SV6 and Towing a Car

[05 VZ SS]

Hi all...
Can a Manual Sv6 tow a car on a trailer and not wear out the clutch?
As in towing a car to and from the race track a few times a year?

[Rod VZ Storm]

I tow a 1500kg boat with my 175kw VZ ute. The factory clutch isnt really the best, but does the job.

Just becuase you dont have a boat ramp to contend with, you still have hill starts at traffic lights etc to worry about.

A few trips a year wont wear out the clutch. Just try and reduce the number of hill starts you do and reduce any manourvering you need to do. Especially on a incline.

Make sure you have the right tow pack. You need at least the 1600kg tow pack to tow another car. A dual axle car trailer is normally 500odd KG on its own. The 2000odd KG tow bar would be best.

[twb1979]

Slightly off-topic took this pic last Sunday on the Mitchell Fwy just outside Perth City.

2004 VZ SV6 pulling a car with 5 adults in the car. I thought it was impressive.



rgds

Tom/PERTH

[Rod VZ Storm]

There is a thing called GCM - gross combination mass

The combined weight of the car, its occupants and trailer cannot exceed a certain figure.

So you probably cannot tow 2000kg and have 5 persons and luggage in the car. Not sure on the exact figure for a SV6, should be in the manual or brochure.

Lucky its only a Pulsar !

This is my rig

[twb1979]

Sadly, my SV6 only has the factory 1200kg tow-bar.

Is it true that if you have a 1600kg or a 2300kg set-up fitted you need a trans oil cooler?

I'm very tempted to swap mine over, as all the associated electrics are already in-place (the wiring in the spare wheel well) and I can't imagine it being a huge and costly job.

Anyone got any idea how much $$$ these heavy-duty tow-bars cost??

cheers

tom

[naf33n]

i think its only the autos need a trans cooler

[Rogues]

A 1600 'Reese' towpack will set you back about mid 4's plus fitting
A 2100 " " towpack is up close to a grand...
If you are towing with an auto ........(could apply to the manual also for safety).....stick to 4th gear, leave 5th out of the equation unless you are running on dead level ground, (better for the motor AND the clutch)

IMO,
Rogues

[benzor]

Towed a 180sx to adelaide and back non stop each way...
Killed the clutch, but it was going to die anyway

[holden007]

i think its only the autos need a trans cooler

Auto's need the trans cooler, especially towing. The OEM design is fairly crap. The trans cooler is recommended not only for towing but fast city driving aswell.

[twb1979]

I enquired today about trans coolers at my local Holden spare counter.

Was told no such thing as a transmission oil cooler since the VT!!

Also checked with a tow-bar place when getting a price for a 2100kg tow-bar and was told exactly the same thing.

[benzor]

I enquired today about trans coolers at my local Holden spare counter.

Was told no such thing as a transmission oil cooler since the VT!!

Also checked with a tow-bar place when getting a price for a 2100kg tow-bar and was told exactly the same thing.

Get an aftermarket one

It's called a transmission oil cooler... It's not hard.

[daveb8]

How much does the car and trailer weigh?

You should read your manual there is lots of information in there. I am guessing the total load will weigh between 1200 and 1600kg, in which case Holden says essential equipment is brakes on the trailer, and a heat shield for the rear muffler and centre bearing. They also recommend you have a load distribution hitch if towing a single axle trailer.

Over 1600kg and it gets ridiculous (you need an auto to start with). See 10-3 in your manual.

Another point is that in some states the load you are towing cannot weight more than the towing vehicle

[nige69]

Don't forget the brake rules for trailers too. If the trailer is capable of carrying more than 750kg (including the weight of the trailer itself) then brakes to at least one wheel must be fitted.

This is for South Australians. Not sure what the rules are for other states.

Edit: Added link to the pdf file: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/pdfs/...ulletin_10.pdf