been there done that got the tshirt... $70 in fuel was what it cost me... but it was a va-jetta and not a passat. $35 if i were to split costs, but this discussion wasnt about carpooling was it?
Best mileage tow vehicle
- Thread starter astro
- Start date
been there done that got the tshirt... $70 in fuel was what it cost me... but it was a va-jetta and not a passat. $35 if i were to split costs, but this discussion wasnt about carpooling was it?
G
W
It's funny how everyone is so rah rah on the big trucks. Trucks suck in the snow-there's no weight over the rear wheels. I drive a 4x4 full length van(sportsmobile) that handles great in the snow and is comfortable to camp and hang out in, but it is a bit overkill for lots of the close to home riding. So the original question still stands- what are the high MPG tow rigs for a light trailer? Heck I could just take one sled most of the time to be able to use a small car. If it gets stuck I'll just pull it out with the turbo sled
SO IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FULL SIZE TRUCK, START YOUR OWN THREAD!!!!!
spring riding is the biggest reason I need a 4x4 truck with high ground clearence
sure must be different where we all ride lol
4x4 vans are top heavy, we see them flopped over on their sides all the time
S
got 32mpg with my new ranger today. it can haul a sled, atv, tow a boat and gets me up some hills. seems to do the job
A
In the Sierra the roads are great in the spring.
Personally I haven't seen any 4x4 vans on their sides, but they work great in the snow. I was trying to make the point that I already own a large tow vehicle and I don't need a big truck that also gets bad MPG to replace it.
Personally I haven't seen any 4x4 vans on their sides, but they work great in the snow. I was trying to make the point that I already own a large tow vehicle and I don't need a big truck that also gets bad MPG to replace it.
J
J
been there done that got the tshirt... $70 in fuel was what it cost me... but it was a va-jetta and not a passat. $35 if i were to split costs, but this discussion wasnt about carpooling was it?
I went from the Oregon coast to West yellowstone pulling two 'doos (see photo), 4 people in the car, rear of the car was full to the ceiling, rooftop carrier was full of snowgear, and STILL got 26.5mpg.....Climbed Cabbage Patch hill (I-84) at 70mph in the far left lane. 276 ft/lbs of torque.....will soon morph into 320 ft/lbs. Diesel.....gotta love it.
J
A
Checked out the 2009 TDI. Could be a good rig. To bad they don't make an AWD. How is yours in the snow? How often do you have to put chains on it?
T
With that inmotion tune I bet you're pushing 400lbs/ft torque now. Does it roll smoke now?
EDIT: I saw it's actually 431 lbs/ft. Wow! I need that for mine.
EDIT: I saw it's actually 431 lbs/ft. Wow! I need that for mine.
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J
2009 Jetta SportWagon will have the new 2.0L TDI @235 ft/lbs.....should pull just fine. It's rumored to get nearly 50mpg HWY empty, so double score for the commuter car.
I have only put on chains ONCE, and that was because there was a cop sitting at the chain-up area ($140 fine if we didn't throw iron). Ours goes through the snow quite well.....We've been in snow deep enough to drag the underside of the car without any problems. Like someone already mentioned, quality studless snows are extremely helpful. I bought the steel wheels from VW ($61 each) but my wife insisted on the hubcaps ($40 each??) If you get the alloy 17s, there isn't enough room for chains.....Get the snows and wheels in 15 or 16.
With good snows I don't think you HAVE to get AWD. Like I mentioned earlier I have a 2005 Golf and it does great in the snow. I drive to Vail from Fort Collins and back EVERY weekend. My TDI is rated at 100 HP and 175 ft-lbs of torque. I haven't touched it yet but I have been really tempted to chip it which will push me to about 145-150 HP and 285 ft-lbs of torque. Not bad for a car that weighs right at 3k lbs.
I drove the new TDI and it has tons of power. I can only imagine what chipping it would do. I would guess 200 HP 375 ft-lbs of torque.
If you want one you better put some money down now, they won't last long.
VW doesn't offer AWD because it would kill the gas sales if they did. If you want AWD you need to get the loaded 3.6 liter gasser.
C
I would never drive a car to were I ride, it would be high centered in about 5 feet. Not to mention if a truck with 35" MT got stuck in the staging area, I wouldn't want to see a car try and go threw it. Also like said safety factor, i'd much rather have a deck with 2 sleds and pull a 3 place and feel safe in my truck then using a car, which probably wouldn't even save on fuel money when a truck can haul 5 people and all their gear. As far as speed, the only thing that keeps me from going 100 MPH towing is the fear of loosing a bearing in the trailer, my diesel doesn't move off cruise control towing sleds over any hills, because it's not even working. If you really care about fuel economy why don't you strap your sled to the bus?! I hear it's real cheap
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M
CDN mpg? I regularly got about 20 US mpg in my '92 4.0. Haha I drove my brothers V4 ranger with 2 450's in the back at about 80 mph in the wind and only got about 15 in it....haha
F
I get 13.25 mpg in my 04 ford v-10 with 2 sleds on my sled deck doing 70+ over I-90 and 11 mpg pulling my heavy arse 3 place enclosed trailer.
Do a search for used VWs. Why is everyone selling them at around 65k - 85k miles?
Put it this way....most of them are not getting another VW. They can't wait to unload.
Because they fall apart and the owners are getting tired of getting nickel and dimed to death to keep their options, interior, features and chassis together.
Put it this way....most of them are not getting another VW. They can't wait to unload.
Because they fall apart and the owners are getting tired of getting nickel and dimed to death to keep their options, interior, features and chassis together.
That is BS, I am on number 3. I had a 2000 2.0 that I got rid of because I got a limited Edition GTI (1 of 1500) with 1.8t. I got rid of that for my current TDI because I drive about 30k miles a year.
Many people are getting rid of them because they are like every other owner. They want a new car. People in the US do not keep cars for long.
The argument about being safer in a truck is also BS. In a truck you are something like 10 times more likely to roll over. Trucks across the board have worse crash ratings than cars do. Sure they are heavier but that energy has to go somewhere. You increase your chances of getting in an accident by driving a larger less nimble vehicle. If you hit a semi in a car you are dead, and if you hit one in a truck you are probably dead as well.
A
The justifications for the big truck are pretty funny.
1 much safer
2 much cheaper on fuel when you can get your friends to chip in.
3 I can only drive there with a big truck with big tires
1 much safer
2 much cheaper on fuel when you can get your friends to chip in.
3 I can only drive there with a big truck with big tires
