Hi,
Anyone else here towed vans with their Third Gen?

My VR-X 5sp tiptronic auto does a fine job of towing a 1250kg 5m caravan. Loaded up, the van probably weighs around 1400kg.

The manual for the car makes no mention of needing an extra Auto transmission cooler. But I have heard they are a great idea.

I was towing the van up a long steep hill east of Canberra on the weekend, and the temperature gauge showed everything was fine until the last steepest section. Where the temp went from half (normal) to about 3 quarters, and then as soon as I increased speed, the temp went down to normal - still on the steep bit. The hill in question is probably 20ks of uphill, with the last 5k's very steep.

Any experiences, partic about adding a trans cooler, are welcome. :)

I was towing the van up a long steep hill east of Canberra on the weekend, and the temperature gauge showed everything was fine until the last steepest section. Where the temp went from half (normal) to about 3 quarters,

Get a transmission cooler. Otherwise you will be rebuilding the auto sooner rather than later.

You could also get a temp gauge for your transmission ... that way if she is getting hot you can pull over and let it cool.

I am assuming you were climbing the kings highway ... fully the go with out a caravan ... good for a blat ... but could think of better things to do than tow 1400 kgs up it ... like root canal lol

With your water temp getting hot ... you must of been travelling tooSlow and the radiator fans couldn't keep up, as soon as your speed picked up i bet the temp dropped back 2 normal .... although i panic at any sudden rise in temp like that :(

Dad's been towing his caravan with his 1st gen for years. Never had an issue.

Don't forget 1400kg multiplies as the angle (or gradient) of the hill you are going up increases, so check the maximum safe towing load for your car just incase :D


And yes I would add a transmission cooler too, like that you can give it a canning without the trailer every other day without worring about transmission temps :badgrin:

HAHA. just don't do this mate!!

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/index.php?e=cartrailor.wmv

My parents have tow their caravan all around australia with their 96 Magna (auto). They have had 2 gear box replacements though.. But i dont think its due to the caravan.

Thanks guys. Will price a cooler. :)

Towed a 1365 Kg boat on and off for 7 years with a KE Verada. Trips of up to 1200klms at a time and almost always having to climb the Toowoomba range on the way home.

Never needed an additional oil cooler for the transmission. Transmission oil runs through a pipe in the bottom radiator tank which Mitsubishi informs me is more than adequate to cool the transmission oil when towing.

Sold the car with 179000Klms on it! Guy who brought the car tells me it still runs like new.

Dont waste your dollars!!!

Don't forget 1400kg multiplies as the angle (or gradient) of the hill you are going up increases, so check the maximum safe towing load for your car just incase :D


1500kg is the max.

Get a tranny cooler. What would you rather pay - $100 or so for a tranny cooler or the thousands for a transmission rebuild? Better safe than sorry (and broke)