I have tried to get information as to different fuel consumption figures from the ones that actually use the vehicles .eg us that tow vans ,not magazine tests.All I get from the other caravan site is sarcasm .Does anyone out there on the road that like myself pushes that little button which turns our trip meter back to zero every time we fill up and work out what fuel we have used have some information that we all can use when looking for the tow vehicle of our choice.I have a D40 Navara v6 /4litre which uses 13.8 litres /100ks without van and between 21 to 25 when towing my 21ft Sterling with Boat on top and all the gear.I am still not convinced that deisel is the way to go.More info would be helpfull.
                                                               Thanks Lance

Hi Lance and welcome.  You will get so much information from us here on the Forum you will wish you never asked the question..............LOL..........only joking.

Any question you have there is someone on here who can answer it believe me.  We are a wealth of information and advice for you to consider and then adapt to your own use.

As to fuel consumption:

We have a Ford Ranger 3lts diesel towing an 18.5 Jayco Discovery.

Fully loaded on a trip we are averaging around the 17.5Lts per 100ks.

Just the Ranger alone averaging 14lts per 100ks.

We had until recently a Nissan X-Trail (petrol) which was using around 17-18lts per 100ks without a van.

We were towing a Jayco Penguin then and the average consumption when towing was 21-22lts per 100ks

We feel that diesel is by far the better option, not just on the consumption issue but also from the torpue angle as well.  Seems to have a much better pulling power especially when going up long steep hills, which we have done in both vehicles.

I know the Ford is a 3ltr and the Nissan was somewhat smaller but when you average out the weight of each van and the Litreage of both vehicles the Ford still comes out way in front even though both tug and tow are a whole lot heavier than the Nissan and Penguin.

Rambling on a bit here, hope you can make sense of what I have written.  I am sure you will get any number of replies, certainly more informed than mine, but hope it helps a little.

Cheers and again welcome,

Ma

Hi Lance.............I run a Discovery 2 Diesel turbo.2.5 Auto and use 10lts per 100. This goes up to 12 to 13 lts per 100 when I tow our 1.5 ton camper with 4 adults and ALL our gear in it. Can't understand why you would get sarcasm from anyone when you ask them about fuel consumption?? There are some different folk out there.....I have to say that!! But as Ma said...............Diesel is the way to go if you are towing........better economy........longer lasting..........cheaper in the long run..............and they pull like a student dentist!! Just curious Ma.......about this penguin you towed around?? Was he happy about that?? How many K's could you do before his feet were burnt out?? Must have been damned painful for him. never mind......I bet you guys got some laughs at this thing hanging off the tow rope.......smoke pouring off his feet. I bet he wasn't singing any bl*ody "Happy Feet" song.

It was rather funny DD.   Just be thankful we didn't go for the "Ducky" model...................out of respect for you of course.

G,day. I get different figures when on dirt or tarmack. I have problems with ltrs per 100 k , so here are my klm per ltr. On tar I get between 6 and 8 klms per ltr, and on dirt, doing up to 80 klms per hr , I have got up tp 13klm per ltr. I have a hilux 3ltr diesel , non turbo, with slide on camper and tinny on front. The moral is go slower, you can,t push a box through the air, faster and not use fuel. I have to learn to take my time. Bill

Your respect is duly noted and appreciated Ma!! There should be more like you around here!!

-- Edited by Disco Duck on Monday 28th of December 2009 08:46:41 AM

Hi Lance and Vi and welcome to the forum...

I have travelled in convoy with other vehicles on long trips and have seen the comparison between petrol and diesel under realistic conditions and can assure you the diesels were well ahead when it comes to fuel economy.

I have found that I get more realistic consumption data if I calculate the consumption over several fills.

I have also found that travelling below 90 kph does not provide a worthwhile improvement in the consumption, however I'm towing a small "wind-up" camper type caravan (Goldstream) similar to a Jayco Penguin that has a low towing profile. Different rigs will produce different results in this regard.

On a recent trip from Newcastle to North Queensland in my Pajero I averaged better than 13 litres per 100 km, that's 8 kms to the litre, most of it towing.

