Towing caravans

[Rocky]

We are thinking of buying a Kluger KX-R, 3.5ltr auto, 2W drive SUV. Has anyone had any experience towing a 1500kg caravan with this vehicle? How does it perform, fuel consumption etc.

[Taka]

Have not tow a caravan, but it pays to

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...showtopic=14109

[SamF]

We are thinking of buying a Kluger KX-R, 3.5ltr auto, 2W drive SUV. Has anyone had any experience towing a 1500kg caravan with this vehicle? How does it perform, fuel consumption etc.

As a matter of course, I usually do not like towing heavy items with front wheel drive vehicles. The load on the back (imposed by the caravan or trailer) lifts the weight of the front wheels and reduces traction and steering. For this reason I purchased an AWD Kluger. I use to tow a caravan with a V8 Calais, but I think the Kluger appears to have ample power and have less affect from the caravan due to the extra body weight. So far ,I am very happy with its performance. Towing a 780Kg caravan reduces the fuel consumption to about 14L/100K at about 90kph. Without the caravan and sitting on 100kph, I have seen as low as 9.5L/100K.

[Rocky]

We are thinking of buying a Kluger KX-R, 3.5ltr auto, 2W drive SUV. Has anyone had any experience towing a 1500kg caravan with this vehicle? How does it perform, fuel consumption etc.

As a matter of course, I usually do not like towing heavy items with front wheel drive vehicles. The load on the back (imposed by the caravan or trailer) lifts the weight of the front wheels and reduces traction and steering. For this reason I purchased an AWD Kluger. I use to tow a caravan with a V8 Calais, but I think the Kluger appears to have ample power and have less affect from the caravan due to the extra body weight. So far ,I am very happy with its performance. Towing a 780Kg caravan reduces the fuel consumption to about 14L/100K at about 90kph. Without the caravan and sitting on 100kph, I have seen as low as 9.5L/100K.

Thank you SamF. Would not the load levelling bars transfer some of the weight back to the front wheels? I currently use the Hayman Reece load levelling bars on my holden commodore to keep the car level and transfer some weight to the front wheels.

[SamF]

We are thinking of buying a Kluger KX-R, 3.5ltr auto, 2W drive SUV. Has anyone had any experience towing a 1500kg caravan with this vehicle? How does it perform, fuel consumption etc.

As a matter of course, I usually do not like towing heavy items with front wheel drive vehicles. The load on the back (imposed by the caravan or trailer) lifts the weight of the front wheels and reduces traction and steering. For this reason I purchased an AWD Kluger. I use to tow a caravan with a V8 Calais, but I think the Kluger appears to have ample power and have less affect from the caravan due to the extra body weight. So far ,I am very happy with its performance. Towing a 780Kg caravan reduces the fuel consumption to about 14L/100K at about 90kph. Without the caravan and sitting on 100kph, I have seen as low as 9.5L/100K.

Thank you SamF. Would not the load levelling bars transfer some of the weight back to the front wheels? I currently use the Hayman Reece load levelling bars on my holden commodore to keep the car level and transfer some weight to the front wheels.

Yes they do but this is a static balance and does not completely compensate for the dynamic loads when accellerating or braking. Weight distribution hitches are certainly worth using, and I use them myself. Front wheel drives also have problems because the weight transfer is to the rear when going up hills reducing tranction on the front wheels. However in most towing situations on level ground, with a properly setup hitch, they perform adequately. Having said that, my original statement regarding AWD being superior to FWD for towing still apply in my humble opinion.

[Rocky]

We are thinking of buying a Kluger KX-R, 3.5ltr auto, 2W drive SUV. Has anyone had any experience towing a 1500kg caravan with this vehicle? How does it perform, fuel consumption etc.

As a matter of course, I usually do not like towing heavy items with front wheel drive vehicles. The load on the back (imposed by the caravan or trailer) lifts the weight of the front wheels and reduces traction and steering. For this reason I purchased an AWD Kluger. I use to tow a caravan with a V8 Calais, but I think the Kluger appears to have ample power and have less affect from the caravan due to the extra body weight. So far ,I am very happy with its performance. Towing a 780Kg caravan reduces the fuel consumption to about 14L/100K at about 90kph. Without the caravan and sitting on 100kph, I have seen as low as 9.5L/100K.

Thank you SamF. Would not the load levelling bars transfer some of the weight back to the front wheels? I currently use the Hayman Reece load levelling bars on my holden commodore to keep the car level and transfer some weight to the front wheels.

Yes they do but this is a static balance and does not completely compensate for the dynamic loads when accellerating or braking. Weight distribution hitches are certainly worth using, and I use them myself. Front wheel drives also have problems because the weight transfer is to the rear when going up hills reducing tranction on the front wheels. However in most towing situations on level ground, with a properly setup hitch, they perform adequately. Having said that, my original statement regarding AWD being superior to FWD for towing still apply in my humble opinion.

Have decided to buy AWD Kluger. Won't be delivered until the end of the month. Will let you know how it tows after that. Thank you for your input.