Tow capacity of an Isuzu MU

[timster]

Does anyone know the tow capacity of an Isuzu MU?

I'm hoping to hire a car carrier trailer and tow a Magna.

Thanks

[geeves]

Because they are Jap import and because the Japanese are not allowed to tow they dont have a tow rating but rule of thumb is that you can tow 75% of the Mus weight ie 1200kg unbraked and the same as a similar wagon here so if you can find the braked tow weight for a diesel rodeo of a similar year you should be right.
None of this is admissable in a court case if Aussi rules are different to this.

[Bruce]

For those in Aus and insuranced through DGA, the MU and MU Wizard are rated the same as the Jackaroo of the same year with the same motor. As in my case MU 3.1, but in Aus you cannot tow anything heavier than the vehicles weight. Like the tow bar on the Wizard is rated as 2500KGs with a ball weight of 250KGs do not think you would be covered if towing that ;D
So I am to change my tow bar on the MU (rated 1200KGs and ball 80KGs) to a Rodeo one which is 1800KGs and 180 KGs
I only rang about this a couple of weeks ago, and all I have to do is let them know what I will be towing, as in my van size and weight. Hope this has been of help to all.

Cheers Bruce

[mulover]

I've had probably 2.5 to 3 tonne on behind mine on a braked tandem trailer, and it towed fine. Also had a bighorn and a toyota hilux (not at the same time) on a salvage trailer and had no worries.

[geeves]

What you get away with towing has little bearing on what is legal or safe. The Mu is a heavy 4wd with the wheels well spaced so can safely tow a lot more than similar sized cars. A while ago police near Queenstown stopped a Nissan Sunny towing a 20 foot yaught. They had made it from Christchurch with no dramas and were rather put out at not being allowed to continue esspecialy as the law in NZ at that time had no figures and was based on whether the police thought it safe. In this case that combination was stupidity. Ive also seen the result of a similar boat behing a Nissan Bluebird that lost it. Policeman was looking at it scratching his head as to what to do next. It was on a double lane one way section of road with crash barriers on both sides and had managed to turn right round facing the wrong way and the boat had jumped off its rollers. It would of been an exciting ride.
A Mu should be able to tow a Magna on a braked trailer fairly safely although Im not sure why you would want to

[jer0]

I've towed a A-framed fj40 around the place and it towed really well and that was on the stock tow hitch that bolts onto the back

[timster]

My other car is a Magna and it needs another transfer case and auto gearbox.
There is a damaged one in Tamworth. (I'd sell the other parts)
I'm working out the cost to move the vehicle form Tamworth to Brisbane.
I've got a quote of $605 by a car carrier.

My costs would be
trailer hirer 2 days $250
fuel $150
tow bar for MU ?

Its starting look like the car carrier is the way to go.

[geeves]

Add to that a day or two of your time with which you could be enjoying 4wding etc and that car carries starts sounding good

[mulover]

For the hassels trailers can be, I'd say the car carrier

[geeves]

Magna Transfer case?? The Magna we got in NZ was a Mitsi Sigma that was widened and had the 2.6 4 cylinder engine fitted for the Aussi Market. It came as a saloon and station wagon. No 4wd models. It was the forerunner to the v3000 etc

[timster]

Apr 5, 2009 20:08:48 GMT 11 geeves said:

Magna Transfer case??

Magna AWD employs a viscous limited-slip rear differential, Evo VI transfer case, open front differential common with Evo VI RS and Evo VII, and a centre differential with viscous coupling from Evo VI. Like most viscous coupled all-wheel drivetrains, Magna AWD delivers a 50/50 front/rear torque split in normal conditions.

[geeves]

Dont think we ever got that model. It would be perfect for gravel roads and skifields

[timster]

It works quite well on sand for short distances, but the ground clearance isn't too good.


I think it was made in Adelaide from 2002 to about 2005.

The car was developed locally by Mitsubishi’s engineers. They took a luxury Japanese AWD Diamante, added some vital elements from the famed Lancer Evolution, and mated it to the local Magna to produce a car that is suited to Australian conditions. They mated the silky Australian-made 3.5 litre V6 engine and local suspension to the Japanese AWD system, and came up with an Australian first – a locally produced large AWD sedan.

[geeves]

All is explained. That 3.5 is a nice motor. The Magnas we got are a lot older and none came after the v3000 was launched. This became the Diamante in later years. We never got an AWD version of any of the large mitsi cars only the proper 4wds the Outlander and the evos