A few people have asked for a report on the BT50 as a tug. After returning from our first trip with this vehicle and having covered on 1500KM's here goes -
The tug is a new BT50 4x4 GT, the van is a 2013 Expanda 20.63-1 full height van weighing 2300kg's empty and ball weight of 155kg's empty (according to the compliance plate). The ute had some kids toys in the tray, three kids in the back and two 'adults' up front. The van had all of our clothes, food, drink and other stuff for 1 week of travel off the grid including two full water tanks.
My first challenge was hitching and I really regret not springing for the reverse camera. Once hitched the rear suspension of the ute drooped maybe 1.5 - 2 inches, I don't have a WDH.
Pulling away for the first time required a noticeable amount more right foot to get going but once rolling the ute did not require much throttle input than usual.
While cruising on level roads and up mild inclines the auto stayed in 6th gear, at 100 km/h the engine was running at about 1950 RPM.
On the trip to Mildura from Melbourne I set the cruise control to 100 KM/h and git 18 litres per hundred, we were driving in to the strong wind all the way.
On the return trip we also had strong winds but I set the cruise control to just under 90 and got fuel economy of 13 litres per hundred.
Without the van I get about 8 litres per hundred around town.
Driving the BT50 is very comfy and does not feel like driving a truck at all. It handles much better than my previous 105 series Landcruiser but not as good as my old 2002 BMW 330.
Overall I am very happy with it.
The tug is a new BT50 4x4 GT, the van is a 2013 Expanda 20.63-1 full height van weighing 2300kg's empty and ball weight of 155kg's empty (according to the compliance plate). The ute had some kids toys in the tray, three kids in the back and two 'adults' up front. The van had all of our clothes, food, drink and other stuff for 1 week of travel off the grid including two full water tanks.
My first challenge was hitching and I really regret not springing for the reverse camera. Once hitched the rear suspension of the ute drooped maybe 1.5 - 2 inches, I don't have a WDH.
Pulling away for the first time required a noticeable amount more right foot to get going but once rolling the ute did not require much throttle input than usual.
While cruising on level roads and up mild inclines the auto stayed in 6th gear, at 100 km/h the engine was running at about 1950 RPM.
On the trip to Mildura from Melbourne I set the cruise control to 100 KM/h and git 18 litres per hundred, we were driving in to the strong wind all the way.
On the return trip we also had strong winds but I set the cruise control to just under 90 and got fuel economy of 13 litres per hundred.
Without the van I get about 8 litres per hundred around town.
Driving the BT50 is very comfy and does not feel like driving a truck at all. It handles much better than my previous 105 series Landcruiser but not as good as my old 2002 BMW 330.
Overall I am very happy with it.
