On it's way - Wahoo!!

[gregozedobe]

Sooooo, pickup [brand-new] van, attach 550kg trailer with 1200kg of BMW rally car, drive 1300km to Adelaide, 1000km for the rally, then 1300km home again isn't recommended? c

IMHO that will be fine, but for optimum running-in I would suggest that you :

1 Take it easy until the engine is properly warm (90 degrees C on my gauge).

2 Constantly vary the engine revs on the hwy (hence no cruise control). I tended to maintain a sort-of constant road speed on the flat bits (which you will see lots of on the way to Adelaide), but regularly shuffle through 4th, 5th and 6th gears to change the engine revs.

3 Use lower gears up hills (with that load I'd be aiming to keep the revs above 2200 on any decent hill). Just because the engine will pull hard at 1600 on a hill with a load doesn't mean you should let it. With over 2000kg of total load I'd be inclined to only use 6th on the flat bits if there was no head-wind, otherwise use 5th. If you want to get an idea of the current load on your motor, look at the instantaneous Fuel Consumption reading on the trip computer (if you have it). For me anything much above 12l/100km on the open road means the engine is starting to do some serious work, but with your load you'd probably be happy to see that on the flat

4 Check the oil level every 500Km to start with (the odd TDI engine can use a bit of oil at first, and you can go a long way on a tankfull of fuel). General consensus is that a "firmly" run-in motor is less likely to consume oil (mine doesn't use any at all, and that is common).

5 Don't be too gentle on the accelerator all the time. Regular full pedal-to-the-metal from 1800 through to 3000rpm actually helps the running-in process as it increases the pressure on the rings which helps them and the cylinder walls wear in to each other and get a better seal. It also helps keep the moveable vanes on the VNT turbo free (they are known to stick on TDIs that are ALWAYS driven at low revs and gentle accelerator.

6 For the first 2000Km I would try not to go over 3500rpm, after that 4000 would be fine (not much point going above 4000 anyway as you get better power by changing up a gear)

7 Chasing around at the rally should be fine, as you will probably be doing a fair bit of 5 above Just try not to get booked for speeding.

8 Enjoy the drive. I find my T5 is just a wonderful highway cruiser By the time you get back it will be mostly run-in. I started using my cruise control after 4000Km, but still varied the revs every 15 mins or so until after 5000km.

I'm sure lots of people couldn't be bothered with all this mucking about and their vans have turned out fine anyway, but I pay for everything out of my own pocket and I tend to keep my vehicles for 10 years or more, so I wanted it to be as right as I could make it.

Hope that helps.

Greg C

[Lams]

oops I missed step 1 and step 6

[Bluerex]

Hey thanks for that!
We did a 600km run yesterday (pulic holiday here in Canb) up hill and down dale through the snowy Mountains - great drive with a good mix of loads and revs. The plan is to get up over the 1000k mark before starting the long tow. Unfortunately we didn't get the trip computer - with the delivery time critical it was a case of "grab what we could" so no options. I would also have liked arm-rests - can they be retro-fitted?

C

[gregozedobe]

I would also have liked arm-rests - can they be retro-fitted? C

I doubt it, as the seat has to have an (internal) frame for them to bolt to. Feel around the side of your upright to see if the frame is there (about 1/3 of the way up).

I actually have armrests on my van, but removed 3 of the 4. The outside ones were a nuisance because you have to fold them down to allow the side airbags (in the side of the seat) to operate in the event of a crash, but you have to fold them up to get in and out. Having the two centre armrests fitted made it a bit awkward to walk through to the back (made it a narrow gap), so I've ended up with only the driver's centre one.

[Bluerex]

Hmm, I can feel a bolt hole on the side of the seat frame, don't know if the internals are there to attach to. I agree that the most important arm rest is the driver's. Who did the removal?

C

[WEDEL.1]

TRAKKA fitted armrests to the front seats of Dietrich the Green T4.

Maris

[gregozedobe]

Who did the removal? C

Me. It was pretty straightforward, lever up the plastic cover over the hinge, unscrew the retaining bolt that takes the weird VW special fitting (sort of like an Allen key but different). If you want to have a look sometime send me a PM for location & contact details. I live in Tuggeranong.

[Tornado T5]

Hey thanks for that!
We did a 600km run yesterday (pulic holiday here in Canb) up hill and down dale through the snowy Mountains - great drive with a good mix of loads and revs. The plan is to get up over the 1000k mark before starting the long tow. Unfortunately we didn't get the trip computer - with the delivery time critical it was a case of "grab what we could" so no options. I would also have liked arm-rests - can they be retro-fitted?

C

Yes arm rests can be fitted after purchase. A company here in Ferntree Gully Vic, near Burwin VW fits such accessories. They installed my rear velour trim lining, rear step to a H-R hitch and a second row of bucket seats with, quick release, individual seat belts and child seat anchor points. They're called Veh Quip, tel 03 9758 7276, fax 03 9758 4011. In their brochure they just refer to them as armrests.

[Bluerex]

Thanks Guys, this is great. After the trip, I will chase down some arm rests, probably from Trakka as they are a little closer than Victoria .

On a slightly different subject, what do you lot think about nudge/bull bars. I need to fit up some driving lights, and I just cannot bring myself to drill a hole in the roof for the UHF antenna - a decent bar might fit the bill.

C

[Tornado T5]

Thanks Guys, this is great. After the trip, I will chase down some arm rests, probably from Trakka as they are a little closer than Victoria .

On a slightly different subject, what do you lot think about nudge/bull bars. I need to fit up some driving lights, and I just cannot bring myself to drill a hole in the roof for the UHF antenna - a decent bar might fit the bill.

C

Again from Veh-quip I fitted a small black bullbar/nudge bar and attached a CB antenna, more for judging the distance in front than actual cb use. I have the painted bumper option and this provides more protection and still allows the factory driving lights to shine un-impeded. The chrome bars I saw didin't cover enough of the front at the time but probably looked better....I might get round to taking some photos after the next wash.