More Power for Mazda BT50

ozjohn · Guru

More Power for Mazda BT50

bill12 · Guru

There has been a rumour of clutch problems in the 3ltr models. Have you heard anything?

ozjohn · Guru

Wot's a 'Clutch'????

My vehicles are all 21st century models with auto transmission, air con, power steering. radio, etc.
They even have pneumatic rubber tyres instead of wooden cartwheels.

Cheers, OJ

bill12 · Guru

I would like a diesel automatic, but like many others, I have a manual tranny.I was just trying to help.If you don,t want replies, Don,t post.

ozjohn · Guru

Bill,
I'm apologise if you're offended by my reply, but I feel most would know is was said tongue in cheek and take it for the joke it was.
OJ

ozi2 · Guru

bill12 wrote:
There has been a rumour of clutch problems in the 3ltr models. Have you heard anything?

G'day Bill, I have heard of problems with the dual mass clutch system causing problem under load.......that's why we buy these vehicles after all, to tow etc. I have auto triton that has 50nm less torque than manual but still pulls really nicely.It's all about personal choice in the end as I think they all seem to have issues in one way or another.

Andrea · Senior Member

ozi2 wrote:
G'day Bill, I have heard of problems with the dual mass clutch system causing problem under load.......

We heard this, too, ozi2 - some months after we'd bought our BT-50. However, we've been carrying our 5th-wheeler on a manual BT-50 for nearly 2 1/2 years and have had no clutch (or any other) problems at all. Our van is 2700 kg tare (3490 kg ATM); the Mazda has travelled over 54,000 km, about 23,000 km with the van. All in all, we're pretty happy with both.

I must say the new version sounds interesting, but ours will have to last a few more years yet - don't have the wherewithal to upgrade! :(

Cheers -

Andrea

ozi2 · Guru

Hi Andrea, it sounds like you are very happy with your BT50 and that's all that matters.

I have heard all sorts of stories with Mitsubishi's triton, but like you I have had no drama's

Happy travelling

ozjohn · Guru

Andrea wrote:
ozi2 wrote:
G'day Bill, I have heard of problems with the dual mass clutch system causing problem under load.......
We heard this, too, ozi2 - some months after we'd bought our BT-50. However, we've been carrying our 5th-wheeler on a manual BT-50 for nearly 2 1/2 years and have had no clutch (or any other) problems at all. Our van is 2700 kg tare (3490 kg ATM); the Mazda has travelled over 54,000 km, about 23,000 km with the van. All in all, we're pretty happy with both.
I must say the new version sounds interesting, but ours will have to last a few more years yet - don't have the wherewithal to upgrade! :(
Cheers -
Andrea

Have I read the above post correctly, or have I missed somwthing?
ATM 3490!
I thought the maximum legal tow weight for the BT50 was 3000Kg.

Cheers,
ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 05:27:03 PM

Andrea · Senior Member

ozjohn wrote:

Andrea wrote:
Our van is 2700 kg tare (3490 kg ATM); the Mazda has travelled over 54,000 km, about 23,000 km with the van. All in all, we're pretty happy with both.
Have I read the above post correctly, or have I missed somwthing?
ATM 3490!
I thought the maximum legal tow weight for the BT50 was 3000Kg.
Cheers,
ozjohn.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi, ozjohn -
You're probably right about the max. tow weight - the manual is out in the car and it's blowing a cold gale here in Ceduna! - but the GCM (gross combination mass) of the BT-50 is 5500 kg - and that is the parameter applicable for a 5th-wheeler, which is not towed but carried over the rear axle of the ute.
I don't profess to understand the whys and wherefores of these different parameters, I'm no engineer, but we bought the vehicle specifically for the van, and Southern Cross made the necessary modifications - shortening the tray, installing the 3" ball with required chassis mounting.
Does that explain it?
Cheers -
Andrea

-- Edited by Andrea on Saturday 2nd of April 2011 11:29:08 PM

bill12 · Guru

Has anybody any thoughts on the position of the intercooler(or is it the oil cooler at the front of the last bt50 diesel model) . It looks a bit vulnerable, and a bullbar would seem to help. Some of the other brands, eg Toyota ,have had some problems with overheating with their auto transmissions.Do the mazdas have these problems.Autos seem to be the way to go for towing.

ozjohn · Guru

Andrea,

Could you please be kind enough to post details (If known) of where I can find the appropriate legislation/Regulations that detail the requirements for towing a 5th wheeler.

All I can find are those covered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport. i.e. VSB1 which appears to describe 5th wheelers as Semi trailers, and one very informative website from Venture 5th Wheelers.
www.venturevan.com.au/faqs-articles/7-calculating-towing-capacity#atm

However no site I've visited has a URL (Link) to any official government website that may detail the requirements.

Cheers, ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Sunday 3rd of April 2011 11:23:07 AM

ozjohn · Guru

bill12 wrote:
Has anybody any thoughts on the position of the intercooler(or is it the oil cooler at the front of the last bt50 diesel model) . It looks a bit vulnerable, and a bullbar would seem to help. Some of the other brands, eg Toyota ,have had some problems with overheating with their auto transmissions.Do the mazdas have these problems.Autos seem to be the way to go for towing.

Bill.
Once auto's moved away from separate (External) torque converters and clutch bands, they haven't looked back.
Having towed with many manual and auto's over the past 40 plus years I wouldn't consider reverting back to a manual. Auto's make towing a breeze, especially when trying to back in to really tight spots.
Cheers, ozjohn.

bill12 · Guru

Yes, I thought so. Then why aren,t there more diesel automatics?With the newer common rail diesels and better power and torque, thet should be great, and smooth to boot.PeteandGail have a Rodeo auto diesel, and from first impressions, it seems great.Do you need an external trans cooler Or are the new autos better cooled?Will Have to stick to the old hilux until I can afford a newer vehicle, But will seriosly consider an automatic 4wd.

Andrea · Senior Member

ozjohn wrote:
Andrea,
Could you please be kind enough to post details (If known) of where I can find the appropriate legislation/Regulations that detail the requirements for towing a 5th wheeler.
All I can find are those covered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport. i.e. VSB1 which appears to describe 5th wheelers as Semi trailers, and one very informative website from Venture 5th Wheelers.
www.venturevan.com.au/faqs-articles/7-calculating-towing-capacity#atm
However no site I've visited has a URL (Link) to any official government website that may detail the requirements.
Cheers, ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Sunday 3rd of April 2011 11:23:07 AM

Ozjohn, I've no idea where to find such regulations. Much as I love it, this country of ours is still a fragmented collection of colonies that seem to be incapable of reaching consensus on anything! When I asked in Perth about a driving licence suitable for our rig, the desk clerk had no idea and went off to ask someone in an office. They in turn had no idea either, but searched through a couple of books and then told me that it didn't matter what we were 'trailing', the licence for the powered vehicle was all that we needed. So, I've been happily driving our 5.3(-ish) tonne rig ever since.

Similarly, it seems that no authorities yet have really dealt properly with 5th wheelers. We've simply followed what rules we could find regarding ATM, GCM, etc, etc.

Do let me know if or when you find anything!

Cheers -

Andrea

PeterD · Guru

bill12 wrote:
Has anybody any thoughts on the position of the intercooler(or is it the oil cooler at the front of the last bt50 diesel model) . It looks a bit vulnerable, and a bullbar would seem to help.

Bill - I think if you hit anythin hard enough to bend the oil/intercooler you are going to bend a few other things as well. You will most likely push the radiator back and damage that as well.

PeterD · Guru

-- Edited by PeterD on Friday 8th of April 2011 01:22:29 AM