Westfalia Tow Bar Installation Guide for Nissan X-TRAIL (2001 onwards)

General Safety and Installation Guidelines

This document provides essential instructions for the correct installation of Westfalia tow bars. Adherence to these guidelines is critical for safety and proper function. The original German text of this manual is legally binding.

Key Safety and Installation Points:

• National regulations regarding the approval and installation of towing devices must be followed.
• Modifications or alterations to the tow bar are strictly prohibited and will invalidate the vehicle's operating license.
• Before installation, remove any insulating material or underbody protection from the vehicle's chassis where the tow bar will be mounted.
• The tow bar is designed for towing trailers and carrying loads. Use for any other purpose is forbidden.
• For vehicles equipped with parking assistance systems, ensure that tow bar components do not interfere with sensors. If malfunctions occur, adjust the sensor range or disable the system. This is less likely with removable or pivoting ball hitches when the ball is retracted.
• The tow bar is a safety-critical component and must be installed by qualified professionals only. Incorrect installation poses a significant risk of serious accidents.
• Always use the specified fasteners and tighten them to the indicated torque values.

Note on Multilingual Content: While this guide is available in multiple languages, the German version is the definitive text.

Parts List

The tow bar kit includes the following components:

• 2x M12x70 (10.9) bolts
• 13x M10x35 (8.8) bolts
• 2x M8x30 (8.8) bolts
• 3x 13x24x2.5 washers
• 11x 10.5x30x3 washers
• 1x 10.5x21x2 washer
• 2x 8.5x24x2 washers
• 1x 30x22.5 component
• 2x M12 (10) nuts
• 1x Tow ball assembly
• 1x Component labeled 932 237 650 001

Installation Steps

Follow these detailed steps for the correct installation of the Westfalia tow bar on your Nissan X-TRAIL.

Step 1: Vehicle Access

Identify the designated mounting points on the rear chassis of the Nissan X-TRAIL. Remove any protective coatings or insulation from these areas.

Step 2: Bracket Attachment (Left and Right Sides)

Begin by attaching the main mounting brackets to the vehicle's chassis. This involves securing brackets labeled '1' and '4' in the diagrams.

• Left Side (LH): Attach bracket '1' using M10x35 bolts with 10.5x30x3 washers, and M10x35 bolts with 10.5x21x2 washers. Ensure M10x35 fasteners are torqued to 40Nm.
• Right Side (RH): Attach bracket '4' using M10x35 bolts with 10.5x30x3 washers, and M10x35 bolts with the 30x22.5 component. Ensure M10x35 fasteners are torqued to 40Nm.
• Use M8x30 bolts with 8.5x24x2 washers for specific attachment points on both the left and right sides. Torque these M8x30 fasteners to 20Nm.

Step 3: Electrical Unit Installation (QR20DE & QR25DE Engines)

For vehicles with QR20DE & QR25DE engines, mount the electrical control unit (labeled '5') onto the designated bracket on the left side (LH) of the vehicle.

Step 4: Main Tow Bar Frame Mounting

Position the main tow bar frame assembly (labeled '1') against the vehicle's chassis. Secure it using the primary mounting bolts:

• Insert M12x70 bolts with 13x24x2.5 washers into the main attachment points. Torque these M12x70 fasteners to 95Nm.

Step 5: Bumper Preparation and Reassembly

Prepare the rear bumper area to accommodate the tow bar. This may involve minor cutting or trimming to ensure proper fit and clearance. Refer to the diagrams for specific dimensions (e.g., 70mm, 115mm, Y0 clearance). Reassemble any removed bumper components.

Step 6: Tow Ball Assembly Attachment

Attach the tow ball assembly (labeled '2') to the main tow bar bracket. Secure it using M12x70 bolts and 13x24x2.5 washers. Apply a torque of 95Nm to these fasteners.

Step 7: Final Tightening and Checks

Review all installed components. Ensure all bolts and nuts are tightened to their specified torque values. Verify that the tow bar is securely mounted and all vehicle parts are correctly reassembled.

Technical Specifications and Clearance Requirements

Adherence to specific clearances is mandated by Directive 94/20/EC, Appendix VII, Diagram 30:

• Minimum vertical clearance from ground to ball coupling center: 32mm
• Minimum horizontal clearance from vehicle side to ball coupling center: 55mm
• Maximum permissible angle of the ball coupling: 45°
• Minimum distance from ball coupling center to vehicle rear edge: 65mm
• Maximum distance from ball coupling center to vehicle rear edge: 100mm
• Minimum clearance from ball coupling center to ground (rear): 140mm
• Maximum lateral inclination of the ball coupling: 30°
• Maximum longitudinal inclination of the ball coupling: 30°
• Minimum clearance from ball coupling center to ground (rear, alternative): 75mm
• Maximum radius for ball coupling: R14.5 and R40
• Installation must consider the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Tow Bar Technical Data:

• Type: 332 237
• Vehicle Type: Nissan X-TRAIL T30
• EC Type Approval: e13*94/20*00*1840
• D-Value: 11.8 kN
• Vertical Load (S): 100 kg
• Coupling Class: A50-X
• Towing Capacity: Refer to the vehicle's registration document for the maximum permissible towing mass.

The D-value, a measure of the tow bar's strength, is calculated using the formula: D = (T x C) / (T + C) x 0.00981, where T is the maximum permissible mass of the towing vehicle and C is the maximum permissible towing mass of the towing vehicle.

Declaration of Correct Installation

Installers must complete a declaration confirming that the tow bar has been fitted correctly according to manufacturer specifications and that the vehicle owner has been fully informed about the proper use and maintenance of the tow bar system.