Towing with Xtrail

fugitive · May 16th, 2006, 09:24 PM

I will be towing a Boler travel trailer which weighs approx 900 pounds. I've read that overdive should be off while towing a trailer. Is this recommended? As it does not indicate to do this in the manual.
As well if this is true, what is the reason for this.
Thanks in advance.

ERBell · May 17th, 2006, 06:16 PM

If you are on a long stretch of the Hwy. you can leave O/D on. As soon as you encounter hills or areas where you will be stopping fequently or slowing down turn it off. This will prevent the transmission from grabbing the final gear.

This transmission has the tendency to shift up and down from 4th to 3rd while climbing steep hills. The less the transmission shifts while pulling the better.

Ripasso · May 17th, 2006, 09:37 PM

This may be off topic but the Xtrail in Canada is rated for 2000 lbs. but in England and Australia it is rated for 2000Kg = 4400 lbs. What gives here? A 4 banger without a ladder frame shouldn't be able to tow > 4000lbs. Any comments?

Thanks,

Michael

aussietrail · May 17th, 2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripasso

This may be off topic but the Xtrail in Canada is rated for 2000 lbs. but in England and Australia it is rated for 2000Kg = 4400 lbs. What gives here? A 4 banger without a ladder frame shouldn't be able to tow > 4000lbs. Any comments?

Thanks,

Michael

The xtrail in Australia has more HP than the one in Canada (you guys have 123KW, ours is 132KW) with the 2006 model we now got, it is also rated at 123KW.

The 2000kg towing capacity is for a trailer with brakes! without brakes it can only pull 750kg safely.

ERBell · May 18th, 2006, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussietrail

The xtrail in Australia has more HP than the one in Canada (you guys have 123KW, ours is 132KW) with the 2006 model we now got, it is also rated at 123KW.

The 2000kg towing capacity is for a trailer with brakes! without brakes it can only pull 750kg safely.

So 123kw is equal to 165hp? And am I correct in assuming Nm is torque or do I have this backwards. Could you please explain the difference.

aussietrail · May 18th, 2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERBell

So 123kw is equal to 165hp? And am I correct in assuming Nm is torque or do I have this backwards. Could you please explain the difference.

You're correct.

Here is the relation between KW/HP and Nm/lb-ft

Horse power (hp) ---> Kilowatts (kW)
hp x 0.7457 = kW

lbft to Nm (multiply by 1.3558)

The 123KW or 165HP xtrail engine spec is as follows:

Engine
QR25DE – 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine
Horsepower – 165 HP @ 6000 rpm
Torque – 170 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

When I apply the above formula to these HP and lb-ft figures, I get the following:

123KW @ 6000 rpm
230Nm @ 4000 rpm (Torque)

Our current Series I and II engine specs in Australia (Pre-2006 models) are:

132KW @ 6000 rpm or 177HP
245Nm @ 4000 rpm Torque or 180 lb-ft

davec · May 18th, 2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripasso

This may be off topic but the Xtrail in Canada is rated for 2000 lbs. but in England and Australia it is rated for 2000Kg = 4400 lbs. What gives here? A 4 banger without a ladder frame shouldn't be able to tow > 4000lbs. Any comments?

Thanks,

Michael

Well the UK Xty can pull 2000Kg as I regularly pull up to this with my horsebox and horses behind me and it does it remarkably well for this class of 4x4, only really struggling on very steep hills (so I avoid these!!) - this is with a braked trailer.

ERBell · May 18th, 2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussietrail

You're correct.

Here is the relation between KW/HP and Nm/lb-ft

Horse power (hp) ---> Kilowatts (kW)
hp x 0.7457 = kW

lbft to Nm (multiply by 1.3558)

The 123KW or 165HP xtrail engine spec is as follows:

Engine
QR25DE – 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine
Horsepower – 165 HP @ 6000 rpm
Torque – 170 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

When I apply the above formula to these HP and lb-ft figures, I get the following:

123KW @ 6000 rpm
230Nm @ 4000 rpm (Torque)

Our current Series I and II engine specs in Australia (Pre-2006 models) are:

132KW @ 6000 rpm or 177HP
245Nm @ 4000 rpm Torque or 180 lb-ft

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I wonder why we get hosed over here with less horsepower and torque?

aussietrail · May 18th, 2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERBell

I wonder why we get hosed over here with less horsepower and torque?

