I am looking at buying a camper/mh which can tow around 2000kg. Your thoughts on 4cyl as opposed to 6cyl engines would be helpful. I am looking at Mazda T3500, Coasters and Nissan civilians as preferred vehicles. I have seen all configurations towing something and wonder how efficient they are. I am not aware of a 6cyl SWB Coaster and all SWB seem to be 4 cyl but not all LWB are 6cylinders. Would I need to consider an engine upgrade to one with more grunt? and if so what? At present I am leaning towards LWB Coaster 6 cyl with a towing capacity of 2000kg.
Why tow? I am towing as I wish to setup camp when I arrive and get my elderly dogs settled and then runabout in the smaller vehicle. Don't want to use the bigger vehicle as the runabout.
Those who have been around the traps a while and seen it all might have some insights to offer?
Many thanks
Peter_n_Margaret said
05:09 PM Nov 23, 2009
The towing abilityof an engine is determined by engine TORQUE.
Horsepower and number of cylinders are very much secondary issues.
Cheers,
Peter
jimricho said
05:25 PM Nov 23, 2009
I must be very good at towing because I've been told I'm all torque
JRH said
05:36 PM Nov 23, 2009
jimricho wrote:
I must be very good at towing because I've been told I'm all torque
Geez I'm glad I am not an orphan
Basil Faulty said
06:09 PM Nov 23, 2009
It is engine torque that "tows" engine power gives you acceleration.... A diesel engine will eat a similar sized petrol engine in towing ability and towing with gas is really not worth considering....
goingsolo said
08:12 PM Nov 23, 2009
thankyou for that information I will go and research optimum torque for engine size for towing.
jimricho said
06:51 AM Nov 24, 2009
goingsolo wrote:
thankyou for that information I will go and research optimum torque for engine size for towing.
If someone on this forum is making a book on your final selection I think the betting odds on the diesels will be fairly short.
PS: like your "signature"......I used to be conceited until I realised I was perfect.
Delta18 said
09:13 AM Nov 24, 2009
Basil Faulty wrote:
It is engine torque that "tows" engine power gives you acceleration....
A quick lesson in vehicle dynamics....
Power determines how fast you will hit a concrete barrier, Torque determines how far you will push the barrier.
Taken further....Understeer means you hit the barrier with the front of the vehicle, Oversteer means you hit with it the rear.
Cheers
goingsolo said
11:09 AM Nov 24, 2009
yes, of course diesel is the fuel option it is just the vehicle with which to tow and the size - who is towing what weight with what vehicle?
many thanks - witticisms appreciated
Smokeydk said
06:59 PM Nov 24, 2009
Doesnt matter if it can tow it...the problem is will it stop it .....[braking]...
Dave
Desertrider53 said
03:19 PM Nov 25, 2009
Not enough to worry about torque and power, now you got braking, buddy brakes, wiring, etc.
I am looking at buying a camper/mh which can tow around 2000kg. Your thoughts on 4cyl as opposed to 6cyl engines would be helpful. I am looking at Mazda T3500, Coasters and Nissan civilians as preferred vehicles. I have seen all configurations towing something and wonder how efficient they are. I am not aware of a 6cyl SWB Coaster and all SWB seem to be 4 cyl but not all LWB are 6cylinders. Would I need to consider an engine upgrade to one with more grunt? and if so what? At present I am leaning towards LWB Coaster 6 cyl with a towing capacity of 2000kg.
Why tow? I am towing as I wish to setup camp when I arrive and get my elderly dogs settled and then runabout in the smaller vehicle. Don't want to use the bigger vehicle as the runabout.
Those who have been around the traps a while and seen it all might have some insights to offer?
Many thanks
A diesel engine will eat a similar sized petrol engine in towing ability and towing with gas is really not worth considering....
PS: like your "signature"......I used to be conceited until I realised I was perfect.
Power determines how fast you will hit a concrete barrier, Torque determines how far you will push the barrier.
Taken further....Understeer means you hit the barrier with the front of the vehicle, Oversteer means you hit with it the rear.
Cheers