Anyone tow with an X-Trail?

[joolie]

I'm eyeing up a Nissan X-Trail (08 plate, diesel) as my first tow car. Anyone have one for towing? Would only ever be for one horse (Welsh D) with a light trailer, just to local venues less than 15 miles away with no huge hills to contend with. Good/bad points or any alternatives to it considered (ie something that isn't stupidly thirsty or heavy on tax). TIA

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Yes I have and I've used it to tow horses up and down the country. Great towing car, not as thirsty as some and I loved it so much I bought another after it just an upgraded model

I regularly tow my 480kg Welsh x and when I had two the car towed him and my TBxWB who was about 520kgs with a 505 and it was great.

Towing weight on my 58 plate is 2250kgs I think so my welsh x plus trailer is less than 1500kgs so well within capacity. I have the higher HP and spec model

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Not automatic, think they started diesel autos after 2008? Automatics can tow much less than manuals, so mine would be at the absolute max even in a light trailer with my cob.

 

[joolie]

Thanks for the replies - would be a manual definitely. Would be hiring a 3.5t for anything involving longer distances 25 miles+, just want something that can pootle out locally with the mare, can fit several bales of shavings in (!) is reasonably reliable and a pleasant place for anyone non horsey to be a passenger in!!

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Thanks for the replies - would be a manual definitely. Would be hiring a 3.5t for anything involving longer distances 25 miles+, just want something that can pootle out locally with the mare, can fit several bales of shavings in (!) is reasonably reliable and a pleasant place for anyone non horsey to be a passenger in!!

The standard 2ltr diesel has a max capacity of 2000kg towing limit. So hiring a lorry would be a complete waste of money. I towed to nearly Inverness from my house near the borders of Scotland twice and it only used a tank and a half of diesel each time.

They are great working cars that can prove you don't need a gas guzzler to tow any distance.

 

[joolie]

The standard 2ltr diesel has a max capacity of 2000kg towing limit. So hiring a lorry would be a complete waste of money. I towed to nearly Inverness from my house near the borders of Scotland twice and it only used a tank and a half of diesel each time.

They are great working cars that can prove you don't need a gas guzzler to tow any distance.

Brill! Useful advise - off to look at one at the weekend if it hasn't sold, just very useful to get opinions from people actually using them day to day. Thanks

 

[flaxen]

I have a 07 plate top spec manuel diesel x trail and tow on a b licence with it. I only have 1 pony anyway but have plenty of room to spare ( i can have almost 600kg of load in my trailer on my b licence ). I towed my pony to malton over the north york moors from durham for a ct scan without any issues and would have towed with it from durham to gloucester but my pony was too sick to go with me for a 2 week break. Ive also towed with it in the ice and snow with no problem ( didnt have a choice as pony had to get to vets ). I would always have an xtrail now.

 

[ROG]

Many on here with a B only driving licence and one horse use them as they can get a light weight trailer down plated which means the Xtrail plated GVW added to the trailer plated MAM does not exceed 3500 kgs

 

[Magicmadge]

I have an 05 sport and a Bateson deauville it tows brilliantly. I have two 14 hh and Shetlands so never fully loaded but plenty of power in it. It's also my everyday car and not too thirsty. I would have another.

 

[joolie]

Many on here with a B only driving licence and one horse use them as they can get a light weight trailer down plated which means the Xtrail plated GVW added to the trailer plated MAM does not exceed 3500 kgs

This is what I'll be doing eventually - to start my partner or dad (!) will be towing with my old Bahill trailer til I can upgrade mine to a 401 - they're both old enough to have B+E entitlement. Good to hear some positive feedback!

 

[webble]

I had one for a bit, it wasn't bad on fuel or tax for a 4x4. I think most have the option to switch between 2 and 4 wheel drive which helps

 

[ROG]

This is what I'll be doing eventually - to start my partner or dad (!) will be towing with my old Bahill trailer til I can upgrade mine to a 401 - they're both old enough to have B+E entitlement. Good to hear some positive feedback!

If the GVW on the Xtrail is say 2200 then the 401 will need down plating to 1300 which means as it weighs 780 empty that will leave a trailer load weight of 520 kg

Have you worked out all the weights ?

 

[Batgirl]

Love mine, got an 08 plate and I tow a Mare and Foal Cheval Liberte and my big warmblood in it. Quite happy over short and long distances, I woud aggree, massive waste of money to hire the 3.5t if you have the trailer and the car to go with, it wouldn't even cross my mind!

 

[monte1]

I had the 2.2 manual diesel version for about 6 years and towed everywhere, furthest was 3 hour journey. only ever took one large horse or two ponies, as max tow weight was 2 ton. but never had any problems

 

[joolie]

Thanks Rog - GVW is 2170 I think (need to double check - assume it's on the V5 as they've not got the information on Autotrader any more)? Pony is 450kg so think that it's fine once trailer downplated....I hope!