HI you pair and welcome, towing consumption is an individual thing and it will vary enormously, I dont tow apart from "squeeky" so I wont comment (Dave looks over his shoulder for D/head123) if you follow the advice given above then you wont go far wrong, Jim's is quite correct, you must "average it" over many trips you wouldnt normally get howled down for asking questions we are one of the better forums, we dont tolerate infighting all that much! one of the more "outsapoken" of us will pull the perpertraitor back in line, usually easy going and easy banter with a guaranteed smile somewhere along the day! Ma stop pulling those poor little penguins around, they dont like it!

Hi there, we run a Triton 2007  3.2L T/diesel and we get 8 - 9 L/100K without van and, depending on wind of course between 13.5 - 17 L/100K with it in tow.

We averaged last year a round oz trip, 22,000km 14.5 L/100K with the 2T van on tow.

I started the trip sitting on about 85 kmh but on advise of someone who should know who said these new common rail diesels like to rev, I upped the speed to 90 - 95 kmh, used overdrive when conditions suited and got better consumption.

Before I get flamed for using overdrive while towing, have a look at a Triton MANUAL gearbox, they are built like a truck.  However I don't shift to o/d below about 85kmh and never on a hill or into headwinds.

Works for me.

Cheers Neil

rather than trying to keep groundspeed uppermost find out where your "power band" is, that will be your guide, not roadspeed usually between 2250 and possibly 2600 but it varies from vehicle to vehicle, get to know yours, you will also "hear" a "sweat" spot where the engine is not over revving but is ready for another gear, drive with all your senses not just the speedo! overdrive re my previous post can be used wherever the vehicle is not encountering any strain, that could be wind or hill or weight, if it is "pulling" grab another cog! when it's running easy overdrive is fine!

should that read "sweet" and not sweat??? sorry!! not so flash on spelling, I rely too much on my spellchecker!!

Lol Dave, I don't care about anyone's ability to spell, I only comment when it changes the meaning of a comment to something humorous (in my mind anyway lol)

I too would be in trouble without spellchecker.

cheers Neil

yep I admit I had a wry smile when I seen my fault! if we dont laugh at ourselves then we are in a sad place!, I crack up when I catch a glimpse of ther old bugger in the mirror, but then I think, well, hell thats not funny, thats me! snoring in the background doesnt help either!

Delta18 wrote:

---

Lol Dave, I don't care about anyone's ability to spell, I only comment when it changes the meaning of a comment to something humorous (in my mind anyway lol)

I too would be in trouble without spellchecker.

cheers Neil

---

spell chequers are knot awl there cracked up two bee...four instance if ewe cheque this won in MS Word yew will find their are know miss steaks.

 

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 28th of December 2009 03:06:56 PM

jimricho wrote:

---

 

Delta18 wrote:

---

Lol Dave, I don't care about anyone's ability to spell, I only comment when it changes the meaning of a comment to something humorous (in my mind anyway lol)

I too would be in trouble without spellchecker.

cheers Neil

---

spell chequers are knot awl there cracked up two bee...four instance if ewe cheque this won in MS Word yew will find their are know miss steaks.

 

-- Edited by jimricho on Monday 28th of December 2009 03:06:56 PM

 

---

Ded rite pal (sumwon shood blow up the spelling police)

 

Hi there.  We drive a Holden Rodeo 3ltr turbo diesel manual.  Towing our 17ft pop top Jaco Freedom I average  14.5 ltrs per 100 ks.  This works out to 7ks per ltr.  Just the vehicle alone runs 9.5 to 10litres per 100 ks.  Total weight of the van loaded is about 1600kg (I dont carry full water tanks unless going well bush).   A good head wind will make a mockery of the above calculations however.

Ian

Hi lance and Vi. welcome to the forum. We have a 1999 Prado 3400 petrol auto towing a 16ft coromal pop top. gvm 1350. Average over the last couple of years is 16litres per 100k at average speed of 90klms. and 18litres per 100k at 100klms an hour. Usually flick out of o/drive when approaching decent hills, go by feel. Johnw

Welcome Lance & Vi, and I hope the Christmas was what you enjoyed, and that 2010 will be good to you. I drive an 80series Cruiser, diesel, towing a 20ft full van, and under a combination of conditions, average speed 85kph - towing, not towing, aircon, no aircon, in town, open road - I got 18kms to the litre. I drive by senses and don't have a tacko. I'm very happy with that. Safe and happy travels to you.

