Fuel useage when towing

[Giffo65]

A question for those that tow a 6m glass boat or similar weight ally on your fuel useage per 100ks towing with a 3lt Turbo diesel.I am doing the sums on towing a boat I am looking at buying back to the Goldie from Townsville.Do I tow it or get it trucked down ?

[Dicktracey]

Giffo I have towed a 5.5m Glass boat to Melbourne and back behind a 2012, 3l dmax everything folded down I got 500km/60L average.
Just towed 6m to 1770, 1000km round trip 3Tonne Boat & trailer and got 400km/60L average,Screens in & covers on.
Sitting on speed limits both trips
Dick

[Spaniard_King]

I tow a 2.6T glass boat (edencraft 600 offshore) with a 2.5 TD Navarra and get 375klm from 55Litres

[CruiserV8100]

Get a cheap flight to townsvile and hire a 4by up their to tow back. Saves the extra Kms on your car. Look at how cheap flights are and hiring 4by, than crunch your numbers from that..

[feral cat]

Hehehe heres one.
660 noosacat 210 km per 60ltr.
But only paying the price of gas.

[gpz1991]

Tow 6m glass tor and clears up with 3lt Colorado ave 14-16 lt/100k

[SUPERDAFF]

Fully laden CruiseCraft Outsider 625 behind a Touareg 3 litre turbo diesel with six speed auto trans, Brisbane to 1770 run averages around 15 litres per 100km compared with around 10 litres per 100km without boat.

A question for those that tow a 6m glass boat or similar weight ally on your fuel useage per 100ks towing with a 3lt Turbo diesel.I am doing the sums on towing a boat I am looking at buying back to the Goldie from Townsville.Do I tow it or get it trucked down ?

[Dicktracey]

Looks like the average usage these days for most modern 4x4 is 6.5km/litre towing a 2.5-3T boat, with that sort of weight is doesn't really matter removing clears.
Townsville to Bris I would take them down, even just for the fact of road grime & bugs.
Dick
Makes your fuel cost for Trip return leg worst case @ 200l about $300 Cheap peice of mind the boat will be in one peice :)

[72qtrex]

This may upset a few on here, but from first hand experience I would not consider towing that sort of weight with a 3.0 turbo diesel, unless it had an auto transmission.
I have tried towing a 4.4m tinny, very heavy 3 inch channel steel trailer, with a 3.0 TD Navara, when you get to a steep boatramp you have to abuse the clutch to get the show rolling. There is a thread on here where a bloke driving a Colorada, has burnt his clutch out after 15 000kms, and not covered under warranty. Also towed a scissor lift on a trailer, with a 3.0l Hilux, approx 2 t, on a small hill could not get it rolling and had to select low range. I can not understand how these 4cyl diesels are rataed to tow so much, fine on level ground but throw in a small slope and it's another story. I think the manufacturers just try to put a towing figure greater than the next manufacturer, tricking buyers into thinking their vehicle is more capable than it really is? These things have no grunt before the turbo spools up, from my experience, and the manufacturers back me up here by not offering a warranty on the clutch.
By comparison my 4.2 6cyl diesel can drag a much heavier boat up the same ramp which the Navara struggled, with less than 1000rpm onboard no clutch fanning required. Try that in a 3.0l diesel in high range and see how you go. I see many people towing with these small diesels and wonder do they never stop on a hill or have no mechanical sympathy or are they running an auto transmission?

To answer the initial question - 3.0l Navara approx 1.5t boat and trailer - 14 litres/ 100km, avreage over 5000km trip.

[Giffo65]

Thanks for the replies. My Pajero is a 3.2lt diesel auto, my old Patrol used to get put into low range at the ramp. I am waiting on some quotes from transport companies, and I got to take into account my time up and back as well.

[Dicktracey]

This may upset a few on here, but from first hand experience I would not consider towing that sort of weight with a 3.0 turbo diesel, unless it had an auto transmission.
I have tried towing a 4.4m tinny, very heavy 3 inch channel steel trailer, with a 3.0 TD Navara, when you get to a steep boatramp you have to abuse the clutch to get the show rolling. There is a thread on here where a bloke driving a Colorada, has burnt his clutch out after 15 000kms, and not covered under warranty. Also towed a scissor lift on a trailer, with a 3.0l Hilux, approx 2 t, on a small hill could not get it rolling and had to select low range. I can not understand how these 4cyl diesels are rataed to tow so much, fine on level ground but throw in a small slope and it's another story. I think the manufacturers just try to put a towing figure greater than the next manufacturer, tricking buyers into thinking their vehicle is more capable than it really is? These things have no grunt before the turbo spools up, from my experience, and the manufacturers back me up here by not offering a warranty on the clutch.
By comparison my 4.2 6cyl diesel can drag a much heavier boat up the same ramp which the Navara struggled, with less than 1000rpm onboard no clutch fanning required. Try that in a 3.0l diesel in high range and see how you go. I see many people towing with these small diesels and wonder do they never stop on a hill or have no mechanical sympathy or are they running an auto transmission?

