First Pull

JCH · 03-02-2013, 14:28

Had new towbar fitted(first towbar on vehicle) put van on the back for a test run. Did everything you all said it would.Engine temp needle did not move.did not know I had van on the back. Caravan weight 1250kgs.
Have not done an mpg check but I am hoping to achieve 22 mpg minimum on a long run.
We are heading off to Spain in two weeks to find some winter sun,most of the trip on motorway, so should be able to average 55-60mph, would expect to get a little better return maybe 25mpg. (Return trip of around 1500miles)
Finally in my last vehicle the owners manual said not to tow in 5th gear.
What is the opinion of others in the Club.Do I stay in 4th.
Jon

solarman216 · 03-02-2013, 14:32

I use 5th gear all the time, never had a problem, never heard anything about not to use it, Rick

zippy656 · 03-02-2013, 14:37

Enjoy youeself

Relax t2 is a great tugger will eat the miles no problems

rustic · 03-02-2013, 15:01

I tow a boat on a trailer 26 feet overall, just over 2 tonne.

It loves 5th gear... on the motorways, tries to go at 70, so have to hold it back to 60.

BUT when approaching hills on dual carriage ways, if you drop down to third you can't get back into fourth until it flattens out a bit, but if you can stay in fourth on hill it really flies.
Problem on dual carriageways on hills, you can loose a bit if you are following slower trucks, then you end up in third... and follow them, rather than fly past them at 60mph. But hey.. 55 mph up hill in third isn't that bad with 2 tonne on the back.

I have the 2.7 Td non intercooler version.
Lower 20 mpg but that's at 60mph and 2 tonne. 4 hours constant driving too.

So you should easily achieve mid 20's at say 50-55 mph with your combination.

rustic · 03-02-2013, 15:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy656

Enjoy youeself
Relax t2 is a great tugger will eat the miles no problems
Iz be a caravan enginer....

Zippy...

Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer.... Today I am one... springs to mind

Well I have some bad news...
you still can't spell Engineer...

best regards,
Rustic

zippy656 · 03-02-2013, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustic

Zippy...

Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer.... Today I am one... springs to mind

Well I have some bad news...
you still can't spell Engineer...

best regards,
Rustic

What!! You want me to spell now

rustic · 03-02-2013, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy656

What!! You want me to spell now

YES...

Especially if you are an Engineer...

I saw a copy of your last report when you were at school..

It said...

Zippy sets him self low standards...

and then fails to achieve THEM!,

03-02-2013, 14:28	#1
JCH Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: France Department 85. Vendee Vehicle: 2003 Nissan Terrano LWB Posts: 128	First Pull Had new towbar fitted(first towbar on vehicle) put van on the back for a test run. Did everything you all said it would.Engine temp needle did not move.did not know I had van on the back. Caravan weight 1250kgs. Have not done an mpg check but I am hoping to achieve 22 mpg minimum on a long run. We are heading off to Spain in two weeks to find some winter sun,most of the trip on motorway, so should be able to average 55-60mph, would expect to get a little better return maybe 25mpg. (Return trip of around 1500miles) Finally in my last vehicle the owners manual said not to tow in 5th gear. What is the opinion of others in the Club.Do I stay in 4th. Jon

03-02-2013, 14:32	#2
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,431	I use 5th gear all the time, never had a problem, never heard anything about not to use it, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

03-02-2013, 15:01	#4
rustic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Staffordshire Vehicle: Maverick Mk I 2.7 TD LWB Posts: 7,825	I tow a boat on a trailer 26 feet overall, just over 2 tonne. It loves 5th gear... on the motorways, tries to go at 70, so have to hold it back to 60. BUT when approaching hills on dual carriage ways, if you drop down to third you can't get back into fourth until it flattens out a bit, but if you can stay in fourth on hill it really flies. Problem on dual carriageways on hills, you can loose a bit if you are following slower trucks, then you end up in third... and follow them, rather than fly past them at 60mph. But hey.. 55 mph up hill in third isn't that bad with 2 tonne on the back. I have the 2.7 Td non intercooler version. Lower 20 mpg but that's at 60mph and 2 tonne. 4 hours constant driving too. So you should easily achieve mid 20's at say 50-55 mph with your combination. __________________ Ford Maverick GLX 1995 2.7TD LWB in illusion silver, 98k miles. Owned since new, for 22 years. Best car I have ever owned. Just wish I could drive it more.

03-02-2013, 14:37	#3
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Enjoy youeself Relax t2 is a great tugger will eat the miles no problems