We used one to tow a largish plate ali once. Towed it ok but when it came to retreiving the bugger, the traction couldnt work out how to handle a slippery ramp. Luckily we had a car nearby and snatched it out. 

You need to turn off the traction control when in situations like that.

I have one, it tows my 5.5m glass boat fine (incl several long trips, few times to exxy etc). Its lighter than 1400kg though.

I've towed 2 tonne+ worth of Sea Fox with it on a shortish journey. It moved it, but the rating is BS. You'd never tow on the highway with that much load.

I think its not a bad option, the fuel consumption goes up nearly 80% when towing on highway with boat vs without boat, but to be expected with a small petrol

The towing rating is calulated on a number of factors not only the vehicles ability to pull the load but also its ability to stop it.

Hence

VZ commodore V6 rated at 2100kg

Same car with the V8 (more power, but also more weight due to a heavier engine block) is only rated to 2000kg

All for switching off the traction control

Have an Xtrail, if your just going to be doing short trips to the ramp..i say go for it, but if you plan on doing some long trips away, i would look at something bigger. Paul H hit the nail on the head..the xtrail may tow 2000.. but not safely!

I recently had a chance to purchase an Xtrail. The 2 tonne towing weight inerested me. Having a read on the net I found out the following. While the towing weight is listed as 2tonne, the vehicles towball weight is the limiting factor. Forums I visited stated that you have to put in stronger rear springs, or air bags to stop the rear dropping. That Reese won't fit their WDH'es to Xtrails as they can cause cracking of the structure. And finally, pack a lunch if you intend to climb any hiills.

Went through same thing when I was buying a boat.I have a 2008 Xtrail

I have a 5.5 m fibreglass boat, weighs about 1400-1450kg fully loaded up, Xtrail tows it ok.

Did all research on forums etc and what said so far is true, it can pull upto 2 tonnes but I wouldn't. Maybe 1600kg max. Remember the GTM of the Xtrail is 1550kg, so you want your towing vehicle to weigh more than the trailer GTM.

If you stick to weights like I tow no additional add ons needed.

The towball weight max is 150kg, this is plenty if you tow upto 1500kg as you only need 5-7% ( 75- 105kg ) of the trailer gross mass on the ball when towing boats, 10 % is not necessary.

Hope this is of some use

Joycey

How does the XTrail go on long distances?

I make visits to Mandurah, Jurien and Exmouth towing the boat.

I'm sure the XTrail will be fine from home to the ramp and back, but I don't want any compromise on long distance trips.  Don't want any holiday trips going pear shaped due to a vehicle which cant tow for long distances.

Thank you

Towing a 1400kg boat I think it will be fine. I was looking at towing a caravan with a higher all up weight. So as long as you are satisfied with towing 1400-1500 kg it should do the trick. Why don't you goggle some forums to see what those members say about the Xtrail. We have about 6 of them at work and have had no problems so far, but they arn't used for towing. I think the early model ones had a different gear box, and I think you should see what they say on forums about towing with the CV gearbox. Whick I think at this stage , when it gives trouble is a throw away job.

I tow my fibreglass 655 (approx 1700Kg) with a Freelander 2 (which has the same tow rating of 2000kgs).  Never had any problems whatsoever including pulling it up slippery ramps etc - that said, they do have a brilliant traction control system.

Only thing I have noticed is that the auto gearbox gets a little bit warm (can feel it around my feet).  No big surprise and it could probably use an oil cooler - but I dont use it for long trips. 

You wont have any dramas.