New member

[JohnAtMtEliza]

NEW MEMBER...,

I am considering purchasing a new NAVARA STX principally for towing a 2.9tonne trailer sailer (yacht). While the specs suggest that it is capable of doing so, rumours abound suggest that is does not have the power and a load leveller can not be used (Nissan Specs). Does anybody have experience towing this weight with the NAVARA and if so what towing hitch and load leveller was used.

Thanks in anticipation.

John

 

[d22dave]

Hi mate have a look at old tony,s set up, A look in the community section will bring him up and see what he,s towing and what it weighs

 

[Old.Tony]

Welcome to the forum.

The Navara can quite easily use load levellers and we're actually replacing our Hayman Reese "classic" style with the new ones, because the "classic style" are absolute rubbish. We're buying the 275Kg version.

My van is only 1800kg loaded but our Navara pulls it quite well and at 125km/h it doesn't even baulk at hills, it just goes straight up and over them without even unlocking the torque converter.

I strongly suggest that you get an automatic. Pulling a heavy trailer up a boat ramp with a manual will shred the clutch - same goes for most 3T-capable utes these days, of which the choices are limited to the Navara, Triton, Colorado, D-Max, Bravo and Ranger. The Hilux, Rodeo, Ssangyong and Great Wall utes aren't rated for 3T and are underpowered as well.

As for power ... the V6 diesel has more power than ANY other ute except the Ford F250/350/650, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, Dodge Silverado and I think one other American ute that uses the Cummins 5.6L diesel (can't remember what it is called).

Actually, the F650 will pull that boat with ease. Might be a good choice, it uses a 6.7L Cummins diesel that develops 261Kw and 881Nm of torque.

Take one out for a test drive!

 

[scottybobcat]

Welcome to the forum

 

[JohnAtMtEliza]

Thank you Tony for your reply.
My funds limit me to the NAVARA ST-X but not the 550. Towing will not be an everyday event, perhaps only a couple of times a year to the Gippsland Lakes but I am hoping for a one off return trip to the Whitsundays and am hoping the NAVARA ST-X will do the job. Given the weight on the tow ball will be approaching 300kgm, I'll be approaching GVM of 3010 fully loaded. Hence my concern, will the vehicle cope on the open road? I am intending to purchase an automatic as you suggest.

 

[Old.Tony]

The STX 4-cyl turbo diesel still develops a respectable 140kW. My own Navara, developing 126kW, is more than adequate for my needs, although I'm pulling 2T not 3. My Navara is heavier than standard, usually getting very close to its own 3T limit by the time ball weight is added - so our GCM is usually 4.5-4.8T.

Others have towed the Travelhome 5th wheelers that weigh in at 3T and the Navara does it well. Once you're on the road it's more wind resistance than anything else unless you're going up a hill. Hills are something I don't attack aggressively, although I try to keep the vehicle speed over 45km/h (for airflow through the radiator). Keeping the overall speed below 100km/h helps reduce the fuel bill, so I'm happy being an old fart.

The trick with the auto is to leave it in D and Overdrive ON so that it can make the decisions about what gear to be in. At 75km/h or more under a light load, the torque converter will lock, so that the engine drives the gearbox precisely (no lost revs) saving more fuel.

 

[JohnAtMtEliza]

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your prompt advice.

I spent some time today at a Nissan dealer and have been shown a recently traded current model Pathfinder. While it has the same ratings as the NAVARA ie torque and power, do you see it as a towing option for a 2.9 tonne boat given the NAVARA has rear axle leaf springs while the Pathfinder has coil springs?. Also what is your opinion re fitting a Hayman Reece towing hitch and load leveller to the Pathfinder?

John

 

[Old.Tony]

Either would do the job, the Pathfinder probably won't sag as much under the weight. Both vehicles can have weight distribution hitches used in the 50x50 hitch receiver, just make sure that the tow hitch is suitable for it. Some hitches weren't bolted in enough and the weight distribution hitch would cause damage to the chassis.

 

[bowie277]

My old man tows a 24 ft caravan with his d40 and thats 2.5t she pulls it quite nicely without any problems

 

[Old.Tony]

I've moved the slightly off-topic posts to their own thread here, because it's an interesting discussion and I've got the button to do it!