3Ltr Diesels

Ian
I have towed about 2200kg with the latest hilux diesel manual and have found it to be a very good unit indeed. The fuel consumption with the trailer was about 15/18l/100 and without about 9l/100.
I did about 10000km and under different conditions from Maralinga, Port Lincoln, Leigh Creek, Broken Hill, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour and all the way to Townsville. The only time I noticed the weight was over the Blue Mountains and Mooni-Mooni hills. It will sit on the legal speed limit easily if necessary with this weight.
It is the same engine in the new Prado. My choice for towing would be the auto as I have an auto Nissan 3L Patrol but as I have not towed with it I have no figure except what I get on a trip 12L/100.
Hope this helps.
Graeme

Have towed with the Patrol and Prado and both gave about the same consumption worst was 5k's to the lt and best was 7.5 to the lt on both vehicles pulling a 1.5 tonne van, they both performed well and both did good on consumption,
regards,
Dave

Works trailers spot on 2T towed with Mitsi Triton 3.2 average 14L per 100km. Power of the Triton up hills and ability to tow in 5th gear magic. Thankfully we are now allocated vehicles and no longer have to put up with Hilux or Navara. Navara all going next 2 weeks as dont comply to OHS and kill to many people.

Have towed a 1.2 tonne van with a diesel auto Prado 2005 and comsumption is about 19 mpg. Without a van about 24mpg.

Thanks to all for your contributions.

Ian

G'day Ian,

One aspect not mentioned in the above replies is clutch frailty in these vehicles.

We spent several months last year towing a CT through FN & Outback QLD with our new hilux. Being an extracab model, there was no alternative to a manual offered.

With the vehicle moderately loaded and the CT around 1000Kg, we were unable to do a standing start on steep hills without engaging low range. Even moderate hills caused the clutch to smoke and stink out the cabin.

Our hilux was one of the first of the current models and our Toyota dealer agreed to change the clutch at 65K. I have not had a chance to test it under towing conditions yet, but I suspect there will be little difference, although I believe they have change the friction compound.

From threads on this and other sites, I see Toyota is not the only one with this problem. The new generation intercooled, common rail turbo diesels appear to have outpaced the clutches in development.

If it is available in the next model I choose, I will be going auto.

Cheers,
Paul

Hi Ian,
I currently tow a 2300kg RoadStar Trakvan with a Pajero DiD. I have had a fair bit to do with 4 WD's, having been driving them every day in hard conditions for the past 25 years in the mining industry. The Pajero is a underestimated tug and people who tow with them all give them big raps. They are great on power and give good fuel economy. Have a serious look at them before you buy anything else. The 5 speed auto is a great draw card in itself.What other car company offers a 10 year guarantee to the original owner???

Thanks again to all who have taken to trouble to reply. Lots there to sift.


Ian

Unable to comment on fuel economy towing heavier loads. I too wanted a manual but "wanting a quieter life" also, I went auto and am glad I did because of two main reasons: Presumably when not towing the van you will want to do some exploring in the 4x4 and the auto can change gears "on the fly" in deep sand, mud, etc which the manual cannot. Secondly with a turbo you dont get any boost until the engine spins up to 1500 to 2000 RPM. With the auto you just put the foot down and the auto allows the engine to spin straight up to match how far you put the pedal toward the metal. In a manual you have to wait until the road speed increases enough to allow the revs to build up giving you some turbo boost. In effect the manual is a bit gutless off the mark and not that you will be "dragging off" HSV's at the lights but the turbo lag delay in a manual can be a bit of a worry if accidentally pull out into traffic and the guy heading towards you is travelling a bit faster than you estimated before pulling out. I havent found the engine braking to be an issue when descending steep inclines in 1st gear (held) in low range and I havent had to descend any hills front first while the transmission is in reverse yet:-) I believe the Patrol 4-speed auto is built very tough despite many knockers on here going on about its shift quality and lack of "tiptronic" ability and ageing design. Sorry but I am a believer in "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and other bawdy variations of that adage and the vehicle is in effect a light commercial vehicle in size so I don't expect the smoothness of a "pretend" 4x4. There are othe minorr benefits as well such as being able to concentrate fully on the road and easier hill starts including in reverse while towing (or would that be "pushing")