Fuel economy when towing

[Frank2 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Frank2]

Pardo at its max

Having just returned from 13000 Kms towing my Lotus 2.5 Tonne (fully loaded ) van I thought I'd share with you how I went fuel wise .

I tow in S4 ( except when going downhill and I flip over to D for a bit , not that it makes much difference I guess), 2500 RPM, and about 92 showing on the clock but 87 on the GPS.

Best I got was 15 litres per 100, worst 22 ( short trip into a raging headwind), but averaged about 17 per 100.

I had hoped for better, and after my first short trip with the combo returned 15 I budgeted for that for this trip, how wrong I was!!

Clearly by the time I load up the Prado with extra gear, stick the Waeco in and load it up wine and beer, stick the Gennie in the rear, and fill the drawers with dry food it ads considerably to the load and thus the fuel economy.

I should add mine is the Diesel version.

Just thought for anyone considering towing a large van with the Prado that this might be interesting , by the way most 200 owners I talked with were getting between 22-25 per 100, so perhaps I shouldn't be complaining.

Cheers all

You can not expext any better from the pardo as it is working hard. A friend has a 200 and same van as mine 2300kg and he uses less fuel than my pardo and has 12 litres less in his tank. The v8 will always use less fuel as its not working as hard.

[snapper49 Member Find all posts View Profile Close snapper49]

150 diesel just done 9560 kilometres towing a 2 tonne van
Average for the whole trip computer said 13.9 litres per hundred actual was 14.1

I might ad that I sat on 90kph (speedo) 87kph (GPS)
I used 4th gear all the time (sports mode)
I found if I went to 100kph my fuel consumption increased to around 15to 16 litres per hundred by the computer

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Well finally back in Brisbane, and the end result...average 17.9 Litres per 100......over 12965Kms.

To be honest not too worried, I know the little engine is working hard, and whilst I thought I'd do maybe 15-16, there were a LOT of hills AND a fair bit of headwind to contend with at times.

My original post wasn't so much as a whinge, just letting people know what the figures were.

I'm going to invest in a Scan Gauge for the 2015 trip, more to do with Auto Transmission temp than knowing about the fuel usage, that's just a cost we have to deal with to go to the places we love to see.

And next year the Kimberley and Karanjini are beckoning!!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

And next year the Kimberley and Karanjini are beckoning!!

Make sure your nice and fit before your trip, you have to walk to see the best those places have to offer, and the best they have is well worth the walk.

Cheers Andrew

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Make sure your nice and fit before your trip, you have to walk to see the best those places have to offer, and the best they have is well worth the walk.

Cheers Andrew

Yes mate Carnarvon Gorge nearly killed me so more bush walking practice before the Kimberley for sure.

Cheers

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Yes mate Carnarvon Gorge nearly killed me so more bush walking practice before the Kimberley for sure.

Cheers

Carnarvon Gorge is magic, I seem to recall being a bit stuffed after that as well.

Cheers Andrew