Towing. decisions.....

TimXR6 · 26-10-2006, 09:25 AM

G'morning all

Im looking for some advice in regards to towing a boat with my EF XR6.

Basically, i want to know if my 5sp EF XR6 is up to the task of towing on a regular basis. Ideally i would like to sell it and get a 4WD, but the *** has fallen out of the market.

Im told autos are more suited to towing, where does that leave manuals?
I know my car COULD tow it but what sort of toll will it take on the poor thing, i dont want to wreck it.

Should i sell it and get a 4WD or V8 auto?

The boat is a 3.85m quintrex. Will have full flooring and casting decks, outboard, electric, batteries, fuel etc to add to weight.

any advice appreciated

Cheers
Tim

tickford2001 · 26-10-2006, 09:27 AM

do you know how much the boat will weigh all up (including trailer)?

TimXR6 · 26-10-2006, 09:39 AM

Stamp on the trailer states

GTM-450
ATM-450
Tare Mass-140

Bare hull weighs-110
Outboard-say 70kg?
Electric-?
plus 2 batteries, fuel,-?
flooring-?

pauljh74 · 26-10-2006, 10:04 AM

http://www.mynrma.com.au/falcon-ef-gli_fordfalcef.asp

Quote:

Though Ford lists approved towing packs with capacities ranging from 1600 to 2300 kg, the maximum allowable towing weight in NSW represents an amount equal to the unladen (kerb) weight of the towing vehicle. In the case of a Falcon sedan, this would be 1535 kg. while a wagon could tow 1600 kg. Without the Ford approved towing pack, maximum towing capacity is 500 kg. Amongst other items, the Ford towing pack includes an automatic transmission oil cooler and heavy duty brake pads (where not fitted as standard).

I didn't think the manuals were rated very high and the tow packs may only apply to the autos as it adds an auto trans cooler

GreenMachine · 26-10-2006, 10:08 AM

T5's don't really like towing. Best advice if you have to do it is to make sure you don't change in to 5th gear below 100kph.

Realistically, how often are you going to tow this thing? Is it really worth changing car choice? The EF will handle a short tow once a month easily - It'll probably rust out from the salt water at boat ramps before you lose the gearbox.

If you're planning bulk towing, V8 auto with the biggest gearbox cooler you can buy is the way to go.

**Mechan1k** · 26-10-2006, 10:14 AM

Ford specs do not allow more than 1200kg towing kits to installed on manual Falcons.

If you are worried ... I'd suggest an upgraded clutch ... as this may help when it comes to towing ... and does make a difference.

Byt the looks of your load though ... it should easily tow your boat though.
The fun part is trying to get the trailer and boat out of the water up the boat ramp ... this can be fun ... especially in a RWD manual ... auto would make it easier though.

TimXR6 · 26-10-2006, 10:39 AM

Id propably be towing it once a week. Looks like i should sell be selling it which sucks because its just copped new suspension, clutch, brakes etc and only has 114,000kms on it.

Thanks for the input fellas

tickford2001 · 26-10-2006, 10:43 AM

i dont see the actual towing part being a problem with the weight you are talking, id be more worried about the backing it down to (or possibly into?!) the water all the time

dont forget if you swap it for a 4WD then youre going to have to drive that everywhere instead which could possibly end up being worse than just keeping the XR6

TimXR6 · 26-10-2006, 11:02 AM

I wouldnt mind that part of it. I like fourbys. Its more practical where i live in the country anyway. I havnt driven on a dirt road for almost a year!
Id probably look at a 3.9 EFI rangie or Deisel GQ

max · 26-10-2006, 11:19 AM

I reckon if you whack on an auto trans oil cooler she'll be FINE!
Don't let a good car like that go without getting the use out of it.

**Mechan1k** · 26-10-2006, 11:22 AM

But it's a manual though ... so an auto trans cooler is no use really.

26-10-2006, 11:35 AM

If you change your gearbox oil regularly and take it easy you should be ok.

Perana · 26-10-2006, 11:38 AM

The last owner of one of my EA's used to tow fairly large loads (well over 2T) regularly with it... Gearbox is still fairly good at 400,000km... He did go through a clutch or two though I think.

atec77 · 26-10-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimXR6

Id propably be towing it once a week. Looks like i should sell be selling it which sucks because its just copped new suspension, clutch, brakes etc and only has 114,000kms on it.

Thanks for the input fellas

Just keep it reving a little more than normal and keep the back of the car dry out of the water if it's salt and wash a LOT
I doubt it will be a problem , and 5th wont be used unless the free way is flat but you will feel if it's needing a little more revs , good luck

StookEB · 26-10-2006, 01:28 PM

If your using a boat ramp were it's tidal be very careful with a RWD, there are alot of people who don't know how to spot this, not saying that you don't. My Dad and I have been going to a Hawkesbury fishing comp for years and the amound of people who don't actually bother to check the boat ramp, like where the bottom of the ramp ends, many of them got stuck in the sand and just floored it and chewed up their tires.
If your seriously going to tow get a 4WD, oh watch the tides and check ramp and you'll be fine.
Once you learn to take of from a boat ramp you'll be fine, a good clutch and technique and the car will be fine.

by the way I found that my parents XR6 ( a BA auto though) uses a lot more petrol even though it feels like the boats not Connected.

5thFordWA · 28-10-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:
"Stamp on the trailer states
GTM-450
ATM-450
Tare Mass-140"

This means your trailer weighs 140kg empty and max total 450kgs so your boat should weigh about 300 kgs max.
450 kgs is less than a garden trailer 6'x4' with a load of dirt from your local landscape supplies!
The manual trans EF is rated to 1200 kgs and will tow it easily. The autos are rated at 1600 kgs normally and 2300 only with HD towbar & cooler, they are certainly better to move off from rest than a manual clutch, but that depends how you drive.

The other guys are correct, the car is OK, but watch your rear wheel traction in the water on a steep ramp and take it easy on the clutch.

My advice with a manual tow car is DO NOT use 5th gear at all when towing unless its a very light trailer. The EF is geared pretty high and staying in 4th gear is just the same as all earlier 4-speeds used to be in top gear anyway. In 4th gear the gearbox is strongest due to direct drive from input shaft to output shaft (no gears are used), while 5th is the weakest gear in the box. Same applies to autos, 3rd gear is direct and 4th is O/D so lock in 3rd for heavy towing.

I certainly wouldnt be changing vehicles for this reason alone (my opinion).

Orbit · 28-10-2006, 12:32 PM

you should be mor then fine with the manual if your only towing the qunitrex.
i have fun putting the malibu in....getting it out with a single spinner on a slippery ramp is always intresting though.

Bill_R · 28-10-2006, 12:46 PM

gotta agree with the posts that this wil handle it ok. Just pick a "good" ramp and you should be fine.

16wantsI6 · 28-10-2006, 07:25 PM

mate its a falcon! isnt that half the reason us aussies by them? towing machines, throw the kids in the back, go camping, can handle the aussie rough country and still enough power to keep most people happy.
like to see you do that in a jap sedan/car.

so mate if you take it easy, keep out of the salt, and take good care of her there shouldnt be any preoblems, and dont use 5th it puts tom much load on the gearbox, they dont even use fifth in the big lancruisers for towing at work.