Prospective Versa Buyer Looking for Tips...

[jetman624]

Thinking about a versa. I have a stand up jetski I need to tow but the dealer says you can't tow and the car won't support it. Uhaul, however, makes a hitch. Is the dealer just being overly cautious or will it be ok with my 600lb trailer+jetski.

Also any tips on packages and options?

Any after thoughts on your purchase?

Thanks for the tips.

[jfanaselle]

I wouldn't recommend towing with a Versa, but I suppose it could be done if it wasn't too often. You'll definately have a difficult time launching the jet ski with the Versa, but I suppose you could always carry the jet ski into the water. 600 lbs for the whole trailer setup isn't very heavy at all... it's only as heavy as a few passengers.

[Rockhound]

Edmunds.com says the payload capacity for the Versa is 1012 lbs. So subtract yourself from that amount - and you can see what you have left. Is it 600 lbs for the trailer and jetski? If so, then it would seem that you're in the clear. Add in a few passengers and you're sunk, however. I'm just not sure if that's something I'd do to a new economy car...

As for the options, I'd recommend going to the Nissan website and building your own Versa to see how the options are linked. As you may already know, few options are offered a la carte and come lumped together in packages - and some packages are linked.

I'd definitely recommend the SL w/ ABS for much improved brake performance...beyond that, it's all a matter of future plans. As my wife has no desire for aftermarket stereo equipment, we went for the upgraded stock system with the included sub, and it sounds nice enough for a stock setup. I-key and bluetooth are both "unnecessary" niceties, but have their moments when they're very useful, and I enjoy both.

Definitely use Edmunds.com TMV option to see what you should really pay for a Versa with the options you want.

[jetman624]

Is it 600 lbs for the trailer and jetski?

Yes, 600 combined. 350 for ski + 200 for trailer + a couple gas cans= ~600lbs

Tongue weight should be less than 100lbs. So shouldn't be much differnt than having 5 adults in the car. When towing the ski it would just be myslef and *maybe* one other person.

The dealer said somehting about the frame or wherever the hitch would mount not being able to take it, but he may be told to say that for liability reasons.

[Great White Versa]

I had an '01 Prelude that had a trailer hitch on it (from the previous owner) that I used to pull small trailers from time to time. I never noticed anything unusual or undesirable from doing so. I'm sure that that car wasn't 'rated' for a hitch or trailer. The biggest item that I pulled was a Uhaul 8x10 loaded down with furniture and such from So. Cal to Salt Lake... It took it like a champ.

[NY.AD.MAN]

I have a new piece of information that might be important to SEVERAL of you guys:

The use of the Versa for towing purposes (even a smaller trailer) is grounds for any dealership to void warranties on your transmission and engine! The Nissan manual states that the Versa is NOT designed for "other" uses, so there is a potential that, if there is a trailer hitch attached and you have a problem, you will be TURNED AWAY!

I was at the dealership yesterday to get my oil change and as about the 30K maintenance, and the guy in front of me was having some small transmission slippage, but when the tech saw the hitch, he turned the poor guy away and made a note of it on the national system...

[Ever Victorious]

Of course, towing on a vehicle that is not rating for towing is always done at your own risk, so you have been warned... by multiple people...

That being said, if you're still intent on buying a V and towing a small trailer with it, I suggest the 6-speed manual. Clutches are easier and cheaper to replace than transmissions, and I have yet to see a foreign manual transmission that is not over-built for its application.

If you MUST have an automatic, i would suggest the 4AT over the CVT for this specific purpose.

[NY.AD.MAN]

As much as I love my Versa, I have to tell you to NOT get one if you are even CONSIDERING ANY TOWING... Do NOT even try because you could very well be putting yourself in a situation to spend thousands repairing your vehicle!

If you must get a cheap car, get a Suzuki or Hyundai or Kia, NOT that I like any of these cars, but at least they will offer crossover SUV's that will be able to handle the load for well under 20K. Otherwise, find a used SUV or V6 in order to suit your needs...

On the other hand, if you go ahead and find another vehicle, the Versa is the car I would suggest EVERYONE give a chance. It is a strong vehicle that is amazingly capable in terms of long trips, daily driving and hauling (not towing) a bunch of stuff.

Again, I LOVE my Versa, but it's NOT worth the risk to damage or strain your new vehicle. (130 lb. ft. of torque covers the Versa and pretty much a couple people)... you WILL bend your frame or kill your entire drivetrain if you try. Remember that.