Thread: Best Tow Tug Engine

Economy or performance... It's always going to be a compromise, you can't really have both!

Out of that selection personally I'd go TD5 auto as a tow tug. The auto is kinder on the drive train and you don't have a clutch to burn out when moving the trailer!

HTH

M

is there any truth in the rumour TD5 have head issues
and are they registered as a 6 or 4 cylinder?

300tdi wouldn't tow the foreskin off a leppah!

Originally Posted by Vern

300tdi wouldn't tow the foreskin off a leppah!

And oh so true. Maybe you'd get a small tear once it was on boost but thats about it

Welcome to Aulro aus86inch !!

What size van are you looking to tow?
I've towed a 1200kg camper with a D1 300tdi auto, and it did it, but not easily. Any hills you are thrashing its ring out to try and keep a reasonable speed. Its one of the main reasons I now drive an Isuzu powered landy.

Towing gives auto's a hard time due to heat buildup from torque converter slippage. The auto behind the 300tdi is a full hydraulic box that has torque converter lockup in 4th. They can be modified to also lock in 3rd (probably cost $1000+ nowadays). Mine wasn't but apparently its a good mod if you're doing a lot of towing.
The Td5 has a similar ZF gearbox, but electronically controlled.

Most alloy head vehicles have head issues, but they're pretty well documented for the Td5. As with any alloy head, if you get it hot its likely going to be stuffed.

I think for what you are trying to achieve its going to be a case of what you want to compromise on.

If you want performance, then the Td5 is the only option out of those 2 engines. If you want a dumb, no electronics engine and are prepared to be down to 2nd gear on any reasonable hill the go the 300tdi.

Steve

We used to tow the veteran cars with a Td5 auto and Td5 manual side by side, auto performed so much worse, it's now been replaced by a D4 and the manual one keeps kicking.

If you want to do any serious towing a manual is the only option IMO, chip it and tow in 4th gear when under load.

Cheers
Will

Alternatively, get an auto with a towing map, add an extra trans cooler and you're away.

Can't beat an auto for towing... Beef up the cooling system, extra lockup for the converter in 3rd, chip the TD5 and you are good to go.

In a perfect world we all live on the highway, once you hit towns you'll appreciate an auto with a big load behind you.

Imo 4 gears isn't enough for a tow vehicle. For that reason alone go manual.