Active Campers and fuel consumption

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 16:06
ThreadID: 89404 Views:4403 Replies:5 FollowUps:4
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Hi all.
I am considering an Active Camper (or similar trayback camper) carried on either a L/C 79 series diesel, or a Hilux Xtra cab diesel. There are many considerations including the large cost difference and weight carrying capacity. However I would be very interested in fuel consumption figures from those who may have a rig like one of the above. Travellers other experiences with rigs of this type for rougher outback travel, eg Anne Beadell Hwy, would also be of great interest. Many thanks, Rodge.
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Reply By: Mick O - Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 17:40

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 17:40
If you don't already own the DV8 79L/C ute, then I'd take the Toyota provided fuel consumption figures with a grain of salt. Once you get the vehicle into the real world with larger A/T tyres, any extra weight, and a few accessories you will find the reality is closer to between 5 and 6.5 km per litre depending on weight and vehicle set-up.


Cheers Mick
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trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
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AnswerID: 466931

Reply By: racinrob - Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 17:46

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 17:46
Can't answer your question on fuel consumption Rodge but I can tell you that I have done many of the serious treks over fifteen years of outback travel carrying a slide-on on a LandCruiser and IMHO it is the only way to go. Versatile, comfortable and easy to get into and out of tight locations, angle park in the main street of country towns, reverse out of sticky situations lots of +++++.
rr VKE237 Sel 6678
AnswerID: 466932

Reply By: Member - Tezza Qld - Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 18:57

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 18:57
Hi Rodge

Have done years of remote area touring with a slide on camper and I wouldn't have anything else. My travelling companion also had a slide on , that being a Trayon on a 2000 model 79 series trayback. He gets around 15 /16 liters per hundred on the bituman which is the same as my 4.2 Patrol.

I had my camper built to fit an extra cab and the result was a bent chassis.
The lighter utes are just not suited for continuous hard travelling with a decent load. I would suggest that a loaded slide on would be around the seven hundred kilo mark when heading off. I know this varies a lot, with many different opinions, but you need a relatively honest figure regarding weight to decide on vehicle type. Take into account extra fuel and spares and the overall weight only goes one way.

A landcruiser trayback with good aftermarket suspension or a leaf sprung 4.2
Patrol trayback, once again with good aftermarket suspension , is the only real choice.

I just took a customer with a 200 series through the desert and for the 890 k's we covered from Birdsville to Oodnadatta he returned an average of 19 liters per hundred, which was the same as my 4.2 Patrol.

Hope this helps

Cheers Teza

AnswerID: 466944

Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 22:05

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 22:05
"....a loaded slide on would be around the seven hundred kilo mark.."
Tez as even the light slideon's weigh 400kg or more dry, it's likely the loaded weight on most tray back campers would be well over a tonne in fact I'd suggest many would not even get close to their GVM.
Cheers Craig..........
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FollowupID: 741087

Reply By: Member - tojofixa - Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 23:56

Thursday, Oct 06, 2011 at 23:56
Hi, Rodge,
I have an Active Camper fitted to a Landcruiser 79 V8TD tray. Fuel with the camper & all my gear on board is normally around 13 to 14,5 litres per 100Km. These figures were achieved on a recent trip around Tasmania.
On a trip from Corindi beach to my home town with the camper I got 13.5 LP100Km.
Very happy with the camper, very easy to set up & pack up & quite comfortable.
I have boosted the rear suspension of the ute with the addition of air bags as I felt the constant weight of the camper, extra 60 litre water tank & rear slide out draw with tools & spares etc. plus 2 spare wheels & a 40 litre engel fridge was pushing the limits of the original suspension.
So far, very happy with the set-up.
Regards, Derek
AnswerID: 466972

Follow Up By: Rodge - Saturday, Oct 08, 2011 at 22:08

Saturday, Oct 08, 2011 at 22:08
Hi Derek. Thanks for that info - just what I wanted to know. I would like to ask you some questions about your rig. Is it appropriate to do so in this forum in this thread? Cheers, Rodge.
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FollowupID: 741248

Follow Up By: Member - tojofixa - Monday, Oct 10, 2011 at 22:36

Monday, Oct 10, 2011 at 22:36
Hi, Rodge,
Happy to oblige with information about my setup.
You can give me a ring on 0417133954, preferably after 7pm. week days.
Regards, Derek
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FollowupID: 741403

Follow Up By: Rodge - Tuesday, Oct 11, 2011 at 16:44

Tuesday, Oct 11, 2011 at 16:44
Thanks Derek. I am away from phone contact most of this week but may be able to call Wed night. If not, will call you one evening next week. Cheers, Rodge.
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FollowupID: 741469

Reply By: Rodge - Saturday, Oct 08, 2011 at 21:59

Saturday, Oct 08, 2011 at 21:59
Thank you all for that info. It confirms my thoughts about the Hilux Extra cab probably being permanently overloaded, and it would appear the 79 series is the way to go. However Mick O, I would hope the consumption is better than the worst you quoted of 5km/L. Now to start some serious saving! Thanks again.
AnswerID: 467140

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