Thread: Fuel Economy towing 2.5t Caravan

To answer your original question I tow a 2500kg van and average around the 18l/100 km with a TD5 auto!

The only other thing I would add is that I found driving into a head wind that it was more economical to leave it in 3rd gear lock up at 80 - 90 km than pushing harder in 4th. Otherwise I would push up to 100 to 110km no problem in 4th lock up. I think that you will get better than 18 out west with less stop start driving than you get on the east coast. My van is a bit lighter but I was getting 14.5 doing the round trip.

Originally Posted by Tombie2

Fuel Economy is a product of torque as well...


A re-map is something I can assist you with and AULRO members get looked after well.

Just to establish how little I know, what is a "re-map"? All the other advice has been great - thanks everyone

Hi
We tow a 25ft Jayco Stirling with our 2004 td5 remapped and egr removed.
Our biggest problem has been blowen exhaust gasket caused by high exhaust temperature.The excessive heat caused the manifold to expand and broke 4 studs the first time and 5 studs the second.On both ocations i had the manifold refaced and the stud holes now have been enlarged with washers under the nuts to allow some slide. Also the webbing in between the the ports has been relieved. I am currently towing from Melb back to Townsville and just before this trip installed a exhaust gas temp gauge.Wow i didnt realise that the temp could get so hi like 850 in no time so i have adjusted my driving style (realy difficult to retrain an operator) and keeping the temp below 700 and mostly under load arround 650 and crusing at 450 ish.
My ltrs/100 k has improved from 20 l/100 to 16.2 ltrs /100 all towing.
I hope you have a great trip and love your landrover as much as i do
Regards steve

Originally Posted by pullthrough

Just to establish how little I know, what is a "re-map"? All the other advice has been great - thanks everyone

"re-map" = 'chipping" = "ECU Upgrade"

Various threads on the forum if you do a search.

I did mine (and got a bigger intercooler) and there was marked improvement in performance when towning (mine is only a ton fully loaded).

Originally Posted by sfako

Hi
We tow a 25ft Jayco Stirling with our 2004 td5 remapped and egr removed.
Our biggest problem has been blowen exhaust gasket caused by high exhaust temperature.The excessive heat caused the manifold to expand and broke 4 studs the first time and 5 studs the second.On both ocations i had the manifold refaced and the stud holes now have been enlarged with washers under the nuts to allow some slide. Also the webbing in between the the ports has been relieved. I am currently towing from Melb back to Townsville and just before this trip installed a exhaust gas temp gauge.Wow i didnt realise that the temp could get so hi like 850 in no time so i have adjusted my driving style (realy difficult to retrain an operator) and keeping the temp below 700 and mostly under load arround 650 and crusing at 450 ish.
My ltrs/100 k has improved from 20 l/100 to 16.2 ltrs /100 all towing.
I hope you have a great trip and love your landrover as much as i do
Regards steve

Thanks for that heads up mate. I have a "04 TD5 manual Disco and am plannind on buying a 23ft caravan next year. Do you suggest carring out your said modifications to the exhaust manifold and fitting a pyrometer before picking up the van? It is not chipped yet but thinking about it.
Regards Robbo

I would do the remap/egr/and fit a pyro gauge digital is best and most responsive then do the manifold if an when it is needed as driving for a few thousand ks not pushing too hard dosnt seem to be detremental to the head or manifold so you can get to a good guy to repair the fault. You will notice when the gasket is gone by a high pitched squeel just like a fanbelt slipping and it can fool you for some time.If in another case there is a reason to take the head off i would replace the manifold studs with 10 mil

I am currently towing from Melb back to Townsville and just before this trip installed a exhaust gas temp gauge.Wow i didnt realise that the temp could get so hi like 850 in no time so i have adjusted my driving style (realy difficult to retrain an operator) and keeping the temp below 700 and mostly under load arround 650 and crusing at 450 ish.
My ltrs/100 k has improved from 20 l/100 to 16.2 ltrs /100 all towing.
I hope you have a great trip and love your landrover as much as i do
Regards steve[/QUOTE]

Your thoughts are appreciated... I have my D2 in for a service on Wednesday so I will discuss the Temp guage and remap/Egr with my mechanic

Cheers

David