Finalled picked up our new Retreat Fraser from Paravans at Heatherbrae (Raymond Terrace) today and experienced towing the 45kms back home with the Pajero Sport. The vans Tare on the compliance plate (not confirmed yet) was 2283kg which was 60kg heavier than a standard Fraser due to a couple of extra additions. After hooking up the van it was sitting a little down at the front so I had them fit a ProQuip WDH which brought it back up nicely to square. The trip included crossing the bridge at Hexam, a run of about 15kms on the MI (F3) including a long climb, negotiating the city traffic, roundabouts, traffic lights etc.etc. Feedback -
1) From a standing start the sport had to work hard to get up to speed but cruised along nicely once it got there especially on the motorway at 100km/hr.
2) I left it in Auto the whole trip and didn't bother with manually using the 8 speed transmission.
3) There was a bit of dipping when going over undulating road surfaces the van felt like it was pushing the back of the car down a little.
4) I had to fiddle with the brake controller until I found the right setting for it to brake evenly then it was fine.
5) I haven't done the proper figures yet but it looked on the trip computer that it was achieving somewhere around 14ltrs/100kms
When I got home I was thinking about the dipping, then I realised that I had loaded probably around 200kgs into the front boot and under the front single beds including annexe walls, anti flappers, curved roof struts, jack, tool kit, blankets, dooners, privacy screens etc.etc. both front gas bottles were also full, the rest of the van was empty including the water tanks, I had also added the extra weight of a WDH. The Sport itself was empty except for my wife and myself. Hopefully not having this weight distributed evenly but concentrated right at the front of the van contributed to the bouncing.
Verdict - I'm sitting on the fence until I can pack the van evenly and do a proper shake down trip, I already know that the fuel tank is going to be way too small at 68ltrs and I'll have to carry a couple of jerrys. My early feeling is that the vehicle is probably going to do the job but the smaller 2.4 ltr motor will be working hard when it's under load.
Cheers Tony I will try to be as honest as possible on reviewing the performance of the Sports, I wouldn't like someone to rush out and buy one of these based on a biased view of how capable it is in pulling this sort of weight. On the other hand we are both very impressed with the look and finish of the Retreat but again the proof of the build quality isn't going to become apparent until we actually spend some time out on the road.
I am sure once you get away and have some time spent on the road you will really enjoy it.
I think one of the thing that most worries new van towers is every bump and shake doesn't feel natural. It's certainly a new experience to tow something that large behind you if you are not used to it.
My advise - Take care, drive to the conditions, leave a bit of braking room and be aware of all around you.
From what I have heard the Pajero's fuel sounds OK. Most seem to get around the mid teens.
I have the Toyota petrol and I am using average 15.5 l/100klms. That's up from 10 unloaded.
I roughly calculate 100klms per quarter on the fuel gauge and so far haven't taken fuel with me but will do so when travelling further afield
Will be interested to hear how your shakedown trip goes.
We are now parked up till after Christmas, then off in late January again.
Enjoy!
-- Edited by Peter and JudyH on Thursday 24th of November 2016 09:26:20 AM
Thanks Peter and Judy you are correct about getting used to the feel of the 2.6T behind you. I spoke to a number of experienced people while in the CP and when I described what I was feeling with the van they seemed to think that it was pretty normal. Having gained confidence I decided to fill the water tanks and tow it the few kms back home to see how the car would cope with the extra weight. I was pretty disappointed as it felt a lot more sluggish - what an idiot after doing a preflight check a number of times before leaving the camp site I got home to find that I had forgotten to release the caravans handbrake. I'll probably be the first person who has ever had to renew the brake pads on the 3 monthly check up (lucky I only went a very short distance).. On the positive side we are both extremely happy with the Retreat every thing worked exactly as it should, the list that we have come home with is only for 1 or 2 items that we need to add. We are heading up to Hawks Nest next week for a few days if all goes well with that we will start planning longer trips - maybe I'll try towing the van with the handbrake off this time.
Yeah Vince Michelle knows her Retreats and really looked after us - I liked the Brampton layout as well but it was just a little bit too heavy for us. Like I said we are really happy so far with the van but only 2 days at Swansea Gardens CP a couple of Kms down the road isn't a proper test it was was more just to get familiar with how things worked - and thankfully everything did. I also needed to check how a caravan would tow with the handbrake on so I would know what to look for if it were to happen to me sometime down the track...
I was pretty disappointed as it felt a lot more sluggish - what an idiot after doing a preflight check a number of times before leaving the camp site I got home to find that I had forgotten to release the caravans handbrake. I'll probably be the first person who has ever had to renew the brake pads on the 3 monthly check up (lucky I only went a very short distance)
HI BB,
Don't worry, you are not the first and won't be the last to have this happen.
I now do a walk around and take particular attention of the brake release and the coupling.
I once travelled from the Central Coast to Bulahdelah with the coupling not engaged properly on my boat and trailer. Had left the lever in the "up" position!!!!
Thankfully the boat obviously had enough down force on the tow ball to keep it there. Only noticed on a walk around after getting a cup of coffee. I now put a spring clip in the hole of the coupler to make sure its engaged. Just my way of double checking.
Thanks Peter and Judy you are correct about getting used to the feel of the 2.6T behind you. I spoke to a number of experienced people while in the CP and when I described what I was feeling with the van they seemed to think that it was pretty normal. Having gained confidence I decided to fill the water tanks and tow it the few kms back home to see how the car would cope with the extra weight. I was pretty disappointed as it felt a lot more sluggish - what an idiot after doing a preflight check a number of times before leaving the camp site I got home to find that I had forgotten to release the caravans handbrake. I'll probably be the first person who has ever had to renew the brake pads on the 3 monthly check up (lucky I only went a very short distance).. On the positive side we are both extremely happy with the Retreat every thing worked exactly as it should, the list that we have come home with is only for 1 or 2 items that we need to add. We are heading up to Hawks Nest next week for a few days if all goes well with that we will start planning longer trips - maybe I'll try towing the van with the handbrake off this time.
I forgot to release the handbrake once and it will never happen again ,if the handbrake is on there's a jumper placed over the car steering wheel, that has saved me a few times over the years...
Thanks guys knowing I'm not alone making errors makes me feel a little better - good suggestion with the jumper Ron. Currently enjoying life in Hawkes Nest at the moment had lots of conversations and helpful tips from other happy campers here in the CP.
Di sorts inside of van. I do complete outside. Hoses. Coupling, cables. Normally (unless not flat) release park brake to couple van. Gives a little movement to drawbar to drop on ball.
When Di finished. She comes out. I check. she locks door. I then walk round rig. checking everything. Windows all connections.etc. Di walks round behind me. double checking.
Then I start up. while Di stands at back and checks road lights.
In car and off to next one.
Always have OWN jobs. and double check each other, then go round for final b4 turning wheels.
OH. AND after 50 odd yrs.
I sometimes STILL get it wrong. So don't worry too much at first.
Just get into routine and you won't go wrong hey. EVERY stop. no matter what distance you done. Get out. walk round. eyeballing.
I used to touch each hub to check brakes. Nowadays I have a laser temp thingy. Point and shoot. Magic. Tyres and brakes.
-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 8th of January 2017 03:28:37 PM
