Towing and Trailer advice please.
Submitted by joycey on Sat, 2011-06-11 18:19
Hi guys,
Currently looking into getting my first boat ( 2nd hand ).
So far the Haines Signature 542 f seems to be ticking all the boxes.
However, I have a question about towing/trailers............
I have a 2007 Nissan X- Trail 2.5 L ( 4wd automatic ) that is rated to tow up to a maximum of 2000 kg, and can take a "towball down mass" of 150kg maximum.
The 542f Signature manufacturer estimated towing weight ( boat/trailer/outboard ) seems to lie between 1520-1690kg.
Do you think my vehicle could tow this weight ok ? Would be short trips to Perth boat ramp's only, occasionally down to Mandurah.
One thing that confuses me is that based on the general advice I have read, your "towball down mass" should be approximately 10 % of the total mass of boat/outboard/trailer, for correct balancing.
So based on this " 10 % rule", with the 542f boat the "towball down mass" would be 152 -169kg ( greater than the Xtrail maximum of 150 kg ).
However I spoke to a local trailer dealer and he said this wasn't the case, and usually it is more like a " towball down mass " of 5 % - 7 % with boat trailers ( approx 80 - 120 kg for the 542f described above ), which is fine for my car. He stated the towball weight is more dependent on how the trailer is set up, rather than just the total weight alone.
Thanks for your opinion.
What boat /motor / trailer weight range do you think my X-Trail could manage to tow ?
Thanks for any advice.
Cheers,
Joycey.
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
your xtrail should do a fine
your xtrail should do a fine job for what your asking it to do Joycey .. being an auto id just turn the overdrive off and youll be fine even for longer hauls .
as for the down mass - something around 100+kg should be fine for that sized boat .. just note when you pack gear into it always pack the bow with heavy gear .. if you pack right in the back she might get a dangerous sway up .
i suggest you test tow it first up to 100km and see how it behaves but you should be fine
cudbfishn
Posts: 1311
Date Joined: 06/04/09
It all depends how the boat
It all depends how the boat sits on the trailer and where the wheels are on the trailer. Not all are created equal. Most cars will pull 5 tonne of weight if its balanced correctly. The major concern with all these things is how it stops, Pretty much all cars are only rated to 750kg unbraked so make sure your trailer has descent brakes, I know alot of boats that go over this weigh as well as a 100-200kg trailer and have no brakes. I think you will be OK, Ive seen smaller cars pull bigger things.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
The 10% recommendation is a
The 10% recommendation is a guide and most will say that at 10% the trailer will not fishtail. The exact point will depend on the individual setup.
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
Just out of curiosity
what do bathroom scales go up to? 150 kg? could the downward mass of the hitch be measured by sticking the jockey wheel on a set of bathroom scales for a rough idea?......
Dave J.
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
Use two scales with a plank
Use two scales with a plank of wood across them and place the hitch on the wood. Take both the readings and add it up.
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
easy done reefmonkey .. most
easy done reefmonkey .. most are rated to 170kg .. thats what i used to do my 7.5m .. i just moved the wheels back till the scales maxed out :)
and before you ask no the glass scales didnt break ... but i think they thought my ex was standing on them again :P
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
Yep haha curiosity just got
Yep haha curiosity just got me outside just then the with the bathroom scales, had to put the jockey down as low as it would go tho as it would be the same level as on the car. did my 5.2m regent what i always though was a 900kg boat, got 80kg so yep guess its a good way to go about it!
Dave J.
wadetolley
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 27/06/08
I
I have a 2008... Automatic xtrail mate. I had a 5.3m Trailcraft. The xtrail could tow it just, had trailer brakes...but it just felt unsafe towing it.I wouldnt recomend it mate. Went to Mandurah once towing the boat..felt like i was going to kill the poor xtrail.
joycey
Posts: 251
Date Joined: 28/05/11
Wade, That's a concern as I
Wade,
That's a concern as I suspect the Trailcraft weighs less than the signature 542f !
How much was the weight of the Trailcraft?
In your opinion what is the weight range of boat/trailer that my Xtrail can tow safely/comfortably?
Cheers
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
I've towed my 530 haines with
I've towed my 530 haines with an xtrail. Launched and retreived at tantabiddi ramp without to many problems.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
wadetolley
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 27/06/08
Hey
Hey dodgy..yours an auto mate?
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Nah. It was a manual. Mates
Nah. It was a manual. Mates car that we used for a day because the mrs wouldn't let me take the Prado.
It's not the ideal tow vehicle but for short trips I wouldn't consider the expence of an upgrade to be worth it.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
stilly
Posts: 341
Date Joined: 10/08/09
dealer is correct
depending on how far back your axle sits depends on hitch weight, also when packing a boat pack all gear (to within reason) directly above the axle otherwise you can alter hitch weight and towing safety, imo car is to light for a glass boat of that size, would hate to try and stop quickly on the wet
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Maybe hook the rig up when
Maybe hook the rig up when you take it for a test run and make sure you are comfortable with how it sits in behind.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
joycey
Posts: 251
Date Joined: 28/05/11
Thanks for the replies, A
Thanks for the replies,
A few replies suggesting towing a boat the weight of the signature 542f would not be recommended with the X trail.
So what weight of boat/trailer could my X trail comfortably and safely tow ?
Cheers,
Joycey.
Anthony Hall 87
Posts: 193
Date Joined: 09/01/10
Mate the best advice you have
Mate the best advice you have had so far is to get hook the boat up and take it for a test run, you are the one that has to feel safe towing the boat not anyone else.
There are too many variables to consider, all trailers and boats will tow differently. In saying that a good friend of mine had an auto xtrail and towed a descent size horse float, he was pretty happy with it.....
