Nissan FRONTIER 2023 front license plate and Truck-camper
Truck-campers and front license plate installation are built with specific criteria in mind for the 2023 Nissan Frontier. The car features a pre-installed bracket on the lower plastic finisher for installing the front license plate. Self-tapping screws and M6-14 mm bolts are used to firmly fix the bracket. Notably, slide-in campers are not a good fit for the Frontier. In order to ensure safe vehicle operation and to comply with legal requirements, some installation processes and limits are necessary.
2023 Nissan Frontier Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)
Installing front license plate
Use the following steps to mount the front license plate:
- Place the license plate bracket against the lower plastic finisher. The bracket will align with the pre-molded indents found on the lower plastic finisher. Install the license plate holder using the four self-tapping screws provided.
- Mount the license plate using two M6-14 mm bolts.
License plate bolt tightening torque:
3.8 – 4.7 ft-lbs. (5.10 – 6.37 N·m )
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
- It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area inside a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
- Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
- Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the following terms before loading your vehicle:
- Curb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle) – vehicle weight including standard and optional equipment, fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight does not include passengers and cargo.
- GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) – curb weight plus the combined weight of passengers and cargo.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – the maximum total combined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passengers, cargo, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any other optional equipment. This information is located on the F.M.V.S.S./ C. M.V.S.S. certification label.
- GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -maximum weight (load) limit specified for the front or rear axle. This information is located on the F. M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) – The maximum total weight rating of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, and trailer.
- Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit, Total load capacity – maximum total weight limit specified of the load (passengers and cargo) for the vehicle. This is the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo that can be loaded into the vehicle. If the vehicle is used to tow a trailer, the trailer tongue weight must be included as part of the cargo load. This information is located on the Tire and Loading Information label.
- Cargo capacity – the permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted weight of occupants from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle. Both the GVWR and GAWR are located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label. Do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle shown as “The combined weight of occupants and cargo” on the Tire and Loading Information label. Do not exceed the number of occupants shown as “Seating Capacity” on the Tire and Loading Information label. To get “the combined weight of occupants and cargo”, add the weight of all occupants, then add the total cargo weight. Examples are shown in the following illustration.
Example
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit
- Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
- Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
- Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg. or XXX lbs.
- The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.(1400-750 (5 X 150) = 650 lbs.)
- Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
- If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR for your vehicle. Also, check tires for proper inflation pressures. 
SECURING THE LOAD
For your convenience, tie-down hooks (if so equipped) are placed at each corner of the truck box. These may be used to help secure cargo loaded into the truck box.
WARNING
- Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.
- Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the maximum front and rear gears. If you do, parts of your vehicle can break, tire damage could occur, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury.
UTILI-TRACK® CHANNEL SYSTEM (if so equipped)
- Side channels
- Header channel
WARNING
- Properly install and tighten the tie-down cleats into the Utilitrack® channel system. Also, do not attach any rope or straps directly to the channel. Failure to properly install the tie-down cleats or attach ropes or straps directly to the channel can cause the cargo to become unsecured. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury. Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.
- The Utilitrack® channel system allows you to move tie-down clamps in the bed to the best location to secure a load.
- The tie-down cleats must be installed so the clamp is properly seated in the notches in the rail. If the tie-down cleat is not seated in the notches, it will not be flush with the rail and cannot be properly tightened. The bolt in the center of the cleat must be tightened hand-tight 20 – 40 in-lbs. (2.27 -4.6 N·m). Check the tightness of the tie-down cleat periodically during a trip to make sure the center bolt has not become loose.
Install the tie-down cleat as follows:
- Remove the side channels by sliding them out the back of the truck bed. Properly store the side channels.
- Loosen the center bolt completely.
- Insert the cleat into the channel perpendicular to the channel as shown. Then rotate the cleat clockwise 90° and slide it to the desired location.
- Position the cleat so the nubs on the bottom fully seat into the channel detents.
- There should be no gap between the bottom of the cleat and the top of the channel. Tighten the center bolt hand tight 20-40 in-lbs. (2.27 – 4.6 N·m).
CAUTION
- Install only one cleat per section of the channel.
