200 Series Cruiser TTD

[Chrisv]

Hi All

We currently use our 200 Series TTD Cruiser 60th Anniversary to tow our 17-58-3 Starcraft Outback.

We have stock standard suspension, alum TJM bull bar, split the dual batteries, clearview mirrors, wind cheetah low profile roof rack, open sky awning, Dick Cepeck ATV tyres, the old faithful Lightforce 240 blitz spotlights and with only 76,000k's on odometer.

My question is to the other 200 series tow rigs, do any of you have stock standard suspension and if so.....what do you tow with it and how do you find it........and have you used a weight distribution hitch which I will be using for our big trip out to Uluru, Barossa Valley, Dubbo and back home to Bundaberg next month

We collected our van and it seemed to tow quite well as standard, just curious what others have done and we will be going off road for another trip in September........so I'm thinking some airbags might be my best option

I look forward to you replies
Cheers

 

[Red1]

Hi, we pull a new expander 20.64 with our 200. The car has drawers, 80l fridge, steel ARB winch bar with 12000lb winch. All up very heavy. We use a weight distribution hitch and it tows well. It's bum is a bit saggy so a new suspension would be great , most likely a 50mm lift. Friends with a 20 ft Starcraft have airbags under their 200 and it works well.
Hope this helps
Cheers

 

[achjimmy]

I have Lovells and airbags under the rear. Our 17:58-3 with toolbox on drawbar loaded has about 190-200 kg on the ball. It tows well without WDH. Not to say it wouldn't tow better with a WDH but I just don't want the hassle or extra weight.

Got a friend with a 200 and TJM alloy bar and his van has 280 kg on the ball, it needs the WDH.

Remember the outbacks have independant and they are not load sharing so your ball weight will be a lot more dynamic or fulid than with load sharing.

The 200 on standard suspension doesn't have a lot of front spring travel left after fitting a bar especially heavier ones like ARB and the front can bottom out, less unlikely while towing more an everyday thing.

Also a 200 like most fourbies has a very underrated GVM. Loaded with people, fuel, luggage and a fridge and you are most likley already over your legal GVM before putting the van on the towball with another 160kg.

 

[Stone Stomper]

We went for Heavy duty in the front and 400kg in the back and with the new van use a WDH also as the ball weight was 290kg before I moved the batteries to the back of the van.

Christian

 

[peterg]

Lovells 50mm lift kit on ours with a drop hitch towing a Jurgens Lunagazer 2405.

No WDH, not needed van sits and tows really well. It sits around 10mm down at the front of the van when hooked up.

The cruiser is at 3300kg when the van is hooked up and the van is 2200kg. Tow ball weight is 220kg.

 

[Bluey]

hows the v8 diesel on fuel ????????

 

[Chrisv]

Great question Bluey.......my wife is going away this weekend and will be doing a fuel check.

Does anyone find the 3" exhaust or Chip upgrade etc helps with fuel consumption...?

 

[Stone Stomper]

Hi Bluey,

With the Hilux and Expanda using 18-19 LPH and with the LC and Expanda 16 LPH.

Christian

 

[Bluey]

Towing a 1756-2 with a prado, carnt help think a v8 diesel wont be much worse but the prado is pretty good the v8 wouldnt evan know its there

 

[Red1]

A mate and I went to Yeppoon for Easter. He has a crusader, about 2950 kg. used 88 litres to go from emerald. My 20.64 (similar weight) behind our 200 series petrol used 115 litres. He has a 3" exhaust and a lockup converter kit.. The distance would be 325 km. haven't worked out what mileage that will be

 

[Chrisv]

Ive just placed an order for the Ultragauge MX 1.3 from USA, so lets see when it turns up and how functional this unit is compared to the Scangauge. Im also booked in to get the TJM/Airtec snorkel fitted before our 6000km trip in a few weeks.

Ive opted away from the 3"exhaust & chip....for now anyway, i think the dollars can be spent other places.....like I said...for now Overall im really happy with the current power from the 200 series

And i also like the idea of the lockup converter kit http://www.australianimages.com.au/project200/torque-converter-lockup.php