Nissan Towbar

We also had a bad experience with our Pathfinder towing a Jayco Penguin Outback camper trailer. Prior to travel to the mainland we took advice and fitted Hayman Reese leveling bars, certainly lifted the back of the vehicle up. By the time we got to Darwin the springs had sagged and the bars were falling off. With advise from TJM accessories we fitted stronger rear springs and were on our way again. 2,500km later I noticed the towbar "sagging" and on inspection found the bolts loose and 1 broken, another followed before we could get to a Nissan agent who assured us this was an isolated case. We went to TJM Maroochydore who looked at the Nissan bar, was not impressed and suggested he ring Hayman Reese to enquire of a better option. In front of me he repeated their comment "Nissan are having troubles with their towbars". We had a H/R towbar fitted at a cost of $438.63 and travelled home to Tassie with no further trouble. On return I complained to our dealer who confirmed no knowledge of the problem or advise from Nissan. He advised "a chap from Nissan will phone me". After 4 weeks and numerous followups I got a call with assurance mine was an isolated case, "what are you seeking?" I advised 2 issues: 1/ concern that an apparently unsafe item was on the road and Nissan should take immediate steps to advise all users, and 2/ that I believe financial compensation appropriate. I was asked to write to Nissan explaining my issues. I then received unsolicited calls from 2 people who had experienced these problems, and was told of a van coming away from a Pathfinder in Broome. When I phoned the Nissan chap he agreed "there are others" but still no issue of getting these bars off the road. He said "you will get a letter soon, so we can put the matter to rest". A week later I received a Nissan bank cheque for $438.63, no letter or comment of any kind, then a week later a "Dear John" letter confirming the payment and thanking me for my interest in the matter. No mention of the soft rear suspension which must be questionable when related to 3,000kg tow weight and 300kg ball weight. Our vehicle now performs the tasks we purchased it for, but has cost a lot, plus extreme anxiety, to get there, our dealer has been cooperative from the outset but we have a very low opinion of the concern for safety (which should be paramount) shown by Nissan. From the outset I have been concerned that a bad accident may occur as a result of the Nissan towbar connected to leveller bars on a Pathfinder.