Dagree's (David & Greer) 2014 17.56.2OB

[davemc]

Cool, this is our first van and both of us not towed before. Kept hearing about vans wobbling and trucks sucking you in. Had no real problems a few times I felt the suck from the truck nothing major.
So no idea van, ESC or setup with disco. Or maybe lucky. We still drive with cruise control off and I watch Tom Tom for road bends ahead.

 

[dagree]

@davemc it could be a combination of all of the above. Some people will say it comes with experience, which does help, but unfortunately the couple that wrote their van off have been caravaning for over 20 years

Have only been caravaning for 4 years ourselves but I was involved in motor racing many moons ago and have towed cars on trailers all over the state. My heart still flutters every time I feel what may be the start of a wobble up when towing.

Hopefully don't need the ESC but it is there now "Just in case!!" Might even get Mrs Dagree confident enough to have a go at towing herself.... But won't hold my breath

 

[davemc]

Actually before this trip only towed it home from dealers once. As I normally drive the go cart (Mini) normally do not like driving the large beast as it is. Even without the van have to remember the size difference. Although done more probably more then Sarah on the trip. We normally swap every 2 hours or so. She can take it through the narrow side streets.. I happy on open road

 

[Melanie and Gavin Cockran]

First Mods.....

View attachment 20497

Within 5 minutes of getting home had to set it up to get the measurements done for the annex walls..... Timed it right for Mod #1

View attachment 20498

After the measurements were done and dusted.... Mod #2 was complete. Tinted clears for the poptop windows thanks to @crustt

Hi there, Can I ask who made the tinted clears for you...they look great

 

[dagree]

Hi @Melanie and Gavin Cockran
The tinted clears were made by a member on here. Look up and send @crustt a message and I'm sure he will sort you out!

 

[dagree]

A small mod done while cleaning and waterproofing the bed ends.... Added a few more HD stainless marine press studs to the bed end covers... Hopefully will hold on better in windy conditions!

 

[bigcol]

the velcro is working great up here at Lancelin........
just a little bit of a gale all weekend.

 

[dagree]

Good to hear @bigcol :encouragement: Was going to do the same but found the studs in the shed (Left overs from a boat canopy repair a few years ago).

Wind at Lancelin???????? Don't believe that
Suppose it's as busy up there as Hay St Kalgoorlie after the XXXX Gold Kalgoorlie Cup :whip:

 

[mccrlc]

I have had real issues with the cover studs coming undone in the wind and then the BEF'S slide out of the tracks and flap about meaning trips outside in the early hours.
I have since done like others and had velcro sewed on the outer edge of the cover, we have been away this longweekend and it has been blowing a gale and they have not budged, thank goodness i have finally won.
A couple of photos attached, hope you get the idea.

 

[dagree]

Looks good @mccrlc
Did you have the velcro put on the side or rear section of the vans recess?
If I have any issues with the bed ends with the newer and extra studs I'll be going the velcro way also.

 

[bigcol]

go on @dagree just get the Velcro sewn on, much easier and less head aches in the long run...............

I was very VERY impressed with the slight Gale force winds we had were NO match for the Velcro

 

[dagree]

Will see how it goes end of next week with the two weeks at Busso..... Only thing is that it's usually fairly sheltered.

 

[bigcol]

Will see how it goes end of next week with the two weeks at Busso..... Only thing is that it's usually fairly sheltered.

can you say.................................. hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[mccrlc]

Looks good @mccrlc
Did you have the velcro put on the side or rear section of the vans recess?
If I have any issues with the bed ends with the newer and extra studs I'll be going the velcro way also.

I have the Velcro on the side @degree, thought about having on the rear/inside section where the studs are but I found the BEF's are about 1o to 20 mm short so going to the side meant not trying to stretch them and they fitted up there real nice.
As I said yesterday I'm glad I kept playing, I have a few holes from extra studs to fill up but now I feel the extra money has been well spent.

