Towing with Pathfinder or Navara - Page 2

05-07-2006, 22:13

I have heard of the need to turn the ESP off on some vehicles...I think it was Land Rover that had problems but I'm not sure in this case.

If the ESP were to activate the ESP warning light on the dash should come on and the cruise control should auto disconnect.

I have not seen the ESP light on other than at the bulb test when first turning the ignition on and the cruise control is certainly not disconnecting.

ESP is a safety function so should I really be turning it off?........I already tried it and I didn't notice any difference.

I have also had the friction pads out of the Alko hitch and they don't look bad. The wear indicator says anywhere between 50% going to fully worn though depending how much pressure you apply to the arm. 50% worn is no pressure at all where as fully worn is slight thumb pressure.
I'll take one down the dealers and compare them before I part with £25.

Wilf

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 06-07-2006, 09:34

further info from Towsure Technical Sales.

pf bar is due shortly, just completing paper work and it will have
estimated ball height of 17.5 inches on LOWER set of mount holes.

They add that not introducing a suitable drop plate, though their
adustable Height Tow Coupling ( catologue ref AT1 ) will suit because
of the twin pairs of bolt holes of the towbar.

some progress, I believe?

10-07-2006, 14:43

first post on here but been towing with my PF since I got it in February.

I have a witter fixed bar with the alko ball on the lower 2 holes. So far I have towed my caravan 1500kg single ax sterling approx 2500 miles.

400 mile round trip to Lancashire
100 mile round trip local
1000 mile round trip to France
150 mile round trip local
250 mile round trip to Brighton
100 mile round trip local
100 mile round trip local

I have had no stability problems at all - in France went like a dream at 80mph on the autoroutes (including coming back with 50 bottles of wine and 15 crates of beer in the boot).

going again to France in 14 days time - will tow approx 2000 miles over 3 weeks.

I have increased the air in the rear tires to 40psi (from 36) and keep the noseweight on the van at 90 - 100kg's.

Normally have 2 of us plus 3 kids in the back.

Overall very pleased with car towing and solo - caravan sits slightly nose down on the lower ball setting.

It had 5000 miles (ex demo) when i got it and it's now just passed 19,000 miles (I currently drive around 800 - 1000 miles a week).

I towed with yesterday and it was really windy - van didn't move at all and I kept to 60mph without incident.

Ian

10-07-2006, 19:24

Just changed the friction pads in the Alko hitch....which did look warn when compared to a new set.

After further questioning my pal says my van looked to sway a little after lane changing or overtaking lorries but would settle down again. He was used to following me (thousands of miles) and could see it was not my usual stable outfit.

This I think would tie in with worn friction pads in the stabilizer....well I hope so.

16-07-2006, 00:07

FAO Ian Iancjc

What made you decide to up the rear tyre pressures when it states 35psi on the door frame?

What differences have you noticed and why 40 psi?

Thanks
Wilf

(RIP) PLANK · 16-07-2006, 12:06

I must admit to never havng towed with either of the vehicles in question, but I have found excessive tyre pressures are usualy not good fot toeeing they make the rear of the vehice to bouncy, and with the recomemded nose weight of most caravans around 75 kilos the extra weight on the car is only about that of an average person!

But if you have tried it and it works for you then 'go for it' :wink:

16-07-2006, 12:36

Upped them because the full loaded psi at 35 picture doesn't take account of 100kgs hanging a foot of the rear of the vehicle. To be honest they just looked to be struggling with the weight of 3 kids a full boot and the caravan on the back - adding some additional air just seemed sensible.

