Nissan 5th gear camper trailer towing

Geoff,

the GUIII (Nov 01 onwards) was supposed to have the larger 5th gear splines. If it is a late 02 model you may be OK. Early GU III still had the short splines.Mine went last year when not towing! Having said that I towed an off road camper on a 2000 km trip with it around Vic and NSW with no problems. Try the Patrol 4x4 site as well.

Cheers Mick

I'd always towed in 5th gear, but have recently been a bit more conservative and tend to now tow in 4th unless I'm on a slight downhill section where I can "coast" without using any/too much throttle. It's not as though the big Chev donk can't do the job in 5th, I just try to keep in the direct-drive that 4th provides, rather than risking any gearbox damage.

Mine is a 2000 model which was when they were having trouble. I haven't been able to find out whether my 5th gear was changed or not. I doubt it would have been done under warranty as the motor was swapped out right from almost day one, so Mr Nissan would've wiped his hands of any warranty claim well and truly!!

I don't reckon you'd have worries at all, ....your Patrol is well after the problem spline period and the trailer you're going to be towing is well under the vehicle's load potential.

I would, however, be keeping an eye on the engine temp gauge if towing in 5th.....if it starts to get warm, chuck it back to 4th; more revs = more water pump action = cooler motor (well; that's the theory anyway).

Patrol Geoff,

I have one of the earliest GU Patrols, a 2.8ltr '98 model, and have owned this vehicle from new. I have towed a heavy 4x4 camper trailer (over1200 kgs) since I bought the Patrol and most recently now tow a Camp-o-matic camper trailer (not sure on weight but likely over 1000 kgs).

To date I have had not problems with the gearbox (touch wood), and I think as long as you keep within the specified weight limits of the vehicle and are not doing anything extreme, you should not have any problems using 5th gear for towing.

We have towed a 2ton caravan for some 40000 ks on the Mainland and used to use 5th gear a lot but keeping an ear on the donk and as soon as it starts to strain back a cog we go. Having said that this year on our trip we were advised strongly by a mechanic in Ceduna, quote " don't ever tow a van in 5th gear".
Ran into a guy at Pardoo Roadhouse and he asked me if we towed in 5th, he used to pull a Ultimate CT around and he blew his gear box, hence my suggestion is to be on the safe side and don't us 5th.
You will love the Flinders, dont forget to call into the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna, cold beer and wonderful tucker.
Baz

I tow mainly in 4th and, like Roachie, slip into 5th (overdrive) when off the power on a long down hill or a strong tail wind and the road is smooth. There is little difference in fuel consumption towing in 4th and the 1:1 direct drive ratio is easier on both the engine and gearbox. I have towed for 28+ years almost everyday, caravans, campers, tool trailers, tandems, etc and with various vehicles with both autos and manuals and the GU Patrol box is the only one to fail on me! So contrary to popular belief, they are not the strongest gearbox around. Treat them as such.

I have a 93 GQ with a 4.2 diesel. I towed the camper trailer for ages, across the nullabor twice plus some other trips with no problems so far using 5th gear however I use 4th almost all the time now as I have figured out that the fuel consumption is heaps better in 4th.

Geoff

5th gear is an overdrive gear and not designed to tow at all.

I tow an overweight bush trailer all over the place and like Roachie and AJB, I select 5th only when coasting. As soon as the pace slows down I drop back a cog.

Of course the GQ has a truck gearbox and is extremely strong and reliable whereas the GU gearbox was somewhat weakend by the manufacturer for no apparent reason.

I would use common sense and err on the safe side when towing with a GU and stay in 4th unless you find some nice long downhill runs.


Cheers

Also a 2002 GU here Geoff but the petrol one which puts a lot more torque thru the same manual gearbox.

I suspect that trailer could easily be 750kg if loaded.

My bike trailer , which I recently built and towed thru Simpson etc was 600-800kg depending on load and is unbraked.

Like other comments above , I have had no issues but only tow on flat or easy territory in 5th and drop to 4th very quickly , in this car 3rd can be used up to 120kmh , 4th to 160 while 5th goes to 200kmh, so using 4th is still reasonably comfortable at cruising speeds,

Geoff

5th gear towing, down hill and coasting....as soon as you feel any uphill strain, on anything, go to 4th, ie..4th gear most of the time.

Enjoy !

Cheers
Bucky

I am feeling a little inadequate as I tow in DRIVE and let the auto do its thing unless there is some long steep hill then I take control with the sport shift. The van is around 3 tonne and the temp guage always looks happy. With my camper trailer around 1500Kg I never really had to worry at all.

Kind regards