GU 3.0 Auto v Manual for towing

[chris21]

Hi Guys

Looking at towing a Jayco expanda 18ft approx 2.3t and can't decide if I should get a manual or auto?
Looking for a 2007 onwards Patrol, also if anyone has had major problems with the 07 on ZD30's.

Anyone out there towing this size van that can tell me pro's and con's from their experience.
I don't like auto's when they can't decide which gear to be in, I have not driven either yet so I don't know how the Patrol's handle the auto.

I have looked at other threads but they all seem to be relating to early model GU's

Cheers

[Maxhead]

G'Day Chris21, why don't you jump into the introduction section and say hello and tell us about yourself and stuff.


Re your question, just remember autos are only rated at 2500kg and manuals are 3200kg so you might have to go manual anyway .
I have not towed those kind of weights so can't comment

[big_fletch]

Regardles on if you get a Auto or Manual, i would recommend fitting a boost and Pyro (exhaust temp) gauge to keep an eye on engine if planning on doing extensive towing..
I have towed my fathers van around which is also a 18ft, single axle, however only weighs about 1.9t, My troll tows it no worries.. My car (2002 ZD30) Could do with a little more power i think, but i tow the thing maybe once every 6 months. If i was towing all the time i would def add a bigger exhaust and a chip.. I havent towed with an auto so cant comment, but my personal preferance is a manual anyway so im kinda biased Haha..

Fletcha

[MQ MAD]

If towing with the auto and often , fit a remote trans cooler
Or youll cook the auto
Now ill go on a limb here
IF i was towing that wieght (Its not just the weight you have to consider , its the extra wind resistance if its higher than the patrol)
Theres no way id be buying a 3.0L 4 cylinder 4x4, wouldnt care what they say
It would be a big engine car , maybe not even a 4.2 petrol GQ , which i have and does the job quite well

2.3 T is a lot of wieght to be towing

[YNOT]

If towing with the auto and often , fit a remote trans cooler
Or youll cook the auto
Now ill go on a limb here
IF i was towing that wieght (Its not just the weight you have to consider , its the extra wind resistance if its higher than the patrol)
Theres no way id be buying a 3.0L 4 cylinder 4x4, wouldnt care what they say
It would be a big engine car , maybe not even a 4.2 petrol GQ , which i have and does the job quite well

2.3 T is a lot of wieght to be towing

I have to disagree.
ZD39 DI 4 cylinder has the same peak power and torque figures as a TD42T 6 cylinder, the TD42T has better bottom end torque though.
Either the ZD30 or TD42T can be easily and relatively cheaply modified to increse power and torque noticably without sacrificying reliabillity. The petrol engined Patrols (with the exception of the GQ RB30) are also very capable tow vehicles but their fuel consumption while towing can be an issue.
There are literally thousands of Patrols of various driveline configurations on the road in Australia pulling heavy trailers long distances without a problem, they are as good a tow vehicle as any of the opposition brands and the driveline strength of the Patrols is second to none.

Tony

[fixer982]

I have to disagree.
ZD39 DI 4 cylinder has the same peak power and torque figures as a TD42T 6 cylinder, the TD42T has better bottom end torque though.
Either the ZD30 or TD42T can be easily and relatively cheaply modified to increse power and torque noticably without sacrificying reliabillity. The petrol engined Patrols (with the exception of the GQ RB30) are also very capable tow vehicles but their fuel consumption while towing can be an issue.
There are literally thousands of Patrols of various driveline configurations on the road in Australia pulling heavy trailers long distances without a problem, they are as good a tow vehicle as any of the opposition brands and the driveline strength of the Patrols is second to none.

Tony

Petrol Trols heavy on fuel? Surely not...ROFLMAO

YNOT is spot on as usual. I reckon when I towed a Camper Trailer to Darwin, I could see the fuel guage going down at 100Km/h. When my manager and I set off for the grey nomad thing, I hope I can find a diesel in my price range.

[MQ MAD]

I have to disagree.
ZD39 DI 4 cylinder has the same peak power and torque figures as a TD42T 6 cylinder, the TD42T has better bottom end torque though.
Either the ZD30 or TD42T can be easily and relatively cheaply modified to increse power and torque noticably without sacrificying reliabillity. The petrol engined Patrols (with the exception of the GQ RB30) are also very capable tow vehicles but their fuel consumption while towing can be an issue.
There are literally thousands of Patrols of various driveline configurations on the road in Australia pulling heavy trailers long distances without a problem, they are as good a tow vehicle as any of the opposition brands and the driveline strength of the Patrols is second to none.

