Towing

There was a time when Australia was a proud camper trailer building nation. When we didn’t have to write an article about Australian made camper trailers, because, apart from a few notable exceptions (mostly from South Africa), all our camper trailers were built locally. It’s really only been in the last decade that that’s changed.

Why is an 1992 80 Series LandCruiser rated at 2500 kg for towing purposes, and after 1996 is rated at 3500 kg? I know there's a difference with the valves, but they're basically the same vehicle. Is it possible to increase the towing rating (legally) of a 1992 model 80 Series? This question has been puzzling me and I would really appreciate knowing the answer.

It's reversing that's the hard part, but even that comes with practice. (The basic rule is to steer opposite to the direction you want the trailer to go.)VEHICLEMost SUVs are capable towing vehicles with a high driving position providing good visibility. Towing is easier in SUVs with all-wheel drive which provides better grip and traction on slippery surfaces such as boat ramps.Diesel-powered SUVs have extra torque which helps with acceleration when pulling a heavy load.Manual transmissions are usually better in compact SUVs because of the power losses, but modern automatic transmissions are very strong, reliable and can sometimes pull bigger loads than a manual gearbox in the same model. However, be aware that auto boxes are prone to overheating when towing. A transmission cooler can be fitted to solve this problem.While compact SUVs are limited in their towing capacity, there are many lightweight caravans (about 1500kg) available now that can easily be towed by mid-sized SUVs.PRECAUTIONSBefore towing any trailer or vehicle, drivers should check their owner's manual for allowable towing capacities, tow ball rates, gross combination vehicle mass, axle load, correct tyre inflation pressures, accessories that need to be fitted and maximum speed for the towing weight.You should also check with your state transport department or auto club to see if there are any special legal requirements. If travelling interstate, check with authorities in that state. For example, the speed limit when towing is generally the posted speed limit, but in Western Australia the maximum speed for trailers over 750kg is 100km/h.It's important to remember that when towing, your vehicle is heavier and will be harder to start, accelerate and stop. You should therefore allow more space for stopping and avoid trying to overtake, especially on an incline.If your tow vehicle or trailer is not fitted with brakes, towing capacity is limited to around 500kg which is only useful for light trailers. Remember to take into consideration the weight of the load and not just the trailer weight. For example, one trail bike will add about 100kg.So for any useful towing, you are going to need a braked trailer or vehicle, which can usually treble the towing capacity of your SUV.ACCESSORIESYou can make the job of towing easier and safer with the right accessories. Most importantly, have the right tow bar for the job. Sometimes tow bars fitted to vehicles are not sturdy enough for the load you want to pull.A handy accessory is wing mirror extensions will make it easier to see what is behind your tow vehicle. The Coast Towing Door Mount Mirror ($62.50) comes with a 50mm blind-spot mirror to improve vision even further.There is also a range of clever devices which help hitch a heavy tow vehicle on to the tow ball. Some are motorised and some even come with a remote control, such as the Reich Eco Mover. It is available to suit both single-axle ($1903) and twin-axle ($3649) tow vehicles either on the front or back wheel and does not affect the suspension.The electronic Caravan Reversing System ($515) will do the job without another person on guard duty. It has a 14.7cm LCD screen with sun shield to reduce glare, a waterproof eyeball camera with audio, video, and infra-red night vision.The unit comes with 15m and 7.5m four-pin cables and a suction mount, and the monitor can also accept a second video input.Towing is made safer with EAZ LIFT Weight Distribution Hitches ($577) that balance the weight between the trailer axle and the point linking the vehicle, trailer and rear axle. This helps level out the point joining the two, reducing "snaking" and "swaying" triggered by passing cars and trucks.You can also level the join between the tow vehicle and caravan/trailer being towed with Coast 4 Bar Equaliser Kits ($175). They are easy to use and install and improve steering and handling while reducing tyre wear.The Tekonsha P3 Digital Brake Controller ($233) is suitable for single, double, triple and quadruple axle trailers and has a digital display of diagnostics, such as output current, battery/brake and output voltage and will warn you if the brake is disabled.There is a wide range of aftermarket parking sensors which can be fitted to trailers and caravans to avoid damager and aid in parking. If towing big loads, you might also consider beefing up the suspension of your SUV.MAINTENANCEAt the very least you should have your vehicle checked more regularly than the normal servicing intervals as towing places strain on engines, transmissions, cooling systems, brakes, tyres and suspension.Towing vehicles should always be kept in the best mechanical condition as should trailers, especially those carrying boats as these are prone to rust. It is best to store them out of the weather and have wheel bearings serviced once a year.RECOMMENDED TOWING SUVsCompact SUVHolden CaptivaPrice: $33,990Engine: 135kW/400Nm 2231cc 4-cylinder turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed autoBody: 5-seater wagonTowing: 750kg unbraked, 1500kg brakedMid SUVNissan PathfinderPrice: $51,490-$65,990Engine: 140kW/450Nm 2488cc 4-cylinder turbo dieselTransmission: 5-speed autoBody: 5-seater wagonTowing: 750kg unbraked, 3000kg brakedLarge SUVToyota LandCruiser GXLPrice: $87,664-$Engine: 195kW/650Nm 4461cc V8 turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed autoBody: 5-seater wagonTowing: 750kg unbraked, 3500kg brakedLuxury SUVRange Rover SportPrice: $99,900-$112,900Engine: 182kW/600Nm 2993cc 6-cylinder turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed autoBody: 5-seater wagonTowing: 750kg unbraked, 3500kg brakedTOWING TIPSGet a mechanical check on the towing vehicle, especially the brakes and tyresInspect the caravan or trailer for roadworthiness before you set out, especially the tyres and rimsCheck your caravan/trailer lights, indicators, hitch and security chain before setting off each dayCheck the tread and inflation of all tyres including the spareEnsure the wheel bearings are sound, well greased and free of rust or damagePractise reversing in a vacant carparkLeave an extra 20m stopping distance between you and the next vehicleTravel at a lower speed and use a low gear travelling down hills.

