Minimum mileage before towing van

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:05
ThreadID: 85299 Views:6412 Replies:9 FollowUps:10
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My Patrol cab/chasis now has 800 klm on it & i am wondering at what mileage i can tow the caravan , lotus sprint weighing about 2 tonne ,as easter is nearly here & we want to use it .
My neighbour reckons 2000 klm .
Any thoughts ?

Cheers Bruce
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Reply By: rocco2010 - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:11

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:11
Gidday

Check the running in/towing sections in the owner's manual.

Should be there

Cheers
AnswerID: 449589

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:02

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:02
Thanks Rocco
Just did that , no tow first 800 klm.
Cheers Bruce
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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 21:14

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 21:14
Our Nissan Owners Manual stated 800ks before towing.

Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:26

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:26
Drive/use it as you will all it's life, it'll do it good, long gone are the days like the 50's and early 60's where the old fella's done the first 1000 Miles at 50mph.
1969 I bought a Cortina GT 1600, it was run it at speeds up to 80 mph + and towed a smallish van the second week I owned it.

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AnswerID: 449591

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:18

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:18
Hi Doug,
your Cortina run in period is/was same as mine for my first new motorbike
1982 Ducati 900 Super Sport ( with out a van lol ) i still have that bike but don't ride it now.
Cheers Bruce
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Reply By: Member - MUZBRY(Vic) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:27

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:27
Dear Mr Gutz
I wouldn't worry to much as Easter is still three weeks away. Three weeks , at least 1000km. Go for it Bruce, go and tow. You arn't going to hurt anything .




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AnswerID: 449593

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:33

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:33
Dear Mr Muzbry ,
Thankyou for your reply, but i only do about 80-100klm per week which would make a total of about 1100 klm by easter which is enough to tow , by the user man.

Cheers Bruce
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Reply By: rocco2010 - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:41

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 16:41
hey guys...

this is a Nissan! Several cars I have owned including my current ford ute had specific no tow references in the owners manual In the case of the ford it is no towing over 500kg in first 1500km. I don't know why. But I would hate Mr Beergutz to run into a warranty problem down the track. And remember what people say about Nissan and warranty.

Cheers

AnswerID: 449596

Follow Up By: escapesilv - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:29

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:29
Second rocco

Yes that is correct, and so does Mitsubishi recommend 1500 Km before towing.

Cheers Robert
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Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:58

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:58
thanks Rocco & Robert
just looked in manual ,
Break-in schedule. Do not tow a trailer for first 800km .

No mention of 2 tonne van though , as have already done the 800 klm should be right for easter.

Cheers Bruce
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FollowupID: 721979

Reply By: flashcher - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:28

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:28
When we bought the Challenger early last year it was stated as 1500km's before you could tow.
Regards,
Michelle
AnswerID: 449609

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:38

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:38
Thanks Michelle

Cheers Bruce
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Reply By: friar - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:32

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 17:32
Hello All,A company I worked for bought 2 new E20Nissan Vans, being a salesman my vehicle was on the speed limit plus a bit from the time I left the factory,the other vehicle was for local deliveries, town car,run in according to manual,it was using oil at about 130th kys,mine had over 200th th on it when traded in still not using oil.My Prado run in same way,towing a1000kg trailer from new,120th kys no problems this far.Friar.
AnswerID: 449611

Reply By: _gmd_pps - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:09

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:09
It is part of your vehicles specifications and warranty conditions.
If you cannot find any references get a written statement from your dealer.
Nowadays you cannot be careful enough especially with a Japanese car, where the manufacturers are usually in denial of any problems.

I have my GMC Sierra dually from new and GM specified 500miles from new to first service with oil change before towing. Thats what the dealer specified and had done after 500miles. This service was free and under warranty. After that I towed a boat and had a truck camper on the back.
I tow heavy and am loaded to the total capacity and change my oil routinely at 7500km where actually 15,000 miles are specified by the manufacturer.

Install a pre turbo EGT gauge and drive it below the critical temperature (whatever that is for your engine) and you will be fine.

good luck
gmd
AnswerID: 449624

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:51

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:51
Hi gmd ,
Will e mail the dealer about towing 2 tonne van & keep printed reply . Vehicle is due 1st service at 1000 km & will tell to change oil . Have heard some chatter about EGT gauge so will have to investigate.
Thanks for your reply .
Cheers Bruce
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FollowupID: 722000

Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:39

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 18:39
Hi Bruce,

As Doug said, break em in like you want to drive them when they are run in.

I have just had my 1HD FT rebuilt and the engine reconditioner said no tow till 5000 K.

I could not wait that long but I managed to get 4000 K on it before I did tow.

He also said that "towing does not hurt them as it beds in the rings, towing is good for them, but after the 5000 K mark."

I went everywhere I could just to run up the Ks so get stuck in mate, get some more Ks on it quick.

Failing that take it very easy towing till you get those 5000 Ks on it and don't make it labour. Making a new motor lug is what does the most damage so I am told.
Best of luck mate.
Cheers, Bruce.
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AnswerID: 449627

Follow Up By: beergutz - Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 19:10

Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011 at 19:10
Hi Bruce ,

With easter 3 weeks away i will only get another 300km on the speedo so will have to make sure i don't let it labour, only going 300km return ( with van on )
Big trip in June with camper trailer so that will put plenty on the speedo.

Cheers Bruce
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FollowupID: 722004

Reply By: Member - Michael and Chris (QL - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011 at 07:00

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011 at 07:00
Beergutz, not sure about car engines but have bought many new trucks and have picked them up, hooked up the trailers and from day one they have been put to work no problems. I have noticed different drivers, drive differently and the engine after time performs differently eg. I allow my engines to lug down lower than some other drivers and have noticed when I drive another truck that other drivers have run in( not allowing it to lug) that truck does not hang on in the hills as well. I have no concrete evidence of this only my years of experience. God help any truck manufacturer that wants me to run in before towing. Also there is more technology in truck engines than in car engines. Cheers Mick
AnswerID: 449675

Follow Up By: beergutz - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011 at 12:28

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011 at 12:28
Hi Mick ,
Thanks for your reply , i thought a bit of load on the engine helped bed the rings in . Don't want to load it up too much though as i am a bit sus on this little 3 ltr engine, probably from all the negative stories & comments i
hear /read. Time will tell i suppose.

Cheers Bruce
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FollowupID: 722092

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