New X Trail for towing Ifor Williams 403 ( Can ROG help?)

Fruitcake

Fruitcake

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I currently have a 2005 X Trail (2.2 diesel) which I love. I tow an Ifor Williams 403(downplated) on a B licence.

I'm thinking of getting a new car and would automatically go for the new X Trail but I noticed that they look a bit less "proper 4x4" and a bit more "crossover".

Do they tow as well as the old ones?
As they're only a 1.6, do they have as much pull as the old 2.2s?
How does the kerb weight compare to the old ones for my MAM calculation with my 403?

Does anyone have any experience of them?
Thanks in advance!
 
I currently have one as a hire car and hate it - it's overly big and bulky, with very poor visibility. The clutch is jerky and the electronic handbrake is horrid. It goes ok once it's on the motorway and I have no idea what the towing capability is, but have to say, due to the lack of visibility and jerky starts (even if you manage to run the clutch smoothly and think it's starting off ok, the electronic handbrake doesn't always cut out smoothly) I wouldn't use one for towing, even if would tow the moon.
 
I cannot help on types of vehicle - I can help with the weight and licence laws

I seem to remember that the newer versions have a bigger GVW than the older ones so double check that the Xtrail GVW added to the current down plated trailer MAM do not add up to more than 3500 kg
 
ROG said:
I cannot help on types of vehicle - I can help with the weight and licence laws

I seem to remember that the newer versions have a bigger GVW than the older ones so double check that the Xtrail GVW added to the current down plated trailer MAM do not add up to more than 3500 kg
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Thanks. That's what I was concerned about. I'll try to find out the GVW. (Seem to remember it being a nightmare to find this for my existing car!)

What a shame that the new one seems to have issues, Kaiserchief. I love my old one. An electronic handbrake sounds awful! I'll have to look to see if they all have one. I suppose I need to go for a test drive and see what I think. I hate the whole 'new car' process!!

Have also heard good things about the Kia Sorrento. What about the GVW for this with my downplated Ifor 403?
 
I'm in the same position, old X trail with downplated 401, but I'm getting ready for a new car. Love my x trail, but had thought about Kia sportage or sorrento for the next car??
 
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GVW is dead easy to find
It is the top of the 4 figures on the weight plate usually hidden under the bonnet or in a door frame
OR
its the max permissible mass figure on the V5 keepers form

If you know the exact model and year then I can usually find it on the internet
 
I have one!

I didn't get it specifically for towing but I have towed with it. Generally, I love the car. Yes, the gear box is a bit agricultural and it lacks poke in the lower gears however once the turbo kicks in, it's pretty good. Apparently it's the turbo that allows it to still be powerful with only a 1.6 litre engine (or something like that, accordinding to my husband).

The electronic handbrake takes a bit of getting used to but it's a godsend for hill starts particularly with the trailer. It also automatically applies itself when you turn off the engine so there's no danger of forgetting to put it on.

I have towed an Ifor 510 with one 16.2hh horse and had absolutely no problems.

For day to day driving I find it relatively economical for its size (around 50mpg), comfortable and easy to drive. I probably wouldn't buy it if I was doing much driving around town.
 
Calfie said:
I have one!

I didn't get it specifically for towing but I have towed with it. Generally, I love the car. Yes, the gear box is a bit agricultural and it lacks poke in the lower gears however once the turbo kicks in, it's pretty good. Apparently it's the turbo that allows it to still be powerful with only a 1.6 litre engine (or something like that, accordinding to my husband).

The electronic handbrake takes a bit of getting used to but it's a godsend for hill starts particularly with the trailer. It also automatically applies itself when you turn off the engine so there's no danger of forgetting to put it on.

I have towed an Ifor 510 with one 16.2hh horse and had absolutely no problems.

For day to day driving I find it relatively economical for its size (around 50mpg), comfortable and easy to drive. I probably wouldn't buy it if I was doing much driving around town.
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Should have said, I tow on a b+e licence so the GVW isn't an issue for me (as far as I understand it!).
 
Calfie said:
Should have said, I tow on a b+e licence so the GVW isn't an issue for me (as far as I understand it!).
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You are correct = not an issue for you
With B+E all you need to know is the lower weight between towing capacity and trailer MAM because that lower weight is the max the trailer and its load can be
 
Bluedaisys said:
So with the new x trail being GVW of 2210 on some models the trailer will need further downplating? Am I on the right lines?
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That could well be the case

Black Beastie said:
I also have a B+E.

I thought that downplating the trailer was pointless as it's the actual weight.
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Licences work on the plated weights or the total number of seats if fitted with more than 9 seats

The 3500 kg max for B licence towing works on the plated vehicle GVW added to the plated trailer MAM

There is a 7000 kg max plated weight for B+E - 3500 vehicle + 3500 trailer
 
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