Does anyone tow with a pick up truck.

[Nosealegsyet]

Hi everyone, ive been looking at 4 x 4 pick up trucks as an alternative to the regular 4x4's and ive been well impressed with what I have seen so far, does anyone tow there boat with a pick up truck, if so which one do they have, any pros an cons, thanks in advance-karen

 

[BruceK]

Not in decades, but very often in my youth. Pickups or "bakkies" as we called them in Africa make good tow vehicles if:

- the tow bar isn't too high (always an issue with 4x4 and ground clearance of the rear axle overhang)
- the tray was carrying useful weight as without it can be a bit light and prone to snaking. Of course suspension has improved drastically since then and these days most pickups are double cab so this last may no longer be accurate.

 

[Mr Googler]

I towed a 8.5m rib on a twin axle trailer with a Isuzu dmax for a year.

Brilliant....that thing would tow your house!

Can’t think of any shortcomings to be honest.

 

[Nosealegsyet]

Yes, I like that one very much.....So cheap as well in comparison to a car....

 

[Mr Googler]

Don’t forget....most pickups are advertised ex vat

 

[PCUK]

I've had two Navaras. The current one uprated to 3500Kg braked towing. Expect to get another one later in the year.

 

[Mr Googler]

I've had two Navaras. The current one uprated to 3500Kg braked towing. Expect to get another one later in the year.

I had one.....snapped in half!

 

[Nosealegsyet]

Ive been looking at the Nissan's, they are really smart, I like the yellow colour, with the bars,and then the roll across cover in the black.....

 

[Mr Googler]

The newer shape ones are fine....older shape (d40) have chassis issues......allegedly!

 

[Elessar]

The newer shape ones are fine....older shape (d40) have chassis issues......allegedly!

Not allegedly. Mine snapped in half too. When I towed my anti-foul removal trailer.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

The newer shape ones are fine....older shape (d40) have chassis issues......allegedly!

I've still got a D40, had it since new, slightly surprised it's still in one piece - despite a *very* rusty chassis...

To the OP though, I used the D40 to tow a big rib to the south of France, was absolutely fine. The older Navaras like mine are only rated to 2.6/2.7T, but the new ones are 3.5T (and don't have the corrosion issues) so that's what I would go for.

 

[rafiki_]

Dynamically pick-ups are very light on the back axle, unless loaded, so this can cause instability issues when towing. So best to sling some heavy stuff in the tray to balance things out.

 

[Mr Googler]

I've still got a D40, had it since new, slightly surprised it's still in one piece - despite a *very* rusty chassis...

To the OP though, I used the D40 to tow a big rib to the south of France, was absolutely fine. The older Navaras like mine are only rated to 2.6/2.7T, but the new ones are 3.5T (and don't have the corrosion issues) so that's what I would go for.

Have you had it assessed? Nissan will do so FOC. They stuck a screw driver through the chassis, bought it off me and offered a good discount on new.

They all go in the same spot. Something to do with a pocket of air forming when the chassis was dipped so no protection. They then rot from the inside out...allegedly

 

[Mr Googler]

Dynamically pick-ups are very light on the back axle, unless loaded, so this can cause instability issues when towing. So best to sling some heavy stuff in the tray to balance things out.

Never found that myself. A honking great boat on the back seemed enough

 

[BruceK]

Never found that myself. A honking great boat on the back seemed enough

not if the trailer is balanced properly

 

[Seastoke]

Not allegedly. Mine snapped in half too. When I towed my anti-foul removal trailer.

mine has been in spain for a year for repairs to the chassis ,it should have gone for 6 weeks but the positive is we have had a new one on loan for a year ,fair credit to Nissan .so be careful what year you buy.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Have you had it assessed? Nissan will do so FOC. They stuck a screw driver through the chassis, bought it off me and offered a good discount on new.

They all go in the same spot. Something to do with a pocket of air forming when the chassis was dipped so no protection. They then rot from the inside out...allegedly

They assessed it last year, said it was ok, and painted the chassis with some waxoil substance. It'll be 12 years old in November (12 years is the point at which Nissan stop standing up for the problem) so my intention is to put it on the ramp myself in the next few weeks and see what state the chassis is now in. In truth after so many years it owes me nothing - and is worth nothing, so most probably I'll just keep running it until the day that it breaks in half.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Never found that myself. A honking great boat on the back seemed enough

My experience also.

 

[Elessar]

My experience also.

Yep skittish in the wet if empty and no trailer. But with a decent nose weight then fine.

 

[Hot Property]

Dynamically pick-ups are very light on the back axle, unless loaded, so this can cause instability issues when towing. So best to sling some heavy stuff in the tray to balance things out.

+1 I towed a 7 metre sports boat at around 3 tons. Trailer had 100 kg noseweight etc. Above 50 on motorway it took over and snaked violently.

Cart spring suspension and tow hitch to wheel distance too big. Next time it will be a transit!!!