towing / tow hitch

[Delica4X4Van]

Hey guys,

any advice on towing a tent trailer that weighs 1500kg?

- Do you think the Deli can handle towing this ?

- If so, what kind of towing package?

- Do you know of anywhere in Vancouver / pricing ?

OK, enough questions !

Thanks,

Wayne (in north van)

[BCDelica]

I believe the Delica can tow that, it's recommend max towing capacity is 1590kg - that's from the Mod UK site. I tow; a utility trailer, boat (600kg plus with gear) and a travel trailer (about 1500 kg loaded). I have towed the boat into the Caribou and it only slowed my van on the mountains by less then 10km, 50km up the Coke in the steeps instead of 60km. I keep the travel trailer in town only, yet it will do 60 km'h up local hills surprisingly easy, I just keep it off the highways out-of-town to not be a burden to any poor sucker stuck behind me on a long hill; I can see some kid in a mustang struggling to find a spot to pass me while driving 30km/h and inhaling french fry fumes. LOL. Remember it's a uni body frame, but I find our Delica's brakes and suspension handle light towing better then our Astro van which was rated at 2500kg the tow package.

I don't think Deli's ever included a towing package, personal trailers in Japan seem rare.

Search "hitch" on this site, there is a lower rainland shop that is well recommend.

Kev

[bomand]

I'm also looking at getting a Delica Exceed. But towing capacity is a concern.

BCDelica, what kind of travel trailer are you hauling? And, have you towed it on the freeway at all?

I've got a 13' Trillium that I'm currently moving using a Land Rover. I've got to ditch the Rover as repair and fuel costs are killing me. This thing drinks premium gas as fast as you can pump it and it's repair bills are now easily higher than what we payed for it. I've been trying to find some sort of 4x4 deisel without moving into a pickup truck. The Delica looks about right...if it can pull the trailer at a reasonable speed.

[Schwa]

E & H Hitch Shop in Burnaby did a fine job and they see a lot of Delicas.

I haven't done any highway driving, or major hills yet, but it handled the 17 foot boat fine on city streets, but because of where I live hills are unavoidable, so as soon as I bring it somewhere we'll see how that goes.





more info in this thread: http://www.delica.ca/forum/eh-towing-hitch-1035.html

[BCDelica]

I'm also looking at getting a Delica Exceed. But towing capacity is a concern.

BCDelica, what kind of travel trailer are you hauling? And, have you towed it on the freeway at all?

I've got a 13' Trillium that I'm currently moving using a Land Rover. I've got to ditch the Rover as repair and fuel costs are killing me. This thing drinks premium gas as fast as you can pump it and it's repair bills are now easily higher than what we payed for it. I've been trying to find some sort of 4x4 deisel without moving into a pickup truck. The Delica looks about right...if it can pull the trailer at a reasonable speed.

Ah, you and Docsavage are in the same club!

Picture's are worth, ah you know. I don't know what a 13' Trillium weighs, but I know I like em and think the Delica could handle it. I have towed my 16.5' Aluminum boat to the Caribou region, yes it was slow on the coke but I mentioned the speed limit most of the time. Our old travel trailer has served us well for the last 18 years, but it's weight results in V6, and V8, vehicles slurping huge amounts of gas - not worth it. We just stick around our area, but can drive 90km/h on local highways.

The last camping weekend of the year with the family.....................

Cheers

[red]

I've got a similar situation here on the island. Has anyone had a tow hitch added locally (Victoria)?
thanks
red

[bomand]

The Trillium trailer weighs approx. 900 to 1200 pounds (depending on gear, water, etc.). BCDelica, any rough idea what the boat and trailer weigh?

[BCDelica]

My boat, motor and trailer (75hp) weigh in just under 1200 lbs dry and when we travel we tend to throw in plenty of stuff into the boat - it's easily 1300-1400lbs. I 8' dingy was in the boat the last time up the coke. I do make a point to buy gas at the end of the drive, just like you could consider filling up the water tank at your destination.

The slowest hill for me was the one up Hwy 24 from Little fort - a little over 50km/h at WOT.

Kev

[bomand]

We're looking for someone who's willing to assist us with an experiment.

As some of you know we have a travel trailer and are considering buying a Delica. We have concerns about the towing capabilities of the vehicle. Before we commit to actually importing a Delica, we'd like to have someone tow our trailer. We live in Surrey, BC and were looking for someone local with a trailer hitch equipped Delica that may be able to help us. After we are done, we will post our impressions and, hopefully, some hard data on this site to help others in the same situation make their decision.

Our concerns mostly involve the Delica's towing capabilities up hills on the highway. We should be able to plan a short, local circuit that adequately tests the Delica's abilities. We will, of course, pay for fuel.

The trailer is a 13' Trillium. We use a 1 7/8" hitch and a "flat four" electrical connector. If needed, we will buy an appropriate hitch ball [insert cheesy announcer voice] "Yours To Keep Free!!" [drop the cheesy voice]. We have a selection of electrical adapters that should match most vehicles so we should be fine on that front.

We're available most weekdays after 2:00 PM and on weekends. We currently have a tow vehicle and can tow the trailer to a meeting point.

If you are able to help us or know someone who can give us a hand then please post a response here.

Thanks.

[Schwa]

I'm equipped to tow, but my electric plug is a 6-pole type...

[EricN]

Give me a call, 604-552-2034. I live in Coquitlam but will be heading over the bridge one day this week and could come by in the afternoon. And I have an 1 7/8 ball as well as the plug.

[Jonny5ive]

Whatever happened to the experiment? Anybody have an answer?

[Manitoba Delica]

Hey guys, I am also buying a tent trailer in the next few days. I had a hitch put together from the $80 princess auto special and a welder for $100.. I'm looking at an 8' tent trailer hoping to keep it as light as possible. I think dry it weighs around 1200 lbs?? I just thought I'd mention that I just did my wiring on the van last night. It took 20 minutes, to take off the rear light covers, splice into the wires and connect the converter kit. I was surprised how simple it was, because I've never done it before. The kit I bought was $18 at u-haul....

[JMK]

If towing was going to be a significant use of my Deli I would take a serious look at a good Propane Injection system. Wayne SMith of Luxury Imports first brought the advantages of it to the attention of the Delica community. I understand that its most significant impact on performance is with regard to towing, and apparently it is widely used by the trucking industry as a result.

[rdub]

Whats wrong with good ol tents,tarps( propane heaters?)a creek or lake and a sweat little fire pit,or is this topic related to the "older crowed"