brakes/towing

[mrfurious]

We are close to buying a 2002 or 2003 XTerra. How do the brakes hold up with towing? We have a small popup camper with no brakes of its own. It weighs about 940-980 lbs dry (depending on what stats I read) and maybe will be 1300lbs loaded. I don't want to add brakes to the trailer since it's 20 years old and doesn't seem worth it. Generally we will not do any extreme towing, mostly <500km round trips on relatively flat terrain. However we are planning a 6 week road trip in the fall from Ontario, through California, the Grand Canyon area, to New Orleans and back. Of course there will some mountains to descend. I estimate the whole trip will be 10,000-15,000km (6k-9k miles) Will the brakes hold up? How about emergency braking?

MrFurious

[rrdstarr]

Just don't drive faster than conditions permit. Use common sense and good judgement. Brakes will last longer if you down shift(via compresion braking).

[jastra]

I recently read up on this in my user manual. The manual states the max trailer weight should be 1000 lbs unless using trailer brakes.
I ended up towing a 3000 lbs trailer for a short distance and there was significant brake fade. I've been lookingfor an upgrade brake package to no avail. If anyone knows of a vendor selling after market discs, I'd like to hear about it.

[bluztraveler]

I tow a alot with my X and don't have any problems.
Just use your head and don't be too rushed.