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dhgasman55's avatar
dhgasman55
Explorer
Oct 10, 2014

towing a 1997 Nissan Sentra GLE (auto. transmission)

Hello All,

I really, really need some help here and would appreciate any and all information about the following:

We bought an ACE 30.1 (2014) on August 8th. We want to buy my sister's 1997 Nissan Sentra GLE (automatic transmission) to tow behind it.

We've been working with camping world to put together a tow package and they've been in touch with Remco towing regarding the details of what might, or might not be needed. Here's where it gets confusing:

The original manual for the car states that the car shouldn't be towed with all four wheels on the ground except for extremely short distances and at extremely slow speeds. Of course this is under the "emergencies" section of the manual in regards to emergency towing and there is absolutely no details whatsoever in regards to towing behind a motor home.

Remco told Camping World that yes the car is dinghy towable, but needs a "lube pump" in addition to the regular tow package, then Remco went on to state that we needed to know the specific transmission for the car to make sure it either did, or did not correspond with a transmission number they gave to the representative at Camping World. Of course the number they gave him is not listed by Nissan as having gone in any Nissan Sentra in 1997.

So- at this point- I need some advice on how I can find out FOR SURE about whether I can dinghy tow this car, whether or not I do need a lube pump, or- if the car has to be towed with the front wheels off the ground and what would be involved in doing that- towing with the front wheel off the ground does not sound as straightforward as dinghy towing, but I am an absolute rank novice about all of this.

HELP??!!

and THANKS VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE!!

Dave & Sue Harvey
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Well, Gee, How to start? REMCO has its own Web Store Site where you enter Year, Make, Model and etc and etc. In the case of 1997 Nissan Sentra, all the etc stuff like Trim Level, Cylinders, Transmission Type (manual or automatic) and Transmission Model are locked at "All Manual" and "All Trim Levels." I don't know how they were able to tell CW that a lube pump would work depending on a transmission model when their own site already says Manuals Only. The Lube Pump solution is NOT universal. By that I mean REMCO will acknowledge that they have not been able to apply Lube Pump technology to many transmissions/transaxles.
    If you want to tow this Nissan, it seems to me that you need to put it on a Tow Dolly. But call REMCO yourself and ask for a technician.
    Phone: 1-800-228-2481
    Fax: (763)253-4741
    Email: sales@remcoindustries.com
  • Have you considered a tow dolly?

    That may be the best method in your situation.

    You can easily change cars if you decide you don't like the Sentra.
  • buy something that is towable as is 4 down and be done with it, or tow a FWD vehicle on a dolly. don't mess with lube pumps, drive shaft disconnects, etc. the added investment will be much more than the 17 year old nissan will be worth.
    bumpy
  • If you really want to buy the Sentra, get the VIN from your sister and take it to a Nissan Dealer and ask them exactly what transmission is in your vehicle. Then give that info to Camping World. In their entry level cars like the Sentra, Nissan offers a manual and an automatic transmission, that's really the only option.

    If the manual states only four down tow in emergency situations and doesn't mention towing behind a RV, most likely it can't be towed behind a RV. The manual will most likely not mention it can be towed with modifications. Plus it probably isn't worth putting the money into a 17 year old car to make it work. You can probably find a similar size Saturn that is newer and four down towable for about the same amount of money you'd spend on the Sentra + mods to make it towable.

    -Michael
  • mgirardo wrote:
    You can probably find a similar size Saturn that is newer and four down towable for about the same amount of money you'd spend on the Sentra + mods to make it towable.

    -Michael


    a much better idea.
    bumpy
  • Have you had Camping World give you an estimated price on what all this is going to cost?

    As Bumpy said, your are going to spend twice to three times as much in equipment cost as what the car is worth, and still have a poor quality toad.

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