Hi Pete.  I reckon your x-trail will walk it in ? from memory the X-trail can tow up to 2000kg and a 13ft van would be way, way, under that fully loaded, Are you aware about Nissan [and Hayman reece] stating that a WDH [ weight dist/hitch ] IS NOT to be used ?? as it can cause the chassis to crack, ?? however imho I would tow a 13 ft van behind an Xtrail anyday, without the WDH, Good Luck and Happy Travels.

peter45 wrote:

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Thanks dazren. Yep did read about WDH not to be used. However, what form/shape does that take?
Cheers.

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 A 13' van (Not Heavy Off Roader though) using the 2 round bar WDH (Level rides) rated around 80Kg shouldn't pose any problems as about all they'll do is take some of the bounce out of the rig without applying much pressure to the tow bar or chassis.
But if in doubt phone Hayman Reese for their advice as Nissan will say no to everything.
Ozjohn.

Hi Peter and Kate, welcome to the forum,

My xtrail and 12ft caravan are a great match ..... that is, they travel well together. No problems at all.

Helen

Thanks guys, reassures me. Helen, what is your 12 footer, and can you fit it into the garage?

Hi Peter 45

welcome to this site first of all

the high of your roller door seems to be ok

But here is the trikky one Do you have an TV aerial on top of the caravan

I Nearly got stuck with that one so please be careful when you try to fit it in the garage

Cheers John

Welcome to the forum peter45. We have been towing a 14.5ft 1982 Viscount with our XTrail for 8 years. While we have had no problem pulling it as it is not very heavy, we have had a problem with a cracked chassis. Nissan fitted a Nissan towbar to our XTrail when we bought it. We have done over 250000km in the 8 years and in the last 20000km we kept hearing a knock. In June they discovered 2 of the 4 bolts holding the towbar had cracked the chassis. It has since been welded and a 'sleeve' has also been fitted between chassis and towbar. It seems something like this should have been done in the first place. The mechanic fitting the towbar may not have put the 'sleeve' between the towbar bolt and the top side of the chassis because it was 'too hard'. We would strongly recommend you ask your service man to remove the towbar and check if there are any cracks before you tow. The cracks could not be seen until our towbar was removed. We were very fortunate that it was finally discovered as we would have been towing with only 2 bolts holding the towbar. One of the problems seems to be that most chasses (not just XTrail) are made from steel that is too thin. All the best. Hope this doesn't put you off. As stated, the XTrail pulls it well - just bad design/fitting of their towbar. And by the way, Nissan takes no responsibility for the problem even though it has been happening for many years! (PS XTrails are not the only car getting cracked chasses either.)

This test link provides a bit of info on towing, the towing info is further down the page on the link;

http://www.motoring.com.au/advice/2012/tow-test-nissan-x-trail-ti-32619 

PS:  I have sent you a pm also. 

 

-- Edited by Duh on Saturday 17th of August 2013 04:01:42 PM

Hi Peter, 

i feel that I need to share our experience with our 2010 auto petrol 2.5 lt Xtrail and  towing our magnum 450 pop top Coromal (NOT the off road  model). Approx length 4.5 and 1.30T

We recently towed it from Atherton to the Coromal  dealer  in Townsville to  get a warranty service sorted out, no big issue. The distance was apprx 450 klms And the van was not packed to travel. It was a VERY windy day and we travelled into the head wind. We had to refuel at a service station about 20 ks north of Townsville because the fuel gauge wasflashing. We would not have made it to Townsville. The car was struggling all the way into the wind and particularly when travelling up the Cardwell range or any substantial hill. We felt that the CVT transmission was working very hard.

After much soul searching we very reluctantly changed up to a Pajero. It was a terrible decision to make as we loved our Xtrail and there was only 55,000 on the clock. Now in the Northern Territory, we are happy that we have changed up. We considered carrying extra petrol, but were reluctant to do so. We are steady drivers keeping our speed just under the recommended level.

Sorry to impart our negative experience, as I know others don't have a problem. I think you need all cards on the table to make a decision. Good luck.

Homer and Marge

Ask about your settings on the electric brakes when you pick them up Peter, you will (or should) get some printed instructions with it or google your electric brake model.

Just remember the van will cut the corner a bit when turning so leave enough space from the kerb to accommodate that, keep and eye on overhanging trees and power poles & street signs etc, also any building overhangs.  Don't get too close to parked cars either.

When trying to fit your van into the garage (don't forget to measure the height to the highest point on the van first to make sure it fits, allowing a bit for the driveway angle, if you think it is ok, then get your passenger to watch as you back it in all the way.  Take your time backing it even if it means a number of goes to get it right, and don't hesitate to get out and have a look yourself (But make sure you have your brakes on and vehicle in park, if on a slope get you partner to put a brick or piece of wood behind the wheel when you do, but don't run over your observer, LOL !

Just take a few deep breaths before you take off, adjust your mirrors, tow ball hooked on and seated properly and lock lever down, chains on secure AND MAKE SURE THE CARAVAN HANDBRAKE IS OFF before you take off....

Have a safe trip home....  PS: Write a little check list out for when you hitch up and both of you take a walk around the van and vehicle and make sure you haven't forgotten anything, easy to do, even with experienced caravaners if distracted, tired, etc.

-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 18th of August 2013 12:43:23 AM

We use the sway bars (or torsion bars) on ours with no problem. Keeps the van level. We also have the tow bar neck turned over (have done that for years too but not sure if it's really allowed) which also helps to keep it level. But the Coromal may be a bit higher than the old Viscount.

Thanks, let you know the results on Tues night.
Cheers.

Is there anyway you could make a side paved area for the caravan Peter and just use that for the caravan, I know it means leaving the van outside but will give you more room to get your car in and out, or maybe just leave the van in the driveway and the side paved bit for the car?   Good luck with it, not sure what else you can do, maybe someone else can help.

Do you have any pics of the driveway and front yard etc?  Blank out your rego number and house number using Microsoft Paint....

Try letting the tyres down to about 5psi...it will do them no harm if you reinflate when parked....then let down again when you take it out. That will give you about 100mm extra height.

Ok, van is parked outside, got the car into the garage, inches to spare coming past the caravan, but hey?
Maybe in the future try the van inside again, but happy at least get the car into the garage.
Lots of drama with the electric brakes and Anderson plug, but finally all sorted (had to change my battery as getting a little sad in the cold weather), so brakes fitted to car, anderson plug hooked up, changed islolater? in car so car battery charges first, new battery for car, cost $900. Fair?
Damn, money extra never thought about, but I believe the caravan was a good price.
Cheers, happy travelling.