towing with my 05 nissan xtrail

hey, i have recently purchased myself a 2005 nissan xtrail, Easter is comming up and im planning to tow a 17 ft hainshunter (about 1000kg) from sydney to my fav camping spot near tathra, anything i should check before i head off, i have never towed before. thanks
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Reply By: Madfisher - Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 at 21:58

Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 at 21:58
Might not be a bad idea to get the xtrail serviced before you go, and tell the mechanic what you intent towing so he can check cooling system, tow bar suspension etc. Mate tows a heavy boat with his no problems.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID: 356768

Reply By: Keith_A (Qld) - Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 at 23:02

Saturday, Mar 28, 2009 at 23:02
You probably know that to tow over 750kgs you need electric brakes on the trailer, and the controller fitted to the vehicle.
The Xtrail look like very capable vehicles......Keith
AnswerID: 356779

Follow Up By: garrycol - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 00:00

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 00:00
I thought anything between 750kg and 2000Kg had to have some sort of brakes - can be override not necessarily electric. Anything over 2000kg must have vehicle activated brakes and brake away - these are usually electric.

If what you say is true then most trailer hire companies (car floats in particular) would not be able to hire out their trailers.

Garry
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FollowupID: 624876

Follow Up By: Keith_A (Qld) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 09:42

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 09:42
Yes Garry - you are indeed right.
Every Camper or Van we owned had electric brakes, but I just checked the Qld Transport "Safe Towing" guide :

"Braking systems
Trailers up to and including 750 kg GTM do not require brakes. Minimum trailer brake requirements
are as follows:
• trailers not over 2000 kg GTM must have an efficient braking system operating on the wheels on at least one axle;
• trailers up to and including 2000 kg GTM are permitted to have over-ride brakes;
• brakes (other than over-ride) must be able to be operated from the driver’s seated position;
• trailers over 2000 kg GTM require a brake system (breakaway brakes) that automatically
applies if the trailer becomes detached from the towing vehicle; and
• trailers over 2000 kg GTM must have brakes operating on all wheels.

This was published Aug 2005 for Queensland.
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FollowupID: 624892

Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 07:29

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 07:29
Be aware that whereas you might get 10/100 on a givien day tripping around on the open road, when towing, the Xtrail sucks the juice big time, and may use up to 20/100. We have the 132kw engine in ours and our is an auto as well. A manual might get better fuel economy
AnswerID: 356792

Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 07:38

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 07:38
I'll second that .......they don't like towing any weight behind them in terms of fuel usage :(

Cheers Kev
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FollowupID: 624878

Reply By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:08

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:08
I think you ned to practice towing, reversing etc with an empty box trailer long before you put 1 tonne behind your car.
I wouldn't like to think I am sharing the road with an inexperienced towing driver. Besides, you can make a goose of yourself very quickly if trying to back it into a spot especially if you are being guided by a wife who also has never towed anything.
My cousin and her husband were lucky not to kill themselves about 2 years ago when they rolled and wrote off their NEW car and NEW caravan near Cobar on day 2 of a 3 month retirement trip. He had also never towed anything till the day he dragged the van out of the dealers yard!!!
I think we need an endorsement on our licences to tow anything over say 750 kgs, brakes or no brakes.
AnswerID: 356795

Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:09

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:09
Whoops, sorry. Should be "need" to practice.
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FollowupID: 624882

Follow Up By: Ray - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:47

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:47
I agree with your comment. People should do a driving test and have their license endorsed before they are allowed to tow anything bigger than a box trailer
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FollowupID: 624886

Reply By: Member - Don M (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:35

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 08:35
Maybe a good idea to do a "Tow-Ed" course if you haven't towed anything before. Get a discount on insurance with some companies as well.

My wife and I did as she had never towed anything before. Embarrassed me though, she reversed the van into a spot first time and straight..., took me a couple more go's.....!!!!
AnswerID: 356801

Reply By: BPR - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:10

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:10
g'day, ive taken your advise guys and have spent the morning doing some practice in the empty paddock next to me with my wheely bins and some old football cones to drive through and reverse through, a bit more practice and i belive that i should be rite. good idea about the course tho! would love to get cheaper insurance!
thanks
AnswerID: 356833

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:57

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:57
Might be an idea to weigh the van when loaded up for your trip and make sure the Xtrail is legally able to tow it.

There is a lot more to towing than backing around wheely bins.

Speed and correct gearing descending hills is something to be thought about especially if relying on the car brakes mainly.

Suction from big semis can give a novice a fright or two as well.

I lost a spare wheel cover simply from getting passed from a fast truck, it just sucked it right off.

Just take it easy till you feel reasonably comfortable.

And do fit a WDH they make life much easier

.
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FollowupID: 624923

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:59

Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 at 11:59
Woops just reread your post and notice its a boat you are towing

However the same applies really except maybe you wont need a WDH




AnswerID: 356839

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