Xtrail towing massive caravan
Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 21:36
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Member - Stephen M (NSW)
Pulling out of work today and pulled up beside a great looking van dual axles, air con on roof very flash looking van. I would say 18 possibly 20 footer. Had a roll out awning mounted to passengers side. I lined the prado up inline with the awning and could have parked it length wise under it had it been rolled out with I reckon 3 foot spare front and back. Then I noticed what was pulling it. An xtrail with the bum nearly hitting the ground had it not been for the dual axle on the van I reckon there was a chance it would of. Couldnt believe it. Two elderly couple in the front seats with rear
seat folded down with what looked to be an engel fridge and some other bits and pieces. There were stickers on the rear of the xtrail obviously where they have travelled two. Now I know the xtrails are a top vehicle and reasonably powerful bout 125kw for memory but boy how he even got it to move off the mark had me wondering. I would not like to be infront or coming towards him if he was on a downhill run reckon he'd be lucky to pull it up. Now I am no expert on weights of caravans but I would say it would have to be around the 2Tonne mark. Great to see eldery people still travelling around this great country or ours but what I saw was a very scary thought. Im surprised they have never been pulled up by the RTA or do the xtrails have a great towing capacity and am I way off with the weight of the van ?? Regards Steve M
Reply By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 21:45
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 21:45
Steve,
I am not 100% sure but I think the XTrail has a towing capacity of 2.5 Tonne.
Like you say, I am not sure I would want to do it but I do remember being very suprised when I asked the Nissan dealer about the XTrail years ago.
Duncs
AnswerID:
265828
Follow Up By: garrycol - Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 18:08
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 18:08
I doubt it - more like 1.5t
FollowupID:
527963
Reply By: Member - Dunco (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 21:56
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 21:56
I still believe that there should be some training for people towing vans...I tow one and I wouldn't mind a little inconvenience if it meant others would be driving safer rigs.
AnswerID:
265832
Follow Up By: Stu050 - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:11
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:11
Agree entirely.
Maybe an endorsement on the driver's Lic. to be able to tow anything?
FollowupID:
527823
Reply By: Member - Mark H (VIC) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:09
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:09
Towing capacity is 2000KG, vehicle mass itself under 1500KG, ball weight 150KG.
I always thought the weight of the vehicle should be a gauge to its maximum towing capacity?
Mark.
AnswerID:
265835
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:34
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 22:34
We spent 6 weeks in WA this year and I was amazed at how many Xtrails were out there towing vans. 2000kg tow capacity seems to be the reason.
And they are a great vehicle - 132Kw, with great brakes, and both 2wd and 4wd options. Ours gets 8.2 l/100k on trips (not towing).
AnswerID:
265840
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 23:00
Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 23:00
Hi Phil, Im glad to hear that they have that towing capacity and have good brakes. As said above I reckon there a top vehicle and I do feel abit better now after reading your response that they are capable of towing the weight and size van I saw today. I was really concerned that these elderly couple were going to get them selves in trouble towing a van that size behind the xtrail. Regards Steve M
FollowupID:
527837
Reply By:- Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 08:55
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 08:55
I have been towing caravans for many years and now consider myself as a
grey nomad, although I am not travelling full time.
I must agree that to tow a caravan a persons license should be endorsed if they do not have an HR license or above.
I remember one instance while travelling north towards
Carnarvon W.A.. I decided to pull over for the night at a popular
camping area south of the Overlander road house (anybody who knows this area will know how desolate it is) when this bloke drove in with a 20' caravan being towed by one of the old Nissan MQ patrols. Nothing wrong in that you say?
Well this bloke had a boat on his roof rake, the Patrol was way down on the arse end and the caravan draw bar was only about 4-5" off the road. I mentioned how low the vehicles were to this bloke who stated that he had an out board motor in the back of the Nissan.
I went inside my caravan to have a brew up when a knock came at the door and it was this bloke asking me to give him some
WATER so he could have a brew up, so I obliged.
A couple of hours later this same bloke came over and asked if I new anything about fridges as his was not working. I went over to his caravan and the Nissan and the caravan were in the same situation as when he drove in. I suggested that he level the whole set up ( he had a three way fridge) but on looking at the fridge l noticed a
sign saying THIS FRIDGE MUST BE LEVEL AT ALL TIMES.
AnswerID:
265872
Reply By: madfisher - Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 19:13
Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 19:13
We have 4 xtrails at work Stephen,. and I am sure I would not be towing anything that weighed more than a ton with them. They are pretty lighty built and to a price.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
265946