Thread: Chipped Puma towing 2.8T full height van

Originally Posted by justinc

Righto, anyone here doing this? Does it like it? Fuel consumption figures?

2.4 engine, and Even a non chipped one would be interested to hear from.


Not wanting to get into the 'you must be able to stay at 100km'h' or 'why don't you buy a D3' and other off topic debates, just an overall opinion of how hard you think it is working, tackling;

Hills?

Headwinds?

Stop start traffic?

Thanks,

JC

I've towed 2T with my chipped one (so not quite the same league) and TBH my biggest concern would be controlling EGTs and coolant temps in hot weather/hills.

If you're the kind of driver who's happy to knock it back to fifth early and hold 90-100kmh then you'll probably be ok. If you want to hold 110-120kmh and plant the boot in sixth then you'll either be unable to achieved this in a stock truck or risk cooking a chipped truck unless you go a bigger IC and radiator.

Traffic will be a pain, but first is nice and low so no real dramas there (but an auto V8 would be a lot easier!).

Originally Posted by n plus one

I've towed 2T with my chipped one (so not quite the same league) and TBH my biggest concern would be controlling EGTs and coolant temps in hot weather/hills.

If you're the kind of driver who's happy to knock it back to fifth early and hold 90-100kmh then you'll probably be ok. If you want to hold 110-120kmh and plant the boot in sixth then you'll either be unable to achieved this in a stock truck or risk cooking a chipped truck unless you go a bigger IC and radiator.

Traffic will be a pain, but first is nice and low so no real dramas there (but an auto V8 would be a lot easier!).

I fit into the 'easy does it on hills, what's the rush?' category, so no probs there. Looking at the BAS site, they have a hybrid turbo now and matching tune that gives nearly 400Nm at 2200rpm....

Bigger IC is mandatory IMO anyway.


I am now able to borrow a chipped 2.4 130 on the weekend for a few hours to test the towing theory, so hopefully get a good idea then, too

Thanks for the reply

JC

JC,
I purchased our 2.4 Puma to continue on with our touring from our TD5 disco.
We are towing a very loaded 23' van. The TD5 was remapped with a BDP ecu.
3" exhaust from the turbo & high flow air filter. Now she did the job exceptionally well except first gear was way to tall for ANY form of hill start.

Now the puma didn't get much of a go at the van except for one trip from Wonthagi VIC to Bairnsdale. The van was empty as she was going for repairs but the Puma was definetly every bit as good. I used 5th gear for the flats & 4th for some pretty decent hills. 100km/h not a problem in 5th. Angus from Millicent L/R told us that 5th is one to one so this is the gear he uses for towing in his 110 TDCI Pickup.( I have never bothered to confirm this in the good book )

Our Puma is remapped with an Alive tune but that's all so far.

I hope this ramble helps.
Regards Chris.

JC
Forgot to mention fuel. My Puma has always been thirsty,maped or not.
Always giving 13 to 13.5 litre/100. She has now clocked just over 40k & has just started to return 12,s. I have seen some fairly interesting figures quoted on this & other sites regarding Puma fuel consumption & I honestly think some folks need to brush up on there maths. Think 350 to 400km if towing my van before your pushing something real heavy!
Our TD5 always did 10s per 100 & was a little better then the Puma if towing but like I said she was towing real heavy as well.
Regards Chris

Originally Posted by Bess

JC
Forgot to mention fuel. My Puma has always been thirsty,maped or not.
Always giving 13 to 13.5 litre/100. She has now clocked just over 40k & has just started to return 12,s. I have seen some fairly interesting figures quoted on this & other sites regarding Puma fuel consumption & I honestly think some folks need to brush up on there maths. Think 350 to 400km if towing my van before your pushing something real heavy!
Our TD5 always did 10s per 100 & was a little better then the Puma if towing but like I said she was towing real heavy as well.
Regards Chris

So, Chris what was the fuel consumption like towing that time, even though it was unladen? Were you pushing it?

JC

JC
Bess will usually get around 500km (safe) to the tank & gives those high 12 to 13s per 100. The loaded trip had me thinking fuel by around the mid to high 300km mark. Now I will admit to never running my vehicles to close to empty if I can help it but she was certainly drinking a fair bit more. I don't push hard when towing as there just isn't much point & we had a tail wind most of the way.
I didn't bother doing the math as this was possibly the last time that Bess would hall that van ( up for sale ) if I had to guess I would think high 20s / 100.
The Puma definitely needs a larger tank for any loaded/ tow touring.
I am definitely going to go with an improved intercooler & possibly de cat system to try to help mostly with EGT & general temp safety.
Regards Chris

JC I towed a 10 cubic meter trailer with all my tools from Kalgoorlie to Rockingham and averaged 89km/hr over the 680k trip at 15ltres per 100. Pat

I towed a 5.05m Coromal off road, pop top weighing in at 2.2 loaded up for a couple of years.

First un chipped - mostly okay but did lack power on hills. Returned mid 12/100k @ 100km/h

Once chipped (BAS), Decat, Allisport IC and 90mm air duct from air box to snorkel performance was very good. Hills not a big issue - still 12.5/100k@ 100km/h, but would sit on 120km/h if you wanted.

Just install new BAS map, 450nm .....wow sooooo much better again, but don't have the van any more.

The hybrid turbo is tempting but, its benefit is apparently above 2250rpm but will boost strongly up 4000rpm's - to high for me !