Signs of heavy towing?

[KingBilly]

Read a comment in another thread that the member's new secondhand tug "showed no signs of heavy towing".  How do you tell?  I would have no idea what to look for.  Any ideas?

KB

[slydar]

the towbar itself could be distorted, and things you would have to perhaps be a little wiser to like excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle

[me217]

i just read that to and had the same question. if the towbar was distorted then it must be really excessive. 

[KingBilly]

the towbar itself could be distorted

Good point.

excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle

If used off road, or just the vehicle overloaded, most of these things would also be applicable.

clutch on the way out

That's standard on a 12 month old Navara 

KB

[MarkGU]

any heavy weight towed wears out components quicker. look for uni joints worn especially if the vehicle is newer.
shocks worn out before their time.
springs that have sagged.
bushes worn etc.

[me217]

That's standard on a 12 month old Navara 

KB

and hiluxs from what ive heard

[me217]

also my car has signs of heavy towing. ever since i fitted airbags in the rear springs  the little grand vitara does what its told. whether it likes it or not.

[Snapman007]

the towbar itself could be distorted, and things you would have to perhaps be a little wiser to like excessive play in the driveline, clutch on the way out, sagging rear springs, badly worn rear bushes etc, compared to a similar model/age of the same vehicle

Fairdinkum that sounds like my misses.

[Diesel Power]

Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.

[Big Damo]

and hiluxs from what ive heard

Not sure if a Hilux has enough power or torque to be able to stress a clutch

[prodigyrf]

Do the doors close alright?

[cheif carlos]

Screw holes around towbar, dashboard and in engine bay that don't correspond with lights etc.

12 pin trailer plug.

Brake controller.

[prodigyrf]

Not sure if a Hilux has enough power or torque to be able to stress a clutch

Yes we Suzuki afficionados know those Hiluxes can be deadly but their poor owners are forever trying to improve the brakes-
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/companies/toyota-has-issued-a-warning-about-thousands-of-counterfeit-brake-pads-containing-deadly-asbestos/story-fnkjkh00-1227590041262
or perhaps it's all down to those ugly Toyota repayments 

[Jeepers Creepers]

Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.

Bit like looking for good woman really. 

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD. 

[KingBilly]

Screw holes around towbar, dashboard and in engine bay that don't correspond with lights etc.

12 pin trailer plug.

Brake controller.

Um, wouldn't that just be signs of towing?  The thread is about how to tell if a tug has been abused through heavy towing 

KB

[KingBilly]

Bit like looking for good woman really. 

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD.

Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex

KB

[smartyingreen]

[quote name="Jeepers Creepers" post=770859 timestamp=1446403566]
Bit like looking for good woman really. 

I reckon its hard to tell, we always get so excited about getting a new tug and its often enough, long after you've used it a few times before you realize the airbags have gone off a few times before you got it and its showing signs of having the speedo turned back.
Oh, and how come, the moans and groans only appear after the first six months.

Then of course, you also have ya 4WD.


Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex Rd

KB
[/quote]

No, but maybe they should be. Might get more readers that way!

[Footy Shorts Shane]

How do you tell?  I would have no idea what to look for.  Any ideas?

A turn table in the back.

[GeoffA]

Have a look at where the hitch pin goes through receiver. The holes will be elongated.

If this gets bad enough, the hitch becomes difficult to remove from the receiver.

The elongations on the hitch and the receiver holes become flared, and they catch on each other as the hitch is withdrawn.

[scarpsD40]

Hey Jeepers, not every thread is about sex

KB

4 languages on this forum.
1-English
2-speewanese
3-jeepers crypto
4-drononian
Just need to learn to read between the lines of all

[edz]

Signs of heavy towing [ tounge in cheek extreme ]      ...Rear springs sagged, rear chassis sagged cracked or banana shaped or higher on the left front due to twist , negative camber on solid axle rear wheels, door gaps wider on back or top edges , left hand engine mount torn and engine chained to chassis, engine fan tips and radiator shroud all ripped up, gearbox and transfer case mounts skewed sideways, A buckled steering wheel a dent in the floor  under the accelerator pedal and above all the    "  Roadtrain boss "  sticker on the rear window ..

[RebsWA]

If heavy towing is sensibly towing a 3 tonne caravan around for many kms you would never tell once the tug is separated from the van.
If heavy towing is bashing a 3 tonne caravan around including off road and driving it like you stole it, then you may find driveline backlash, a tired motor, whining diff, sagged suspension, etc.
But you can find all that on a vehicle that has never towed!
The same applies to a tradies utes or dual cabs that tows a trailer full of gear around every day.
Very subjective. There is no blanket answer to determine an accurate answer to the question other than get a used vehicle without a tow bar.

[KingBilly]

If heavy towing is sensibly towing a 3 tonne caravan around for many kms you would never tell once the tug is separated from the van.
If heavy towing is bashing a 3 tonne caravan around including off road and driving it like you stole it, then you may find driveline backlash, a tired motor, whining diff, sagged suspension, etc.
But you can find all that on a vehicle that has never towed!
The same applies to a tradies utes or dual cabs that tows a trailer full of gear around every day.
Very subjective. There is no blanket answer to determine an accurate answer to the question other than get a used vehicle without a tow bar.

Thanks Rebs.  What I was thinking 

KB

[oldmate]

A turn table in the back.

Jake brakes

[terravista]

All 4 Adventure stickers on the doors and old sleeveless blue shirts under the seat?