towing

G'day George

Just a thing you may want to check with the towbar before adding a WDH.
I'm not sure if the chassis/body is different to earlier models but I have seen an Xtrail which had jack-knifed while towing a covered tandem trailer.
The tandem and the towbar still on the ball was completely ripped off the Xtrail. Rear of Xtrail tore apart.

Either, the mounts were not secure or the fitter of the towbar didn't use large enough spreader plates/washers on the bolts attaching the towbar to the chassis/body and it just was removed with the forces. It came off easily and there was minimal damage to the Xtrail as a whole.

So, before adding a WDH get some advice from a towbar fitting centre as the dealer may not be the best person to ask advice or infact check the integrity of your setup.
Some people see things which others don't.

All the best with the Cvan and towing and make sure your caravan braking always precedes the vehicle braking to minimize such events as mentioned above.

Cheers
Ross M

George,

Apologies in advance but I would have used an A, ?, W, ?, and perhaps a thanks.

:)

Skull

I would seek advice first from the vehicle manufacture and then the towbar manufacture regarding WDH set ups as i think more and more manufactures will not allow them to be fitted due to increased loading and stress on the chassis, mounting points and towbar.

Check out the towing specs for your Xtrail.
Here is the spec sheet.
You'll be borderline (at best) if its a 2wd manual - 1500kg towing capacity, or only 1300 for the 2wd auto.

If its a 4wd, capacity increases to 2000kg (unless its a diesel auto) but the Xtrail has other limits on ball weight. Look at the last page of those specs and you'll find a table which says you are supposed to reduce the weight in the vehicle if the ball weight is more than 50kgs! So you need to know what is the ball weight of your van. I'd guess its at least 150kgs. These specs suggest to me that your Xtrail may be not strong enough to take a weight distributing hitch, but I'm very happy to be corrected.

On the Xtrail forum you'll find that other owners have had chassis cracks from using weight distributing hitches so you might tread warily:Link to Xtrail forum posts

Thanks Phil for replying to my enquiry Cheers george4