Nissan Xtrail diesel towing in sand

[Tim_N]

The new 2 l Renault powered Xtrail is here and the specs on the engine, particularly the manual look impressive. It has about the same power and torque as the Patrol 3l job, about 120 kW and 360 nm of torque.
So my question is, how would this beast go towing a boat from Rainbow Beach down to DI for example? I know it doesn't have a low range as such, but you can lock the 4X4 system so traction is 50/50 up to 40 kph. Down on the hard sand would not be a problem, it would be getting up and down the beach and pulling the boat out of the water.
The total tow weight is 1200kg. The tow capacity of the 6 speed manual is 2000kg and the auto 1350kg.
The vehicle will be used as Mum's town car and used on the beach with the boat only a few times a year, so I don't really need or want a dedicated 4WD.
Do you think it would do the job if the tyres were deflated to 15 to 18 psi?

Tim

[Lucky_Phill]

YES, it will do the job with a semi - experienced sand driver.

If you are in any doubt, wait for another vehicle to turn up before you tackle the soft stuff. Attach the snatch strap and off ya go.... easy.

18psi is good.....IMO.


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[chisel]

1200kgs is a relatively heavy load for that sort of car, in soft sand.
I suspect there are better vehicles for this sort of thing.

[Tim_N]

Okay, what would you suggest?
Tim

[jimbamb]

Cant tell about the new deisels but the older petrol ones had a lot of bad press about clutches when driving in soft sand(Noosa north shore) Nissen didnt want anything to do with them saying it was not considered normal driving conditions.
would do more research if i was you.
jim

[maztez]

Hey Tim try the Australian X Trail forum .there is plenty of info re x trail towing etc .
cheers Terry

[The-easyrider]

My brother in law had the xtrail wasnt to impressed with the auto select 4wd setup, overheats when worked hard ie soft sand causing it to shut down then you needed to wait for it to cool down so you could move on until it over heated again. He replaced it with a Kia sorento and says it is twice the car the xtrail was ,he wasn't towing anything on the sand with the xtrail now he tows his camper on fraser with the kia.

[reel scream]

Get a Prado Timmy- Kate loves it around town and it tows the trailer full of crap no worries up the beach.

Cheers Scott

[chisel]

If you want diesel, that sort of money and towing that sort of load in sand and launching off the beach ... probably a 2003-2005 Pajero would be my pick.
Plenty of utes around that would do it - but sounds like you want a city-friendly wagon.
There are more petrol options (any mid-size petrol 4wd) but you won't get something new for under $35k apart from something similar to the x-trail. Maybe a grand vitara (diesel or petrol) but I still think it is a bit small (has better (real) 4wd system though).

[yellahunter]

some good info there,

however disregard the negative info on the Xtrails,

they are probably refering to the T30 model,
which admittedly did have problems with overheating (auto)
but this and the other issues have been ironed out in the T31 model

From all reports the new T31 and T31D are great vehicles and will handle what your wanting to do. Of course you will need some experience with beach towing etc but the machine is more than capable providing there are no areas where high clearance is needed

[Tim_N]

Thanks all for the input.
After further research, the T31D as Yellahunter said, will be more than capable of doing the job. And, the auto will go okay in the sand too.
As an occassional sand tow, it will suit fine.
The usual limiting factors like ground clearance and road tyres will most likely be its main hinderance.
With a bit more time in the market place, all will be reveilled. I think I will wait a bit longer.
Tim