towing with a NJ ITD

[burner]

just got back from a trip with the camper in tow. I seem to be struggling with the towed weight. last time we went out I thought the old girl was reaching its use by date, although after some normal driving , the economy returned to a healthy low 10 litres per 100kms. The 31 inch tyre do not help, but I struggle to pull the camper (1500kg loaded) above 90km/hr on a flat road in 5th gear. Add an incline or a head wind and I find it's easier to put it in 4th and sit on about 80km/hr.

Anyone else had any expeiences with towing ? I'd like to hear about it , only if it was to let me know that what performance I'm getting is normal.

[J Top]

Big Bore exhaust, maybe up the fuel and boost a touch, these nornally go rather well but they can have a timing chain problem when the kms get up
Have you got a swishing noise in the front at idle? If it is worn a new chain will restore some hp.
J Top

[cookie monster]

i pulled my 700kg ish camper up to whyalla on the long weekend. it would cruise at 100-110 without any problem. but to overtake or up hills the speed wipes off pretty quickly and takes a long while to get back up.
economy was 15l/100(100kmh) going up and 13 coming back(with some 110kmh stretches). eventually i will get the exhaust and up the boost a bit, but will have to put up with it at the minute !
the car has done 103,000 km
cookie monster

[burner]

I don't have a swishing noise from the engine at an idele, but there is an intermitant high freq metalic sqeal that come from around the front of the motor occassionally.

[glenn_c]

Mine NJ 2.8td goes just like Cookie said and about the same economy.
regrds Glenn

[burner]

thanks for the feedback. It looks like the old girl is still doing its thing after 220K. I can't complain, our friend's 100 series cruzer was getting 22km/100ltr ( that hurt at the fuel stop) towing the same weight.

[glenn_c]

I forgot to add mine has 265000 klm on it, I am the second owner.
Regards Glenn

[4runna]

Hey guys,

Mine is similar weighing at 3T with rooftop tent and spare tyre on top. but just a tiny bit better on fuel (abt 13.5l/100km) she's got 325,000km on the clock too. would just like it to reduce the smoke a bit down low so still playing around. Cleaning it now and will try the boost check and exhaust next.

I found the service was great, injectors, timing etc. i can get it right out to redline now so i can change back a gear a bit earlier to keep the speed up if needed.

Rob