Thread: Towing 2.5+ Ton. Smaller wheels?

38-40 should be fine,, the d1 with its short overhang is a good tug, just needs more grunt and another 12" in the wheelbase

Set off yesterday at 2pm.

Got to truck stop ay 11pm.

No dramas so far.

Empty Trailer: 950kg

Disco 2289kg hitched

Weight on ball 130kg.

38 psi front, 40 rear.

40 psi on the trailer

Drove well, some slow downs to 80kph on steep hills. Not many. GB almost always locked.

For the sake of not blowing out an old ZF, is it better to lug lock up as long as possible? Im down to 2000rpm at 80kph and pretty gutless. Ice been pulsing third to get the revs up a bit the back to lugging 4th. Not sure if thats better or worse for the box.

There was one issue where trailer and disco started shunting/fighting each other going up a steep hill in 3rd. Thought it was a trans horror but cleared after a section of tarmac. Hoping it was just undulations in the road. Would not like to experience that with full load!

Apart from that trailer tows very well.

Trailer tyres say 65psi for 800kg. Im going to be close to that when loaded. Seems very high. Thoughts?

Morning checks then 30 mins down the road to pick up the load.

Originally Posted by manic

Set off yesterday at 2pm.

Got to truck stop ay 11pm.

No dramas so far.

Empty Trailer: 950kg

Disco 2289kg hitched

Weight on ball 130kg.

38 psi front, 40 rear.

40 psi on the trailer

Drove well, some slow downs to 80kph on steep hills. Not many. GB almost always locked.

For the sake of not blowing out an old ZF, is it better to lug lock up as long as possible? Im down to 2000rpm at 80kph and pretty gutless. Ice been pulsing third to get the revs up a bit the back to lugging 4th. Not sure if thats better or worse for the box.

There was one issue where trailer and disco started shunting/fighting each other going up a steep hill in 3rd. Thought it was a trans horror but cleared after a section of tarmac. Hoping it was just undulations in the road. Would not like to experience that with full load!

Apart from that trailer tows very well.

Trailer tyres say 65psi for 800kg. Im going to be close to that when loaded. Seems very high. Thoughts?

Morning checks then 30 mins down the road to pick up the load.

Sounds like you got there pretty easy! Those hills after Goulburn are a killer I remember lugging the old F up those hills.
When I tow in the v8 I keep it in 3rd all the time, I find the box works better for all speeds below 80ks. The only time I go into 4th is when I'm above 85ks well above the TC lockup. According to rave the TC locks up later in the v8 so it's a little different. When the speed starts to drop back to 80ks I go back to 3rd instead of letting the TC unlock. I havnt had a problem but I hear the diesel is harder on the box than the V8.
The shunting of the trailer may be because you have no load and electric brakes. It's happens when you have overrun brakes and no load, the trailer is moving faster than the car for those seconds. It should go away with a load but you may feel it brake downhill because the trailer is heavier then the car now.
Cheers Jim

Check the sidewall of the trailer tyres to see what the max pressure is. I think 65 seems a bit much.

65psi as read off the tyre sidewall.

Delays getting the car loaded, might be hanging around a few hours.

Gives me time to figure out how best to tie this sucker down.

I was given four 682kg rated ratchet straps. Short loop ratchet side with u shackle and long strap with hook. No rating on the shackle.

Emergency recovery manual states 8 point around tyre, but some tyres are shot to bits, shredded open. And I dont think I have the right straps for 8 point.

Indy air suspension is flat. At least it will sit low on the trailer. Parking brake is hard on. No factory tie down loops. So my options appear to be loop through the lower suspension wishbones or through alloy wheel?

Originally Posted by manic

65psi as read off the tyre sidewall.

Delays getting the car loaded, might be hanging around a few hours.

Gives me time to figure out how best to tie this sucker down.

I was given four 682kg rated ratchet straps. Short loop ratchet side with u shackle and long strap with hook. No rating on the shackle.

Emergency recovery manual states 8 point around tyre, but some tyres are shot to bits, shredded open. And I dont think I have the right straps for 8 point.

Indy air suspension is flat. At least it will sit low on the trailer. Parking brake is hard on. No factory tie down loops. So my options appear to be loop through the lower suspension wishbones or through alloy wheel?

I would have lent you some big ass straps! If you have four just wrap them around each axel behind the wheel and cross over the front. See how that goes for starters.
Cheers Jim

I have always found tying down onto the tyres gives much better results. The vehicle can move on its suspension but it securely tied down at the wheels. Just with crossed straps over the tyres.

Yes it probably should have choker loops. They are on the shopping list.

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

I have always found tying down onto the tyres gives much better results. The vehicle can move on its suspension but it securely tied down at the wheels. Just with crossed straps over the tyres.

Yes it probably should have choker loops. They are on the shopping list.

This is the way I have been tying cars down for over 35 years and have never lost one ( or one come loose) yet.
I do have 500mm chocker loops but don't always remember to take them.
If you have it secured correctly with the straps, leave it out of gear and the handbrake ( if it is on the back of the gearbox) off. ( now let me get my flame suit )