Towing diesel or petrol?

[bob_60 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bob_60]

I'm about to retire and we already have a Prado VX 150 series petrol which my wife drives 90% of the time, she is very happy with it!

In retirement we will be doing the "grey nomad" thing towing a 2.2T caravan doing about 10,000Km a year. I will be getting another car and have the opportunity of getting a new GXL diesel for a very reasonable price.

I know the economics of towing with a diesel against a petrol .... what I don't know is, is there a large benefit performance wise when towing with the deisel with it's extra torque low down?

Thanks in advance!

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

This topic has been done to death on this forum. In short, petrol will do it okay but for the km's you are doing, the D4D will quickly pay for itself.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Apradopoi...+towing+diesel

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

G'day Bob

I have towed a jayco 1.2T some distance with the older diesel motor and I would say that if you go diesel with 2.2T behind you, expect a slow and steady ride. I would expect the petrol would be in a class of it's own when you needed the power (hills, over taking etc) but expect to pay for it at the pump. My Prado is lifted, all terrain tyres, roof racks and other bits and pieces which have badly affected fuel economy. I was getting up around the 17-18lt/100km fully loaded in hilly terrain. What sort of mileage are you getting with the petrol?

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

This topic has been done to death on this forum. In short, petrol will do it okay but for the km's you are doing, the D4D will quickly pay for itself.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site%3Apradopoi...+towing+diesel

The changeover costs of selling the petrol and buying the diesel will well and truly kill any savings. Keep the petrol and smile at the power

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

Go the diesel. My old 98 GXL petrol used twice the litres of my brother's 02 diesel on several trips towing the same rigs. My current diesel is great when towing and thanks to Mr ChipIt has plenty of power when needed. The torque of the current diesels is right up there compared to the petrol variants anyway.

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

Well Bob, you've already got the petrol so go for the diesel and get the best of both worlds

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

The changeover costs of selling the petrol and buying the diesel will well and truly kill any savings. Keep the petrol and smile at the power

I agree with this

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

The changeover costs of selling the petrol and buying the diesel will well and truly kill any savings. Keep the petrol and smile at the power

I agree with this as well, but the way i read his post, he is buying another Prado and keeping the petrol

[adamr7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close adamr7]

Im a bit confused. However, having had both vehicles, the petrol has heaps more grunt and chewed heaps more fuel. The diesel is still good, just not as much oomf, but far better on the fuel.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

I agree with this as well, but the way i read his post, he is buying another Prado and keeping the petrol

I yhink you are correct. lucky bugger!

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Personally, I would just use the Petrol 150, I'm pretty sure you wouldn't use $40000+ in fuel.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I have a petrol 150 GXL with suspension and other modifications, and I tow an off road van, well over 2 tonnes when loaded. I can tell you it goes through the juice in hilly country, having recently returned to Sydney from driving around outback South Australia, however, when the van is not on the back, I can put the foot down and take off.

I don't know what the fuel consumption is now, as I had the small reversing screen (with it's fuel calculation) replaced by a larger Clarion unit, with Hema maps, GPS, CD, DVD, radio, USB, etc. There is a fuel calculation system in the new unit, however, I have not bothered to set it up (what I don't know wont worry me). I'm looking at having the exhaust system replaced by a better flow through system, which may improve consumption and power a little bit.

Yowie.

[bob_60 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bob_60]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I am keeping the petrol as it is my wife's car and we live semi rural, it has been great getting her through the four floods we have had this year.

I have to replace my car and if the D4D is better at towing performance wise, then I am seriously considering getting one for myself. Saving on fuel consumption is not a factor in my decision making. However I'm getting the impression from here that the petrol is better in the towing department.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I yhink you are correct. lucky bugger!

Tassie Tiger,

What is the word 'yhink'? Have you been smoking some funny stuff down there?

Yowie.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

I think the diesel is great for towing, The economy is barely effected by large weights behind it. The diesel has more than enough get up and go for a 4wd too.