Because Nissan Canada decided to be a head in the game and import an xtrail that is compliant with the tougher emission control standards that is coming to effect later this year, so they thought why import an xtrail with more power and then change later in the year to the one with a more restrictive system, therefore creating a gap between the two in the market and getting themselves into trouble with pricing... etc.

I think they have done the right thing.

In Australia the situation was different because the xtrail was launched here since 2001.

Now you see some disappointment on buyers faces when they sign the contract with the dealer for a 2006 xtrail only to find-out that it has 9KW or 12HP less power than a new 2005 model standing right next to it. Some dealers don't even bother telling customers about that major difference between the 2 models but some do.

Nissan Australia has used the strategy to mask that loss in power by offering other features and accessories as standard in the base model and so far this strategy seems to be working fine.

Canada's Far East · May 18th, 2006, 06:46 PM

Will soon be having a trailer hitch installed on the X-T and I understand that the rear bumper facia has to be removed for the install of the hitch.

Also have a rear parking sensor system to install and understand that it's easier done with the rear bumper facia removed....so, I'll try to coordinate both at the same time.

Was wondering if there may be any "clearance" issues between the sensors and the trailer hitch ??

Comments from anyone who has both installed or any experience with the install would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and cheers = Roger

Xtrailguy · May 19th, 2006, 04:44 AM

I installed the "Hidden Hitch" on my X-trail Roger. It is probably the cleanest looking hitch available for the X-T. I picked mine up at Action in St. John's. Took me about an hour or two to install, but I was taking my time. The bottom of the bumper cover requires for a small rectangular notch to be cut into it to accept the hitch. I used a utility knife to cut mine, but a dremmel could do the trick as well.
I will try to find a pic to post.

Ripasso · May 19th, 2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussietrail

You're correct.

Here is the relation between KW/HP and Nm/lb-ft

Horse power (hp) ---> Kilowatts (kW)
hp x 0.7457 = kW

lbft to Nm (multiply by 1.3558)

The 123KW or 165HP xtrail engine spec is as follows:

Engine
QR25DE – 2.5-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine
Horsepower – 165 HP @ 6000 rpm
Torque – 170 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

When I apply the above formula to these HP and lb-ft figures, I get the following:

123KW @ 6000 rpm
230Nm @ 4000 rpm (Torque)

Our current Series I and II engine specs in Australia (Pre-2006 models) are:

132KW @ 6000 rpm or 177HP
245Nm @ 4000 rpm Torque or 180 lb-ft

Thanks for your response. BUT, I am not sure 12 extra horses (kangaroos?) and + 10 lb-ft of twist is enough to double the towing capacity from 2000 lbs to 200kg. I would imagine the transmissions, differentials etc are all the same. Any other thoughts?

Ciao!

Michael

Canada's Far East · May 19th, 2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xtrailguy

I installed the "Hidden Hitch" on my X-trail Roger. It is probably the cleanest looking hitch available for the X-T. I picked mine up at Action in St. John's. Took me about an hour or two to install, but I was taking my time. The bottom of the bumper cover requires for a small rectangular notch to be cut into it to accept the hitch. I used a utility knife to cut mine, but a dremmel could do the trick as well.
I will try to find a pic to post.

Thanks Scott.

Can you recall the approx. cost of the hitch ? And, where is "Action" located ? Is that the full name ?

Did you have much trouble taking the bumper off ?

Any info / comments appreciated.

Cheers = Roger

aussietrail · May 19th, 2006, 05:51 PM

Michael, everything is the same apart from those 12 kangaroos.

I guess Nissan Canada are being too cautious with their towing capacity limits to avoid any clutch claims that may result from incorrect type of towing.

The x-trail towing capacity is a global one and nearly everywhere else (including Japan) in states the same as Australia and UK

Nissan Canada website suggests that you shouldn't be towing a trailer that weighs over 454 kg (1000 lb) without brakes. In Australia it is 750Kg

This also depends on 2 factors:

1. The download capacity of the tow-ball
2. Your local towing regulations (each country has its own)

In regards to point one, the type of hitch nissan sells here has a tow ball with a download capacity of 1,500Kg

I'm not sure what type of hitch you guys have over there, but it could be the reason that you can tow less.

Apart from that I can only suggest that you import 12 Kangaroos from Australia and attach them to your exy if you wanna tow a tank

aussietrail · May 19th, 2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada's Far East

Thanks Scott.

Did you have much trouble taking the bumper off ?

Cheers = Roger

Roger, it is very easy. There is a DIY Guide about that on the Aussie Forum. Check it out.