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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: KingBilly on November 01, 2015, 05:25:19 PM

Title: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 01, 2015, 05:25:19 PM
Read a comment in another thread that the member's new secondhand tug "showed no signs of heavy towing".  How do you tell?  I would have no idea what to look for.  Any ideas?

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: slydar on November 01, 2015, 05:38:39 PM
the towbar itself could be distorted, and things you would have to perhaps be a little wiser to like excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: me217 on November 01, 2015, 05:46:22 PM
i just read that to and had the same question. if the towbar was distorted then it must be really excessive.  ;D
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 01, 2015, 05:49:39 PM
the towbar itself could be distorted
Good point.

excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle
If used off road, or just the vehicle overloaded, most of these things would also be applicable.

clutch on the way out
That's standard on a 12 month old Navara  :D

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: MarkGU on November 01, 2015, 06:05:11 PM
any heavy weight towed wears out components quicker. look for uni joints worn especially if the vehicle is newer.
shocks worn out before their time.
springs that have sagged.
bushes worn etc.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: me217 on November 01, 2015, 06:14:38 PM

That's standard on a 12 month old Navara  :D

KB

and hiluxs from what ive heard
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: me217 on November 01, 2015, 06:17:22 PM
also my car has signs of heavy towing. ever since i fitted airbags in the rear springs  ;D the little grand vitara does what its told. whether it likes it or not.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: Snapman007 on November 01, 2015, 08:37:28 PM
the towbar itself could be distorted, and things you would have to perhaps be a little wiser to like excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle

Fairdinkum that sounds like my misses.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: Diesel Power on November 01, 2015, 08:53:21 PM
Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: Big Damo on November 01, 2015, 09:47:33 PM
and hiluxs from what ive heard

Not sure if a Hilux has enough power or torque to be able to stress a clutch
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: prodigyrf on November 01, 2015, 09:58:31 PM
Do the doors close alright?
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: cheif carlos on November 01, 2015, 10:16:11 PM
Screw holes around towbar, dashboard and in engine bay that don't correspond with lights etc.

12 pin trailer plug.

Brake controller.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: prodigyrf on November 02, 2015, 12:39:19 AM
Not sure if a Hilux has enough power or torque to be able to stress a clutch


Yes we Suzuki afficionados know those Hiluxes can be deadly but their poor owners are forever trying to improve the brakes-
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/companies/toyota-has-issued-a-warning-about-thousands-of-counterfeit-brake-pads-containing-deadly-asbestos/story-fnkjkh00-1227590041262 (http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/companies/toyota-has-issued-a-warning-about-thousands-of-counterfeit-brake-pads-containing-deadly-asbestos/story-fnkjkh00-1227590041262)
or perhaps it's all down to those ugly Toyota repayments  :-\
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: Jeepers Creepers on November 02, 2015, 04:46:06 AM
Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.

Bit like looking for good woman really.  >:D

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD. 
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 02, 2015, 06:11:02 AM
Screw holes around towbar, dashboard and in engine bay that don't correspond with lights etc.

12 pin trailer plug.

Brake controller.

Um, wouldn't that just be signs of towing?  The thread is about how to tell if a tug has been abused through heavy towing  :D

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 02, 2015, 06:16:56 AM
Bit like looking for good woman really.  >:D

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD.

Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex :D

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: smartyingreen on November 02, 2015, 08:57:50 AM
[quote name="Jeepers Creepers" post=770859 timestamp=1446403566]
Bit like looking for good woman really.  >:D

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD.


Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex Rd

KB
[/quote]

No, but maybe they should be. Might get more readers that way!
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: Footy Shorts Shane on November 02, 2015, 09:36:49 AM
How do you tell?  I would have no idea what to look for.  Any ideas?

A turn table in the back.

 ;D
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: GeoffA on November 02, 2015, 09:44:41 AM
Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.

If this gets bad enough, the hitch becomes difficult to remove from the receiver.

The elongations on the hitch and the receiver holes become flared, and they catch on each other as the hitch is withdrawn.

