Fuel ecomomy - Towing Expanda

[Moto Moto]

Reviving and old fuel economy post that was originally about Pajero's. Thought i would start another one comparing different vehicles.

I have towed the Expanda with my 3L Manual Patrol twice now and seem to be averaging 16L/100km towing highway. Thats taking it easy at about 90-95km/hr, mostly towing in 4th.

To be honest not sure if i should be using 5th gear but have been told by a few different people to stick with 4th and take it easy for best fuel economy and least strain on the old girl.

Interested to hear what other people get and their thoughts and opinions and what gear to use on the highway.

 

[stuartcarr2002]

We havnt towed our 16 49 -1 Outback with anything other than our Pathy 2.5 series 4 with the 450nm motor. It is an auto and the worst is 11.0L/100km...That said it may get worse depending on how hard we push it. But that seems to be what it is hovering around doing 45 min trips up the coast over a weekend.

That said our 2005 Patrol 3.0l used to use about 13L/100km towing our 2010 Jayco Eagle outback...

Hope this helps

Cheers

Stuart

 

[chartrock]

My Navara returns about 11L/100km of diesel but uses about 3L of gas at the same time while towing my van which means 14L/100Km.My van is probably about the same weight as yours, Moto. I try to stay at the 90-95km/hr speed but find I usually drift up to the 100.

I do drive in 5th when towing although I know there is quite a controversy about the pros and cons but I feel that as long as I don't let the engine labour, and change down before it does, then it is not creating problems. I hope I don't get proved wrong. :hail:

 

[mfexpanda]

I've just ordered a Colorado LT'R 4x4 crewcab manual turbo diesel so I now need to wait , again, and hopefully its better than the older 4x4 rodeo V6 that I own .
It got approx 18-19 on the average and the worst was 29

 

[gavin.davis59]

16L/100 towing 14.4-4 at 100 kph(missus towing-revhead)behind 07 pajero swb diesel.I may have to swap drivers or get a pathfinder!

 

[stuartcarr2002]

16L/100 towing 14.4-4 at 100 kph(missus towing-revhead)behind 07 pajero swb diesel.I may have to swap drivers or get a pathfinder!

Go the Pathy

 

[Moto Moto]

Pathy doing 11L towing...................:jaw:

Yeah i may have to look elsewhere too. I was happy with 16L but after reading some of these posts........:target:

mfexpanda i have an Diesel Auto LX Colorado for work and tomorrow i am getting an electric brake controller fitted. Planning on giving the Holden a crack at towing the Expanda and comparing it to the Trol. I will report back on the economy i get after a few trips (if this wind ever goes away):rain:

 

[Wayne2410]

Stuart,

Just let me know if you want to swap Pathy's?:wof:

We have the 2007 Auto R51 (with DPF) and were getting 16-17ltrs per 100km towing our old Expanda 16.49.1.

Anticipating the arrival of the 17.56.1, I have just bought a new 2 3/4 inch exhaust to try and get a little better than the 16's.

I'm sooooooo envious of 11ltrsainkiller:

 

[stuartcarr2002]

Stuart,

Just let me know if you want to swap Pathy's?:wof:

We have the 2007 Auto R51 (with DPF) and were getting 16-17ltrs per 100km towing our old Expanda 16.49.1.

Anticipating the arrival of the 17.56.1, I have just bought a new 2 3/4 inch exhaust to try and get a little better than the 16's.

I'm sooooooo envious of 11ltrsainkiller:

Got to get the series 4. No DPF...

I have heard the new V6 TD has a DPF as well. Simple fix, just get rid of the DPF and get a pipe fitted. If it is out of warranty you wont have any dramas

 

[mfexpanda]

mfexpanda i have an Diesel Auto LX Colorado for work and tomorrow i am getting an electric brake controller fitted. Planning on giving the Holden a crack at towing the Expanda and comparing it to the Trol. I will report back on the economy i get after a few trips (if this wind ever goes away):rain:

Thanks moto will look forward to your report

 

[bigman0510]

I do drive in 5th when towing although I know there is quite a controversy about the pros and cons but I feel that as long as I don't let the engine labour, and change down before it does, then it is not creating problems. I hope I don't get proved wrong. :hail:

The Navara has 6 gears right? I think you will find that the 6th gear is your overdrive and 5th is 1:1 ratio, so will be fine. I have been told that because your final gears are more than 1:1 ratio i.e overdrive, it puts extra load on the gear. That said I know it used to say in the car manauls not to drive in the over drive gear, but I am yet to see it in the new vehiclle manuals... Grey area:focus:

 

[bully66672]

2000 Landcruiser 105 series LPG towing 17.56-2.
Averages 25 per 100.
Thank Christ it's on gas.
I am fairly heavy footed but the car is fairly thirsty.

Cheers

 

[chartrock]

G'day Bigman,
I'm not sure about the new models (I think the Navara 550 V6 TD has 6 gears) but mine has only 5. I sometimes wish for another one but 5th is overdrive. The overdrive does put more load on the drive train but as I said, I tend to change back before the engine starts to labour and it does help the fuel economy. Back on topic. There has been a few mods to help the economy, the main one being gas added to the diesel, 2.75 in exhaust and, my latest addition, a snorkel to help the breathing. Very happy with the performance. :horn:

 

[mfexpanda]

G'day Bigman,
I'm not sure about the new models (I think the Navara 550 V6 TD has 6 gears) but mine has only 5. :

I was at the motorshow and the nissan rep said the 550 navara only comes in a 7 speed auto RRP $69,000 for the one at the show :fear:
I'm sure the latest STX manuals now have a 6 speed box

 

[chartrock]

Thanks for that, mfexpanda. I have not kept up to date with the new models as my current unit will have to last me some time yet. 69 grand, wow.:frusty:

 

[bigman0510]

II'm sure the latest STX manuals now have a 6 speed box

The company I work for have 4 D40 Navara's from 07 onwards, all are 6 speed manuals, it was funny 1 of the guys didn't know he had the sixth gear for 3 months until somebody else was driving his car beside him.:laugh:

 

[cruza driver]

Fuel econmomy, I have a 105 series petrol/gas Cruiser I'm to scared to work it out put it this way on our outback trip they servos smile when the see me drive in :welcome: is what I always get LOL

 

[chartrock]

Look forward to seeing the figures when you get up courage to work them out. :yield:

 

[cruza driver]

Lets also put it this way the dearest price we saw diesel and unleaded was $2.20plt but it was mainly around the $1.80-$2.00plt mark the dearest LPG was $1.20plt and the avg LPG was around $1.00 plt

 

[bully66672]

2 landcruiser 105 series both set up the same on LPG/petrol 1 towing 17.56-2 the othe a 16 foot poptop by regal.
Fuel use was nearly identical. 72 liters of LPG got us 240 klm sitting on 110 kph.
I love my landcruiser but I hate the fuel bill.