Flat towing vehicle

[Keevo52]

G,day all
We are thinking of flat towing a Grand Vitara, I think I am correct in that the manual and the auto can be flat towed, transmission wise, what are your thoughts re manual or auto ? the co pilot is keen on the auto for ease of driving, I am reading in reviews that the auto has issues in that the box could use another gear at the top end, fuel consumption numbers are not great either,any thoughts, experiances would be appreciated.

we are going to buy new as our current car has just about reached its use by date.

Regards

Chris

[Dot]

Hi Chris & Glennis,
There are a few on here that will have all that info and more that you are asking for.. A couple have some very exciting true stories they will share with you on your topic.. When are you hoping to start your trip and where are you heading first??

[dapope]

Basically, if there is a neutral in the gear levers(including the auto) then it should be flat-towable. Otherwise its the manual. We just swapped our jiminy auto for a manual older pajero, thaat will double as a covered trailer

[T1 Terry]

I guess it depends on just how much driving you plan to do in the toad. Usually the big distances would see the toad dragging along behind, the toad mainly gets used for the short sight seeing trips and as a shopping trolley, the lack of an overdrive gear would not be a real issue then. If you were going to use it as a 4 x 4 then highway speeds never come into it. Get the auto, no accidentally leaving it in gear and spinning the poor little motor at a zillion rpm then.

[Chuck]

G'day Chris,

We towed a 99 model Suzi GV 5 door, manual for about 3 years behind our 08 Leisure Seeker using a 'Ready Brute' A-frame device... simple to use & a 2 minute job once you get the hang of it. Being a manual ours required it to be in 2nd gear with the transfer box in neutral & the ignition on accessory to keep the steering unlocked. I'm sure the newer models would be somewhat more sophisticated in their set up.

Good luck with your choice & if you have any questions feel free to ask...

[Keevo52]

G,day all

Thanks for the replies, we went to Sydney on the weekend and test drove the auto sport model and the diesel, we decided on the diesel as it had good fuel consumtion per 100 ks stated at 6.8 the auto was rated at 9.9 per 100 ks, I realise these figures were gained in factory tests and show the best possible results in those conditions, we picked pearl white in colour and we should be able to pick it up early February, once we get it we will have the hitch fitted and we should be set ready to go.

Dot, we are going to South West Rocks here in NSW for two weeks starting on the Australia Day weekend, we were then going to keep on going for another three months heading North through outback Queensland (in the heat) but as the Vitara will be ready from the dealer by the time we have finished in SWRocks we will head back to Newcastle to get the hitch fitted then we will take off again towing the Vitara, we have friends in Mackay and we will end up there some time in March /April then back home to be around for the mother in law,s Total Knee Replacment in May. I had one done in November and I am coming good here in January.

After she recovers we will then get away for a much longer period when we will do the bit between Darwin and Perth which we have not done yet, so it means we will do a trip around the block, Having the Vitara will be great, it will mean we will be able to go where the Winnie would probably self destruct, there have been many places on our travels that we could not go because of the roads so having the vitara will open up a lot of new areas for us.

Cheers for now

Chris

[Mrmac1]

Chris,
Did you drive a 2.4 auto and if so how did it go

Darryl

[Keevo52]

Hi Darryl

Yes we both drove the Auto, it appeared to be quite good, smooth gear changes and plenty of power through the gears, Glennis really liked the auto but we both agreed that the lower fuel consumption 6.8 Vs 9.9 per 100 ks made the diesel our choice on the day, I had to promise to buy her a Auto car when we win lotto, lol

I hope that answers your question some what, we had to drive from Newcastle to Sydney to do the test drive, there were only 2 diesels available for a test drive Sydney or Port Macquarie.

Cheers

Chris

[Mrmac1]

Hi Chris ,
We use the towed as our vehicle when home and find the Terios a little small, I have been looking at 2nd hand V6/auto's because the reviews said the 2.4 was a little under powered for the auto box that was why asked.

Thanks

Darryl

[TigerMK1]

I have decided to fix up a Daihatsu Feroza, its a genuine 4wd truck that can take you anywhere. Its a pity Daihatsu decided to release the Terios later.
I Will tow behind the Fuso with the porta bote on the roof and take me to the wild places when needed. (Wonder if I will see those creatures)