X-Trail Towing Query

[catweazle]

Hi,

I am new to the forum but thought I would join as we are thinking about getting an X-Trail. Bascially, we currently owned a Hilux Surf (my beloved truck for towing my beloved horse), a Toyota Camry (my husband's cruise-mobile) and a Toyota Yaris (a most-excellent small car).

With my two 'kids' off to Uni (one went last year and the other is off this year - second mortgage time!!) we really don't need THREE cars! (Though I am still not sure about this!).

So idea was, keep the Yaris (kids use it when they come home and great for nipping around on little fuel) and to sell the truck and Camry and get a 4x4 capable of towing my horse (trailer plus big fat horse = 1800Kg) and also for cruising along motorways in some luxury.

Perhaps, this is a tall order but seemed the X-Trail fitted the bill as not too stupidly big (like a Trooper or LC Colorado or Patrol) but comfy looking and good tow capacity.

Problem is, our budget is only £3K so not enough for a face-lift 2004 X-Trail.

So my questions are:

1. Presumably we have to go for the manual 2.5 petrol version to tow 1800 KG?

2. Does the pre-2004 still have selectable 4WD button?

3. Is there a better, possibly, dare I say, non-nissan solution?

4. Is this all a stupid idea??? :nenau (And don't suggest getting rid of the horse! My husband does not need encouraging in this area!! lol )

I would really appreciate any suggestions/feedback as I think we are struggling to see the wood for the trees now (and it may help further "disagreement" on the way forward!)

Thanks.

Roz

[Timbo_1975]

The 2.5 manual has a towing limit of 2000kg for a braked trailer or donkey carrier. Both diesels are rated at 2200kg.

The pre 2004 does indeed use exactly the same selectable 4wd system as the later one, there are 2 square buttons on the dash instead of the rotary knob.

I would definately get rid of the Surf if you cannot get rid of the horse, as they love to go bang!

£3000 ought to get you a pretty tidy earlish 2.5sve. Beware of corrosion on the earlier cars.

[(RIP) PLANK]

I would get a T2, (Manual) with a 2800 kilo towing limit!

You will need a vehicle that suits the maximum gross weight of your trailer. For example if it say MGW 2700k on the trailer then the X trail will not legally pull it no matter how light it is when on a weigh bridge!

Your car has to be capable of the MGW even if the trailer is empty! or so I believe :nenau

[CaptLimey]

I support PLANK's comment about a Terrano as opposed to an X Trail for real grunt when towing. My son-in-law has an X Trail and complained that it would not pull a heavy trailer in extreme incline conditions as it does not have low range 4WD gears. As well as being able to tow up to 2800 kg the Terrano (diesel manual model) has the ability to select 4WD high OR low range gears by lever, which is my personal preference. Also a 3ltr Terrano (the patrol engine) is more powerful and more economical than the 2.7 ltr. I have owned both models. I tow a 1.6 ton caravan and a 2.6 ton trailer/digger rig and I much prefer the 3ltr.
Regards CL