pulling an of road trailer

How many kilowatts do you have in this GU ? 500 kg should be nothing to your 5th gear - bag of feathers.
I have 118 kilowatts in the Jack 3.0 TD and 5th is the go on flat roads.
My campertrailer would be closer to 800 kg I reckon when on a trip (jerries of fuel and water plus tools etc and other goodies inside).Love the bush - stuck in the city - help.

GU's have a weak 5th gear, but mainly the 3.0's.

As others have said, 500kg should be nothing you should hold more than that in the rear storage are!!

bleep 500kgs is 4 and a bit of me... :-(
I would also check the 500kgs of weight, I think you mean more than that!

should be nothing wrong with towing in 5th just dont let the motor labour in top.bit of a hill put it in 4th.500kg you musnt be taking much to drink then hehehe and enjoy the bushlooking foward to easter at jamieson

He He..... we towed an offroad trailer across the Tanimi and then up the Buchanan Hwy with around 500kg. Two teenagers and a better 3/4 in the vehicle. IT WAS A 1984 Subaru! We crossed washed out sandy river beds and made it all the way with only a few mishaps. I did get bogged once in a creek bed. Unhooked the trailer, hooked up the snatch strap and pulled the trailer out. Then I went to get the family who were having a dip in the waterhole..................with the drag marks........ going up and over the rise.........from the water......... hmmmm saltie?

Oh yeah... the point? Ah well no point I guess 'cos '84 Subes don't have a fifth gear.
Cheers Royce
Royce www.funshow.com.au

i didnt realise ther was a problem with gu 4.2 gear box i have 89 4.2 petrol 5 speed manual tow a 16 ft offroad pop top about 1700kg loaded plus car loaded and use 5 th gear as often as possible without labouring motor and touch wood no problems in about 30000 ks with this van behind and a camper van before have done about 160000ks out of 330000 on clock and no major problems yet 89 nissan looking foward to august and more travelling

the 4.2 has a bigger and stronger box than the 2.8 and 3.0ltr, so towing in fifth even with the caravan on will be no probs, different story with the smaller donks, you get what you pay for. Col

Hi Bill,

We tow an offroad campertrailer with our GU St 4.5L Petrol. On highway, we cruise along in 5th...GU barely knows the trailer is there. Trailer is probably closer to 1000kg when fully loaded with all the gear, water, fuel etc. 500kg's loaded up seems VERY light for an offroad trailer. It would pay to check this (if you can be bothered).

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Bill,

Been advised to only use 5th gear above 80 kmh, whether you are towing or not. As mentioned above, once you hit a hill,change back to 4th.

As for 5th gear problems, most brands seem to have some problems, as recorded on this forum, and I feel it's because people are using 5th around the 'burbs. At under 80 kmh. Just my thoughts, and the experience of almost destroying 5th gear in a Skyline sedan, by running it too hard in 5th up a hill. Hooroo...

There was an issue with some GUs on a quality control problem with machining on the 5th gear. (Do a search of the archives)
However most GU 4.2s and all GQ 4.2s have an absolutely bullet proof Gbx and will handle 5th gear all day everyday towing anything up to a 747- unlike many other makes which have a problem with the above!