CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Anything non-technical about the Mazda Bongo Friendee van

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Gasy
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:23 pm

Mine pulls better than me landrover defender did
Sits very happy at 65 with 1 1/2 tonns of van behind
Buying a caravan is worse than buying a bongo
Loads of pigs out there
I wrote my other caravan off last year on way home from glastonbury fest and had 3 weeks to get another before family holiday in devon
That was not fun
But got a good one in end from a dodgy dealer other side of northampton
I would not recomend him
Take a torch and step ladder with you
For looking under seats and in dark corners of van for damp and on top of van for holes
You will work out which to use for which :D
I fell of me torch twice before I realised
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
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ELZE
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by ELZE » Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:18 pm

Bob wrote:Transmission oil cooler is recommended, see other current post.

I fitted a Kenlow on a Sunday morning, no probs, cheaper ones available.

Auto box should be fine for towing, with a manual the clutch is a weak link.

sounds great thanks, where does one fit an oil cooler?
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ELZE
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by ELZE » Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:23 pm

Gasy wrote:Mine pulls better than me landrover defender did
Sits very happy at 65 with 1 1/2 tonns of van behind
Buying a caravan is worse than buying a bongo
Loads of pigs out there
I wrote my other caravan off last year on way home from glastonbury fest and had 3 weeks to get another before family holiday in devon
That was not fun
But got a good one in end from a dodgy dealer other side of northampton
I would not recomend him
Take a torch and step ladder with you
For looking under seats and in dark corners of van for damp and on top of van for holes
You will work out which to use for which :D
I fell of me torch twice before I realised

Good advice thanks

Speaking of dodgy dealers, I joined the caravan club a few weeks back (well someone has to) anyway one of the threads on the forum was astonishing, it said that 65% of new caravans have damp problems these days across all makes( confirmed by the CC) terrifying!

Also the emphasise is always on repairing not refunding, I think I would see my day in court wouldn't you?
A Bongo is for life, not just for Christmas
Bob
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Bob » Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:25 pm

Kit will come with instructions, but basicaly in front of the rad/aircon condenser and behind the grill.

Just needs an airflow over it. 8)
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
Gasy
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:03 am

You can just see the new cooling rad ( a small ally rad ) I've fitted it in front of the existing rad behind front grill
To get air flow through it

I'm thinking now I might do an engine cooling one aswell
There is enough room to put an oil cooler one to the right hand side of the opening next to the one I've just fitted
An oil cooler one should then drop engine / head temp

The rad kit I used is for engine oil and comes with a fitting which screws in place where the engine oil filter goes , then the filter screws onto this fitting and the cooling rad hoses screw onto this fitting and takes the oil through the cooling rad after it has been FILTERD before it goes back into engine
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
Gasy
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:07 am

Yes elze
Brand new caravans are not rejected of the production line unless they have more than a 20./. Damp reading :shock:
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Gasy
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Sat Aug 20, 2016 9:39 am

Else I would go for air bags in the rear springs for towing before a gear box cooler
If you don't all ready have them air bags
I towed heavy caravans for years before getting the cooler
Bottoming the springs out was a problem
Gearbox wasn't a prob
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ELZE
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by ELZE » Mon Aug 22, 2016 11:41 am

Gasy wrote:Else I would go for air bags in the rear springs for towing before a gear box cooler
If you don't all ready have them air bags
I towed heavy caravans for years before getting the cooler
Bottoming the springs out was a problem
Gearbox wasn't a prob

Hi

I fitted the airlift last year when I renewed the rear shocks :D
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:19 pm

I'm very impressed with mine
What psi do you run yours at ?
I'm 20psi at the mo
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ELZE
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by ELZE » Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:09 pm

Gasy wrote:I'm very impressed with mine
What psi do you run yours at ?
I'm 20psi at the mo


2Bar ?
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Gasy » Fri Aug 26, 2016 2:11 pm

That's about 30 psi
Mmmmmmm
I might go up in pressure then
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ELZE
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by ELZE » Sat Aug 27, 2016 11:44 am

Gasy wrote:That's about 30 psi
Mmmmmmm
I might go up in pressure then
I used the lift because I have to access wind farms crossing farms and through forestry roads but beware! with low profiles that pressure makes for a hard rear passenger ride even with ne shocks. Road humps are a pill as it nearly catapults rear end off the ground. Depends what you need it for really. Towing I would let half of that go so it would still support the gas tank and the caravan
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hijimhere
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by hijimhere » Tue Oct 18, 2016 4:20 pm

I was under the impression that the autobox had an intercooler in the bottom of the Radiator!?
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Bongolia » Tue Oct 18, 2016 4:29 pm

hijimhere wrote:I was under the impression that the autobox had an intercooler in the bottom of the Radiator!?
It does, the addition of an external cooler is belts and braces thing. :)
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Re: CAN I TOW THIS VAN SAFELY?

Post by Bob » Tue Oct 18, 2016 4:33 pm

The intrecooler is to cool the air being drawn into the turbo, makes it denser so more fuel can be burnt ie more power.

The transmission oil, ATF, is routed through the bottom of the main radiator for cooling but an additional oil cooler is recommended for towing. :)
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
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