Towing and gear ratio question

[etothepii]

I notice that with other manufacturers, different gear ratios have different tow ratings. For example, a 4.10 rear end might tow 500 lbs more than a 3.73.

Different models of Frontiers have different gear ratios, but they are all rated the same (assuming same cab, drive train, and bed size). Anyone know why?

Either Nissan is being conservative and using the lowest gear ratio's tow rating for all vehicles, or it's being liberal in publishing only the maximum numbers.

 

[mdawg4x4]

I thought it was a manual vs auto tranny thing?

 

[FRONT4X]

I know the 4wd will tow less than a 2wd due to extra weight. It's normally about 500 lbs dif.