Towing economy - any figures?

[Flynndog]

Guys,

We are moving to Perth next month and I am planning the drive over. We will be pulling a camper trailer, howmuch extra can I expect to use?

Generally I am getting 10.5-11.5/100km. About 15 maybe?

Any info will be great.

Flynny

 

[snave]

I'm averaging 12.5-13.3 liters/100ks towing a 12x6 tandem trailer weighing between 1300 and 2200. 13.49 is the worst I've got

 

[snave]

And that's with about 400 kg worth of tools and gear in the tray

 

[Old.Tony]

It depends how fast you drive. Keep the RPM at about 2,000 and you'll find your consumption will remain pleasantly low.

We get 15.5-16.5 pulling a full caravan on the highway trying to keep the RPM at that level. You would think that you'd not get any worse towing something much smaller and lighter.

 

[Swell]

I towed a poptop van (small engel in ute 20 litres of petrol and 40 litres of diesel in Jerry cans) plus genny) (one adults passenger) to Perth end of last year, been across the nullabor many times best trip was back when there was still over 1600 Km's dirt.
Anyway back to the question in hand you need to try to plan the driving when the Westerlies aren't blowing (is why most people going around the block go in anti-clockwise direction).
Sometimes night driving can give a good window or study the weather map (westerlies can make a big difference about 1.5 - 2 km/l with just a light westerly.)

I can give figures for my trip if you like (sitting about 2,500 rpm) a lot of driving in fourth (5th gear is really only an overdrive so 5th only on flat and down hill without strong headwinds) (can't afford a gear box rebuild).

I was looking for cheapest fuel on trip(is why I carried extra 40 litres diesel to traverse expensive outlets)
When fuel prices were a 148.7 / litre in Lithgow
Port Augusta 148.9 (21c/k)
Ceduna 151.9 (21c/k)
Mundrabilla (cheapest on the nullarbor when I went over) 178.0(30c/k) head winds)
Cocklebiddy 189.2 (23c/k)

PM me if you need any further info.

Regards
Bill
Norseman 156.9

 

[KraftyPg]

Wow other than Mundrabilla and Cocklebiddy (two places I refuse to stop at) those prices are cheaper for diesel than we've had down here in Gippsland for 5 months. Next Nullabor trip I do I'm taking a fuel tanker and bringing fuel home.

 

[Flynndog]

Thanks guys. Didn't think to take additional fuel and seeing as it is down to 136.9 in Sydney at the moment, I think I might start filling up my three cans.

 

[Flynndog]

Not to spear off topic to much but what are the best places to stop. Keeping in mind we have two young girls as well so planning range of 450km a day.

 

[Old.Tony]

450km each day = about 10days east-west. That's not so easy with a camper trailer. You CAN stop in rest areas but the amount of setting up required makes them difficult - although you'd be quite well practised at it by journey's end!

With a full van, we just stop in rest areas - I don't think there's a rest area in the country where you can't spend the night. Note that is "rest areas" and not "truck parking areas". They don't like caravans etc in truck parking areas.

There are two routes you could take, one through southern NSW and into SA via Renmark and the other through Broken Hill. Both routes take you through fruit fly exclusion zones and the Broken Hill route has a checkpoint where they will get you to open the camper and its fridge so they can inspect it (at Oodla Wirra). Don't be caught taking fruit/veg through those zones (canned is ok).

 

[KraftyPg]

I no longer know the stops in NSW it's a long time since I did that stretch but as far as I'm concerned the best and easiest places to stop for fuel.

Renmark,
Port Augusta,
Ceduna,
Border Village,
Caiguna,
Norseman

They are my stops which I can comfortably do without running our of fuel, even towing a van those fuel stops shouldn't be too far apart.

As for stopping over night probably I'd probably choose Ceduna over PA and I've never stayed at Caiguna. But if you're only doing 450ks a day I'd suggest you'll be looking for pull off areas of which there is plenty. Some pull off areas even have water and will fit many vans so there is no reason not to stop there if that's your choice. Most of the fuel stops also have space for vans too so if you want food, a shop and maybe some playground for the kids they are an option.

The only places I refuse to stop these days are Mundrailla (very little but bio fuel), Cocklebiddy (the staff are rude and arrogant) and Nundroo (the locals are too friendly at times). Also despite what some maps say you can't rely on Yalta as it's been closed now for about 10 years and as of last year still didn't look like it was opening.

But casually doing 450ks a day and you'll see a lot of little towns between PA and Ceduna and many little tid bits a lot of other people don't see.

 

[Flynndog]

Cheers Krafty, should be good.

 

[KraftyPg]

It will be good, there is some great scenery out there, some great towns and because the main road is so heavily trafficked your not alone for long. Just remember to drive at your own pace, manage fatigue and know where your fuel stops are. In this day and age you don't even need water, sure it's good to have but fuel stops are scattered every 2 -3 hours so you're not far from help if its needed.