Nissan Patrol 2.8 turbo diesel towing

Ever thought of weighing the van fully laden instead of measuring it? It does have slightly more relevance.

Think you might struggle. We pull a Aussie Swag camper weighing about 1200 kg and thats plenty for our GQ 2.8 which is the same motor minus I/C but lighter truck.

Biggest problem is taking off on an incline especially black top where you don't have enough punch down low to get underway. Been caught once or twice.

Also, the gear box in these is based on the 240/260 Z sports so is really too light for heavy continuous towing. Certianly stay in 4th and don't use O/D.

cheers

I'd reckon 1500kg is too much of an ask. The 2.8 model has a physically small, car size clutch plate coupled to a light duty gearbox, lifted from the 280Z sedan. Asking for trouble.

If you were pulling the skin off a rice pudding then it may just manage it, but a 21 foot van - no way.

,,,,,,,,,and I love Nissans.

Bilbo

It depends on the distance and regularity, and the terrain. I towed a 2 tonne boat quite a bit with mine, but most runs were short, and a few up to 100k, once towed it 1000k. It didn't give an trouble, but was fairly flat going everywhere. I wouldn't tow it around Australia though.

Cheers Andrew

My 1998 GU 2.8 tows my Kanga Off Road camper OK. Got that low down problem on really steep inclines when starting off but I've overcome that by fitting manual locking hubs - leave them unlocked and select low range 2WD. Towed the Kanga (1400kg laden) on a 4 week trip of the Flinders Ranges, Big and Little Deserts with no problems. I've also hauled it through Broken Cart and points beyond OK. As a general rule I'm 1 gear lower than my mates 4.2. I don't hesitate to put it in 5th on the black top...especially at 100kph ++ - the 2.8 is more cut out for highway cruising than for the low down torquey stuff. I've had a vibration in the flywheel/clutch since new and have learned to live with it. When this clutch wears out (now has 185000km on it) I intend fitting an Exeddy HD clutch and solid flywheel. I've been advised that the vibration is most likely a problem with the existing dual mass flywheel - not just a problem for Nissan but according to the local Brake and Clutch centre they deal with a number of similar problems with HSV commodores.