Thread: Fuel economy

If the van pictured is similar to yours, my strong recommendation is tow in third (auto trans). Towing in overdrive is a sure way to book a trans rebuild into your future ($3000 ++).

I can't edit my post for some reason, but I will add that with a manual transmission and a van that size, use 4th for towing.

Originally Posted by BigJon

If the van pictured is similar to yours, my strong recommendation is tow in third (auto trans). Towing in overdrive is a sure way to book a trans rebuild into your future ($3000 ++).

Thanks for that BigJon
what do we need to do to make towing in top viable?
better cooler? better fluid?


Thanks Redback,, thats what I was trying to get at,,
I think-- at peak torque the car should be at its most economical,,
am open to actual knowledge here!!!

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Thanks for that BigJon
what do we need to do to make towing in top viable?
better cooler? better fluid?


Thanks Redback,, thats what I was trying to get at,,
I think-- at peak torque the car should be at its most economical,,
am open to actual knowledge here!!!

An extra oil cooler is a must on the auto when towing and premium oil and regular oil changes too.

I tow in 5th all the time, with no probs, some may know of my gearbox woes just recently, turned out that 5th gear was in perfect nick when the box was checked.

Can't speak about autos and towing heavy loads in overdrive.

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

I tow in 5th all the time, with no probs, some may know of my gearbox woes just recently, turned out that 5th gear was in perfect nick when the box was checked.

.

Until it breaks...

We had to replace a Defender gearbox when 5th gear pretty much exploded. Towing a tandem box trailer with canvas covered frame. 120 000km on the clock.

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Thanks for that BigJon
what do we need to do to make towing in top viable?
better cooler? better fluid?

The cooler would be the most important thing, but I still wouldn't be confident.
It only takes a little bit of slippage in the clutch packs to generate a lot of heat, which will kill the transmission in very short order.
I have seen them with the plastic breather pipes melted clean off!

The engines have plenty of grunt to pull the overdrive gears, but I still wouldn't do it.

I tow my tandem box trailer behind my Rangie in 5th, but I don't change into 5th until 100 kph, and I down change for any hills, overtaking, etc.

Originally Posted by BigJon

Until it breaks...

We had to replace a Defender gearbox when 5th gear pretty much exploded. Towing a tandem box trailer with canvas covered frame. 120 000km on the clock.

Was that towing the trailer for all of the 120,000km's or just 1% of it ?

Hi Harry
The lower gear/work harder is somewhat of a myth.
In 3rd its likely doing the job easy at higher revs than really strugling in 4th.
When doing it easy at higher revs it will use less fuel than 4th whilst pulling hard.
Use the 4th downhill/flats with no headwind,and makesure its not under load as it will end up with an early trans rebuild as suggested.
Get onto the Dgas mob,extra power/economy to help out with the job.(see my post in the tech forum)
Andrew