Towing

It took a while but Toyota has finally added electronic traction and stability control to its HiLux SR5 dual-cab diesel. There are additional changes to the SR5 as well, and some other upgrades down the model range, but the addition of the electronic chassis controls to the SR5 is really the main-event news.You may not think that this isn't anything to get too excited about and, if this is the case, you probably need to think again. Electronic stability control is a significant on-road safety bonus while traction control can make a huge difference off-road.In the case of a vehicle like the HiLux, the addition of these electronic controls are even more deeply felt due to the design compromises that are inherent with all utes.Toyota, of course, is not the first to introduce these upgrades to mainstream Japanese utes as both Mitsubishi, with its Triton and Nissan with its Navara, beating Toyota to the punch.Nissan's situation is much the same as Toyota with the electronic controls only available on its top-spec dual-cab 4WD diesel (the ST-X) whereas Mitsubishi has traction and stability control available right across its 4WD Triton range, either standard or as an option.We drove the HiLux on some moderately difficult off-road tracks and while a HiLux without traction control would have probably made it through, the addition of traction control makes it that much easier for both the driver and vehicle.The essential off-road limitation with all utes (at least when they are unladen) is a lack of weight on the rear wheels. Add in the fact that a leaf-sprung live axle, standard fare on the rear of all the utes in this class, doesn't have the travel of a good coil-sprung live axle, and you can quickly struggle for traction in more slippery or demanding terrain.To overcome this, most drivers simply use a little more momentum to get up, over or through any tricky bit. In practice this generally works well but it does risk more damage to the vehicle. The beauty of traction control is that you can tackle the worst bits at a far easier pace and if one or more wheels start to lose traction and spin, the traction control will intervene as good as instantaneously to stop the wheel spinning without any interaction by the driver. In a word, the addition of traction control has pushed the HiLux right up to the front of the pack off road once again.The only notable change for 2011 is the wheel and tyre package have been changed from the 255/70R15s used previously to 265/65R17s. The 15s were good in terms of off-road practicality, but the ever-diminishing choice of 15-inch tyres was a problem. The 17s also improve the on-road steering and handling, especially the turn-in precision.As ever, the HiLux diesel offers an excellent spread of power, even though it may be down on claimed maximum power, and high levels of refinement. At this stage however, Toyota is yet to upgrade the towing capacity which, at 2250kg, is now well behind the class average.

The wife and I plan to tow a caravan with our 2008 BF Series II Ford Futura/Falcon and would like to ensure the transmission is up to the job. I believe the car has a small, inadequate cooler located midway along the motor, however both radiator and trans fluid run through it and the pipes have been known to fail, creating major problems. I'm after a larger capacity cooler that operates independently of the original one that both provides better cooling of the transmission under load and negates the possibility of coolant entering the oil line and thus into the transmission. A Ford dealer I contacted has a kit but only works in tandem through the system that's already there. To me that may assist with the cooling process, but really doesn't resolve the problem of coolant entering the transmission should the pipes leak or break in the original small cooler. I also spoke to a Fluid Drive owner and he has not come across this and said he'd need to get the car up on the hoist and to use his words "experiment". Can you shed any light on the above or perhaps provide names of transmission companies who may know how to deal with this issue?

I purchased a new Ford XLT Ranger with manual gearbox for the purpose of towing my 20-foot caravan weighing 1980 kg fully loaded, well below the Ranger?s towing capacity of 3000 kg. To park my van I have to back it up my concrete driveway, which rises 1.2 metres over 13 metres then levels out to a flat parking area. Both times I have had to park it to date I have used four-wheel-drive and both times the Ranger has struggled to back the van up and a strong burning smell has come from the clutch. My previous vehicle, a 2007 BF XL Ford ute had no such problems and I assumed the Ranger would handle the situation much easier. Have other Ranger owners had similar problems reversing any loads of significant weight. I feel I'm stuck with a vehicle that can't do the job I want it to. Do I have problem with a faulty clutch or does Ford have problem with a faulty vehicle?

My new Holden Colorado 4x4 3.0-litre turbo diesel auto seems a bit sluggish down low, but sits on the speed limit okay. I am buying a caravan that will weigh 1600 kg loaded and I am thinking of installing an aftermarket chip to increase power/economy so I don't hold up the traffic. What do you think?

I have been told not to use fifth gear when towing my 1500 kg 17-foot Jayco caravan with my 2004 Nissan Navara 3.0-litre turbo-diesel five-speed. I use fifth at the moment and don?t change down until the revs hit 2000. I have been told that by doing that I will destroy fifth gear. What?s you advice?

With all the news in the press lately about the automatic transmission in the Toyota Hilux and Prado overheating when towing, I am wondering if this could be a problem with the Mitsubishi Triton?

My 2004 NP Mitsubishi Pajero diesel auto has done 147,000 km and now shudders when towing a boat under load. I first realized there was a problem when towing my ski boat in hilly terrain, but have since noticed it going up the on-ramp to the ring road each morning. Replacing the engine and transmission mounts made it less obvious, but didn?t fix it. What should I do next?

A number of owners of Toyota HiLux utes and Prado wagons have contacted us about the automatic transmission warning light coming on in their cars when they were towing.

Is it worth the cost to upgrade my 1998 VT Commodore to tow a caravan weighing less than one-tonne? I have previously been advised to upgrade the suspension and fit a tow bar costing some $3000 all up. It has done 208,000 km, has not been driven hard, I have recently had a transmission seal leak repaired, and yes, it does have independent suspension.

I would like to fit a towbar to the front of my 2005 Toyota HiLux to help when manoeuvring a caravan. It has a half nudge bar fitted, which is airbag compatible. What are your thoughts?