Tony


Yes the new 3L mite be OK for towing
But ive had the so called smaller engines with on paper great power
But i tow often and use a 4.2 for a reason
Thats my opinion

[Bigrig]

Yes the new 3L mite be OK for towing
But ive had the so called smaller engines with on paper great power
But i tow often and use a 4.2 for a reason
Thats my opinion

I had a turbo diesel 3.0ltr and a naturally aspirated 4.2 diesel (both GU's) and have to be honest and say that I didn't really notice one better than the other with a view to "ease of towing" on the engine - neither were speed machines an both suffered what I'd consider the 'sane amount' of struggle under load - as to which one fared better mechanically in dealing with the load, wouldn't have a clue, but both accommodated it though.

Now I have the 4.2 petrol, I have no major issue with towing, but as said, he's no camel when it comes to how often I need to give it 'water'!!! lol.

[MQ MAD]

Now I have the 4.2 petrol, I have no major issue with towing, but as said, he's no camel when it comes to how often I need to give it 'water'!!! lol.

Your not wrong the 4.2 petrols are thirsty
I think i bought the right engine for towing

Every time we take the tandem trailer to brissie its always comin home loaded
Up all those hills from caboolture to home
Its just so lovely not to worry about
Will i get up that hill without holding up traffic
But $50-$60 in juice from home to caboolture and back gets a bit annoying

The trailer weighs just under 800Kgs empty

[Bigrig]

Your not wrong the 4.2 petrols are thirsty
I think i bought the right engine for towing

Every time we take the tandem trailer to brissie its always comin home loaded
Up all those hills from caboolture to home
Its just so lovely not to worry about
Will i get up that hill without holding up traffic
But $50-$60 in juice from home to caboolture and back gets a bit annoying

The trailer weighs just under 800Kgs empty

Ours is about 1.5 tonne fully laden and for example, if I run LPG up and back to LCMP, I can't make it on a 90 litre tank (about 260klms), so the whole concept of having LPG just flies out the window - back to petrol, I get better milage, but only have a 72 litre tank, so either way, I'm looking at taking the jerry cans - did that last week but didn't fill the LPG fully (only 30 litres as a failsafe) and ended up going through about 170 litres of fuel!!! At $1.50 average per litre, that adds up mighty fast!!!

[MQ MAD]

Be good to catch up at LCMP sometime scotty

This ute is taken so long i thought it was a career change

[Bigrig]

Be good to catch up at LCMP sometime scotty

This ute is taken so long i thought it was a career change

Absolutely mate ... even a day trip at Beerburrum or up your way if you know some decent tracks up that way!!!

[Gert B Frobe]

It all comes down to how much damage you want to do to an engine and transmission.

The engines that have the good torque are more suited to heavy loads (compare an inline petrol Ford six to a petrol Holden/Buick V6 and you will see what i mean), plus, manuals handle pulling loads better than autos (cooling etc) you just have to weigh up what you are using the vehicle for and the weight of the load you are intending to tow. Plus there are many products on the market to 'ASSIST' towing ability but it essentially comes down to your purpose and any good transmission specialist will point you in the right direction.

Personally if you intend to tow regularly manual transmissions are a better option.

[chris21]

Thanks Guys for all your info.
The Van it's self is 2050 kg with a max load of 2400 kg, by the time I add full water tanks, annexe, kids bikes, and all the other goodies you need to take for a 6 month trip I guess it's going to add up fast.
I guess I will have to drive both and decide then.

I'll keep you up to date as I go

Cheers Chris

[macca86]

with that kind of load and mainly touring on highways I'd go a manual but get an uprated clutch and electric brakes and brake adjuster fitted into the cab. If you'll be going through backs streets and aren't a fan of changing gears all the time get an auto but need a cooler on it.
If going offroad all the time you will want the manual for rocking out of bog holes and hill climb and decent control. If the used for touring and the missus drives it then auto may be the way (no offense girls just my family girls hate manuals)
If I had the money and could choose again I'd of liked the 4.2 turbo diesel but at least had the sense to get a patrol!

[sherman tank]

Hi Guys
I tow a 25ft van 2.5 t the only issue I have is lack of power going up any sort of hill making some mods to overcome this issue. fuel economy is about 660km from both tanks towing and 850km unladen.
The car is a 2002 gu 3litre auto .
The patrol is a great car for towing and have seen hundreds of them towing all sorts of trailers and weights , they make a great touring car and once I have increased the power a bit more I will be going around Australia. if you check out my profile it will give you the idea of the size of the van.
Hope this helps.

[macca86]

Hi Guys
I tow a 25ft van 2.5 t the only issue I have is lack of power going up any sort of hill making some mods to overcome this issue. fuel economy is about 660km from both tanks towing and 850km unladen.
The car is a 2002 gu 3litre auto .
The patrol is a great car for towing and have seen hundreds of them towing all sorts of trailers and weights , they make a great touring car and once I have increased the power a bit more I will be going around Australia. if you check out my profile it will give you the idea of the size of the van.
Hope this helps.

Look at this thread cheap power upgrade http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?4933-3.0-Diesel-Chip-Chip-Express&highlight=power+chip

and I'd be looking at getting a larger exhaust that should give you a bit more power better fuel economy plus sound better.