Thread: P38 and camper trailer?

I've towed a 2 tonne caravan with mine, the car fully loaded (4 adults, dog and baby with all paraphernalia that accompanies babies and females).

Whilst it always felt safe and in control it sure drank the fuel and could hardly be accused of being sprightly up the hills. Which is why I'd want a camper trailer to be <1500kg fully loaded.

Why not take it for a test drive. See how it feels/goes. Assume you have brake controller fitted.

Forgot to add, its a 2000 4.0 S.

I haven't added a brake controller yet. Does anyone recommend a particular type? Can you put up photos of where you attached your brake controller? I have one on the hilux but its an ugly looking thing and not keen to have one the same on the P38 haha

We just ordered a camper trailer to be used with our P38, for a family of 4 the amount of stuff that we want to take with us for even just a couple of days away was at or above the GVM for the P38, plus loading it all in was quite a logistics exercise.

We don't do any extreme off roading and have never pushed the P38 to anything near its abilities so we're hoping that the extra drag of the trailer won't cause too many problems. It has a tare of 750Kg so will likely be no more than 1200Kg loaded.


We have the Tekonsha P3 brake controller already, it has electronic devices that detect the level of deceleration so it knows how hard you are pressing on the brakes and changes the trailer braking to match. they can be picked up from ebay for around $150, maybe less.
Brake Controllers - Tekonsha

x2 for the Tekonsha P3 brake controller... excellent product. Re. towing in general... make sure your cooling system is in tip top condition. Tow with the EAS switch depressed so that it's "locked" in at normal height and don't, under any circumstances, attach those load equalising bars...they're not compatible with the EAS. It's also helpful to use the "sport" setting on the auto transmission when towing. Depending on your GVM etc, expect around 16-17.5 L/100 km. 90 -95 kmh probably a comfortable cruising speed depending on the conditions. Happy camping!!

I'm not sure how the 4.0 goes, but I towed over 3.5t for 350km-odd today with my 4.6 Bosch, sat very comfortably at 80kmh, in fact, we slowed down as we caught up to a 100 series cruiser towing a 2t Jayco and I didn't feel comfortable overtaking when I had a fully loaded vehicle attached to me via snatch strap!

Keep the roof height as low as you can, wind drag sucks more fuel and power than weight above 80kmh.

Drove my brothers 4.0 disco the other day. Not the torque of the 4.6, but a really sweet engine. Not an issue in the world towing that weight, especially as it'll lock up the torque convertor in 3rd.

Thanks for the replies guys.

I am loving owning the P38 (it's only been about a month) and can't see me ever wanting to own anything else! Yes it certainly isn't a speed machine, but I am amazed how well it cruises/accelerates effortlessly on the highway. You get out to pass someone and the speed just climbs without you noticing!!!

I can't wait to hook up the van and take it away into the bush or up the beach! Sounds like the 4.0 sounds handle it ok.