X-trail drivers please help me
Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 08:34
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indahillz
Hi & thanks for reading my post...long time reader, first time poster. I need some assistance regarding the x-trail we are considering buying and would love some advice/opinions from some x-trail drivers who have experience in towing with them please.
After lots of time spent researching we feel the x-trail is the right car for us...some light off-road stuff yet roomy enough for the 2 kids & dog not to mentioned the fuel economy with all the school drop offs etc......however can it really tow
well????? We plan on keeping this car for the next 10-15yrs & we don't want to kill it either.
We'll be pulling a jayco lark camper (tare 250kgs, GVM 720kgs) & i know the x-trail is rated at 2000kgs for the manual but still it's only a 2.5 litre/2.0 diesel engine?....does it really have the stopping capacity in emergencies & the oomph when planting the foot if we need to? Or will the car struggle some what? (btw, electric trailer brakes will be fitted)
There's obviously a difference between "being able to tow" and "being able to two safely" with the car & van all packed. I know it's a bit thirsty when towing but that's okay, we're not touring (unfortunately), just holidaying.
We're open to either the auto or manual in diesel or petrol, whatever the experienced towers recommend we'll go with....we'd really appreciate an experienced point of view with this vehicle. thank you
Reply By: Willem - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 08:57
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 08:57
Our 2nd car is a 2003 Xtrail Auto and has reached 110,000km with no problems so far. It was bought 2nd hand (ex-rental) in 2004. We had Cruise Control fitted. This model developes 132kw? It is extremely powerful and has good braking. Fuel consumption is a steady 10/100 at the speed limit on cruise.
HOWEVER.......!! When towing a normal 7x5 garden trailer with a load on board, the fuel consumption doubles to 20/100. Still we see many people towing vans much heavier.
Our XTrail is not used for 4x4 adventures. For that we have proper 4x4. It is used on gravel roads quite often as we live in the country and the part time traction control works
well.
You should be aware that the whole front of the Xtrail is plastic and easily damaged if you hit something on the road like a roo or alike.
The new XTrails have been detuned in the engine out put but by all accounts they are very good little cars and popular too. The diesel may also be quite economical but I have no experience with it.
There is an Xtrail
Forum. Google it
Cheers
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Ozboc - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 16:45
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 16:45
Its funny you mention that -- when i have the small box trailer on the back of the Nissan Patrol with the trail bikes its feels heavier and tows worse than when i have the Jayco poptop on the back that weighs about 1600+ kgs -- not sure if its a momentum thing - but i use more fuel with the smaller trailer -- does not seam logical ----
Boc
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Reply By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 09:27
Reply By: Rangiephil - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 10:30
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 10:30
My son's wife's parents( the outlaws), had a Manual X Trail to tow their van which I would guess would have been 1600KG or so.
Burnt out the clutch on the second outing while trying to manouvre the van at a caravan
park.
I have no idea what sort of driver he is but now happily has a Falcon auto which is man enough for the job.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 12:44
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 12:44
We have had 2 Xtrails, but don't tow.
Just be aware that the Diesel auto has had its towing capacity downgraded to 1350kg. But both auto and manual petrol and manual diesel have the 2000kg. The auto that sits behind the diesel is not a CVT. As a result the fuel figures of the auto diesel are not much different to the auto petrol - I think the auto diesel is a fizzer!
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Jo Q (NSW) - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 12:44
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 12:44
I bought an 08 Xtrail in February this year and have just come back from a month long road trip to QLD towing our camper trailer. It is an automatic petrol without electric brakes. I didn't find the fuel consumption to be over the top and it had no problems towing (or stopping) at all. Foot down - off it went, trailer & all. Ours was all on road driving but it towed the onroad trailer through the sand at Inskip, set in 4wd with no problems.
I plan on keeping
mine for the next 15 or so years as
well & it was great to drive, with heaps of room. That's
mine in the profile pic with the trailer.
Happy travels,
AnswerID:
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Reply By: indahillz - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:12
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:12
Wow, great responses already & i appreciate the feedback & opinions, thank you everyone.
I'm thinking also that the 2.0 diesel may not be all it's cracked up to be & we seem to be getting reports of the petrol versions with plenty of power, for what we need awyway.
Thanks heaps Jo Q (btw- what's the approx weight you were lugging around?) it's relieving to know you've obviously had the power when you've needed it & it's taken you off the bitumen when need be too...exactly what i needed/wanted to hear. Thanks
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Follow Up By: indahillz - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:15
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:15
Jo Q - love the pic....my husbands v keen on the black too!
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Reply By: Member - steveinoz (NSW) - Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:47
Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:47
Hi Indahillz. I purchased my Xtrail st auto/6 speed manual mode last February. Planned a trip to
Cape York last July. Purchased a Tvan Canning last May. Went up the coast from
Sydney and back down via Atterton and the Development Road and down to Moree,
Newcastle and back to
Sydney. Tvan wieght 750 kg, Electric brakes. tow perfect at the speed limit. didn't know it was on the back half the time. Total 8600 Kms - 585 lts = 14.2/100. Was advised by Nissan to upgrade the Coils, not the struts. Continental A.Ts although I have changed them for Yokahamas. Did not have to top up
water or oil through the trip. Depending on what tow. look at the turbo diesil
AnswerID:
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