To answer the initial question - 3.0l Navara approx 1.5t boat and trailer - 14 litres/ 100km, avreage over 5000km trip.
I didn't intend to answer your post but why offer advice to something you obviously know nothing about !
Do you know your nissan has low range ?
Have you thought about using that before you abuse your clutch ?
How many boat ramps would he need to go up between Townsville and brisbane on the Bruce hwy ?
Rant over !

[Muddy Toes]

How many boat ramps would he need to go up between Townsville and brisbane on the Bruce hwy ?
Rant over !


If it was me buying a new boat......................LOTS!!!!!

[72qtrex]

I didn't intend to answer your post but why offer advice to something you obviously know nothing about !
Do you know your nissan has low range ?
Have you thought about using that before you abuse your clutch ?
How many boat ramps would he need to go up between Townsville and brisbane on the Bruce hwy ?
Rant over !

Well I would dare to suggest that occasionally he is going to put his boat into the water? And may I be so bold as to suggest that at some stage he is going to have to stop on a hill?
Yes I am aware that most Navaras have low range, I would bet that no car salesman is going to tell you you need to engage low range to drag a small tinny up a boatramp? Perhaps the salesmen in your area come forward with that sort of critical information.
After towing with many different types of vehicles I am entitled to an opinion, which may differ from yours.

[Spaniard_King]

My boat is around the 2700kg mark most of the time (heavier on the trips north) and I have a 2011 TD navara...never had to select low range yet other than a boat ramp.

The clutch in the 2011 model is way different to the 2009 model

[Dicktracey]

You can have any opinion you want champ the question was fuel usage on Bruce hwy Goldie to Townsville !
So be careful up there on your soap box.

[WalrusLike]

If I still had my diesel 4wd I would always be in low range pulling out on the ramp.... Why make it hard on the clutch, and its always good to give the low range a job to do now and then.

On the highway the clutch should be fine.... gently gently should sort most hill starts without an issue. I would think if you are having clutch issues on the road towing, its maybe the technique at fault,.... not the vehicle.

My two cents.


(Using Tapatalk on iPhone so can't easily 'thank' or 'like')

[72qtrex]

OK, I thought my post may upset a few, but I have really struggled with a few small turbo diesels towing, much less than the maximum rated load. The Navara I was using was a 2005 model 2wd, therefore no option of selecting low range. OP never suggested he was using a 4wd.
After towing tradies trailers, boats, car floats, loaded box trailers and all sorts of construction equipment, for more than 20 years, I think I know how to do a hill start, maybe there is a technique that I have overlooked over the years? I'm always open to learning new tricks.

Sorry OP to stray off topic, although I did answer the question.

I will crawl back under my rock now.

Steve

[wags on the water]

Fully laden CruiseCraft Outsider 625 behind a Touareg 3 litre turbo diesel with six speed auto trans, Brisbane to 1770 run averages around 15 litres per 100km compared with around 10 litres per 100km without boat.


Maybe I need to buy a TD after reading your post Daffy. Same boat behind '05 V6 6sp MANUAL Prado - Between 23L to 28L/100km depending on headwind, but only 1/2 tank of fuel. Brisbane - 1770, Brisbane - Yeppoon and to Mackay.

[Giffo65]

Muddytoes

I am with you on that one, if I had a few weeks off work I would most definitely do a few fishing trips between Townsville and the Goldie on the way home. !

By the looks of it I am going to get it trucked down, considering fuel, and time off work to do the trip.Can't wait for the old cruisecraft/new boat to me, to turn up !

[hard2catch]

I towed my Signature 610c-approx 2.2T all up, from Brisbane to Cairns with a d22 Navara 2.5ltr which had a chip and exhaust done.Averaged 16l/100km for the trip.I didn't experience any problems towing.

[ozscott]

Bit off topic but I also use low range when pulling the Vagabond out of the pond with my Disco 2 V8 - its a manual and it will pull out without much effort in high range, but I just got into the habit of low range and idling out at a snails pace by just taking my foot of the clutch in first low with no throttle at all...plus I just love mucking around with controls.

Cheers

[WalrusLike]

Not upset Steve, you have valuable experience and you shared it... all good.

I agree more grunt is always better but I don't think the tds are out of the question. As they say..... :)

YMMV. (Your mileage may vary)


(Using Tapatalk on iPhone so can't easily 'thank' or 'like')

[Chimo]

I'm with you Oz!

[thelump]

My boat is around the 2700kg mark most of the time (heavier on the trips north) and I have a 2011 TD navara...never had to select low range yet other than a boat ramp.

The clutch in the 2011 model is way different to the 2009 model

D40 or D22 Garry? My D22 struggles with my Yalta which is probably nearly a tonne lighter.

[thelump]

Muddytoes

I am with you on that one, if I had a few weeks off work I would most definitely do a few fishing trips between Townsville and the Goldie on the way home. !

By the looks of it I am going to get it trucked down, considering fuel, and time off work to do the trip.Can't wait for the old cruisecraft/new boat to me, to turn up !

2 days up 2 days back Giffo. Just have a friday and a monday off and your done. Have to buy it first of course.

