caravan towing

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 26, 2020 at 17:40
ThreadID: 139844 Views:7627 Replies:6 FollowUps:6
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]Hi
Name is Charles
I got a 2011 2 litre two wheel drive Nissan X Trail with a CVT trans
Is safe to tow a 1000 kilos caravan my Nissan can tow 1300 kilos
Regards Charles
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Reply By: Gronk - Thursday, Mar 26, 2020 at 17:52

Thursday, Mar 26, 2020 at 17:52
If it's rated for 1300kg, then yes, it will tow 1000kg.
Does the caravan weigh 1000kg fully loaded ready to leave home, or is that a weight on a nameplate on the van ?
AnswerID: 630734

Reply By: RMD - Thursday, Mar 26, 2020 at 18:08

Thursday, Mar 26, 2020 at 18:08
The tow rating is a maximum tow weight in normal flattish road conditions. Yes of course it will tow that weight, maybe even tow far more than the rating. However, less weight towed is better. My vehicle is rated at 3 ton, will move 3 ton but silly to try, but it will never see more than 2 to behind it for safety and fuel use reasons. The internals of a CVT are very different to an auto and probably won't like constant heavy loads long term. Life expectancy will be less.
Edit.
Not sure what wheel base the X trail is but needs stability of length to tow safely. Also, will the vehicle have a brake controller and van have correctly working electric brakes? Essential to prevent jacknife in emergency braking. I have seen some Slightly earlier X trails which jacknifed under brakes and the tandem which was towed completely ripped the whole towbar off the X trail. Towbar was dangling via the ball on the trailer A frame and trailer completely disconnected from the Nissan.
AnswerID: 630735

Reply By: Ron N - Friday, Mar 27, 2020 at 21:12

Friday, Mar 27, 2020 at 21:12
Charles - With only 2.0L up front, couple with front wheel drive only, towing a caravan weighing 1000kgs is only going to be moderately successful, if you keep to the following;

1. Avoid hilly terrain.
2. Exercise great care in loading the vehicle, keeping weight in the rear to a minimum, and keeping passenger numbers down.
3. Avoid wet roads with heavy traffic, if possible.
4. Avoid towing in high ambient temperatures.
5. Avoid towing for long distances.

I personally, would not entertain the idea of using a FWD 2.0L car with CVT for towing even a 1000kg caravan.
Even a 1000kgs is a substantial load for this vehicle, it would be working at its limit, and would need careful nursing.

The problem is very few people know the exact weight they are carrying and towing, and manufacturers lie through their teeth, as regards the true weight of their 'vans.

Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID: 630766

Reply By: swampy - Saturday, Mar 28, 2020 at 17:20

Saturday, Mar 28, 2020 at 17:20
hi
Typically its not a good idea to ever tow at vehicles max capacity . Issues that might arise are
1/ heavy fuel consumption
2/poor handling car in poor road conditions
3/braking capability compromised
4/ suspension sag
5/ excessive wear on drive train even in the short term
6/ transmission durability
7/ low engine output can be dangerous and tiring to drive

summary
yes u can do it but situation is way way less than perfect
Remember that's why people tow with a full size v8 landcriuser
I tow a 1500kg camper with a diesel Hilux . Would not tow with less .
AnswerID: 630776

Reply By: Genny - Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 at 19:03

Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 at 19:03
A friend of mine set off from Qld to Tas recently with a similar combo.
New head gasket in NSW.
Further problems on NSW/Vic border.
Arrived Tas, and the damn thing played up again, replaced the Xtrail with a Hilux, then got booted out of Tas. The two-headed government down there gave insufficient time to leave. Simply not enough spots the Spirit to get out of Dodge by the deadline.
AnswerID: 630791

Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2020 at 15:59

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2020 at 15:59
Anyone who uses terms like "two-headed Tasmanian" should take a good hard look at themselves. Ultra childish.
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FollowupID: 906430

Follow Up By: Genny - Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 11:58

Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 11:58
I used the term "two-headed government".
Have a good day precious.
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FollowupID: 906454

Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:12

Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:12
Child response again - "Wasn't me, I didn't say that"

But why would your brain come up with that term at all?

I may be precious, but after 65 years of hearing the two headed jibe about Tasmanians it's really surprising that there are still childish minds on some one headed mainlanders.

Grow up.
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FollowupID: 906456

Follow Up By: Genny - Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:24

Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:24
Childish? You misrepresented what I said. I corrected your falsehood. That is factual.
Two-headedness is synonymous with poor thinking. The Tasmanian government demonstrated poor thinking in its 'planning' of the process of kicking non-residents out of state. There are limited opportunities to get off the apple isle. It was impossible for tourists to meet the deadlines given. People were fearful of going to jail because they were unable to meet an impossible deadline. This promotes panic. Panic is not conducive to good decision making.

Grow wise.
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FollowupID: 906458

Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:38

Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 12:38
I grow wiser every day. It happens after one has grown up.

Any wise person would know the term "two headed" in reference to Tasmanians is derogatory.

You can bullshit all you like about how what you said is my fault, but you should own your problem and stop trying to justify your derogatory comment.

In fact, your whole original post "then got booted out of Tas. The two-headed government down there gave insufficient time to leave. Simply not enough spots the Spirit to get out of Dodge by the deadline." smacks of precious selfishness about your friend who was, in your opinion, badly treated, when in fact they were unfortunate on two fronts - first, they own an Xtrail and second they got caught in new regulations designed to save lives.


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FollowupID: 906460

Follow Up By: ModSquad - Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 13:16

Thursday, Apr 02, 2020 at 13:16
Enough of trading jibes you guys. Play nice or we'll lock it.
Moderation is just rules

Lifetime Member
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FollowupID: 906462

Reply By: Gerhardp1 - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2020 at 16:05

Wednesday, Apr 01, 2020 at 16:05
Hi Charles,

The Nissan CVT is renowned as a fragile device. I know of several owners whose CVT died under 50,000ks.

Given that yours has lasted 9 years it may be a survivor, but it would be very unwise to take the risk.

I have a CRD Patrol and my van is 1300kg, and I wouldn't put anything heavier behind it as it struggles with high EGTs with that load.

I don't rate either of these two Nissan vehicles for towing anywhere near their rated capacity.
AnswerID: 630818

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