I towed my Father's modern 2berth Tin tent from Cornwall to Somerset on Sat. Managed 20.9 mpg, dipping to 19.9 at times.
On the return trip minus the t/tent, doing similar speeds as the weather was atrocious, we managed 29.4.
That's all but a 10mpg loss for having 2 beds and a bog on the back.
I tow large trailers and a large rib, neither seem to knock the mpg this badly. It must be cheaper to stay in 4* digs than drag one of those things around.
30th Nov 2009 9:08 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50975
Just changing tyres from road to MTR's can knock 3 mpg off, add some other mods like an expo rack, RAI ect can take an auto down to 22mpg .....so it doesn't surprise me that a caravan would take off 9-10 especially if you take additional weather factors into account.21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
30th Nov 2009 9:21 am
Spooky
Member Since: 02 Jun 2009
Location: Swindon, Wilts
Posts: 1013
Don't forget that you were also fighting a fair headwind, which won't help at all!Regards,
Mick
- 2014 SDV8 Autobiography
- 'Vincent' - 2010 TdV8 Vogue SE - 'Molly' - 2005 HSE Auto
'Dixie' - 2000 D2 Td5 ES
Don't forget that you were also fighting a fair headwind, which won't help at all!
Actually, the wind was in the West which would've blown me towards Somerset.
30th Nov 2009 9:34 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10340
Mollers - auto or manual?
After towing our tintent with the auto for the first time at the end of October, I recon'd at being sub 19mpg, whereas the manual was still mid to low 20's (23-24), whilst on a run solo the auto will come up into the low 30's if I'm not belting it.
When I asked this question, guys towing with the auto suggested using the manual shift, and leave it in 5th (which to be fair is what I used to do with the manual, very rarely di I get it into 6th, 5th was much easier cruising at motorway speeds)
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Member Since: 23 Jun 2009
Location: Gone
Posts: 1087
We just got back from a weekend in the Derbyshire Dales. 61 miles each way and all 'A' roads, no motorway. TA tintent on the back and all the usual clobber. Over the weekend I averaged 16.6 even with all those hills in the dales. Mine's a V8 as well and we weren't driving gently, some of the hills were 2nd gear at 45mph.
On the run down to kent when we visit my Bro which is almost all motorway we get 19 or 20 if keeping 60 in 5th.
Regarding cost, well a decent hotel in Kent costs about 70 quid a night plus evening meals. We usually go for 3 nights which saves about 300 quid on accommodation and food. Take off the extra petrol which is about 40 quid on top of the solo cost and the CC site fees, usually around 60 quid. So about 200 quid saved.
I was wondering about the aerofoil things which mount on a roof bar and deflect wind over the top of the van. Not sure if they would make a difference but willing to try one at EBAY type prices - not the 120 odd quid they were at the NEC show though.
Having said all that, if I wanted economy I would buy a log burning eurobox which does 8000 MPG or whatever they are these days. In fact, I did some time back buy a Peugeot 206 NA diesel for the commute I used to do. Within 3 months I formed the opinion that life is too short to "endure" every journey I make. Much rather the D3 than that nasty froggy POS, regardless of cost. 55MPG comes at a price, a price I really am not minded to pay.
Enjoy your D3 for what is it, one awesome vehicle. Tremendously capable, comfy, roomy, quiet, and yes, a bit thirsty.
Member Since: 02 Jun 2009
Location: Swindon, Wilts
Posts: 1013
Mine managed 22 mpg with my medium-sized TT on the back, but that was on the hilly A34. I'd only had the car for a week then, and was still learning its little quirks ...Regards,
Mick
- 2014 SDV8 Autobiography
- 'Vincent' - 2010 TdV8 Vogue SE - 'Molly' - 2005 HSE Auto
'Dixie' - 2000 D2 Td5 ES
30th Nov 2009 11:12 am
Bernie
Member Since: 22 Sep 2005
Location: North Yorks
Posts: 107
TDV6 Auto with tintent:worst was 16mpg,best ever is 20mpg.Solo I have never had better than 24mpg. My last TD5 auto did 22mpg towing and 28mpg solo. After 27000 miles I have given up on the Salesmans promise that it would improve when run in. Better not to look at mpg!
Bernie
I have just come back from a weekend away - towed up the M40 mostly and got 20.6 MPG. Reversed the journey yesterday and got 16.4 . How does that work, we were going south which is downhill
It is Auto and Diesel BTW and van is 1770kg. Weather was attrocious too - V.heavy rain (accident on northbound carriageway M40 at about 1pm yesterday, just after the Stokenchurch cutting - hope no-one here was involved in that!).
I 'normally' get around 20 MPG towing just to balance things though.
Martin W07MY TDV6 HSE Stornoway Grey + Alpaca
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Side steps (one with dent!)
BIG GRIN (although turned down at the edges)
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- 2014 SDV8 Autobiography
