Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 22:52
Have to agree with these comments.
I use two vehicles for towing.
A 2004 XR8 auto ute, it can legally tow 2300kg puts out 260kw, 500nm. Will comfortable tow 2300kg all day long at 100kph provided the trailer is loaded correctly. BUT uses 25l/100k when doing this (normally about 12.5l/100k). Being an auto it is also torque limited but is the only way you can tow 2300kgs with these. Manuals are limited to 1600kg due to clutch limitations.
A 1986 F100 4x4 with 351 Cleveland and 4 speed manual, ultra heavy duty clutch, on lpg or premium unleaded, about 230kw, 450nm. Legally can tow 3500kg but with the same trailer and weight as above at 90-100kph uses 22l/100k on premium or 25l/100k on lpg (same as with nothing on the back) and does it effortlessly. Also with 3500kg on tow it still uses 22-25l/100k and will still do 100kph.
You need torque to tow big trailers, good
suspension and good brakes.
I see plenty of small 4x4 utes pulling big vans around here and most struggle to do 70kph on flat terrain get to a
hill and they're doing about 40kph. Fine if they move over and let all the other traffic past but most don't.
If your going to tow a 5 wheeler at 3500kgs you should really consider a late model F250 diesel preferable the 7.3l it may cost a little more to buy and fuel but you will not be frustrated with towing the big weight behind a vehicle which is really marginal for long distance towing.
Cheers
Ross
FollowupID:
634554