Marco

 

[dagree]

Well this is true to form.... We are setting up for our annual 2 week trip to Busselton leaving Saturday and just checked the long forecast weather

The next week is supposedly "Some sun?, cloudy, few light showers and possibility of thunderstorms between now and next Tuesday!" Apart from Saturday.
Good news is that from next Wednesday onwards is supposed to be fine and sunny Not holding my breath ainkiller:

Weather aside I'm just going to be happy to get away from the rat race and spend some time in the expanda with family and some friends coming down for a few days

 

[skippy]

Well this is true to form.... We are setting up for our annual 2 week trip to Busselton leaving Saturday and just checked the long forecast weather

The next week is supposedly "Some sun?, cloudy, few light showers and possibility of thunderstorms between now and next Tuesday!" Apart from Saturday.
Good news is that from next Wednesday onwards is supposed to be fine and sunny Not holding my breath ainkiller:

Weather aside I'm just going to be happy to get away from the rat race and spend some time in the expanda with family and some friends coming down for a few days

With a bit of luck @dagree it will be cooler down south too. I think you have picked a awesome weekend to get away...Then again any day away from work is a great day

 

[burnsie]

Hey @dagree great write up, was wondering if you could give me some feedback on your Prado and towing the 17.56.2, I assume it must be weighing close to the 2.5T limit, how does the Prado drive with this is tow? Thanks in advance

 

[dagree]

Hi @burnsie and thanks.
Yes you are correct in saying that the van is close.... ATM of 2433kgs. I'm lucky that it was one of the first 2014 model 17.56.2's that hit the WA shores as it was actually built on a 2013 chassis with solid axles and leaf spring suspension (I'm led to believe that the JTECH suspension is heavier?).

As for towing it with the Prado..... Most times it pulls it well but it does feel it on the hills and on take off. (It certainly didn't like pulling it up Red Hill on the way to Toodyay.... Down too 2nd on the auto to maintain a speed of 75 - 80kmh!!!!)
Usually tow at 95 to 100kms as that seems to be a sweet spot for comfort and fuel consumption of an average of 18 - 20kms/100 (Petrol). As I couldn't fit a WDH on the trigg hitch I beefed the suspension up with a heavy duty 30mm lovell's lift kit and airbags.
Fitted an adjustable tow hitch and played around with the height and airbag pressures and got the van and Prado to within +- 4mm from standard.

Happy to answer any other Q's you might have if I can.

OH and welcome to the forum. Keep an eye out on the WA Getaway page and join in on one of the trips!

 

[Bluey]

Hi @burnsie and thanks.
Yes you are correct in saying that the van is close.... ATM of 2433kgs. I'm lucky that it was one of the first 2014 model 17.56.2's that hit the WA shores as it was actually built on a 2013 chassis with solid axles and leaf spring suspension (I'm led to believe that the JTECH suspension is heavier?).

As for towing it with the Prado..... Most times it pulls it well but it does feel it on the hills and on take off. (It certainly didn't like pulling it up Red Hill on the way to Toodyay.... Down too 2nd on the auto to maintain a speed of 75 - 80kmh!!!!)
Usually tow at 95 to 100kms as that seems to be a sweet spot for comfort and fuel consumption of an average of 18 - 20kms/100 (Petrol). As I couldn't fit a WDH on the trigg hitch I beefed the suspension up with a heavy duty 30mm lovell's lift kit and airbags.
Fitted an adjustable tow hitch and played around with the height and airbag pressures and got the van and Prado to within +- 4mm from standard.

Happy to answer any other Q's you might have if I can.

OH and welcome to the forum. Keep an eye out on the WA Getaway page and join in on one of the trips!

if I can put my two cents in yes the new vans are heavier a good 250 kg I think but check that mine tows a 1756-2 like a fright train I sit on 110 powers up hills runs like a dream but my ball weight is a problem weigh ur van burnsie as mine is over unless van is empty carnt carry any water plates on the van are wrong much heavier than they state after complaints im put in the do not answer tray care factor for them is zero that's why my much loved prado is going and hopfully getting a bt50 doing deals this weekend and to carry more in the tub than the prado carnt put a lot in van either I have 2 kids which = stuff
my last trip 3630 ks 514 liters 699 fule cost got 545 from first tank but my first fill at Goulburn 130 liters 698ks not bad I think can any one work out my usage so burnsie for me to stay legal I must move the prado on it kills me but its got to go
hope this helps

 

[dagree]

18.6246 litres per 100 kilometers @Bluey