Towing gear

[Ozzie]

I'm interested in members take on towing theirI investigators. I have an AU III Falcon wagon. My wagon's auto seems to make up it's own mind on what gear to use when towing and rarely goes into top gear ( overdrive). I have read that you should select only 3 when towing, but now also have read you should choose the power setting rather than tne economy setting and put it into drive (4) thus allowing tne auto to use top gear when ok but holding the gears longer.

This apparently puts less strain on the gearbox and motor. I don't have an auto tranny cooler on this fFlcon but had one fitted on EA model I had two cars ago as I was towing a caravan long distances.

Anyone have any input on this??

[Yara50]

I am a manual gearbox person myself, and the technique on a manual is to let the engine rev high in order to get the best power. So your description of using the power setting makes sense.

[geoffr]

I tow my boat with a 6 cylinder Magna sedan auto.

Hauling up hills it revs a bit hard, but soon drops into top gear (and lower revs) once we flatten out.

I've hauled my boat from Bendigo to Geelong over the Divide without incident.

The front wheel drive is also good on steamp boat ramps, especially as I have to dip the trailer in a lot further than my previous boat because of the deeper draught.

I'll probably replace the Magna in the next year or so; it's getting pretty high in kms. I'm tossing up what to get next for hauling this size boat comfortably - perhaps a Suburu wagon?

I'd welcome others' views too.

Cheers,

[Yara50]

Geoff
You should not have to get the tow car wheels wet, if you have a tilt trailer.
See: http://www.investigator563.com/forum/vi ... ?f=5&t=373

[Mark]

For what it is worth I use a small 2 door RAV to tow mine, but I only usually go 300m each way from storage pen to ramp, however it pulls my boat very easily and I am sure I would have no problems on the open road.

Ian B - looking at your photo, I am gratified to see I have recently modified my trailer slides to be the same as yours, wobbles where yours are and a mini slide up front in same position to keep it from rocking too much when I tow, I hadn't really looked at your photo close before and just realised the same configuration. That along with new rollers makes it easier to launch than previously although even though my trailer is a tilt it is jammed and wont so I still need to get my wheels a little wet in order for Aminee to get off the trailer. Tired unjamming but its firm.

cheers

Mark