[Lucky_Phill]

Giffo,

It will cost you about $1400.00 to do it yourself.

Fuel, food, accom etc and let's not forget the 2 days off work ( if you do it over a weekend )

The roadworks on the coast road will send you crazy as well as the wide-loads.

Then there is the unforeseen issues like blown bearings, tyres etc, plus wear & tear on your vehicle.

Just make sure you take out insurance for the transportation via trucking company. Trouble with transport is " all care - no responsibility ". But there are many reputable carriers out there that specialise in Vessel transportation.

I tow 2 ton of boat all over the shop and back. Current 3ltr Collie ( 2009 ) 175,000 k's on same clutch. Low range up ramps... just cause I can.

IMO..... truck it down, unless you are doing a Muddytoes, and take 2 weeks and launch at every ramp between Townsville and here.

Good Luck and all IMO.


cheers LP

[Spaniard_King]

D40 or D22 Garry? My D22 struggles with my Yalta which is probably nearly a tonne lighter.
I have a 2011 D40 with performance chip... 140 something KW

[FishHunter]

Interesting to see what the Turbo Diesel uses are getting. My V8 Commodore gets 10l/100 on highway and towing my Reef Ranger I get 20 to 24l/100 depending on wind direction. Weight doesn't affect my consumption as much as the wind resistance.


Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk HD

[EdBerg]

I average about 16lt/100km of diesel towing a 26ft 3.5t with a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7lt diesel 5sp Auto, went to Yeppoon from Caboolture last year and most hills were at 90-95-100km in 3rd or 4th without having the pedal to the floor, just cruised up casually, only one very steep hill slowed me down to 80km, but again I wasn't flooring it. So a bigger and more modern 3lt diesel should have no drama with a lighter and smaller boat. At the ramp I always put it in to low range and hardly feel the weight, pulls it up the ramp like there isn't anything on the back.

[Giffo65]

I am with you Phil ,I have booked it on a transport company to be trucked down next week. I will tell you how it goes, and what it cost when it gets here. It is a CruiseCraft Explorer 5.7 (old girl ) with a 130 Honda on the tail end. Can't wait to get a bigger boat !

Macca
If I had the time I would love to do a 2 week road trip/fishing trip,but at what I have been quoted it ain't worth the drive.

[nathank]

You might want to take into account things like wear and tear on your car,towing a big heavy boat all that way, the chance of wheel bearings on the trailer failing, time off work, fuel, accommodation, food and best of all getting the transport company to cover the risk (insurance)
Having it delivered in the same condition it was paid has its benefits that's for sure.
Get it trucked mate.

[simonpp82]

I average about 16lt/100km of diesel towing a 26ft 3.5t with a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.7lt diesel 5sp Auto, went to Yeppoon from Caboolture last year and most hills were at 90-95-100km in 3rd or 4th without having the pedal to the floor, just cruised up casually, only one very steep hill slowed me down to 80km, but again I wasn't flooring it. So a bigger and more modern 3lt diesel should have no drama with a lighter and smaller boat. At the ramp I always put it in to low range and hardly feel the weight, pulls it up the ramp like there isn't anything on the back.

This is pretty amazing economy for such a big rig.. I tow my boat same weight 3.5t with a straight 6 105 series petrol cruiser. I'm getting about 35L per 100km. I could be lighter on the pedal but I like to cruise at 100kph. Doesn't really worry me cos I don't often tow it far and when I do the mates always chip in..

[The-easyrider]

I towed my 650 sea legend (don't know weight) to Airlie last year with all the gear required for a family holiday plus the tender and some building tools I needed. Towed at speed limit for 18L /100. Tow vehicle 4.2 TD patrol with 3 inch exhaust and tuned fuel pump running 33" tyres. Oh and use low range at the ramp, just walks out

[MEGA'bite]

ford ranger/ bt50 3lt diesel manual 6.5 mtr trophy trips to 1770 avg fuel consum 15 ltrs / per 100 ks , makes no difference with 300 ltrs on board or not. by the way have replaced the flywheel with a solid type and makes a hell of a difference.

[EdBerg]

This is pretty amazing economy for such a big rig.. I tow my boat same weight 3.5t with a straight 6 105 series petrol cruiser. I'm getting about 35L per 100km. I could be lighter on the pedal but I like to cruise at 100kph. Doesn't really worry me cos I don't often tow it far and when I do the mates always chip in..

For towing, you can't beat a turbo diesel powered vehicle, very good economy and loads of grunt, I just wished that my boat had one as well!

Cheers

Ed.

[Giffo65]

I ended up getting it trucked down,I used North Queensland boat haulage, they charged $990.00 delivered to Yatala. At that price it was a no brainer for me.It should be here tomorrow morning,can't wait,I have wanted a bigger boat for ages.

It is a Cruisecraft Explorer 5.7,130 Honda,200lt stainless tank, Lowrance HDS5 combo, Hyd steering, transom and floor have been replaced. Empty out the old boat today, probably find lures I did not know I had !

92300

[72qtrex]

Good looking boat, sure you will enjoy it. Hope you nail a few fish on your first outing.
Steve