 :cheers:
Title: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: scarpsD40 on November 02, 2015, 09:45:15 AM
Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex :D

KB
4 languages on this forum.
1-English
2-speewanese
3-jeepers crypto
4-drononian
Just need to learn to read between the lines of all
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: edz on November 02, 2015, 10:08:16 AM
Signs of heavy towing [ tounge in cheek extreme ]  ;D    ...Rear springs sagged, rear chassis sagged cracked or banana shaped or higher on the left front due to twist , negative camber on solid axle rear wheels, door gaps wider on back or top edges , left hand engine mount torn and engine chained to chassis, engine fan tips and radiator shroud all ripped up, gearbox and transfer case mounts skewed sideways, A buckled steering wheel a dent in the floor  under the accelerator pedal and above all the    "  Roadtrain boss "  sticker on the rear window ..
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: RebsWA on November 02, 2015, 10:10:18 AM
If heavy towing is sensibly towing a 3 tonne caravan around for many kms you would never tell once the tug is separated from the van.
If heavy towing is bashing a 3 tonne caravan around including off road and driving it like you stole it, then you may find driveline backlash, a tired motor, whining diff, sagged suspension, etc.
But you can find all that on a vehicle that has never towed!
The same applies to a tradies utes or dual cabs that tows a trailer full of gear around every day.
Very subjective. There is no blanket answer to determine an accurate answer to the question other than get a used vehicle without a tow bar.



 
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 02, 2015, 12:00:51 PM
If heavy towing is sensibly towing a 3 tonne caravan around for many kms you would never tell once the tug is separated from the van.
If heavy towing is bashing a 3 tonne caravan around including off road and driving it like you stole it, then you may find driveline backlash, a tired motor, whining diff, sagged suspension, etc.
But you can find all that on a vehicle that has never towed!
The same applies to a tradies utes or dual cabs that tows a trailer full of gear around every day.
Very subjective. There is no blanket answer to determine an accurate answer to the question other than get a used vehicle without a tow bar.

Thanks Rebs.  What I was thinking  :cup:

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: oldmate on November 02, 2015, 12:35:34 PM
A turn table in the back.

 ;D

Jake brakes
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: terravista on November 02, 2015, 01:21:14 PM
All 4 Adventure stickers on the doors and old sleeveless blue shirts under the seat?
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: slydar on November 02, 2015, 06:17:43 PM
any heavy weight towed wears out components quicker. look for uni joints worn especially if the vehicle is newer.
shocks worn out before their time.
springs that have sagged.
bushes worn etc.

cheers mark - one would say let common sense prevail - any vehicle that shows signs of heavy wear should probably be avoided, like two I was advised against by nrma pre-purchase inspection reports some years ago - one of which bore the words 'shows signs of heavy/excessive towing' - I was never sure what 'excessive' towing meant but I declined the purchase anyway - not so a work colleague who did buy the vehicle and regretted doing so
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: NewieCamper on November 02, 2015, 07:32:17 PM
I looked at a couple of vehicles when finding our current one. One was ruled out fairly quickly as having worked reasonably hard in its short life was a used towball, in itself not much of a warning but when combined with red clay/mud caught in a few spots under the body and a broken side step meant I didn't have to ponder vey long. The alternative same model, similar price had an unused towball and no underbody damage was the obvious choice.
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: KingBilly on November 02, 2015, 07:38:37 PM
Note to self. Put on new towball before trying to sell  :D

KB
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: slydar on November 02, 2015, 08:01:24 PM
Note to self. Put on new towball before trying to sell  :D

KB

hmm - I should probably make sure I don't have the treg hitch on then...
Title: Re: Signs of heavy towing?
Post by: cheif carlos on November 02, 2015, 08:46:32 PM
Um, wouldn't that just be signs of towing?  The thread is about how to tell if a tug has been abused through heavy towing  :D

KB

Given your title is "Signs of heavy towing" light towing wouldn't require trailer brakes.

Our work utes are abused to a point that one would think that heavy towing would have happened, ie used as anchors to pull equipment.