marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 8, 2013 18:12:33 GMT 11
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Post by David on Aug 8, 2013 21:46:54 GMT 11
I have asked before and will ask again. Anyone know if you can fit roof racks to the Leaf. I thought I would put it here rather than start a new thread seeing as we are talking accesories
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Post by Feng on Aug 8, 2013 22:19:08 GMT 11
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Post by duncan on Aug 8, 2013 22:23:03 GMT 11
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marty
Half Charge
I like the idea of free transport....
Posts: 68
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Post by marty on Aug 9, 2013 12:24:59 GMT 11
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Post by David on Aug 9, 2013 13:30:38 GMT 11
Thanks all I checked late last year with a roof rack supplier who told me Yakima do not have one despite their website telling me they did I will look into that and Thule and let you know if I take the plunge (its actually for a kayak I need it)
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Post by duncan on Aug 9, 2013 13:39:33 GMT 11
I haven't seen anything local, but I'm sure a towbar can be done.
There is good, strong points to attach to, and a leaf seems to have excellent towing characteristics (torquey, smooth etc).
However, there is no Nissan approved tow bar, and there are a lot of new systems in these cars, so I'd suggest sticking to light loads.
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Post by Brian on Aug 13, 2013 1:02:16 GMT 11
The Torquelift Central video towbar works in the U.S. because they have no spare wheel.
The spare wheel on Australian LEAFs is a requirement of local regulations.
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Post by markrmarkr on Aug 23, 2013 21:10:00 GMT 11
I have asked before and will ask again. Anyone know if you can fit roof racks to the Leaf. I thought I would put it here rather than start a new thread seeing as we are talking accesories Sure can. I got mine with the roof racks option when I bought it from Steve Jarvin They are Thule here is a pick Attachments:
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Post by markrmarkr on Aug 23, 2013 21:16:03 GMT 11
The roof racks definitely suck up range though. On a 40km trip the GOM gives 13km less range at the end with the roof racks.
This is my trip to and from work: Earlwood to Garden Island to Earlwood in Sydney.
So some normal streets and mostly 80km/hour on the M5.
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Post by markrmarkr on Aug 23, 2013 21:22:10 GMT 11
The Torquelift Central video towbar works in the U.S. because they have no spare wheel. The spare wheel on Australian LEAFs is a requirement of local regulations. The beauty of a towbar is that when you have it fitted and a trailer on too, you can put the spare in the trailer. I guess you could put the spare in the boot when you have no trailer on also. You probably wouldn't leave the towbar on when not needed. And this is possible when the towbar can be easily fitted and removed. I'm looking at this option as well. And very interested to see if any Ausies have done it.
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Post by duncan on Aug 24, 2013 12:24:13 GMT 11
Yeah mark I was going to say...take those racks off when you are not using them! It shouldn't be a big job to do so, and they will wreck the aero across the roof.
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Post by markrmarkr on Mar 20, 2014 22:10:42 GMT 11
Well I finally bought a tow-bar (hitch) for my Leaf. I don't know when I'll have time to install it, probably not this weekend, maybe next weekend. I understand I will not be able to have the hitch and the spare tyre on the car at the same time. I'll post more information when I've had a crack at installing it. Here is a pic: Attachments:
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Post by markrmarkr on Mar 30, 2014 22:52:23 GMT 11
Well I've installed the hitch (tow-bar), and what can I say..It's a tow-bar.
There are some tricks to installing it, but nothing too difficult.
As expected, the spare tire is incompatible, so I've had to take it (the spare tire) off. At the moment it's in the boot, but I expect soon I'll be leaving it at home.
Anyone who wants to see it for themselves can do so at Strathfield on Wednesday.
I'll post some picks soon.
Mark
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Post by duncan on Mar 31, 2014 8:45:50 GMT 11
great trail blazing Mark!
What is the tow bar rated to, and do you know what Nissan rates the Leaf for? And what will you be using it for?
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Post by markrmarkr on Mar 31, 2014 12:31:38 GMT 11
Thanks Duncan. Nissan has no towbar option for the Leaf, so my tow-bar is unaproved after-market. The guy who sells them reckons it's good for light towing and bike racks, cargo baskets, that sort of thing. Cost was AU$510 for the hitch including delivery, plus $110 for the bar/ball/lock parts which were from Supercheap (eh exensive ). I plan to use it with a box trailer I have, and with a cargo basket to carry a range extender I'm working on. Cheers Mark
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Post by duncan on Apr 1, 2014 19:08:28 GMT 11
Ahh OK makes sense. While I am in the same boat for my Stagea (ie no factory approved tow limit), you should be aware that NSW rules are that you have to respect the manufacturer's limit for towing....so in case of an accident related to towing you may be exposed to liability.
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Post by markrmarkr on Apr 1, 2014 20:18:47 GMT 11
Judging by the current use pattens with my ford I'd guess I wont be using more than say 4 times a year. It's more a "I just want it" thing.
