hi everyone, ive recently purchased the 2018 bt50 ( new ) . soon we are heading off along oodnadatta track, then all the kimberly area including some rough side tracks etc. we are towing a camper trailer( loaded will be approx 1.5 ton) the bt50 will have 300 kgs apprx, im not sure if i should upgrade the standard suspension or not. the mazda dealer told us the standard can carry the weight. im a little confused and i HATE spending money if i dont have to . THANKS IN ADVANCE
Took our 2013 BT50 through the Kimberlies in August last year towing 1.7 t and 300 kg in the back.
Roads at that time of the year were pretty bad.
BT50 did it without a problem.
If you haven't got it yet get TPMS. & Obviously tyre repair kit & quality compressor. With TPMS if you can save a tyre before destruction & repair it, it gives you more options. Even if you have to put 3 or so plugs in a tyre you may still be able to limp back to civilization. Peace of mind knowing you have some options.
Drive slower & adjust tyres for the road surface. Too many people out there driving to quickly for the road conditions.
You will be horrified how the little things add up in weight. Suggest you do a spreadsheet & weigh everything. You only need to do this once to get a list for the future.
Not to forget to add people to your 300kg, maps, phone & cables etc!
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Driving to station stay over WA mid coast . In motorhome driving under 40 kph . Was passed be a 4WD and caravan .I could see things bouncing around through back window . The next 3 days they spent cleaning eggs and milk spilt all through van . Re attaching things . It doesnt pay to go too fast . Towing a van you have way less knowledge of how things are traveling !! On Private clay roads now we just take it EASY ! Trust me I like fast but theres a time and a place . Being a new vehicle you wont have issues .( Warranty too ) Maybe after 60,000ks ?? When springs sag, shocks loose some efficiency a little ? A better set of shocks appropriate for use . ?
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 6th of February 2019 12:31:16 PM
Driving to station stay over WA mid coast . In motorhome driving under 40 kph . Was passed be a 4WD and caravan .I could see things bouncing around through back window . The next 3 days they spent cleaning eggs and milk spilt all through van . Re attaching things . It doesnt pay to go too fast . Towing a van you have way less knowledge of how things are traveling !! On Private clay roads now we just take it EASY ! Trust me I like fast but theres a time and a place . Being a new vehicle you wont have issues .( Warranty too ) Maybe after 60,000ks ?? When springs sag, shocks loose some efficiency a little ? A better set of shocks appropriate for use . ?
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Wednesday 6th of February 2019 12:31:16 PM
shocks would be the weak point I had a couple replaced under warranty due to leakage(the car is used but not abused) so it may pay to keep an eye on them
The factory suspension will do the job as others have said drive to conditions.
But if have accessories on bt , bullbar canopy etc you will may notice a bouncing effect.
Standard shocks may not like the heat build from corrugated roads.
If doing alot of outback touring and 4wd I would up grade suspension in time. You will notice the difference
If you have greased all the moving parts over all of the "A" frame and the tow bar and the noise persists, I would jack up the "A" frame and look for a crack in the chassis.
Have a very good look because a small crack can be almost invisible but will give generate the same noise you describe.
I did the Canning Stock Route in my 2013 BT50 last year. I upgraded the Shocks and suspension all round with Old Man Emu gear including a 50mm lift, worked fantastic. I was heavily loaded with the weld body, bull bar etc, but no trailer. Travelling with a 70 series cruiser and 100 series cruiser on standard OEM fit outs my rig handled the rough terrain better that the other two. We let our tyres down to 20psi for the trip and took it gently. If you are going to upgrade recommend that you change shocks and suspension, one with out the other is like a warm beer on a hot day, looks good initially but doesn't do the job. Enjoy your trip the NW WA is awesome, can't wait to go back.
