JacksAvon
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 08:29 PM |
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Small tow vans?
Has anyone towed a 7 with any of the following please.
All diesel
All capable of carrying race kit
All capable of sleeping in
Mazda Bongo
Mitsubishi Delicia
Nissan Elgrand
Nissan Serena
Toyota Ganvia
Toyota Lucida
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owelly
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 08:45 PM |
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I can answer for the Bongo!!
Very good and capable for towing. Most are 2.5td and automatic. Fuel economy is about 25mpg towing a 750kg trailer at a steady pace. Push to over 60
on the motorway (which would be illegal) and you'll pay for it in fuel. I've had both 2wd and 4wd and the fuel economy was within a few
ounces of each other!
A Bongo is an excellent vehicle for all round day to day use and towing, as well as the Auto Free Top being an excellent use of space!
The main problem is finding one without rot or head gasket issues! The rear wheel arches rot from the inside as condensation runs down the inner
panels and sits in the joint around the arch and rots. The underside of Bongos need undersealing as soon as they hit the UK or they'll start to
dissolve.
The engine itself is the WLT Ford/Mazda engine which is a good unit. The HGF issues arise when the coolant hoses fail, the coolant escapes and because
the engine is between the seats, you don't know the coolant has gone until the engine melts. You can buy coolant level warning kits to help
combat this or you could just change all the hoses (there are quite a few) as well as the steel coolant pipes that feed the rear heater. If the
radiator looks a bit crappy, fit a new one. It takes about 20 minutes to change and costs about £50. You can check the transmission oil coolant hoses
whilst you're in there!
Power steering racks can be a bit weepy but as long as you keep the oil level topped-up, it'll be fine.
Good luck.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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NigeEss
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 09:16 PM |
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Transit Connect LWB. Tows my kit no prob.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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adithorp
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 09:35 PM |
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Had a customer with a Serena. It was like driving a Hippo
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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coozer
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 09:35 PM |
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My Doblo tows OK and with the back seats out is long enough to sleep in.
120bhp and 45mpg, so far I've had 16 pallets in the back😁
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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daniel mason
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| posted on 2/11/14 at 10:05 PM |
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Bongos yes. We've towed my 7's around in one in the past. Unfortunately I couldn't tow with it as it took me over the 3.5t limit
with a trailer and cec 7 on the back
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Davey D
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| posted on 3/11/14 at 12:43 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by NigeEss
Transit Connect LWB. Tows my kit no prob.
The transit connects are only rated tow 800kg. What kind of trailer setup do you use?
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NigeEss
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| posted on 3/11/14 at 10:25 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Davey D
quote:
Originally posted by NigeEss
Transit Connect LWB. Tows my kit no prob.
The transit connects are only rated tow 800kg. What kind of trailer setup do you use?
800kg ! That's absolutely crap !! I never checked, just assumed it'd be over a tonne.
I've a decent size twin axle trailer, will take a Vectra sized car, probably weighs around 500kg, kit is car engined but, basic and
not road legal, no lights etc,.
Looks like I'm well over. Back to using the wifes 406 till I get my Defender back on the road then.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.................Douglas Adams.
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Davey D
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| posted on 3/11/14 at 10:34 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by NigeEss
quote:
Originally posted by Davey D
quote:
Originally posted by NigeEss
Transit Connect LWB. Tows my kit no prob.
The transit connects are only rated tow 800kg. What kind of trailer setup do you use?
800kg ! That's absolutely crap !! I never checked, just assumed it'd be over a tonne.
I've a decent size twin axle trailer, will take a Vectra sized car, probably weighs around 500kg, kit is car engined but, basic and
not road legal, no lights etc,.
Looks like I'm well over. Back to using the wifes 406 till I get my Defender back on the road then.
I only know because it caught me out too. I had already got my transit connect T200 before i started taking my car to trackdays, so thought id have a
check on the capacity before using it for towing.
My trailer is 400kg empty + car at 500kg, then spare wheels, fuel cans etc on the trailer id be well over if i had to use the van, so i end up
borrowing the wifes Volvo V50.
It is a bit crazy as the kerb weight of both vehicles are similar, but the volvo is rated to tow 1500kg, where my connect is only 800kg.
If i had known this beforehand i would have picked a different van 
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adithorp
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| posted on 3/11/14 at 11:49 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Davey D
quote:
Originally posted by NigeEss
quote:
Originally posted by Davey D
I only know because it caught me out too. I had already got my transit connect T200 before i started taking my car to trackdays, so thought id have a
check on the capacity before using it for towing.
My trailer is 400kg empty + car at 500kg, then spare wheels, fuel cans etc on the trailer id be well over if i had to use the van, so i end up
borrowing the wifes Volvo V50.
It is a bit crazy as the kerb weight of both vehicles are similar, but the volvo is rated to tow 1500kg, where my connect is only 800kg.
If i had known this beforehand i would have picked a different van
I guess it might be due to brake balance. The vans rear brakes hardly do anything due to the load valve unless the rear is loaded.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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