Towing a Versa behind an RV

[canada_versa]

Does anyone know if the Versa is rated or approved for towing behind an RV. We want to pull a small vehicle, but do not want to use a car towing trailer, we just want to pull it with tow bars. Many vehicles out there are just not rated for this type of thing.

[red98s14]

According to the owner's manual, auto transmission cars (both geared and CVT) should not be flat towed.

Manual cars can be flat towed with the transmission in neutral (well, duh). It says you have to start the engine every 805 kms (500 miles).

[Althalus]

Quote »According to the owner's manual, auto transmission cars (both geared and CVT) should not be flat towed. [/quote]There is a whole section in the manual for towing a versa, depending on what you're transmission is.

You can download the manual from the nissanversa.org ( http://nissanversa.org/download/07-versa-om.pdf ) site and look it up before you buy.

[Legacy40k]

My cousin who works at a Nissan Dealership is buying a manual Versa specifically for towing behind an RV

[versabundus]

One of the best vehicles to tow behind an RV is a Jeep. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow it as long as you want. When you get out in the woods or on the beach it's invaluable.

[ceningolmo]

My parents live full time out of their motorhome. They live where ever they park in Michigan during the summer, and they have a lot at a resort in Florida during the winter.

For years, among the RV set, the two 'preferred' vehicles for towing have been anything from Saturn and the Honda Quest.

Of course, you see a lot of other options ranging from a Yugo to a Ferrari. But, the above two are the most common.

With all of that said... I have been hearing from my parents that there is a bit of a 'buzz' among the RV crowd about the Versa. Apparently the car lends itself well to being towed.

If anyone does end up using it as a tow vehicle behind an RV, make sure you post up some info. I'd like to hear how it works and what type of tow-bar setup you employ.

[Ever Victorious]

One of the best vehicles to tow behind an RV is a Jeep. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow it as long as you want. When you get out in the woods or on the beach it's invaluable.

Although for those who don't go into the woods or the beach, but like to haul a runabout for whatever city they end up in, the Versa would probably be better/more economical.

Kinda why Saturns suddenly became popular among RVers when they first came out.

[versabundus]

Yeah, I guess it depends on what kind of RV ing you're going to do. Although I can't see any reason for going between cities with an RV. I always looked to get away from cities and out into more pristine sites. In a urban area, I'd prefer a Hotel.

[Ever Victorious]

Yeah, I guess it depends on what kind of RV ing you're going to do. Although I can't see any reason for going between cities with an RV. I always looked to get away from cities and out into more pristine sites. In a urban area, I'd prefer a Hotel.

One word.

Yellowstone.

[proxim2020]

Don't jump on me, but I was told while you can flat tow vehicles, you shouldn't. Putting the car into neutral causes the engine to disconnect from the engine, but the wheels are still connected to the transmission. By flat towing the car, some gear are still spinning against others in the transmission. Since there's no lube pumping mechanism gears, in a worst case scenario, can seize. Some die hard rv'ers, the ones that never stop until they get to the destination, have seen this. I'm not sure if this is true or not. I was told this by an RV mechanic once before. It was a question I had since I would like to get into RV'ing when the kids start popping out. Probably the best thing you can do is get your drive wheels in the air was his advice.

[versabundus]

T

Don't jump on me, but I was told while you can flat tow vehicles, you shouldn't. Putting the car into neutral causes the engine to disconnect from the engine, but the wheels are still connected to the transmission. By flat towing the car, some gear are still spinning against others in the transmission. Since there's no lube pumping mechanism gears, in a worst case scenario, can seize. Some die hard rv'ers, the ones that never stop until they get to the destination, have seen this. I'm not sure if this is true or not. I was told this by an RV mechanic once before. It was a question I had since I would like to get into RV'ing when the kids start popping out. Probably the best thing you can do is get your drive wheels in the air was his advice.

That's the beauty behind jeep wranglers. If you put the transfer case in neutral, nothing turning but the drive shaft.

[Ever Victorious]

I suppose if one was mechanically inclined and paranoid enough, they could pop the CV joints off of the hubs before towing, and reattach them at the destination...

And the "flow of fluids" thing is probably why the manual says stop ever 500 miles and turn on the engine.

I too have seen these die-hard RVers. Oddly enough, it was towing (gasp) a Saturn. Well, what was soon to be left of a Saturn, because he was ignoring the fact that one of the tires had caught fire from excess friction...

[ceningolmo]

This has been known to happen... and is one of those things RV'ers talk about on occasion. However, it is so exceedingly rare, even among the die hards, that the risk is negligible.

As I remember, there are some vehicles that have a specific "tow" setting that the car can be put in. This setting did keep the gearing lubricated, in some way. However, the cars that are typically the most reliable tow vehicles are the ones that are designed with transmissions that minimize these risks.

The only truly safe towing solution is to have all 4 wheels off the ground and have it trailered. However, the additional hassle, weight, and cost are generally not offset by the small risk taken by towing wheels down.

[proxim2020]

I've heard of some people just taking off the driveshaft and not worrying about the transmission. But this is only for RWDs. Saturns seem to be a popular choice for the RV'ers. Apparently they are really easy to tow. There's a certain procedure you follow to where you can flat tow one with no problem. It's something like turning the car on and off at certain times and following a weird gear pattern. I read it once before and I think the instructions were for a Vue or something.