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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi David,
In general the exy tows the van well, but don't expect it to fly over the hills, I believe these weights are near the limit for the vehicle. In another life I would choose a more powerful vehicle to pull my van, or downsize the van.
The transmission seems to handle the heavy pulling well, although when changing down at times on steep hills I think the revs are going to go through the roof - 5000rpm.
What I miss is the extra power you look for now and then for passing - it just is not there, so I find myself sitting behind vehicles at times when with a V6 for example I would get up and go. I find no difference in power between LPG or petrol, a lot of difference though in cost.
I suggest you check with your dealership on how best to use your transmission when towing the van - I have had conflicting advice regarding driving in auto or using manual changing and with overdrive on/off.
I usually let the "Auto" do it's job and with a tail wind might leave the overdrive on, but I normally drive with the overdrive off. I only tend to change manually when descending steep inclines or occassionally on a climb if I think the transmission is under stress.
Hope this is some help David.
Cheers/John
Last edited by tiny tech, 11/Dec/2008, 8:46 am
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11/Dec/2008, 8:41 am
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi John,
Thanks for your experiences-it is helpful as your van is similar in size.
I will check out how to use the CVT auto for towing to get the best out of it.
thanks again
David
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David
T31 ST CVT
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11/Dec/2008, 9:37 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Your welcome David.
I would be interested in what advice you receive re the CVT Auto etc. Might also be useful to others coming along later and reading this thread.
Cheers/John
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11/Dec/2008, 10:02 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi David,
Looking at getting a tow bar fitted so we can start hiring camper trailers to find the one suited to us.
Looking forward to what you have found out about the cvt and how to use it.
Does anybody know if I need to do anything to the rear suspension at all to cover the weight?
Regards scot
--- T31 Electric blue X-764(c) Style plates,LED kick plates and more!  |
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26/Dec/2008, 11:34 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
quote:
freewill11 wrote:
Does anybody know if I need to do anything to the rear suspension at all to cover the weight?
Regards scot
I shouldn't think so Scot. When we spoke to the camper trailer hire people (for our red centre trip next year), they said we shouldn't have any concerns.
However, in saying that - my personal preference is that I would like to have our exy lifted slightly, as we will be carrying a fair bit in the back (fridge, esky, recovery gear, plus extras), and we will be travelling for approx 4-5 weeks.
When you hire a camper, ask the hirer what the towbar download weight is and compare that to what the manual says.
Hope this helps.
--- Stephen
X756 (c)
Electric Blue 2008 Ti CVT
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27/Dec/2008, 12:52 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi Scot,
I am dragging my feet as I haven't put on my Tow hitch yet (but not in a hurry as van not delivered to Feb/March) and as a result I have not done my research into using the CVT for towing-sorry.
However, I do expect rear suspension sag (and towing stability) will be an issue for me as my expected tow ball weight will be around 145kg. The way to solve this normally is to fit a WDH but this is not recommended by Nissan and HR. (I expect due to cracked chassis etc. in the T30). I intend solve this by installing rear air bags to level the T31 and maybe using a 2 bar WDH if needed as a compromise to throw a little weight to the front wheels instead of using the full 550lb WDH which would normally be used. However I am unsure about using even a 2 bar WDH. This is only theory at the moment of course and I welcome any thoughts on this approach.
The reason I mention this is years ago we started caravaning with a Windsor camper trailer. It towed well but was just as heavy and had a ball weight similar to a caravan. In fact it bent our VB commodore despite the fitting of a HR WDH and using boot support struts!
So it is important that you check out your hired camper trailer's ball weight and its ATM-maximum total weight of trailer and your goods.
all the best
David
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David
T31 ST CVT
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27/Dec/2008, 9:18 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
quote:
tiny tech wrote:
Your welcome David.
I would be interested in what advice you receive re the CVT Auto etc. Might also be useful to others coming along later and reading this thread.
Cheers/John
quote:
freewill11 wrote:
Hi David,
Looking at getting a tow bar fitted so we can start hiring camper trailers to find the one suited to us.
Looking forward to what you have found out about the cvt and how to use it.
Does anybody know if I need to do anything to the rear suspension at all to cover the weight?
Regards scot
Hi John & Scott,
Further to your questions I inquired about how to use the CVT transmission on the T31 for towing at my local Nissan dealership yesterday (while getting a HR towbar fitted) and was told to just leave it in 'D'. On steep hills I could if I wished use the 'manual' shift but not really necessary-just put it in 'D' and the transmission should be fine.
Tomorrow I am getting airbags fitted to assist the rear suspension (as WDH is not recommended).
I expect to pick up my van Feb/March so will try it out with a shake down mini trip and see how it goes and whether this advice and setup suits my van (weight-approx. ATM 1500kg & TBW 145kg.).
all the best
David
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David
T31 ST CVT
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15/Jan/2009, 5:45 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi Dave,
With your T31 are you just getting airbags fitted inside the rear springs or are you getting the springs replaced ?
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Kev X450(c)
2003 Titanium Ti Luxury Series 1 |
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16/Jan/2009, 3:42 pm
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Re: First Caravan Tow with the Exy
Hi Kev,
Today (16th Jan) I got airbags fitted inside the existing springs for my T31 fitted by ARB in Dandenong. They are from 'Airbagman' in Queensland. They have a web site (www.airbagman.com.au) and are to my knowledge the only company at this stage that has a kit for the T31. Cost was $345 kit plus $170 for fitting (2 hours labour).
I had them fitted as I wish to tow a caravan (ATM approx. 1500kg &TBW 150kg -delivery Feb/March) and felt as a WDH is not recommended by Nissan & HR this would assist. Time will tell.
David
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David
T31 ST CVT
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16/Jan/2009, 6:22 pm
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