It's a towing machine!

[mararmeisto]

Okay, after much research, and asking questions, this is what I've learned and done to the Moon Machine:

-although not confirmed through documentation I've seen, these vans are reportedly able to tow 1700kg out of the box (no mods other than a hitch);
-while it's only an 85hs (83hp) diesel engine, coupled with the low-geared transmissions it should pull all day, if at an albeit slow speed on particularly steep grades (and it's not going to set any land speed records);
-and at a little less that 8 feet wide, these vans are narrow and so consideration should be given to the width of whatever is going to be towed (to minimize wind shearing, especially at highway speed).

We had one of these before we bought the van...

Utility trailer.jpg (153.39 KiB) Viewed 11801 times

...so we had to get one of these (from E&H Hitch in Burnaby)...

Hitch assembly.jpg (131.87 KiB) Viewed 11925 times

...and then we wanted one of these...

Tent trailer.jpg (116.97 KiB) Viewed 11737 times

...and due to weight, I wanted to put in one of these (to ease the load on the van)...

Trailer brake controller.jpg (82.27 KiB) Viewed 11574 times

...and that's when things got interesting.

BC requires a trailer brake controller when the towed vehicle is more that 50% of the weight of the towing vehicle. Therefore, I was looking for something that weighed in around one tonne. I knew if I got something small enough, I wouldn't need a trailer brake controller, but I wanted one just to take some of the load off the van's brakes. We lucked out and the tent trailer pictured is only 545kg empty, and after we loaded it up for this past weekend, we checked on one of the scales and registered 802kg.

So, as can be seen, I mounted the controller on the side of the transmission box (I didn't want to put it under the dash because I have large feet and didn't want to be catching-up on it every time I got in and out of the driver's seat). The wiring runs forward to underneath the dash...

Trailer brake controller and wiring.jpg (113.57 KiB) Viewed 11682 times

...this is the brake line going out to the rear of the vehicle (snakes along the underside of the vehicle, left side, past the fuel tanks), through a spare grommet I found near the middle of the floor pan...

Brake line feedthrough.jpg (57.75 KiB) Viewed 11474 times

...and these are the power lines going out through the floor pan near what I think is the speedometer cable (they snake their way up to the battery compartment...

Power lines for TBC.jpg (52.81 KiB) Viewed 11410 times

...this is the brake sensor (the blue line), attached to the brake light line (the lower green line coming off the brass-colored cylinder, which is the brake switch) above the brake pedal...

Brake switch.jpg (87.77 KiB) Viewed 11424 times

...the brake line (blue) goes back to the 7-wire plug (the plug is grounded to the frame (white), and the trailer is grounded to the vehicle through the plug)...

Trailer plug.jpg (87.23 KiB) Viewed 11423 times

...and all of that goes together to look like this:

Moon Machine Exploration Set.jpg (121.86 KiB) Viewed 11376 times

And finally, because the screw-down bolt for my spare tire was bent (discovered that when I was taking out the tire to run the brake line), I moved the whole thing up to the roof rack, like thus...

New spare tire location.jpg (93.18 KiB) Viewed 11331 times

How's the performance, you ask? Well, the Moon Machine wasn't setting any speed records before, but it did go a bit slower. We managed the Malahat though, and those of you who attended the meet at Rathtrevor Beach saw it all connected and running. On the way back to Victoria, the poorest speed uphill was between marker 20km and 16km on the Malahat (that's a tough hill regardless). Shifted out of overdrive, waited till it caught up again, and then back into overdrive (it down-shifted on it's own to second on that hill, but usually stayed in third). Still maintained 55km/h up that hill, and on the flat got it back up to 90-100km/h (I never go much over 100km/h anyway). Took a bit longer to get back up to warp speed, but still got there.

Trailer hop? None, but I don't know if that was due to the trailer having brand new tires, was heavy enough or whatever. Not sure what makes a trailer hop behind a vehicle, but it always freaks the s*** out of me when I'm behind someone who's trailer is bouncing around behind them. Know what I mean?

