LC 100 V8 Fuel Consumption - Towing

That's better than what I would have expected. I have the same vehicle and tow a 3000kg boat between home and the ramp. I usually leave it in 4th too and set the cruise at 90km/h to 100km/h depending on the amount of traffic (don't want to hold peak hour up).

I have never measured the fuel consumption but the fuel gauge does move toward empty quite quickly. I have never notice a transmission noise/resonance with mine. Maybe I'm going too quick for it to occur.

Of note if I am sitting on 100km/h with the cruise set it will hold 5th on level roads.

As a comparison I had a manual TD LC100 with a Dtronic before this vehicle. It towed the same boat up any hill Darwin has in 5th gear from 70km/h plus. Much better vehicle for towing. Again I didn't measure fuel consumption with the boat on but it was noticably better. The auto in the V8 is much better up the ramp and starting off at the lights. Got a lot of clutch shudder in the TD LC100.

Topend.

My comments re your 'crusing/travelling' speeds will probably upset someone, however it is important that you understand your obligations whilst travelling on the road/highways as it's apparent to me that you are unclear.

If the speed limit is 80km/ph then to travel at 80km/ph is fine and perfectly legal.

If the speed limit is greater than (80 - 100 km/ph) then you have an obligation and a duty of care to drive with consideration for other road users and it could be argued, that to do so, requires that you travel at the posted speed limit. e.g. 100km/ph in a 100km/ph zone

By travelling at say 20% below the speed limit that is approved for any section of road, you literally become a mobile road block or hazard to to other road users travelling in the same direction as you.

Such action by you is likely to cause danger to other road users (rounding a bend or curve) to be confronted by you and your rig toddling along oblivious to all and sundry.

How about a vehicle approaching from behind, topping a crest only to find you and your rig suddenly appearing before them.

What about a situation on the highway, single lane each way, speed limit 100km/ph, slightly undulating and curving road, no overtaking lanes but opportunity for a vehicles to overtake safetly and legally. Many motorists will after having endured your mobile road block for some time, be tempted to overtake you and your rig simply to get away from you and not have to continue suffering the despair and indignity of conforming to your ridiculously imposed/enforced 80 km/ph. Do you think your behaviour and presence under such circumstances might be contributing to other road users taking chances/risks, or making inappropriate decisions/choices, etc? I do.

All motorists have an obligaton to drive with Due Car and Consideration at ALL times. What does that mean?

Roads, Road Traffic Laws (and Regulations) including Speed Limits are decided upon by authorities based on many factors such as terrain, gradient, road width/surface condition etc all with the desired intention of allowing an orderley and safe flow of traffic.

Safe means everyone complies with and conforms to the stated and required Road Laws as aplicable.

Orderly, everyone keeps left, uses their indicators to INDICATE their INTENTION to change lanes, doesn't lane 'hop/jump', doesn't tail-gate, doesn't 'chop-in' after overtaking, etc

I repeat, with you travelling at a reduced speed in a higher designated area it indicates a lack of desire and intention to consider the presence and safety of other road users. You are obviously not aware of the implications of your actions.

YES, there a occasions when SOME vehciels are REQUIRED to travel below the designated speed limit. In these situations and to comply with safety requirements they will often have flashing amber lights activated, appropriate signs to indicate a SLOW TRAVELLING VEHICLE, an escort (Wide Load situations) etc all with the express purpose of warning approaching vehicles that there is a hazard ahead. A or for that matter any vehicle approaching a hill will generally be slowed to some degree, however most vehicles, suitability matched to the task, will be capable of accelerating and maintaining an adequate forward speed so as to not impede most other similar vehicles.

It's all well and good that you travel at 'x' speed because (a) that's all your vehicle is capable of, or (b) your vehicle is overloaded/under-powered (c) you lack confidence and ability to safetly drive your vehicle at a speed sufficient to elliminate the potential for introducing/creating hazard(s) to other motorists (d) you consider that it is the most economical speed for you to travel at (e) you really don't care about other motorists at all so long as you can do your thing - because you want to or you can (f) someone might have told you or you might have read that in doing so it's OK because your on holidays (g) you consider it is not safe for you and your rig/combination to travel any faster because the rig sways at speed, the brakes on your vehicle might be defficient, the tyres wear out faster, you get too many bugs splattered across your windscreen, you can't hear your radio when driving faster that 'x' speed etc etc

I suggest that you (and anyone else in a similar situation) give long and deep thought to your particular situation in regard to your obvious lack of concern and consideration for the safety, well being, efficient and smooth flow of traffic.

