BEER Batter launched!!

[eugah]

Nice boat Wal & was good to meet you at Lucinda. Agree with Brett about the white light.

Adrian

[Scott nthQld]

sure is a good looking rig Wal, unfortunately I won't be able to make it on monday, though if you like I can sling you a couple of mark for around the Cape, Though with this weather, i don't think you'll be getting too far, it will be very sloppy and seas will be quite big I reckon.

I know its your new pride and joy and all that and I don't mean to criticise, but where that anchor light is, not only will it be a right pain in the arse, but seeing the canopy is higher, that light now does not meet the regs and your anchor light must be the highest point of the boat so others on the water have a completely unobstructed view of it......I would've thought Formosa should be up to speed on that. Other than that little oversight (which will be a very easy and quick fix) she looks great and its good to see it wasn't even a day old before she was blooded....not many people can pull that off

[White Pointer]

Yep, I have had the heavy duty bar fitted by ARB here in Townsville. With the 6 speed auto, I can tow up to 2300kg without the need for transmission coolers etc. As I said, no shortage of power - very impressed with dragging her out of the water - just a bit of a sag in the soft rear end. I put a set of heavy duty pedders springs in the back end tonight so the proof will be in the pudding as they say.

I have already loosened the U-shackles on the axles to move them forward about 3 inches as well. Will be very easy to do as the axles are mounted on a "sled" style setup that is anchored to the ladder frame of the trailer with two U-shackles on each side. Loosen the shackles and the whole assembly can be slid forwards or backwards. I have about 4 inches room to play within front of the axles before they start to interfere with the roller brackets etc, so I'll give 3 inches a go and see how she rides.

I will let you all know how we go after I have made the adjustments.

G'day again,

Check the Ford owner's handbook and find out the maximum down force on the towball. You want to be close to it without exceeding it. Too little downforce will have the BMT swaying behind you. Too much and you're illegal and warranty and insurance may be void.

Without a set of scales the best way to test this is with two or three or four guys who are fit and can lift each others body weight just off the ground. The guys have to be able to lift the towball down force load. So all you have to do is find them and if they can lift the nose of the trailer to towball height and hold it you are pretty close. If they can't do it or it's too easy shift the axles accordingly. This is pretty crude, but it will be close. Then you will have a beer and organise the next fishing trip.

If you want to be precise, call Queensland Transport and book in to have the BMT split weighed. There will be a fee. They might even object because they are very busy doing trucks and buses. But you are a road user trying to do the right thing and be safe. Keep asking and they will do it. They will put a weighing pad under each wheel as well as the jockey wheel and then you will know for certain. Too few of us do this and I can't understand why.

As for the Territory, the ZF transmission in these is very tough and very responsive. They have done great service in Range Rovers and Land Rovers for years and these vehicles are often used as tractors for horse floats and boats.

Check the owners manual and find out whether 4th or 5th is direct top gear (i.e. 1:1 ratio). Accelerate gently and you will find that the transmission changes up close to maximum torque. Hold it in direct top until the engine is just at maximum torque at cruising speed and then shift up 1 gear. If you get to a flat and can do 100 or 110 km/h consider 6th gear, but be ready to change down one or two gears early for hills or where you see traffic slowing.

So, let the auto do its work with soft throttle openings in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th and then you drive it manually in 4th, 5th and 6th. You will save a lot of fuel and be more relaxed and it won't cost you more than a few minutes over the trip.

I've driven Territories and Falcons with the ZF box, including some hot laps on circuits, and was amazed at how the gear box can lock in low gears to aid engine braking. Keep this in mind and experiment with it to increase your understanding of the control that you have with manual selection. The Territory can be an amazing vehicle if you know how to drive it.

Again, check the owner's handbook for the service intervals on the transmission. Now halve it. You are towing close to maximum load. Typically, this starts from home with cold engine, transmission, etc. The worst conditions for accelerated wear. The trip home offers the same conditions except that the Territory was asked to haul 2-tonne plus water up a boat ramp. The service is a change of fluid plus a filter/strainer. It's really cheap compared to transmissions.

Enjoy for a long time.

Regards,

White Pointer

[DTHCoCo]

Down force is easy minimum 10% trailer/boat gvm.. Eg boat and trailer 1800kg towball weight must be atleast 180kg