Thread: Nissan X-Trail for towing boat

I've delayed buying a new car for too long. I know some forum members have a lot of knowledge when it comes to cars. I'm not one of them!

X-Trail 2025 ST 2.5L Petrol 4X4 for towing a 5.6 metre aluminium boat. Mainly concrete ramp launching. Occasional long journeys.

From the Nissan website:
Power 135 @ 6,000 kW @ rpm
Torque: 244 @ 3,600 Nm

What do you think?

Cheers

If it has a cvt transmission, don’t! Google Nissan cvt, rather than me trying to explain what I’ve heard. Hearsay? Yes, but rather expensive to repair as I’ve been told. I wouldn’t tow with any cvt in the belief they’re designed for small zip about cars, but stand to be corrected. Perhaps @Tommy could advise.

what ingrid said, nissan cvt is a disaster

Isuzu MUX 3.0 diesel never look back Mitsubishi Pajero sport great vehicles Toyota Fortuner hi lux underneath all good

we have the d-max 3.0.
but it has 3 pedals and 6 gears!

Nissan cvts are the worst of the cvts and Nissan has yet to do a decent upgrade/repair. The other thing is cooling although I think the cvts are a sealed unit. (Quite funny, I went looking for the oil dipstick on my Outback.)
At anyrate I had a Maxima with a normal slush box and a better towing capacity than the Xtrail. When I checked its capacapacity y to tow a horse float, the Nissan dealership recommended an after market transmission cooler ffs.

As an aside my latest Outback has a cvt. My previous one, normal auto. I baulked at going cvt but went ahead due to loving the brand. Subaru do make very good cvts but I have decided to never tow anything sustantial with the current car.

The trouble is finding something without cvt. I almost bought a Ranger. Glad I didn't.

OK, that's pretty clear already, thanks. The X-Trail would be an upgrade on what I have currently, but only do very short journeys with the boat usually. I borrowed a mate's Navara the other day for towing. Wow! It's focused my mind.

DONT DO IT, i have one (2008) so older and it will blow cvt in no time find something else, its had 4wd yes but most probably has 2 open diffs like mine so yeah still 2wd when you need it to be 4wd just dont do it

if your spending that sort of money buy something 10 years old that's a proper or was a proper optioned 4wd and has lost most of it price in depreciation already

@MB what's Nissan spec say for towing ratings? What's boat, trailer, fuel and gear weigh? Braked or unbraked trailer?
If you're buying brand new might as well make it a legal vehicle & trailer combo, otherwise your insurance company might try to wiggle out of a claim.
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/g...0of%2030km%2Fh. says this
Most vehicles have tow ratings given to them by the manufacturer specifying the gross trailer weight braked, unbraked, or both, that the vehicle can safely tow. Although the law does not require these tow ratings to be followed, the NZ Transport Agency recommends that they be taken into account.
In addition to the requirements above, the law requires that every light vehicle and trailer combination must be capable of stopping within a distance of seven metres from a speed of 30km/h. In effect, this means that the maximum allowable weight of an unbraked trailer is limited by the weight and braking ability of the vehicle being used to tow it.


I was towing 6.2m boat on tandem braked trailer with 3.0L Subaru Outback. Towed it easily and never felt unsafe in any way, but after a while I changed to a Toyota Fortuner because
1) Subaru towing spec said 1800kg and all up the trailer, boat and gear could be greater.
2) Shit happens and my family is important

Our older 2.7 Terrano tows ok and it's auto BUT we did add the extra cooling noted above...yes very good idea it was too.i believe the trick when towing is same as getting good fuel economy and tyre wear...all about doing things gradually.accelerate gently,slow down gradually and stop with ease.none of this race up then slam on brakes then power away again bullshit.gently gently wins the monkey.

I’ve witnessed some crazy towing rigs. For example two people I know tow their 4 tonne+ boats with (a) a Ranger and (b) a 2.8 Hilux. Madness! I’ve had a brake controller fitted to my d max though some ‘advisors’ have stated there’s no need. It’s been very useful when towing a Jayco caravan over South Island passes.

My current navara is a 2.5l 2wd 6 speed . Fine on the flat but given some terrain no power. Tow my 1850 stabi with it. It has only 1.5ton rating for towing. Compared to a diesel. Its fine short journeys but not that great in a hill. Engine probably the same.

Originally Posted by Ingrid 51

I’ve witnessed some crazy towing rigs. For example two people I know tow their 4 tonne+ boats with (a) a Ranger and (b) a 2.8 Hilux. Madness! I’ve had a brake controller fitted to my d max though some ‘advisors’ have stated there’s no need. It’s been very useful when towing a Jayco caravan over South Island passes.

electrically braked caravan?
i have used these in the past, fits onto caravan tow bar and once set up enables any suitable vehicle to tow
https://www.elecbrakes.com/

I was under the impression that if you read the small print on all CVT's it said Do Not Tow.

That was a few years ago though. I still prefer 3 pedals but getting harder to find.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

electrically braked caravan?
i have used these in the past, fits onto caravan tow bar and once set up enables any suitable vehicle to tow
https://www.elecbrakes.com/

Yes. I have the Redarc unit. There are others that fit on caravan drawbar.