To tow or roof racks
Hi all,
Planning and overland trip to the richtersveld for 5 days. ( semi dessert mountain area in SA) the question is to either tow an off road trailer weighing about 400kg or to pile the camping gear on a roof rack. 2x 25lt jerry cans with fuel are obligatory due to IO sort range.
what is more fuel efficient ? does the 2.0 IO tow well ?
any advice will be highly appreciated
Hi I also have a 2.0L (5 door
Hi
I also have a 2.0L (5 door 2002 model). Thus our IO's are similar (I am also from Cape Town, SA, thus similar roads).
If you do not mind driving slow (or at least loose lots of speed with up hills) and poor consumption then yes you can use trailer, BUT my advice would be ditch the trailer.
The past weekend I went to Cederberg and came back via N7 (the Same route you most likely going to take).
I pulled an open trailer (about 200kg with some luggage/kit) and a 100kg motorbike = 300kg.
I was fully loaded with 4 adults (this included camping gear etc), my speed was about 120/125km/h on the good sections but as you know the N7 have some uphills, this resulted in me gearshifting a lot just to keep up the speed and avoid driving in the yellow lane all the time, as you know the N7 is a small busy road.. Must say I was impressed only a few times I had fallen below 100km/h, but belive me the IO is dead anything above 100km/h with a trailer and loaded. You have to time your overtaking. And note I pulled an open trailer which I believe is better for wind resistance.
Also note my fuel consumption went done to 7.5 km/l when I normally get between 8.2 - 9.2 km/l URBAN. I have not yet driven my IO on the open road without trailer (only had the IO now for about 2 months).
My conclusioin is the IO pull trailer okay (stable + you can avoid the yellow lane), but assuming you are traveling a long distance tar to get there I would have to say the roof rack is the better option.
Just is just my 2c. Note I also have not yet driven with anything on the roof, thus can comment on roof.
Kobus
Syndicate
trailer or no trailer?
Hello, Is your io the GDI or unleaded? (I think that the GDI should tow a bit better) I have the 2 litres unleaded, 2 doors. I found that the trailer is great because you can be a bit more comfortable, with more gear. I also found that over the 500 kg (around) it is getting slow up hill but it does make it. If your trip is mainly road, the trailer could be a comfortable option, but if you have some 4wd steep hill, the trailer could become a nightmare....
The Richtersveld area looked to be with lots hills and mountains, if you have to do lots of 4x4, low range, less weight will be better.
Before going for a long trip with a new set up, like you trailer, give it a test on your normal day drive, you will be able to feel better how it drive, and see by yourself if it is a good idea or not.
Hope to see some pictures of this area...
Happy io
My io is now SOLD Thankshttp://pajerio.com/forum/claudes-io-2002-zr-built-thread-onlyhappy-io