Why does the manual transmission Xterra have a lower towing limit than the automatic? Are there things I could do to tow heavier loads with my manual trans (e.g. HD clutch)? I'd think most of the powertrain must be common between these models...

It's the weak clutch Dave. Calmini has a HD clutch......

Some would say the weak transmission too, but...

Yes, it's a clutch issue, but I believe it has more to do with Nissan trying to keep poorly skilled clutch users from frying the clutch and not being able to control the transmission than it does the actual weakness of the clutch.

The dual friction clutch really only offers more clamping power at higher revs so it may not make much difference when it comes to towing. But I'll let you know after I replace my transmission and put in a dual friction clutch...:rolleyes:

It's a 2-way street. Not only can 99% of the population not feather a clutch trying to get a heavy trailer going, but there's also the issue of shock loading to the driveline when the clutch does buck. An auto tranny is smooth, a manual can bite and buck and put severe loads on the gears and bearings.

Brent

Thanks for the responses, guys.

It sounds like for the small amount of towing I'm likely to do, I might as well just try it and see what wears. I'm mostly concerned about having no rear-facing tow points, but a friend has a #3500 boat and nothing he can pull it with, so I figured maybe I could help him out occasionally. Need some justification for a hitch other than recovery.

Now the only other problem is that I don't really like the way most of the hitches stick out, but that discussion's been had many times before.

Thanks,
DaveX

Originally posted by OffroadX
It's a 2-way street. Not only can 99% of the population not feather a clutch trying to get a heavy trailer going, but there's also the issue of shock loading to the driveline when the clutch does buck. An auto tranny is smooth, a manual can bite and buck and put severe loads on the gears and bearings.

Brent

Mine bites and bucks and has gears and bearings on their way out (you should hear it!) and I've never towed anything more than 500 lbs except other Xterras and a car for short distances. I can't even imagine how many trannies I might have gone through by now towing 5,000 lbs!

i'm sure the xterra can tow (for long distances) ALOT more than 500 lbs. i assume that's either a type or you're just a very careful person.