Kluger towing Starcraft

[Tracey]

Hi everyone

Just after some advice. Bought a 16.67-1 Starcraft triple bunk last year to do big 4 month family trip but health issues put trip on hold. So now we can only go for 6 weeks this spring. Still should be a good trip!

My question is - we have a 2011 Kluger AWD to tow with but have found on the one or two weekend trips we have done that fuel consumption is ridiculous, up to 25L/100km in good conditions towing a half empty van. Do we bother getting a new tow vehicle considering this could be the one big trip with the van and then we might sell it or just go with the Kluger and pay heaps for all the petrol we'll use? Considering an older Landcruiser or diesel Territory or a dual cab ute. Distance is an issue - sometimes there will be about 200kms of open road between fuel stops on our trip and we are a bit nervous about the Kluger's range.

Are there better vehicles to tow with that will give us much better fuel consumption?

Thanks in advance.

 

[davemc]

We are getting a new 17.58 fuel with the petrol disco worries me.
Although be around $30k to move to a newer diesel D4 or $15kish to find a D3 diesel around same condition as ours.
So will hold out and see how we go. I am expecting 22 from ours asking around.

What size tank is the Kluger? On your planneded trips have you mapped out fuel stops.
Is the Kluger struggling with the weight as you be getting close to 2000kg?

 

[Bushman]

25l/100 sounds pretty excessive for a vehicle that size, my old V6 Pathfinder averaged 16/17l/100 with 1600kg camper in tow, never went any worst than 18/100 in bad conditions. 13/l without.

The Pajero (diesel) averages 13-15/100 wth 2079 kg Panda hanging off the rear

 

[17triton]

My brothers fwd Kluger averaged 15.8 lph from Ballarat to Alice Springs and back sitting on around 95kph towing 16 ft expanda. And a mate I work with has a awd towing a 19ft full van 2000kg gets 18 - 21 lph but drives by the instant fuel consumption on the dash, he says if its not thirsty he keeps pushing but if it gets thirsty he backs off but he is always weary of fuel and fills up where he can.

 

[davemc]

25 seems high how fast where you going any head wind?

As said for us we have to use a lot of fuel before it paid to upgrade. Although we have 4 kids which makes it harder. I am bracing myself for around 22 we get 18-20 in city and 11's highway

 

[twscoot]

To put the (extra) cost of fuel into perspective....
Kluger you say uses 25l/100km (seems high. Head wind? back off to 90-95km/h?)
Perhaps this is 10l/100km more than what you might move to...
So @ $1.60/litre this is $16.00 more per 100km you travel (worst case)
$160.00/ 1000km of towing.
Even after a long 5000 km trip the extra cost is $800 (max).
What would a new tug cost? Stamp duty? Loss on change over? Advertising etc etc....
Sometimes the cost at the pump seems rediculous but the sums might not support the business case. Unless of course you want the numbers to prove you 'need' a new tug!
Cheers
Andrew

 

[brotys]

We have a AWD diesel territory and tow a 20/63-1 and loving it averages anything from 14 to 17 lt not complaining