Fuel consumption towing.

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 14:55

ThreadID: 55589 Views:3094 Replies:5 FollowUps:7

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JimDi

I tow an off road dual axle van with an 80 series LC 4.5 petrol. Car is not loaded up just a couple of folding chairs and a table,set of drawers with basic tools. Caravan comes in at close to 3.2t loaded.
I travel around the 80klm ,2400rev and dont use 5th gear to tow.Use premium fuel and maintain my car according to manufacturers instructions.
Having seen a number of discussions on this and other forums and listened to claims at happy hour in a number of caravan parks,my question is this......Am I the only bloke in Australia or on this planet achieving an average of 20-23klm's per 100klm.
Granted I only check usage occasionally. Or is it time for an upgrade?
JimDi

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Reply By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 14:58

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 14:58

Correction should read 20-23litres per 100klm's.
JimDi

AnswerID: 292925

Follow Up By: dedabato (SA) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:38

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:38

No mate.... I have similar set up and my Cruiser has only 140.000 km on the clock. My consumption is 22lit per 100km. So if you're happy with your vehicles performance, why change ???Image Could Not Be Found

FollowupID: 558561

Follow Up By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 17:13

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 17:13

Thanks for the advice ....and the logo. Been a long time since I was the fastest little sperm. But I guess the same rules still apply.
As a mate once said...If you stop they just dig a hole and pour dirt over you.
JimDi

FollowupID: 558562

Follow Up By: Member - Keith C (NSW) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 18:46

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 18:46

Gday JimDi,We have a1993 80s,GXL 4.5, 262,000ks up now,wouldnt sell it for quids.Did a new clutch and serviced the head at 200,000,regular service always,runs on standard ulp. We tow a small van, 1,7t poptop,consistantly returns 18 to 21l/100 depending wether coastal or outback.It uses 25l/100 with car/topper on.I run 285 bfg a/ts ,I only use 5th when towing on long flat stretches when not under load,g/box is still good.
Having a small van ,we carry a lot of gear in the cruiser,camping gear,39l engel frig,waeco18l as freezer,honda 20i,usual array of rods/lures.If we`re out/back ,rear wheel/jerry can holder,water,etc., We dont have to hurry these days,mostly 90/100ks.Pretty much standard,put poly/air springs on in 95 to level it when loaded,still there,no trouble,still going strong.Dont want spend $40,000+ for no real advantage.

K.C.

FollowupID: 558572

Follow Up By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 19:06

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 19:06

KC,
I was probably getting supersensitive at the last happy hour.
And.....I have been listening to a few of those types who claim to be travelling Oz on the smell of everyone else's fumes.
I do check fuel consumption as one does with all your gear to make sure its keeping its part of the deal up.
I guess after a few "standard" drinks I get tired of other caravanners fainting when I tell them my fuel consumption or as near as I can get it. Just wish sometimes I could say "Why 14lt/100klms of course."
But same as you, love my 80 and would need a meteor to hit to make me part with the necessary.
Jim

FollowupID: 558573

Reply By: Member - Brian A (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:11

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:11

Hi JimDi
I have a 1995 LC 80 series, 4.5 auto, petrol model. I tow an Ultimate Off Road Camper at about the same speed as yourself. I do however use my overdrive gear. I average anywhere between 19 and 21 litres per 100 km. I know that petrol models these days are looked on as 'gas guzzlers' but overall I am satisfied with my vehicle, it has been very reliable and seems to have plenty of 'Life' still left in it.
Regards
Brian

Brian Adshead

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AnswerID: 292927

Follow Up By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:35

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:35

Brian,
Same here coming up on 220k's and going strong. I went thru the changeover excercise some time back and was amazed at the attitude of Toyota dealerships.
My decision at that time was, that seeing my car was worthless I would keep driving it until I arrived at the same conclusion.
Jim

FollowupID: 558550

Reply By: Member - Shane D (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:31

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:31

I'm not about to cast nasty dispersions upon you JimDi, but I bet you drive like Nana.
Smoooth on the pedals, 80kph, accelerate gently, that sort of thing, and not surprisingly, reap the benifits, BUT I'd hate to be stuck behind you.
For the 4.5 LC to be able to get the most out of using premium, you have to use it contiuously for at least 5000 k's (so I have read, has something to do with engine managment system), and if you are happy with the Cruiser you have , why change?
Shane

AnswerID: 292929

Follow Up By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:44

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:44

Shane,
No nasty dispersions cast. Yes I do drive like Nana, have CB for you blokes stuck behind me and will get out of your way. I use premium mostly. Its just when I see the price way over standard that I decline. Reason for that is that I was told a little while back by a service station proprietor that premium cost him 5cents per litre extra.
And being a fellow Qld'er I assure you I put premium in my car and Qld diesel (thats Bundy and coke to the unitiated) in my glass.
JimDi

FollowupID: 558552

Reply By: westozal - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:52

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 15:52

Hello Jim,
Ive just sold a Dual fuel 96 auto 80series. Great for towing my 5.8 m poptop (Windsor Dynasty).
My 80 was very well maintained,i'm very fastidious with my cars which is why a workmate brought it from me.
The downside is that it was very hungry on fuel towing at 90 to 105 kmph would result in about 3 to 4 km per ltr of gas. Petrol was about another 1 km per ltr.
At best unladen on gas being a nana driver it got about 5 km per ltr.
I gave up worrying about the cost as it did the job well...I always started out trying to stay about 90 but soon crept up over that.
Being auto chewed the juice to, one thing I noticed is that larger tyres really knocked the consumption around...better on 275/70 sized tyres. Had 295/75 all terrains BFG but I took them off as the gearing (felt like it sturuggled to turn them) didnt like it.
With your weight there is not much else to chose from other than Fords F250 etc.
Another thing too is that 80 series were not rated to tow 3500 kg until 10/1996 build date. You could be invalidating your insurance if yours is older. There are plenty of opinions on this subject but would check your insurance policy....they will try to find a loophole if the worst happens.
Regards Alan.
PS I'm having a devil of time trying to figure out what to buy next.
Regards Alan.

AnswerID: 292931

Follow Up By: JimDi - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:11

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 16:11

Alan,
Thanks, but it is a 97 model and according to Toyota it is rated to 3500kg. And you are right, where to from point of sale of the previous car. People towing a couple of tonnes and more with less than 3litre donks are claiming performances that leave me scratching my poor thinning head.
JimDi

FollowupID: 558555

Reply By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 19:51

Sunday, Mar 16, 2008 at 19:51

Towing a 17" Jayco poptop I averaged 22.6l per 100 kms with my auto 94 80 series on petrol.

Forward now to 2007 Prado D4D and i am averaging 14.7l per 100kms

Importantly much easier to tow with the Prado

Pedro

AnswerID: 292973