Seriously if you or your behaviour is consistent with any of the above examples you should consider your driving future.

Most, if not all collisions (NOTE I'm not referring to them as 'accidents') occurring on the road are the result of someone NOT conforming to, complying with, adhering to or even considering the road laws let alone the presence of other road users. In general a LACK OF CONSIDERATION or an absence of DUE CARE.

To conform is not unacceptable in society. It is what makes our communities places that we want to live in, raise our family and generally enjoy or short lived lives.

I partly agree with what DIO has to say, i live in far noerth QLD on the tablelands in the dry season we have many tourists visit our region in many forms of transport, it has been my experience in driving my 4by and being a semi driver that many tourists cause many problems by not driving close enough to what the speed limit is, with the conditions of the roads up here narrow with very few passing lanes i have seen many vehicles lined up behind caravans and campers having total disregard to fellow travellors behind, and having a semi behind accelerating when a overtaking lane approaches leaving the truck and then slowing down at the top, it is my opionion that all vehicles towing a caravan be fitted by law with a uhf radio tuned to ch 40. DIO,s argument falls down when the roads are long straight with many areas for overtaking as in WA. We have also had many accidents with road trains and caravans on a single lane piece of bitumen where the caravan will not get of the road and allow the R/T to pass safely the result being vans with the sde ripped off and road trains on their side in the table drain. Col

Personally i have absolutely no problem with a van being towed at 80kph.... I consider that to be a reasonable speed... albeit when I am doing 110kph I would prefer to keep that speed up but you get that!!!!

What I REALLY DON'T LIKE is when that same van or truck or clapped out piece of junk in front of me doing 80 then gets to an overtaking lane and speeds up to 110kph!!!!! then as soon as the lane closes again drops back to 80..

My cruiser is by no means a rocket and has bugger all acceleration when loaded up so when i get to an overtaking lane it is little more than consideration to let the cars that are waiting patiently behind you to pass when it is safe..

Hey DIO, mate.....maaaaaaaaate. Agree with and relate to much of what you say in terms of general courtesy and consideration on the road but I feel you have gone way OTT in attacking a certain group of motorists who have as much right to use the road as you.

One of the important skills of a good driver is to "drive to the conditions". These "conditions" must include not only the obvious road conditions, weather conditions etc but must also encompass the driver, vehicle and whatever is being towed. This is all a bit controversial as each person's interpretation will differ. I wonder do you object to a semi using low gear going down a steep incline thereby obviously travelling below the speed limit but nevertheless dramatically increasing his safety margin? Should a learner driver be forced to travel at the speed limit? Please understand that towing a heavy rig means much compromise to maintain a constant safety margin.

Having said this, I agree that lack of common courtesy is a major problem on our roads and having an appreciation of the wants and needs of those around us on the roads is very important for road safety and unfortunately we all regularly see discourteous behaviour. I am regularly saddened by the lack of communication between drivers. A toot, flash of the lights or a wave to acknowledge courtesy on our roads is unfortunately uncommon apart from among commercial drivers.

I also find your attitude somewhat contradictory. You expect full courtesy and understanding from others for your needs but seem unwilling to be similarly understanding of the plight and needs of your fellow road users. I am also very bothered by the fact that you seem to find a closing speed of, say, 30kph (your example of coming over the crest of a hill at, say, 110kph, to find a vehicle in front of you doing 80kph) to present a danger for you. If your skills, reflexes, powers of observation, condition of vehicle etc are so poor that you find this situation threatening then as far as your driving is concerned, I think it should be "back to the drawing board".

In saying this I am not having a go at your skill level as I don't know you, but your post suggests a rather selfish attitude which inevitably is going to constantly reduce YOUR safety margin.

Happy driving mate.

Thanks for that. Got the v8 myself and am doing the big trip in 08. Did you put in a second big tank? Any worries between fuel stops? How did it go off-road with the van?
Cheers
Bill