Thread: Fuel Consumption for D4 with Trailer

Originally Posted by Tombie

Just use the pin in the receiver

This is what I use also, less chance of a flying shackle hitting you or someone else in the noggan

Just had a test drive from Melbourne to Ararat Vicroad with new camper, tare weight is 1540kg. I had to get it registered in order to make a camping trip to Fraser leaving tomorrow. Didn't realize how busy is Vicroad, fully booked for inspection until early January.

On the way to Ararat, I clocked around 14-15l per 100km; almost caught me in superise. Tank empty quick than I thought before I reach Ballarat, lucky enough, I saw a at Ballan, but bad enough they closed diesel pump due to some problems. The light already on for fuel, I had to drive few km to other side free way to refuel.

I think two BP on two side of freeway are waste when there are many have on large petrol station with food court on Centre of freeway if space allowed or have a service road to link either side of freeway. In the US, Japan and Many other countries have similar setup.

Off topic again, registration was straight forward. On the way back, I found the fuel going up significantly to 17 on flat, up to 25 on hill. I thought the head wind, then I checked if I forgot to release the hand brake, or readarc tow pro caused problems. However, nothing found unusual. I refuel it again and found the fuel enconomic wasn't bad. The figures were base on instant fuel enconmy, are they correct? Only long haul trip with detail record at the pump will tell.

Wish me luck for the first camping trip on camper trailer, don't let me down on Fraser since many Landcruser and patrols happy to see they are better for off-road, it almost change my mind. This forum gave me the strength to carry on. Otherwise, it is costly determination. Just had second service which cost me $2400, including change 4 disk brakes almost $1k, Toyota should be half of that, there is price to pay to have personality. So far, it hasn't let me down as long as you know its strength and weakness.

Merry Christmas!

Cheers,

Gary

Gary, Instant Fuel will always look bad even just taking off from the lights. I use a spreadsheet to calculate fuel consumption and also the road type I was on for that tank load, this way I can estimate how long I can get from a tank on a specific road type, eg Sand, Gravel etc. It's good for trip planning.

On Fraser make sure you turn off DSC every time you get in the car and have fun!

Here's a hot tip..

Make sure you have enough fuel to get where you want to go and back.

Make sure you have enough money to pay for the fuel.

Bugger worrying about the consumption!

Life's to short for boring cars.... and fuel is cheap fun!

It just matter of planning, I thought that I don't need to worry about the fuel. Now I need two Jerry can, and a long range tank in the new year.

Originally Posted by DIS4

It just matter of planning, I thought that I don't need to worry about the fuel. Now I need two Jerry can, and a long range tank in the new year.

Oh. For what trip?

Originally Posted by DIS4

It just matter of planning, I thought that I don't need to worry about the fuel. Now I need two Jerry can, and a long range tank in the new year.

Sounds an interesting approach and expensive as once you move to a LR tank you now add the extra weight of that plus a spare wheel carrier.

Let me try and put your issue into perspective from our experience.

In the first instance consumption is only one part of the outcome you are seeking and that outcome is to understand your range/endurance under different conditions. From there you consider how you then manage that endurance.

Put simply we covered 22,000km in four months towing our camper through the NT, Kimberley and the rest of WA then back to Adelaide. I would consider that enough variation in terrain, speed, weather conditions etc. to give me a pretty reasonable rule of thumb for both consumption and range.

So what did we find? Our planning figure for range is now 500km when towing. I don't really care about consumption now as it can be such a variable figure. Al I want to know is how far I can get on one tank. Now 500km is a reasonable days drive but you need to add to your considerations when you can fuel up and how often and they how you manage your tank contents to ensure you don't run out

So as many have mentioned above fuel is actually cheap compared to a lot of things. The result for us is and depending on where we are going, we will refuel more often to manage that safety barrier. It's a cheap option and gives us a break from travel. Cost is not the issue it is about maintaining range

Now fuel reserves. As I have described we did a lot of travel and at times quite remote. We took 3xJC on the roof and that sufficed for the whole 22,000km. 60l is about 75% of a full tank so gives you an additional range of at least 300km. Whereas 2xJC is not what I would call optimal but your call on that.

I hope that helps with your considerations. We have been travelling Oz for 15 years now and whilst not experts by any means the habits above, supported by detailed trip planning (know your distances so you can work out when to refuel) go a long way to understanding how to manage your fuel really well. Along with avoiding the need to add extra weight permanently (LR tank and spare wheel carrier) which will impact on your day to day consumption and wear and tear

One more suggestion is to run a log book for this trip so you collect all the necessary data which will give you your fuel averages. This knowledge is vital for your future trip planning, it will make is easier as a variable has been removed. As well it is the only way to get a reliable set of fuel consumption and distance to empty numbers

Rob

Travelling up the Hume today towing the camper, (Forward Fold, loaded), running the aircon the whole way because of cats in the car, we got according to the trip meter, 11.1/100L.
Sat on 110 for the better part of the trip,, may have gone over just a wee tad occasionally