Load Warrior

[ TOW TEST ] NISSAN NAVARA 2.3D LE 2WD AT

- Godfrey Castle

When Nissan launched the Navara about a decade ago, we liked it so much that we voted it as our Bakkie of the Year. It had style, was well put together and a pleasure to drive. This new model is interesting, too.

Double cab bakkies have become bigger and bigger, and perhaps more truck-like and sophisticated than ever before. While they remain a combination of boyish, easy on the eye styling with good levels of interior comfort, they remain largely capable of taking an additional half-ton load in the shortened load bay. As a result, the suspensions

The Navara, on the other hand, struck me as being a “lady’s” double cab… but, before anyone falls off their chair, let me explain: It rides like a car, is smooth and light, and the automatic is just so car-like and easy to drive.

Add the towball weight of a caravan, and the ride firms up: ready for the dual purpose of carrying a load and four people.

TOWING CAPACITY

Nissan are so confident of the strength of the new Navara that they have given it a 3.5 ton braked towing capacity.

Bakkies and double cabs attract the GCM rule rather the GVM as in the case of sedan vehicles, since bakkies and double cabs have the additional load-carrying capacity of the load bay.

So, you need to remember that anything non-standard and ex-factory that you add (such as a canopy or roof rack) is extra weight, and must be added to that which you are towing. All in all, this may not exceed 5 910 kg, unless you equip the trailer with additional vacuum-operated brakes.

For this Navara, which has a Tare of 1 845 kg, that means you have 4 037 kg left before you hit the GCM.