Before you hit the road on the trip of a lifetime in your new SUV towing your new caravan it's best to bone up on how to safely load your caravan so your dream drive doesn't end up a nightmare from hell.Start by finding out what your car will safely tow. All carmakers publish the maximum towing load their cars will haul down the highway.Remember, that load is the total load, not just the weight of the caravan or trailer. You also have to factor in everything you plan to load into the caravan or trailer, which can easily put you over the maximum towing load if you're not careful.You also have to be careful not to exceed the maximum towball weight. That's the weight bearing down on the towball, and it's generally about 10 percent of the total weight of the caravan or trailer when loaded.Too much weight on the towball puts too much weight on the rear wheels and not enough on the front, which can effect the steering, braking and road holding and make the car and caravan hard to control.It pays to check the ball weight for your car as it does vary from car to car. You'll find it in your owner's manual. Australian caravans are generally designed to have a towball weight of between eight and 15 per cent of the caravan's weight. Modern caravans have the ball weight stamped on the trailer plate that is fitted to each unit.Loading the caravan can affect the ball weight. Place heavy items over the axle and not at the extremes of the caravan or trailer.It's a good idea to load your caravan and trailer a week or two before to leave on your trip, so you know all is well when you do hit the road. Set the vehicle and caravan up the way you plan to have it on your trip and head to the nearest weighbridge where you will be able to weigh the caravan and also check the towball weight by measuring the load on the jockey wheel.

If your top priority is having the longest load area, a Single Cab ute is the go. If regularly carrying passengers is important, then a Dual Cab (aka Double Cab/Crew Cab) is best. But what if your needs fall somewhere in between? The Extra Cab option (aka Super Cab/King Cab/Club Cab/Space Cab) slots right in between a

I have a late 2017 3.2 Ford Ranger XLT that wobbles/ floats on certain roads also with a light grip and lane assist on it will meander inside the lane and eventually goes either off or onto oncoming traffic. I went down the NCAT process I could not afford to pay an engineer $4000 per day to confirm what Ford already knows and says it is safe to drive. Try doing that when towing a caravan locally. I'm aware of five other Rangers with this problems have you heard of this problem?

 

What is the biggest tray I can have on my 2017 LDV T60? What weight can I tow?

How much can a Nissan Rogue tow and can it pull a boat trailer?

Can a Hyundai Kona tow a trailer?

 

The Pajero Sport's engine may make decent numbers, but can the relatively little 2.4-litre still manage decent performance and economy when pulling a decent load?