Made no difference to the stability or "bouncyness". when solo I take the air back to 35. I've done this with my last few cars and I just feel happier with a little extra in the rears

mav · 07-10-2007, 19:14

test for Ickydickydoo

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.co.uk...ewtopic&t=5353

11-10-2007, 10:27

hi wilf,

i have a navara with a drop plate and it tows better now than it did.

regards

ickydickydoo

06-07-2006, 09:34	#17
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	further info from Towsure Technical Sales. pf bar is due shortly, just completing paper work and it will have estimated ball height of 17.5 inches on LOWER set of mount holes. They add that not introducing a suitable drop plate, though their adustable Height Tow Coupling ( catologue ref AT1 ) will suit because of the twin pairs of bolt holes of the towbar. some progress, I believe? __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

05-07-2006, 22:13	#16
WilfHook Guest Posts: n/a	I have heard of the need to turn the ESP off on some vehicles...I think it was Land Rover that had problems but I'm not sure in this case. If the ESP were to activate the ESP warning light on the dash should come on and the cruise control should auto disconnect. I have not seen the ESP light on other than at the bulb test when first turning the ignition on and the cruise control is certainly not disconnecting. ESP is a safety function so should I really be turning it off?........I already tried it and I didn't notice any difference. I have also had the friction pads out of the Alko hitch and they don't look bad. The wear indicator says anywhere between 50% going to fully worn though depending how much pressure you apply to the arm. 50% worn is no pressure at all where as fully worn is slight thumb pressure. I'll take one down the dealers and compare them before I part with £25. Wilf

10-07-2006, 14:43	#18
Guest Posts: n/a	first post on here but been towing with my PF since I got it in February. I have a witter fixed bar with the alko ball on the lower 2 holes. So far I have towed my caravan 1500kg single ax sterling approx 2500 miles. 400 mile round trip to Lancashire 100 mile round trip local 1000 mile round trip to France 150 mile round trip local 250 mile round trip to Brighton 100 mile round trip local 100 mile round trip local I have had no stability problems at all - in France went like a dream at 80mph on the autoroutes (including coming back with 50 bottles of wine and 15 crates of beer in the boot). going again to France in 14 days time - will tow approx 2000 miles over 3 weeks. I have increased the air in the rear tires to 40psi (from 36) and keep the noseweight on the van at 90 - 100kg's. Normally have 2 of us plus 3 kids in the back. Overall very pleased with car towing and solo - caravan sits slightly nose down on the lower ball setting. It had 5000 miles (ex demo) when i got it and it's now just passed 19,000 miles (I currently drive around 800 - 1000 miles a week). I towed with yesterday and it was really windy - van didn't move at all and I kept to 60mph without incident. Ian

10-07-2006, 19:24	#19
WilfHook Guest Posts: n/a	Just changed the friction pads in the Alko hitch....which did look warn when compared to a new set. After further questioning my pal says my van looked to sway a little after lane changing or overtaking lorries but would settle down again. He was used to following me (thousands of miles) and could see it was not my usual stable outfit. This I think would tie in with worn friction pads in the stabilizer....well I hope so.

16-07-2006, 00:07	#20
WilfHook Guest Posts: n/a	FAO Ian Iancjc What made you decide to up the rear tyre pressures when it states 35psi on the door frame? What differences have you noticed and why 40 psi? Thanks Wilf

16-07-2006, 12:06	#21
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	I must admit to never havng towed with either of the vehicles in question, but I have found excessive tyre pressures are usualy not good fot toeeing they make the rear of the vehice to bouncy, and with the recomemded nose weight of most caravans around 75 kilos the extra weight on the car is only about that of an average person! But if you have tried it and it works for you then 'go for it' :wink:

16-07-2006, 12:36	#22
Guest Posts: n/a	Upped them because the full loaded psi at 35 picture doesn't take account of 100kgs hanging a foot of the rear of the vehicle. To be honest they just looked to be struggling with the weight of 3 kids a full boot and the caravan on the back - adding some additional air just seemed sensible. Made no difference to the stability or "bouncyness". when solo I take the air back to 35. I've done this with my last few cars and I just feel happier with a little extra in the rears

07-10-2007, 19:14	#23
mav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Posts: 1,748	test for Ickydickydoo http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.co.uk...ewtopic&t=5353

11-10-2007, 10:27	#24
ickydickydoo Guest Posts: n/a	hi wilf, i have a navara with a drop plate and it tows better now than it did. regards ickydickydoo