Towing with a VE commodore

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Towing with a VE commodore

jimricho · Guru

Rear wheel drive is the way to go for towing if you don't want a AWD/4WD tug. AWD/4WDs do offer advantages as a tug beyond their off-road capability.

I do feel that one is in a better position to make a sound decision if one drops the "Holden fan/Ford fan/Toyota fan" (or whatever) bit and approaches it with an open mind. Important decisions should be made on the basis of logic, not emotion or prejudice.

PS: My (sadly late) next door neighbour towed a van slightly larger than yours with a Commodore and was quite happy with it as a tow vehicle.

-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 15th of November 2011 07:01:44 AM

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Thanks for that, should I mention we were at one stage a 4 Volvo 1 ford family? The only reason for my prejudice is the 1 car that gave the most trouble and literally fell apart on the roads was the ford. I like the car that will do the job and last the distance at an affordable rate. I feel for me the AWD/4wd option might be overkill and be too expensive to sustain. Nothing against them, in fact I love the Kluger for comfort and power.
Thanks again.
Tess

jimricho · Guru

Having been "burnt" I can see where you're coming from with the Ford. Some folks however treat their Holden/Ford loyalty like a religion.

My late neighbour had Polyair air bags fitted to the rear suspension of his Commodore sedan (I also have them fitted to my Pajero) as well as using a Camec style weight distribution hitch (WDH). No need to go for a "full-on" Hayman Reece WDH for a small rig like yours, in fact I'd be inclined to see if you need a WDH at all before committing to one. Whether one needs both the Polyairs and a WDH is a moot point. I don't have a WDH.

More info on Polyairs at http://www.pedders.com.au/products/105

Regarding the towbar etc, Even though you rig is quite small I'd suggest you consider fitting the heaviest duty tow package available as your future needs could change. (unless a towbar is already fitted of course)

In short...IMHO The Commodore would be fine for the job.

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Great stuff, thanks for that information I will look into it further.
The Pod.

ozjohn · Guru

Tess,
The Commodore is an excellent tow vehicle for lighter vans, as heavy ball weights increase rear tyre wear.
I recommend you check the vehicle handbook for correct towing advice and requirements.
Cheers, Ozjohn

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Thanks Ozjohn, I'll do that.
Tess

PeterD · Guru

The pod wrote:
I am hesitatingly looking at replacing my car after recently getting into strife on a steep drive while towing. Toyota being front wheel drive lost all traction of course.... I never considered that my wonder car could ever let me down. Short of putting a jet engine on the tail is there anything that I can do to remedy the situation?

Way back I towed a 12' 6" Franklin with a Morris Nomad (remember those east/west engines.) I never had traction problems even though my van was heavier and had a very heavy ball weight (for those days.)

I used a WDH with my rig. Are you using one? If so what type? No front wheel drive vehicle vehicle should be towing a van without one. If you come back with details of your vehicle and van then John or I will be able to assist you. A few hundred bucks for some equipment will be cheaper then swapping tugs.

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Thanks, I have a Toyota vienta with a standard tow to the tip tow bar as far as I know. I just bout the car with the tow bar on it and it is a standard ball tow as far as I know.
Tess

Peterpan · Guru

I had a Toyota Camry v6 1997 model. I had a 1800 kg towbar fitted to replace the original Toyota supplied one.

I also changed the rear springs to better ones than the soft ones originally provided.

The owners manual stated that the towong capacity was 1200 kg. The van we had was a Vicount grand tourer circa 1980 with a tare weight of 750kg.

We added a WDH to level every thing up when towing.

Fuel consumption when towning was between 18 - 21 MPG.

Travelled yearly to Rockhampton via the Newell and Leichart Highways and one time came down the escarpment (Browns Mountain) from Canberra to Bega and then home.

The escarpment was a bit hairy but both car and van handled it without any problems.

I never had any traction problems with the car at all.

Changed to a new tug 12 months or so ago when the mileage on the Camry reached 300,000klms.

Son bought that off me and it is still running beautifully.

I hink adding a WDH to yours and checking springs etc may be better than changing to something else.

Brownie.

PeterD · Guru

Tess, I'm not sure if that line of Toyotas have a hitch receiver type of tow bar available. However the standard tongue style bars will carry any WDH that will suit your purpose. I suggest you look at getting this style of WDH (not necessarily from this retailer) - http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9576 -I would suggest steering clear of the shepherds crook type. They are not really up to carrying the maximum specified ball weight and they are not as easy to adjust. The ball weight of your van is likely to exceed 90 kg which is the weight that Toyota specify that you should be using WDH.

-- Edited by PeterD on Thursday 17th of November 2011 02:34:50 PM

Evie n Rhys · Senior Member

Thanks for all that information. I forgot to mention that the vehicle has also done 275,000km and still running beautifully but perhaps towing with it long distances now may be unkind. Like you Peterpan I have a friend who has a granddaughter getting her licence soon and may be interested in buying it if I do decide to change vehicles. all your help is much appreciated.
Tess

PeterD · Guru

Tess, don't let the fact that you are considering a new vehicle delay you purchasing a suitable WDH. What you purchase will be suitable to use on your new vehicle with that van. Also if you are considering beefing up the rear suspension, that is only necessary if you are overloading the boot. It's better to remove some load from the boot and stow it forward than modify the suspension.

ozjohn · Guru

Tess.
The standard Holden tow bar is rated to tow 1200Kg with a max ball weight of 120Kg.
The next size up is a Tow Hitch with a 50mm (2") square hole in it for the Goodneck to fit. This is rated to 1600Kg with a max ball weight of 160Kg.
Either way, both will be OK for your lightweight trailer.
Cheers,
Ozjohn.

But as I said, read the handbook.

jimricho · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Tess, I'm not sure if that line of Toyotas have a hitch receiver type of tow bar available. However the standard tongue style bars will carry any WDH that will suit your purpose. I suggest you look at getting this style of WDH (not necessarily from this retailer) - http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9576 -I would suggest steering clear of the shepherds crook type. They are not really up to carrying the maximum specified ball weight and they are not as easy to adjust. The ball weight of your van is likely to exceed 90 kg which is the weight that Toyota specify that you should be using WDH.

-- Edited by PeterD on Thursday 17th of November 2011 02:34:50 PM

That's a better looking arrangement than the one my neigbour had, price seems reasonable. I have dealt with Caravans Plus and found them very prompt and good to do business with. If you use one of these it's most unlikely you would need the Polyairs too.

-- Edited by jimricho on Thursday 17th of November 2011 06:17:35 PM