Fuel economy wasn't affected that much, maybe another half-kilometre less per litre (8.0 km/l instead of my usual 8.5km/l).

I probably wouldn't tow much larger of a trailer, but that's just me. As for great distances, I don't know how far I'd go. I guess I'll have to find out, maybe Alberta or beyond? Where the road takes me I guess.

[TardisDeli]

Hi Paul, Very Cool set-up. And thanks for doing all the research for other Delii on tow weights, you obviously spent a lot of time and effort.

We havent been towing much yet, been too busy with snow to go boating. But now we have all your results, so thank you.

Jay of The TardisDeli says "trailer hop" is probably caused by too little "tongue weight". Tongue weight should be 7 to 8 percent of the total weight of the trailer. But not to exceed the total tongue weight rating of the vehicle, which is often rated at 500 pounds (don't know the deli's rating). Quote: "If she doesn't have enough tongue weight she'll Fishtail like a bastard" is his expert opinion. (Hey, I just type what I'm told). And yes it bounces madly.

On the electric trailer brake controller, Jay reminds other Deli's to ensure they can easily use the little + / - switch which is on top of the "Brake Override Switch" while you are driving (if you're not left-handed / ambidextrous, maybe mount it on the right of your steering column. This enables you can manually override it if you need to "when all hell breaks loose, instead of the trailer trying to shove itself up your ass, you can slow it down a bit". endquote.

He is most concerned that the neon-green tennis ball covering the tow hitch ball is not dignified enough for a Delica. I am more concerned that some poor puppy is awaiting his tennis ball to be returned.

I see a theme in your photos, Your Moon Machine Deli tows a StarCraft Tent Trailer -- deliberate or co-incidence ? and both white ...

We'll have to plan a Delica-Towing Convoy soon.
Cheers, Christine.

[mararmeisto]

... I am more concerned that some poor puppy is awaiting his tennis ball to be returned.

I see a theme in your photos, Your Moon Machine Deli tows a StarCraft Tent Trailer -- deliberate or co-incidence ? and both white ...

We'll have to plan a Delica-Towing Convoy soon.
Cheers, Christine.

If I say I kicked that puppy in order to steal its ball, would you be even more concerned? Alright, just joking on that one... I just took the ball - I never kicked the puppy.

The white color of the trailer was a little deliberate, but I didn't even think of the StarCraft connection until you pointed it out. Sweet! That is pretty cool.

[Erebus]

Usually, the tow vehicle needs towing mirrors so they can see around the trailer. And given that the Delica is narrow, you would think it would be critical. But it would be ugly, it would need really long arms. But it isn't necessary -- the mirrors just look OVER the trailer

[mararmeisto]

Usually, the tow vehicle needs towing mirrors so they can see around the trailer. And given that the Delica is narrow, you would think it would be critical. But it would be ugly, it would need really long arms. But it isn't necessary -- the mirrors just look OVER the trailer

Also, for this trailer, it's only 5cm or 10cm wider on either side than the Moon Machine. Not enough to worry about. And you're more correct with your second statement: I don't need to look PAST it when I can look OVER it. I really love the mirrors on these vans - reminds me of the bonnet mirrors on the older European cars (actually I think the Hilux has one too as an accessory).

[jwfchase]

Looks great!

Maybe you should see if Mystery Machine has any technical advice on how to install a lift kit on a tent trailer The trailer looks vulnerable behind that sturdy van of yours. I know there's quite a few forestry campsites around here that the Delica would have no problem getting to, but the trailer'd be hung up on something back down the road...

[Erebus]

I have an old tent trailer that I used to tow behind the mothership (caprice). I needed new tires for the trailer, so I got larger so it wouldn't drag. That might be a quick and simple method.

[Dingus]

I used to tow a similar tent trailer behind my Bronco 2, to get a bit of lift I had repositioned the axle below the springs rather than above. Gave me a few extra inches of clearance and provided a little better distribution to tongue weight.