets does not turn into a puzzle. Qi2 wireless charging up front means phones stay topped off for the drive out, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen keeps directions to the ramp on-screen without a mount.
W. Kerr Scott Reservoir is not just a lake. The Overmountain Victory Trail, known locally as the OVT, runs along sections of the reservoir and draws mountain bikers and trail runners once the boat is back on the trailer.
That means a single afternoon at the reservoir can start with a boat launch and end with bikes coming off a rear rack for a lap on the OVT singletrack. The Pathfinder's 4WD and Tow-capable trailer hitch handle the boat in the morning, and the same rear cargo space swallows helmets, bike shoes, and a change of clothes for round two.
Rock Creek trim pushes this further for families who treat the reservoir as a full outdoor day rather than a one-activity stop. Its lifted suspension adds 0.6 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain tires handle the gravel pull-offs near the OVT trailheads better than street tires ever will.
Rock Creek's extra clearance and all-terrain tires make the gravel trailheads near the OVT easier to reach after the boat is parked.
A common tradeoff with smaller SUVs is choosing between people and gear once a trailer gets hooked up. The Pathfinder does not force that choice. It seats up to 8 across three rows, so the boat, the trailer, and the whole crew heading to W. Kerr Scott ride together instead of splitting into two vehicles.
Nissan Safety Shield 360 comes standard across the lineup, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, all useful when backing a trailer through a busy ramp lot on a Saturday morning with kids running toward the water.
None of that requires trading away interior room. Even with the cargo area packed floor to ceiling with bags, coolers, and tow gear, the second and third rows keep their space. Nobody rides to the reservoir wedged between a cooler and a tackle box.
Every 4WD Pathfinder trim gets the transfer case and Tow drive mode that make ramp days at W. Kerr Scott easier. Here is how the lineup breaks down for towing and gear duty.
| Trim | Drive | Towing / Cargo Notes | Buyer Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SV 4WD Recommended | 4WD | Transfer case, 7 drive modes including Tow, 6,000 lb max tow rating | The value pick for regular boat or jet ski runs to the reservoir |
| Rock Creek | 4WD only | Lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, same tow-capable hardware | Best for lake days that end with a lap on the OVT trailheads |
| SL 4WD | 4WD | Same towing setup as SV, premium interior trim | For families who want tow capability without giving up comfort |
| Platinum 4WD | 4WD | Full towing capability, top-tier cabin materials | For buyers who want the works, lake trailer included |
*Towing capacity is 6,000 lbs when properly equipped with the factory towing package. See the 2026 Pathfinder inventory at McNeill Nissan for current build availability, or view full specs on the official Nissan Pathfinder specs page.
Back to TopThe 2026 Nissan Pathfinder can tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped with the factory towing package. That covers most small to midsize boats, a pair of jet skis on a trailer, and a small camper, with room to spare for a hitch-mounted cargo carrier.
Yes. W. Kerr Scott Reservoir sits just west of Wilkesboro off US-421 and NC-16, close enough for an easy trailer pull on a Saturday morning without a long highway haul.
Yes. The Pathfinder's drive mode selector includes a dedicated Tow mode that adjusts throttle response and transmission shift points to keep the load steady on grades and around boat ramps, part of 7 total selectable drive modes on 4WD models.
With the third row folded, the Pathfinder opens up to 45.0 cu ft of cargo space, and with both rear rows folded it reaches 80.5 cu ft max. That is enough for coolers, life jackets, tow ropes, and a cased outboard motor cover in the same trip.
Yes. The Pathfinder seats up to 8 across three rows, so the boat, the trailer, and the whole crew headed to the lake ride in the same vehicle instead of splitting into two cars.
SV 4WD and SL 4WD are the practical picks for regular boat or jet ski hauls. Both get the transfer case, Tow drive mode, and enough ground clearance for a wet, sloped ramp. Rock Creek adds even more clearance if the ramp at W. Kerr Scott is rough after a rain.
Yes. W. Kerr Scott Reservoir has multiple public boat ramps maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers, along with day-use areas near the dam and access points that connect to the Overmountain Victory Trail (OVT) for mountain biking after the boat is back on the trailer.
Ask about 4WD towing packages before your next trip to W. Kerr Scott Reservoir.