Chris, I think you should re-check your calculations... 18 km to the litre is 5.6 litres per 100 k. That's Mini Minor performance, not 2 1/2 ton of 4wd towing a 20 ft van. Maybe you meant 18 litres per 100k or did you mean 18 mpg in the old money.

Why anyone still uses mpg has got me beat. We don't buy our fuel in gallons and we don't measure our distance in miles.


-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 29th of December 2009 06:11:56 AM

It was calculated @ 21 mpg in the old money. Maybe it's my gentle footwork which gives me such good mileage. As I calculated the rate through all situations between Broome and Esperance, which took me through long, easy kms, as well as through towns, with and without the van, with and without aircon, up hill and down dale. What can I say Jim, I'm a gentle operator.

No comment Chris,not falling for that one at all.Don't forget your post op appointment will you.The tests on your Cankles are fine.Duckys swelling has gone down and he is back on solids now.Cheers.Ibbo..Gentle operator indeed,sounds like an advert for a Massage Parlour.LOL.

My swelling has not gone down Ibbo. I thought it had, but it was back this morning!! I'm glad you've done the Cankle test .........could have been interesting otherwise! Must be time to take the stiches out??

Thanks Ma and all who commented on my enquirie.It is very helpful.I forgot to mention that I had two hiclones fitted to the Navara because I found that it improved fuel consumption and power on a Pajero 3.5 v6 I had,thinking it might improve economy on the Nissan.It did increase power but was not sure of economy ,so I have removed them last week and took a trip to Newcastle 400ks and consumption was down to 12.3/100ks .Will try it pulling van next week without boat ,and loader and motor,( over 200kgs lighter)and get back to you all with results.It is hard for me to change to deisel,been a petrol head all my 52 years of driving.Navara has plenty pulling power and torque for me.(but you never know)Keep feeding me .

-- Edited by Lance and Vi on Tuesday 29th of December 2009 04:50:08 PM

Hi Lance and Vi, You will find the modern diesels, particularly (but not only) the new common rail diesels drive almost like a petrol. It's when the engine is really working (eg towing) that the diesels do well. Also, at least in the case of my Pajero, the extra purchase cost is retained in the resale value. (my reference, Glass's Guide)

Cruising Granny wrote:

---

What can I say Jim, I'm a gentle operator.

---

I thought you were the operatee

 

Yes, I suppose I was just recently. But thanks to Ibbo and his post-op care and Duck's attention I'm doing just fine thanks. Ducky, I have a couple of clues about the cause of that morning swelling, but I think it's best if you discuss it and get some attention for it from Daisy, I'm sure it will pass if you want it to. I just don't think it will ever be a problem for me, in spite of my missing cankles.

jimricho wrote:

---

 

Cruising Granny wrote:

---

What can I say Jim, I'm a gentle operator.

---

I thought you were the operatee

 

 

---

I'm with Granny on this one, the best fuel saving device I have ever come across is the right foot.

 

Hi Jim ,
What year model Pajero do you have,and what weight is your camper.I have the dilema that I have only done 62000 in the navara and it is fitted with the boat loader which will be too heavey for the Pajero or Prado (Boat is 100kg and loader about 40kg) ,can only buy a 2004 Pajero for around $27000.and it would have over 100ks on clock.(almost convinced)

Lance

Hi Lance,

The Paj is a 2003 model, NP base model, manual, diesel, 90k kms. The camper is 1100 kg tare, weighbridge weighed. I've been happy so far although the clutch bearing is starting to get a bit noisy so it looks like I'm up for my first major maintenance job ($$$$) I know of Prado owners who are happy with their choice too. Much of a muchness probably. I also have heavy duty (OME) after-market suspension and a "Longranger" auxiliary fuel tank.

The boat issue may well mean you stay with the twin cab. Also the fuel costs are only part of the overall costs of running the vehicle so if your current setup is serving you well you may wish to stay with it for a bit longer. Vehicle / Van choices are very individual ones that depend on our individual needs and desires.

best wishes, Jim

PS hope the traffic wasn't too bad on your recent trip to Newcastle. I met up with friends who travelled down from Forster on Boxing Day who said the highway northbound between Nerong (north of the Tea Gardens turn off) and Bulahdelah was a parking lot.


-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 29th of December 2009 06:20:50 PM