Towing a camper trailer
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 22:44
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jatlag
We have just purchased a camper trailer with a view to traveling around Australia. We have a 2000 subaru
liberty but are concerned it will not cope. Considering trading for a nissan x trail - any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Reply By: TOOLEY - Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 23:39
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009 at 23:39
Not sure on the Subaru, but a friend had a petrol Nissan X trail & it was very heavy on fuel. Have a great trip.
Cheers Tooley
AnswerID:
360796
Reply By: PradOz - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 00:08
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 00:08
have heard the terracans can cope pretty
well with a decent load. i have seen some pulling some big vans and they were doing fine. maybe some owners on here can offer more advice on them and may be worth considering one if you want a smaller vehicle
AnswerID:
360801
Reply By: Blaze (Berri) - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 00:15
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 00:15
Terrican would be a better choice and I believe no dearer than the Xtrail. Most don't know it but Terricans use all Mitsubishi Pajero running gear, so are a proven reliable performer.
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360802
Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 01:15
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 01:15
Not quite right but very similar....it was modelled on the earlier Pajs
About the only thing interchangeable are the rear springs, but as you said it would be a better choice than an Xtrail, which would be no great step forward over the Subie..
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Follow Up By: Blaze (Berri) - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:32
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 09:32
Hi Gronk,
By running gear I meant Motor, Gearbox Diff combos.
Think you may find if you do some checking they use the Older Mitsubishi 2.8 T/D Diesel power plant with a different head, and also the 3.5ltr V6 Petrol motor. Also the older manual and Auto box from the Pajero is used, I was also lead to believe that the Diff's were from a Triton, but am not 100% sure on that.
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Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:23
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:23
The motor is actually as modern as the current Paj.....lead to believe its made by Motor Morini..nothing like the old 2.8..
Not sure about the petrol? you could be right..
Manual boxes, not sure, but the auto is the same brand as used in the 80 series cruisers ( no, not a toyota brand, but supposedly bulletproof. )
Diff is very similar to the Paj, but nothing internal is interchangeable
The chassis / driveline was loaned/copied from Mitsubishi, but nothing was exactly the same....Hyundai either made it themselves or had it made..
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Reply By: Sigmund - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 06:23
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 06:23
Should be OK provided your CT isn't too heavy.
I tow one with a 2.5l Forester. The CT base weight is 500 kg; with gear it's around 700 kg. Fuel consumption goes up by about 12%. To run up medium hills means a change from 5th to 4th and revving at around 4000 rpm which is a bit noisy. Though not legally necessary I've fitted electric brakes to the CT which takes the drama out of braking.
I certainly wouldn't want to go over 750 - 800 kg on the CT.
Any case if your
Liberty has a tow bar give it a try.
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360811
Reply By: toyocrusa - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 06:35
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 06:35
Hi. I'm guessing your
Liberty would have the 2Litre engine and as such would be a bit under powered for towing anything much above 400kg. It would tow it but if it is auto it would be changing gears quite regularly,if manual then YOU would be doing the same. As stated above, one of the smaller diesels would be more appropriate,the Hyundai or Kia are now both very good all round value. Regards,Bob.
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360814
Follow Up By: Gronk - Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:30
Wednesday, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:30
As stated above, the Terracan would make a good tow 4x4, but they are no longer made.....depends if you want to buy new or secondhand ??
The Kia
Sorrento ( diesel ) is now the choice for the budget concious people towing that don't need to go to extreem
places..
It will outperform most of the current diesels and get as good or better economy...
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