Towing Caravan with V8 D4

[TerryO]

Well after 18 months I finally towed our 2.5 ton van today with the D4 and are very surprised at how well the 5.0 litre V8 tows. I expected it to be ok but it's almost as if the van isn't even there, power wise, much better than our TDV6 D3.

Will have to do lots more towing to get a true idea on fuel consumption but after a short 40 kilometre drive mainly in a hilly area it was averaging about 21 litres per hundred. Not fantastic but our 2.7 D3 around similar country averages about 18 litres per hundred.

I will be towing the van about 400 kilometres next week so will have a better idea on real fuel usage after that. Anyway so far so good.

[Homestar]

21 per hundred is about what I get from the 101 towing our van. :D

Mind you it most definitely would feel 2.5 tonnes on the back and probably be closer to 40's towing something like that...:D

Nice work. :)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

400kays seems excessive for a fuel check,,,,,

[TerryO]

400kays seems excessive for a fuel check,,,,,


Not when your moving house and it's 400 kilometres away, finally after six years of living in a very ordinary town we are moving back to Nelson Bay next week, can't wait.

[Disco-tastic]

All the best with the move terry. Sounds like the D4 will eat it up. :)

Cheers

Dan

[Geedublya]

Best economy towing up the Pacific highway with the Goldstorm, 15.5 l/100 (over 500km) being very careful and easing up to speed (95-100 max) and letting it drift down to a minimum of 75 km/h on the hills.
Worst economy towing with the Goldstorm 25 plus l/100 towing the Goldstorm over Bells Line with KM2's and full throttle at every opportunity.

I usually average around 18 l/100 towing keeping with the traffic and being sensible.

The Goldstorm weighs approx 1500kg fully loaded. The V8 barely notices it, the handling is effected and it won't stay with an Audi SQ5 through the twisties. :mad:

[TerryO]

Well we drove 480 kilometres today and the D4 averaged a indicated 23 litres per hundred so more than likely about a actual 24 and a bit litres.

Having said that I reckon it's not bad at all given we were overtaking traffic most of the way as we cruised a bit above 110kph nearly all the way. ... :angel:

I bet if I drove at a normal grey nomad pace of around 85 to 90kph the economy would be less than 20 litres per hundred.

Anyway again I am very happy with how the 5.0 litre V8 tows both around town and on the highway.