Drew
24th July 2013, 09:56 AM
I thought I'd take the opportunity to share some info etc based on my minimal towing experience with our 2008 3L CRD Auto and our Jayco van (2T ATM).
So the common questions
ATM, GTM, Ball Load, WTF ? Nice little explanation here (http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/driving/towing/trailer__and__tow_vehicle_specifications_explained )
What speed should I tow at ?
Drive to the conditions. Some believe 85-90kph is best, others quicker. Now a nice bit of advice an old timer gave me was, "who cares what speed, as long as you are driving safely and to the conditions"
Just don't expect paddy to rocket up hills with any kind of significant weight on it's rear.
5th Gear
The general consensus is don't tow in 5th gear (unless it's flat). This will limit your speed anyway coz there's nothing like a screaming 3L :( (other than that other screaming coming from the left hand seat ;) :) ). Also, I have found that if I manage the gear changes myself (rather than letting the TCU do it), the ride is that little more pleasant.
Tyre Pressures
Have a look at the tyre pressures on the van as well. Some manufacturers advise 36 to 38 psi but the tyre manufacturer says more depending on the weight. That's a choice you need to look into and make. Our vans tyres were always bulging at 38psi and when I did the calculation using the actual weight/wheel configuration (found in a caravanning mag) it was supposed to be more like 58psi.
I spoke to a teckie from the tyre people and all I got was "the van manufacturer sets the recommended tyre pressures". So when I asked what would happen if I lost a tyre/van/life because I followed the van manufacturers pressures and not the tyre manufacturers pressures, all I got was silence.
Remember, I am not recommending anything on tyre pressures, you decide.
Modifications
I did my first trip without any mods, paddy did the job but after installing the EGT gauge I'd hate to see what the temps I got to. :eek:
So what mods ? Well it's totally up to you (and of course $$) but here's what I did due to $ (and a little laziness :))
Installed a ScanGauge, mostly for fuel figures and because they sort of say it will do Auto Transmission temp (but it doesn't) but found I use it now to monitor Boost, water temp and Litres per Hour.
Put in a catch can. Whilst it collects very little driving around town I find that I need to check/empty it after towing.
Upgrade the exhaust, preferably a mandrel bent one. Once again some say 2.75" others 3" and preferably with a bigger dump pipe as well. Just do your own investigations, there are a zillion posts on this forum alone. well ok maybe not that many. :) I found this mod alone made a noticeable difference to power.
Now that I had the bigger dump pipe (and it came with a place to stick a probe in), I installed an Exhaust Gas Temp (EGT) gauge. Of course you could just get the EGT gauge done on the stock exhaust too :).
I now have the ability to watch most temps and fuel usage, speed tends to be lower on the list.
continued...
So the common questions
ATM, GTM, Ball Load, WTF ? Nice little explanation here (http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/driving/towing/trailer__and__tow_vehicle_specifications_explained )
What speed should I tow at ?
Drive to the conditions. Some believe 85-90kph is best, others quicker. Now a nice bit of advice an old timer gave me was, "who cares what speed, as long as you are driving safely and to the conditions"
Just don't expect paddy to rocket up hills with any kind of significant weight on it's rear.
5th Gear
The general consensus is don't tow in 5th gear (unless it's flat). This will limit your speed anyway coz there's nothing like a screaming 3L :( (other than that other screaming coming from the left hand seat ;) :) ). Also, I have found that if I manage the gear changes myself (rather than letting the TCU do it), the ride is that little more pleasant.
Tyre Pressures
Have a look at the tyre pressures on the van as well. Some manufacturers advise 36 to 38 psi but the tyre manufacturer says more depending on the weight. That's a choice you need to look into and make. Our vans tyres were always bulging at 38psi and when I did the calculation using the actual weight/wheel configuration (found in a caravanning mag) it was supposed to be more like 58psi.
I spoke to a teckie from the tyre people and all I got was "the van manufacturer sets the recommended tyre pressures". So when I asked what would happen if I lost a tyre/van/life because I followed the van manufacturers pressures and not the tyre manufacturers pressures, all I got was silence.
Remember, I am not recommending anything on tyre pressures, you decide.
Modifications
I did my first trip without any mods, paddy did the job but after installing the EGT gauge I'd hate to see what the temps I got to. :eek:
So what mods ? Well it's totally up to you (and of course $$) but here's what I did due to $ (and a little laziness :))
Installed a ScanGauge, mostly for fuel figures and because they sort of say it will do Auto Transmission temp (but it doesn't) but found I use it now to monitor Boost, water temp and Litres per Hour.
Put in a catch can. Whilst it collects very little driving around town I find that I need to check/empty it after towing.
Upgrade the exhaust, preferably a mandrel bent one. Once again some say 2.75" others 3" and preferably with a bigger dump pipe as well. Just do your own investigations, there are a zillion posts on this forum alone. well ok maybe not that many. :) I found this mod alone made a noticeable difference to power.
Now that I had the bigger dump pipe (and it came with a place to stick a probe in), I installed an Exhaust Gas Temp (EGT) gauge. Of course you could just get the EGT gauge done on the stock exhaust too :).
I now have the ability to watch most temps and fuel usage, speed tends to be lower on the list.
continued...