Surf for towing

[Burian]

Hi, I own a 2.4 auto and am looking to move to a 3.0 litre. We have a caravan hence the towing. Should I be looking for an intercooler version or is the standard version ok. I know the towing limits are low but are enough for my purposes. Any info would be appreciated.

[TonyN]

TBH any 3.0 will be a revalation after a 2.4.

The intercooler is nice, if you can find one and afford the extra, its 'probably' worth it from the ones I've tried, it'll have to be a 3rd Gen to be intercooled (unless homebuilt) but 3.0 2nd Gens are great value.

Fit a AFT cooler if you get an Auto, one mod very worth doing.

[Predictable Bob]

Personally I'd go for the intercooler cos every extra bit of power is useful when towing a van !

Whichever way you go I'd strongly advise fitting an additional transmission cooler and if your van is at all on the heavy side have a word with Doctor Anglegrinder about doing away with the in rad ATF cooler entirely ...

Bugger - beaten by the Doctor himself !!!

[trev1968]

i pull a 23ft van no probs with my 3rd gen 3ltr not intercooled plenty power when needed and fuel con int too bad realy

[si tate]

I pull a 1500kg caravan with my 3rd gen & it does pull well but as above I would recommend an ATF cooler, I've not fitted one yet but it is top of my to do list. I have fitted a digital temp gauge which is a bit of an eye opener as it has hit 91 degrees "uphill" where as the standard surf gauge didn't go above halfway.

[bullet513]

does anyone make a kit that is a straight bolt on type kit?

[si tate]

does anyone make a kit that is a straight bolt on type kit?

No, it's a case of make your own but enough on here have done it so you can't really go wrong "famous last words".

[Rustinho]

does anyone make a kit that is a straight bolt on type kit?

You can get generic kits that will fit just about anything but it's loads cheaper to do a search on here/the Aussie tech site to find out what other people have done and pick up similar stuff from a scrap yard or fleabay breakers.

I picked up a couple of brand new oil coolers (excess stock) from a guy on fleabay ages ago for about £20 - haven't got around to fitting them yet though (one for ATF, one for engine oil) but I'm sure it'll keep me out of mischief if I find myself with idle hands sometime.

[Surf01]

I tow a twin axle with MTPLM of 1600kg behind my 3.0L Surf auto no problem. Just got back from St Neots and travelling at 60mph with no issues.