GoSee Bulldog diesel Captiva sinks in DPChip teeth on 1987km Around Tasmanian Towing Tour
In third gear driving for
the conditions near West
Coast Queenstown |
The GoSee Holden Captiva LX auto diesel used 282.5 litres at a cost of $373.65 to cover 1987km on the GoSee Tow Around Tasmania Tour completed in March.
Its excellent performance has earned the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) the nickname "Little Bulldog" towing in conditions similar to touring in the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Most of the distance was covered towing the 1400kg loaded GoSee Jayco Discovery 16.52.1 pop-top caravan. The diesel Captiva averaged 14.22 litre per 100km which is an average of 7.03km per litre.
This is an average of 19.87mpg at an average cost of $1.32 per litre of diesel.
GoSee travelled clockwise from Devonport to St Helens, Hobart, (no caravan Bruny Island and Port Arthur) New Norfolk, Strahan, Queenstown and Wynyard via Hellyer Gorge.
Some of Tasmania's steep serpentine roads are challenging. Caution must be exercised. The speed limit is not a target. GoSee recommends driving to suit the conditions.
Daily speeds averaged around 65 – 70 kph.
The Holden Captiva LX auto diesel has a 65 litre tank. GoSee found it prudent to keep the tank topped up when diesel opportunities presented.
Three of the EFI GoSee towing tugs are fitted with a DPChip. They are the Toyota LandCruiser TD Sahara 100 Series. Holden Rodeo manual diesel Daul-cab and the Captiva LX auto diesel.
GoSee rides the edge of East Coast Oyster Bay on the A3 |
In often steep, winding, hilly towing the power boost from the DPChip to the Captiva turbo 2 litre diesel was outstanding.
The serpentine nature of Tasmanian roads, particularly on the run to West Coast Strahan, means that many steep climbs must be tackled on a curve from a slow speed low gear approach.
The DPChip provides a significant torque boost in this critical towing rev range for this task.
GoSee would not choose to tackle the Wayatinah to Strahan via Derwent Bridge section of the Around Tasmania Towing Trip at night or in bad weather.
Posted distances between centres appear short by Australian Mainland standards but actual driving times are up to double on the section from Launceston to St Helens on the East Coast and Wayatinah to Strahan on the West Coast.
GoSee increased our Hayman Reese Electronic Brake Controller braking level from 12 to 20 as downhill sections became steeper and longer as we headed for the West Coast.
The 12 setting is usually used in highway sections like the Hume between Melbourne and Canberra. Each caravan requires specific setting and this is best done slowly on a flat section of road before tackling Tasmanian ups and downs.
Motorhomes and campervans will be safer and handle better if full use of the gearbox and engine braking is used. While Tasmanian road surfaces are generally good many road sections, like New Zealand, have no shoulders.
Going down to Queenstown. Wayatinah to Strahan |
Keep left. Timber trucks appear suddenly (Launceston to St Helens) as do motorbikes with riders who obviously enjoy the thrill of the winding bitumen.
While Towing Tasmania requires full concentration (is there any other way to drive?). Tasmanians have road manners. GoSee was not pushed, hassled, tooted or abused during the whole near 2000km experience.
There are plenty of pull-offs along the way and we used them to let traffic through on the few occasions we found ourselves with a tail. While travel is slower we had time to see more and that is a distinct Tasmanian benefit.
Editors Note: Also See -
GoSee finds Tasmanian Tourist Parks fit travel needs with useful points of difference
Part 2 of GoSee Tows Around Tasmania meets great beauty, convict ghosts and reads logs written by Capt. William Bligh
GoSee meets Tasmanian dump points as CMCA drives leave no trace initiative
Surprise packet Bligh Museum Bruny Island time capsule of great Pacific navigators
Chips fly as driven Greg Duncan carves Wilderness tribute Wall to mirror Tasmanian High Country challenge
Laid back GoSee cruises to Tasmania across Coxy's wet lawn
Save relationships, cut stress, save fuel and time GoSee looks at Tasmania touring towing route options and Melbournes tolled roads
Beaconsfield gold breeds miners made of the right stuff
Salty sailors city Hobart blends Australia's past and present
For more information
contact: Garth Morrison
Editor Go See Australia and Go See New Zealand Directory
Email: garth@contact.com.au
GoSee joins the queue for Tasmania 142 |
GoSee at home on a Hillcrest powered campsite St Helens 068 |
GoSee gets up close with Swansea sea views |
GoSee on the job at Launceston Holiday Park 054 |
Seven Mile Beach GoSee in good company |
Queenstown below Wayatinah to Strahan 034 |
Tiger Tourer coming up Queenstown |
West Coast ahead Wayatinah to Strahan |
Hellyer Gorge on route to Wynyard |
Short distances. Long drive times |
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