200 Series, anyone towing yet?

Hi Wherrol

I have just towed with a GXL 200 series from Mackay to Newcastle and all I can say is what a fantastic towing machine, held speed limit on all hills even towing up cunninghams gap at the speed limit.

I pushed it the 1st 2 days holding speeds up hill and down and into a strong headwind also and was using 20 litres per 100klm and on the 3rd day between Brisbane and Newcastle on the New England hwy I sat on speed limits but on hills tried to hold the gears longer by allowing vehicle to slow a little and was getting 18l/100klms which I am very happy with.
My van weighs 3.2 tonne and I have standard suspension which sits just perfect but I am sure in time I will need an upgrade but at the moment there are no aftermarket accessories for the 200 on the market as they are all still in the development stage

Regards

FYI, I was in my local ARB a couple of days ago. The word is their after market improvements are on the way. Some sooner than later. Fellow said the word about the lack of extra fuel tank in models above the GXL is to do with weight calculations. These models are heavier due to extra equipment and the formular includes full passenger load and expected luggage. So the reserve fuel tank was sacrificed would you believe. cheers, Neil.
(please stop telling me how good the 200 is as I can't afford to replace my 100TD! )

Hi Sharron

As I have recaros in my 100 series and I would dearly love to fit them to the 200 I think you better think hard and look into the legalities of fitting these to the 200 as I think you will find that you cant because the original seats are fitted with air bags and the same goes for fitting seat covers as well.
Im still in the early stages of sussing this all out but what Im hearing isnt good for my recaros but I have plenty of offers to buy them but we will wait see and use all avenues before I decide to sell them

regards
Kimbo

I do recall seeing "air-bag friendly" seat covers. Maybe 'Autobarn'. This issue is of course very important. There are tailor made seat covers too. Keep trying. Comfort is paramount so long as we don't provoke those nice insurance people. cheers.

I saw one towing a BT on the M4 in Sydney this morning. Don't Know who it was though
Bob

G'day All,

Haven't heard of airbags in seats before. I do know that in the LC100 the front passenger seat is fitted with an airbag sensor such that if there is no passenger in the seat at the time of a prang, the passenger side air bags are not deployed.

This was the only problem encounted in fitting the Recaros to the LC100, but Out of Town 4WD at Barnsley (Newcastle) are authorised to carry out the fitting, which involves matching the sensor to the Recaro. I have spoken to them on the phone and they are waiting for Recaro to produce a base which will comply with the ADR. They will ring Recaro today and will ring me back with the answer.

It appears that, with the base set in place, it will be just a matter of transferring the sensor to the Recaro. They don't recommend thick seatcovers (as in sheepskin), as the sensor may not work with the extra padding.

Will keep you posted............Rob

Whoops........Sorry Folks,

Mark, from Out of Town 4WD just rang me back to say that it can't be done on the LC200's because of the factory fitting of the airbags and removing the factory seats would be illegal and therefore no insurance. However Recaro are working towards getting around the problem.

So, it's wait and see I suppose. Bugger!!

Cheers............Rob

Hi Rob

Must have been you Mark was talking to whilst I was at the counter and I asked Mark to confirm all this with the RTA as I wasnt convinced by the guy at Recaro's response to just turning the Airbags of via the dash mounted switch.All sounded like someone just saying its Ok just do it without actually looking into the legalities.
Mark rang me whilst driving home to confirm the RTA reply.
I have also been to Toyota to find out about the seat covers and yes you can only buy airbag compatible seat covers and toyota want approx $250 retail for the front only.
Wait see when you get the 200 as I also suffer back problems and have just driven the 200 from Mackay and found them to be quite comfortable to be honest.
You must live local to us I am in Port Stephens shire and if you see a white cruiser with Qld rego (for time being at least) give a wave

Regards
Kimbo
Newcastle