- Applying loads at angles to the cleats greater than 45° or loads greater than 150 lbs. (204 N·m). (header and floor channels) or 200 lbs. (271 N·m).(side channels) may cause damage to the channel or bed.
1 correct installation, 2 incorrect installation
WARNING
Do not install accessories over the gap between the front and rear side channels. Doing this could affect the rear structure in certain rear impacts, which could result in serious injury.
LOADING TIPS
- The GVW must not exceed GVWR or GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./ C. M.V.S.S. certification label.
- Do not load the front and rear axle to the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
- Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.
- Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the maximum front and rear gears. If you do, parts of your vehicle can break, tire damage could occur, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could result in loss of control and cause personal injury.
- Overloading not only can shorten the life of your vehicle and the tire, but can also cause unsafe vehicle handling and longer braking distances. This may cause a premature tire failure which could result in a serious accident and personal injury. Failures caused by over-loading are not covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh the front and the rear wheels separately to determine axle loads. Individual axle loads should not exceed either of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads should not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These ratings are given on the vehicle certification label. If weight ratings are exceeded, move or remove items to bring all weights below the ratings.
TRUCK-CAMPER LOADING INFORMATION
Do not use a slide-in camper with your vehicle.
SPECIAL BODY VEHICLES
Some vehicles are equipped with commercial or camper bodies. However, this Owner’s Manual does not cover these options. For additional information, refer to the body manufacturer’s instruction manual.
LOCATION FOR CENTER OF GRAVITY
The illustration indicates the recommended cargo center of gravity location.
King Cab®:
Short wheelbase models without Bedliner/tailgate liner,
L1 = 41.1 in (1,045 mm)
Short wheelbase models with bed liner/tailgate liner (SV/PRO-4
X with comfort and convenience package),
Crew Cab:
Short wheelbase models Bedliner/tailgate liner, without 41.1 in (1,045 mm) Short wheelbase models with Bedliner/tailgate liner (SV/PRO-4X with comfort and convenience package), L1 = 40.5 in (1,028 mm) Long wheelbase models, L1 = 40.63 in (1,032 mm)
WARNING
Improper loading may be dangerous. If a load is too far back, it can affect handling characteristics. If a load is too far forward, the front axle may be overloaded. Overloading or improper loading can adversely affect vehicle handling, braking, and performance and may lead to accidents.
VEHICLE LOAD WEIGHT CAPACITY
The vehicle payload weight capacity shown on the Tire and Loading Information label indicates the maximum total weight of passengers, optional equipment (air conditioning, trailer hitch, etc.), and cargo that your vehicle is designed to carry. Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR for your vehicle. Also, check tires for proper inflation pressures.
FAQ
It’s mounted using a bracket aligned with pre-molded indents on the lower plastic finisher, secured with self-tapping screws.
Two M6-14 mm bolts are used for mounting the license plate.
The tightening torque should be between 3.8 – 4.7 ft-lbs (5.10 – 6.37 N·m).
No, using a slide-in camper with this vehicle is not recommended.
This depends on local regulations. In some regions, front license plates are required by law.
Typically, a screwdriver or a drill (for self-tapping screws) and a wrench for the bolts.
Customization should be done cautiously to ensure it doesn’t violate traffic laws or affect vehicle safety.
Generally, the installation process remains the same but always check for any specific instructions for off-road models.
They are usually made of metal or durable plastic, depending on the design.
Regular cleaning and checking for any damage or rust, especially in harsh weather conditions, are recommended.
Legal restrictions can vary by region, so it’s advisable to check local laws and regulations.
Options like bed-mounted tents or trailers might be suitable alternatives.
Properly installed, it shouldn’t interfere with sensors or cameras. However, ensure it’s mounted according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The impact is minimal, but it’s designed to fit seamlessly into the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile.
Replace it with a new bracket, preferably an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part for the best fit and compliance.
Useful Link
View Full User Guide: Nissan FRONTIER 2023 User Guide
Download Manuals: https://www.nissanusa.com/owners/ownership/manuals-guides.html
2023 Nissan Frontier Specs, Price, Features and Mileage (Brochure)
