Do I Need To Own An Oil Well!

[brethy]

Hi folks this is my first post on here but I have been an avid reader for ages. I wonder if someone could please put my mind at rest, I've owned my 2.8 V6 galaxy for a couple of years now (1997 R GhiaX 4x4 and no the air con doesn't work!) and am just about to take delivery of a caravan. Whilst I know the Galaxy is more than up to the job of towing I am a bit concerned over fuel costs as I know how much it costs to run without towing. If anyone has any experience of towing with one of these please could you let me know how you found it and did you need a second mortgage, as I really don't want to have to get rid of the car.

 

Thanks

 

Donna :lol:

 

Oops forgot to add I know Shashman has posted a similar question but I didn't want to hijack their thread. B)

[Guest shashman]

Thanks for the consideration brethy. very kind.

 

I think that I'm glad to be asking MY question, and not yours! (although I do secretly wish I had a V6...)

[brethy]

Thanks Shashman but does that mean you think I'm mad :lol: , also do you mind me asking where you found the info on towing with a V6 I've done a few searches on here but not really found anything, hence the question.

 

Donna B)

[seatkid]

Yes it may be cheaper to stay in five star hotels rather than tow a caravan with a v6...

 

But seriously I read somewhere that VAG 4x4's were unsuitable for towing - something to do with haldex clutches or something, sorry but I can't remember more...

[brethy]

Thanks Seatkid now you're starting to worry me :lol: ,does anyone tow with one of these?. Pleeeaaaasse.

 

Donna B)

[Guest fredt]

But seriously I read somewhere that VAG 4x4's were unsuitable for towing - something to do with haldex clutches or something, sorry but I can't remember more...

 

should be no different towing with a 4x4 than a fwd only Galaxy, the official towing wieght figures are the same as a non 4wd Galaxy

[Guest shashman]

brethy,

 

I don't think you're mad, but I'd certainly make sure that I'd done the sums to see if the reduced fuel costs outweigh the cost to change over however long you would expect to keep running the galaxy.

 

I've done the same for my 2.3 and I don't think it's worth changing - yet. From what I can see, low mileage tdi's are like the proverbial rocking horse droppings and they hold their value quite well. I'd actually get better value switching to a mondeo tdi estate, but I can't bear the thought of losing that high position on the road and the space inside...

 

As for v6's and towing, actually the only review I can find from what I looked for is here: http://www.reviewcentre.com/review12759.html

 

Hope this helps.

 

You could always go for an lpg conversion?

 

Shashman

[brethy]

Thanks for that Fredt, I was under the impression that if you could afford it, the 2.8 V6 made a good towing vehicle due to it's kerbweight and pulling power. I've never thought about the clutch (the fact that it's an automatic,yes!) do you know of any problems with the clutch whilst towing?.

 

Also thanks Shashman, I've looked into LPG conversion but it's too costly in relation to the value of the car and how long we're likely to keep it, also they told me it was a pig of a job and they didn't like doing them!. The other thing I'm toying with is getting a small (fiesta 1.1) runaround and keeping the Galaxy for family outings and towing. I've also considered Mondeo's as we've had a couple of these and like them, but we need to watch the kerbweight and they're not heavy enough, and, like you, I would also swap to a diesel Galaxy as we love the car so much. Decisions, descisions I'm getting quite paranoid. :blink:

 

Donna :)

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I'll tell you one thing - buying a smaller car for day-to-day use as well as having a Galaxy will cost you much more than just having the Galaxy and buying a bit more fuel for it each week! Savings here will be outweighed by extra road fund licence, insurance, MOT, servicing......

Autos are better for towing than manuals but check if a gearbox oil cooler needs to be added to the transmission system.

Haldex and, for that matter, any 4-wheel drive system should not be affected by towing - towing does not alter the relative speed difference between front and rear wheels of the towcar.

I've not towed but from what I've read the Galaxy makes an excellent towcar irrespective of engine due to frontal area (it's already moved most of the air out of the way so the caravan gets a good run through the air), high rear and long wheelbase with little rear overhang, so less "lever" effect on rear wheels via the drawbar.

 

Take it easy and have fun :blink:

[Guest rusty]

Hi Brethy

 

I would suggest covering up the computer display so you can't see the MPG.

 

Even with a 1.9 TDi it is too often in single figures when towing.

 

But at least it'll only be for a few times a year.

 

Regards

 

Sheik Rusty

[brethy]

Thanks for the replies Ivor and Rusty I think we're going to go with it and just see how much difference the towing makes overall, oh and buy some shares in BP just in case :) . But if anyone does actually tow with a v6 I would be very grateful to hear from them.

 

Thanks

 

Donna :blink:

[Tigger]

Have towed with the tdi and tows like a train. The weight of the gal helps with the outfit being very stable. I think you will find the V6 fine but a little thirsty. Was there some comment about auto gear box oil getting hot? Any way of cooling it?

 

Go in the winter may be best :blink:

 

For your info we towed in France this year getting around 30mpg. it would pull at any speed we wanted without much effort. Just a littl slower from a standing start!

 

ours is a 130tdi

[davec]

Tigger,what weight is your van,i tow an eccles jewel max weight 1500kg,i get between 25 and 28 depending on how quick i want to get there.also with 130