Nissan Pathfinder 2008 tow bar

Hoyks Thanks for the link, my Van has very similar loads but is a smaller Kedron 17ft that I intend to use on off the bitumen on dirt roads.
Nissan now state in the 2008 Pathfinder info booklet:-
"Nissan does not recommend the fitting of load levelling or weight distribution devices when used with a Nissan Genuine towbar. When fitted and used correctly the Nissan Genuine towbar is capable of meeting the towbar/towball capacity stated in the above table"
This to me means they admit to a design deficiency in their towbar for all common recommendations of setup for caravanners using levelling bars.
Do you think the Pathfinder is solid enough for dirt road use?
My present tug is a Terracan CRDi manual but its problem is that 4WD low cannot be used on hard surfaces due to front and rear drives being locked therefore it is very difficult to get off the line on hill starts and negotiating tight parking turns up ramps on van sites otherwise it is a dream to tow with.

"My present tug is a Terracan CRDi manual but its problem is that 4WD low cannot be used on hard surfaces"

The only vehicles I know of that you can engage low range without locking the centre diff are Land Rovers.

PeterD

John,
"My present tug is a Terracan CRDi manual but its problem is that 4WD low cannot be used on hard surfaces"

That problem is an easy fix!!, the Terracan has a system whereby the front hubs are engaged via vaccum at the same time as the transfer case (in fact just prior).

A modification can be done using a very simple vacuum/electric switch (like those used in many cars like falcons and commodores to turn vacuum operated things like EGR and other things etc)

The vacuum switch can be operated via a dash switch whenever you want this function and you can engage 4wd with the front diff dissenaged.
Check http://forum.australia4wd.com/ some guys have done it there...
In vehicles like the old (manual operated hubs) Patrol and cruisers it was easy, you just don't engage the hubs.

If yours is a Highlander then you can't do this but I believe the highlander allows you to engage 4wd low on hard surfaces.

I suppose they are up to dirt, the guys in the club with them love them. Personally, I haven't ever even been behind the wheel of an R51.

The wanting low range 2WD, I'm not sure they are capable of doing that. I think engaging low will engage the front diff and lock the centre diff. The front hubs are either fixed or auto too, so unless you can overide/bypass the solenoid on the transfer case then it's going to want to drive the front wheels.

One guy tried looking for a plug to bypass the 4x4 solenoid, I don't know how he went.