Heavy towing - time to chip it up?

[shaun210 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shaun210]

hey,

so i regulary tow a large wake boat (2000 kgs + gear + ppl) and the fuel economy is savage. so is it time to chip it up? cos a 600km round trip can suck both tanks dry. plus a little extra power would be good for hills and overtaking. and i'm thinking if the economy is improved it will pay for itself in no time.

cheers, shaun

[Guest Close Guest]

A chip may be benificial, but you may find it increases the fuel usage somewhat.
There isn't too many other alternatives unfortunately apart from getting a more powerful tow vehicle.
There is other alternatives that i have seen used as well. Nitrous is often fitted to some vehicles to give a quick boost of power for overtaking. (Mind you it has been outlawed in a lot of states now) or you could look at adding a supercharger to the engine. There is a Prado kit made by www.capa.com.au

I went the supercharger route (on a different tow vehicle) and have never run out of power towing a selection of the larger ski boats. (Tige, Malibu, Mastercraft etc).

The most fuel saving and smart thing I ever did, Get a storage unit for the boat closer to the river........ Saved me heaps of fuel and no hassles towing the boat home and storing it.

[Fazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fazza]

Maybe time to test a D4D Re-Towing if you want economy.:wink: :twisted:
8) Fazza

[Guest Close Guest]

And less power and overtaking speed :P

[Fazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fazza]

Still maybe time to test a D4D if you want economy & you may be surprised with the power & overtaking speed :twisted: :wink: :roll:
or if you have plenty of money a new Landcruiser :idea:

Cheers,
Fazza

[Guest Close Guest]

I have tried both (reguarly) and can vouch when towing about 1.8 tonne + the Petrol is better in power/pickup.

(And compared to the old diesel motor both are better in performance and power thru my experience)

Economy & towing are two words that don't go together.

That was why I kept my V8 for long tows as it is more economical towing.

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I have tried both (reguarly) and can vouch when towing about 1.8 tonne + the Petrol is better in power/pickup.

yes definately agreed.

Economy & towing are two words that don't go together.

Absolutely agreed.

That was why I kept my V8 for long tows as it is more economical towing.

If you can afford to have different vehicles for different "tow distances" , fuel consumption isnt really an issue with you compared to the price of owning extra vehicles 8)

[Guest Close Guest]

I run a bit of a fleet so, Fuel/ Rego and Insurance costs are up around $25k a year.... Be worse once LPG goes up later this year..

[shaun210 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shaun210]

The most fuel saving and smart thing I ever did, Get a storage unit for the boat closer to the river........ Saved me heaps of fuel and no hassles towing the boat home and storing it.

yes, prefered option 1 - waterfront property

option 2 - TD 200 series

but i'm dreaming now. maybe i'll just have to drive it slower, but the V6 does do a nice job if you rev it.

cheers guys

[Guest Close Guest]

I would look at the storage option even before the waterfront property :wink: I kept my storage shed even with the river front property because it meant more room for cars up there.
You'll be amazed how much money you save, and no more trying to squeeze the boat back in the shed at 10 pm on a Sunday night.. :x

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I run a bit of a fleet so, Fuel/ Rego and Insurance costs are up around $25k a year.... Be worse once LPG goes up later this year..

Thats a FLEET TP ! also explains the extra ve-hic-les at least you get to test them all then .

As for the storage , i have access to my best mates shack on the murray and he has a wake boat too , he still tows it back after every trip (i dont blam him $$$ ), but that might change soon as the old "grey nomads" that own the shacks on his row are starting to come home to roost so they are selling their nissan patrols/houses in adelaide and sipping reds by the river instead . ( exactly what we all intend to achieve someday )