Car Topper Number 2

[fisho]

Hi again

For those who have travelled with car toppers.....

Is wind resistance a huge deal when car topping? Do you notice a large increase in fuel costs? How much is vehicle handling affected?

Just don't know if my hilux 4x4 2.8 diesel is up to it?

fisho

[ar-we-ther-yet]

You wont have any problems.
My old 97 2.8 lt luxy towed a old 16"x 8" caravan (sixties model) with a boat on my ladder racks and a ton of the usual family holiday crap.
From redcliffe to brunswich heads and back.
Sure you wont get great fuel economy and it might be a little slower going up hills, but it will get you there.
It will depend more on what else your traveling with just having an alloy boat on the roof wont make any major difference.

[NormC]

I've found that I use about 1 to 1.5 litres per 100 KM more fuel. The boat bow cuts through the air pretty well I think. Yes it costs a little more (not much), but the cost of not having the boat is a lot more!!

An advantage is that the boat provides good shade to the vehicle. Air con doesn't have to work as hard, nor does the fridge.