Ultimatley the boat dealer is going to tell you it will tow it fine but your the one who has to take it for a run, so hook her up and see how she feels.
Tight lines to all :)
mungus
Posts: 60
Date Joined: 15/03/11
I would be amazed if your
I would be amazed if your Xtrail wasn't able to comfortably tow a boat that weight and size.
The_Wanderer
Posts: 735
Date Joined: 24/09/08
As others have said. take the
As others have said. take the boat/car for a drive and see how you find it. Nice boat though!
aaasnapper
Posts: 218
Date Joined: 15/01/10
I believe your xtrail would
I believe your xtrail would do the job comfortably, just remember some xtrials only good for 1600kg braked.
null
aaasnapper
Posts: 218
Date Joined: 15/01/10
Tell me how you go cause that
Tell me how you go cause that is the type of vehicle I am chasing for towing my rig.
null
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
The X-trail will be fine.I
The X-trail will be fine.
I have a 2010 model CVT auto one, and that hauls my 5.5m glass boat (half cab chivers) with no worries at all. Included in this have been beach launches, many trips to two rocks etc plus one return trip to Exmouth.
Didnt skip a beat, however note that the fuel economy difference is quite big between cruising at 100km/hr and 110 (though this was over the drive to/from Exxy with a boat, fully laden car incl Engel etc and boat laden with fishing gear). I estimate this to be around 1000kg boat, plus 200kg luggage/equipment , plus two people.
I was almost forced to tow the 26ft'er with her for a short distance yesterday, but dont think she would have liked that much!
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
joycey
Posts: 251
Date Joined: 28/05/11
Bit more info on towing XTrail
I actually spoke to a guy in the service department at a Nissan dealership today who seemed to know what he was talking about.
He confirmed the XTrail is rated to tow up to 2000 kg, but he wouldn't tow this high.
He said that the XTrail should be fine towing upto 1500 - 1600kg total weight.
This weight puts me in the boat weight range of 5.3-5.5m glass cuddy's, which is what I ideally would like.
Opinions ??
Any XTrail owners opinions ?
Cheers,
Michael.
Iceman
Posts: 747
Date Joined: 17/03/09
Braking
Most have spoken about towing capacity, but you also need to be comfortable with the braking ability. When I bought my quintrex I had a commodore. Towed OK but braking was an issue, particularly if I needed to brake quickly. I sold it and bought a patrol which was much better. I also upgrade the rear springs to heavy duty which gave it a better ride especially on long tows at speed.
Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers - Level 1, 11 Hobsons Gate Currambine
0448122208
dkonig82
Posts: 2091
Date Joined: 06/07/10
If it's over a tonne you need
If it's over a tonne you need the trailer brakes anyway, so a 1.5 tonner with trailer brakes should be fine.
Moved a 2.9 tonne sea fox with my exxy today, only a very short distance, but moved it nonetheless!
Dan
When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:
n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or
n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.
joycey
Posts: 251
Date Joined: 28/05/11
Cheers Dan, after all my
Cheers Dan, after all my research I am happy X trail will be ok with a 1.5 tonne boat.
Now just need to save the dollars, 542f signature is the plan ( 2nd hand ) .....
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Over 750GTM requires some
Over 750GTM requires some form of breaking on one axle. But being from AUS they will come withe them.
Vinnie
Swan River Fisher
Posts: 877
Date Joined: 03/05/11
my mate towed a 2.5t
my mate towed a 2.5t fibreglass boat with his Mitsubishi Magna tow weight 750kg!!
Also, another friend towed his 5 tonne bayliner with a Holden Captiva
We used to tow our 5.6m voyager which was 1.6 tone with a Toyota Aurion or Holden Commodore and often down to busselton
Towed it fine
marble
Posts: 778
Date Joined: 03/09/09
Basically your mates need a
Basically your mates need a good slap then for being so irresponsible, hope when things turn pear shaped the mongs dont get anyone killed doing dumb shit like that.
PMY 25 Centre Console DF300 Suzuki
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
sad thing is.....
that being a young fella, you'll probably think this is all ok!
Swan River Fisher
Posts: 877
Date Joined: 03/05/11
1) ramp was opposite his
1) ramp was opposite his house so just drop it in and pull it out somehow...
2) Only towed the bayliner a few times as it is mored
3) Our Voyager only weighed 1.6T and the Aurion could tow 1.6T and the Commodore could tow 2T
I don't think the first two were ok, but the last one was because it was within the towing limits and we drove safely and slowly
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
would have loved to see the
would have loved to see the Magna get it moving up the ramp, especially if a manual!
Swan River Fisher
Posts: 877
Date Joined: 03/05/11
I rekon hey im surprised that
I rekon hey im surprised that the car could stop the boat from rolling down into the drink
Mulie
Posts: 546
Date Joined: 20/02/11
AU Fairmont
Used to tow my 6.1 Berty runabout (1700kg with fuel) with my AU (rated to 2400kg) but was terrifying at times and bought an old boat tower as soon as I could (GQ Patrol). Just beacause the numbers add up, it doesn't mean the car's up to it. Trying to get my AU up Monahans boat ramp at 11pm in the middle of winter after a crabbing and squid session really was a cold, wet and miserable experience (and piss funny if you had've been watching).
Mulie
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
my view
My view on the matter is , yes you need to meet the regulations as to ball weights and towing capacity , but iam a firm believer in that your car should weigh more than your boat because the last thing you need is your boat pushing you and your car off the road , even if you have the best brakes and ball weight capacity in town it wont help when a 2.2 tonne boat is against a 1 tonne car
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Which is exactly why you need
Which is exactly why you need trailer brakes.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?