Pthfinder as a Tug

You may consider the Petrol version. It is a very powerful vehicle and fitted with LPG will tow your van better and more economically than the diesel.

Proviso:

ASSUMING you have regular access to cheap LPG.

Jim

Russell
Towing a van of that size will more than likely involve using a WDH and I think that Nissan have a few problems if you use the Factory towbar, just make sure you check the specifications.

Bob.

I have a friend that we travel with at times. He has the diesel Pathfinder and tows a 23' Future Systems van with it. He has towed with a 3.0 Patrol, 3.8 Patrol on gas and now the Pathfinder. He says the towing performance is a lot better than the 3.0 but not as good as the 3.8 - the stability is no worse than the Patrols. I tow a 2T loaded van with with a Navara (same mechanicals.) I find the performance more than adequate for my towing. I do not think you will be disappointedly in the Pathfinders performance.

PeterD

The 2.5Td Pathfinder seems to be a strong performer. Bit early to say what their longevity will be like with heavy towing. And don't expect anything like 9L/100km when towing 2.6T! (with any vehicle). Be happy if you average 13-15 while towing that mass.

While our 11yo, 'old-tech' LR 2.5 continues to do a good job with 2.2T behind, I think I'd prefer something bigger for 2.6T but the options are limited now Nissan have dropped the 4.2Td.

I believe Nissan recalled the original 'new' Pathfinder hitch receiver (aka "bolt test-to-destruction device"). If they still don't recommend weight distribution hitches with their new receiver design I suggest you get a genuine Hayman Reese receiver instead and use a 250kg WDH.

While modern CR diesels have impressive performance, please be aware it will be operating close to it's limits a lot of time with 2.6T in tow. Please consider fitting a EGT gauge/pyrometer (whether mine or another brand). The electronics are very clever these days but only while all the sensor inputs are completely correct (e.g. ZD30 air mass flow sensors).

As far as I know, no light vehicles yet have EGT as a feedback to the engine management system to 'de-rate' the engine if over loaded. (I don't know why, as it should be easy to integrate it into the EM system. But then again, when they all do I'll be out of business...)

Russell.

I have no experience with the Pathfinder as a tow vehicle, but our 3 ltr td Patrol tows well. My only reservation is the weight of you caravan. Is 2.6 t the TARE, or the weight van after you have filled your water tanks, gas bottles, added spare tyres and packed to the maximum? You don't want to be right on the legal weight, and there may be times when for a longer trip you want to load up a bit more.

Also, what is the combined weight you can tow? After you have loaded up the caravan, tow vehicle, and included your own weight, it may be above the maximum.

What weight is the Pathfinder? Not a comfortable position to be in if laden caravan outweighs the tow vehicle. It may be OK in optimum conditions, but get into a skid in bad conditions and you could be in big strife.

Motherhen

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