My bigger concern is what Nissan will say when they do the services. Especially when I get the range extender going. A guy in the US (Phil Sadow) has done something similar, and even has pictures of himself talking to a Nissan Big wig. They seemed ok with it. So there is hope for me.
Cheers,
Mark
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Post by markrmarkr on Apr 1, 2014 20:41:16 GMT 11
I finally got some pics of the hitch. Notice from the second and third pics below that there are actually 3 main parts: 1. The part that mounts onto the car - you can barely see in the 2nd pic. 2. The part with the actual hitch (2" version) in it in 3rd pic. 3. And the tow-bar part which mounts into the hitch also in the 3rd pic.
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Post by duncan on Apr 2, 2014 7:01:04 GMT 11
Thanks mate. It may be tricky but any chance of pics of underneath where the main bar bolts on?
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Post by markrmarkr on Apr 2, 2014 8:23:24 GMT 11
OK, but it'll have to wait a couple of days. I've got the Strathfield meet tonight. Would Thursday night be ok?
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Post by duncan on Apr 2, 2014 19:46:31 GMT 11
I'll take any time that suits It's just general interest, I don't need a bar on mine because I have the dirty FFB navara for lugging stuff
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mrnuclear
EV Tyre Kicker
Posts: 2
LEAF OWNER?: No
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Post by mrnuclear on May 15, 2014 15:10:46 GMT 11
Digging up an old thread, hope you're still around... I'm very interested in finding out more about towing with the LEAF, markrmarkr. I want to use one for my business, but I need the towing ability. It would probably be around 500kg max. Do you (or anyone else) know what kind of weights you have towed with the LEAF and how it has affected battery performance?
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Post by markrmarkr on May 15, 2014 19:40:28 GMT 11
I just realised I haven't posted the pics I promised Duncan. I beter get onto that.
In answer to your questions, the towbar is installed ok and is able to tow a small trailer. I have not wired it up yet though. There is another issue - the mount for the spare tire doesn't work with the towbar.
If you are in Sydney you can come and have a look if would like. Otherwise, as I said before, I will post some picks soon.
I can't tell you how it effects range yet as I have yet to use it.
Mark
Sent from my SM-N9005 using proboards
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mrnuclear
EV Tyre Kicker
Posts: 2
LEAF OWNER?: No
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Post by mrnuclear on May 15, 2014 23:53:02 GMT 11
Thanks for that. I'm not too concerned about the spare, it will just be me in the car so the spare can go in the back, or backseat or whatever. I think my main worry is that the motor will shut off if the car realises it's pulling something a bit heavy. i.e. I would hate to shell out 40K and find out afterwards that the car is useless for me..
I have read elsewhere that the Mitsu i-miev can pull 350kg with not too much trouble, that makes me think the LEAF (with more torque & heavier) should be right with at least that much.
Would love to come check it out, I'm in Brissy though..
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Post by markrmarkr on May 17, 2014 21:07:54 GMT 11
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Post by jcan on May 19, 2014 2:17:29 GMT 11
I've only just joined, own a leaf but living in Canada. We'll be moving to NSW in the next month or so. I've had a tow bar for awhile, never use it to tow. I did get a 2" hitch, wish now that I had gone with the 1 1/4"...
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Post by quaternary on Aug 20, 2014 15:42:05 GMT 11
I've just had one of the Australian 2012 Leafs (they've been shipped over here to NZ from Australia in order to help reduce the Ozzie stock-pile) fitted with a tow bar. It's been fitted so that the "space saver" spare wheel can still drop down without interference. It was NZ$350 for the unit, including design and fitting. So this design avoids having to remove the spare tyre and basket from under the car. Let me know if anyone would like a photo of underneath the car to see how it works. In the meantime, my beloved spray painted our rusty old bike rack a metallic blue so that it matches the colouring of the Nissan logo! Didn't she do a great job. Cheers, Mark
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Post by Phoebe on Aug 20, 2014 15:44:08 GMT 11
Great paint job!
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Post by markrmarkr on Aug 21, 2014 8:41:32 GMT 11
I've just had one of the Australian 2012 Leafs (they've been shipped over here to NZ from Australia in order to help reduce the Ozzie stock-pile) fitted with a tow bar. It's been fitted so that the "space saver" spare wheel can still drop down without interference. It was NZ$350 for the unit, including design and fitting. So this design avoids having to remove the spare tyre and basket from under the car. Let me know if anyone would like a photo of underneath the car to see how it works. In the meantime, my beloved spray painted our rusty old bike rack a metallic blue so that it matches the colouring of the Nissan logo! Didn't she do a great job. Cheers, Mark View AttachmentMark, NZ$350, cricky that is cheap. Mine was about twice that, and I have to loose the spare tire. The two piece design makes mine lighter, and it uses existing holes, so it can be removed without leaving any evidence that it was ever there. But I think I like yours better. Not that I've ever used it, but it would be nice to have a spare. Your wife did a great job with the spray can too. Please post some photos from underneath. Mark PS Now there are two Marks with red Leafs
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