Im needing a bit more space for long stay camping outback and wondering if anyone tows a Stockman Pod Trailer or any trailer regularly with their original 2.1 Syncro engine?
weight loaded is about 1200kg including trailer, Braked
Does it slow the vehicle considerably on the highway?
how does it effect offroad driving?
will it shorten the life of the gearbox or shorten the life of the clutch?
Is their anything else to consider?
Thanks
Hi Greg,
I occasionally tow with the Syncro, a medium tandem trailer to cart stuff around (usually 1000kg loaded), and a small Jaco pop top camper, also about 1000kg.
Depends on what you want out of your van, for me it tows fine, sits nicely on the highway.
Definitely slows quicker with hills, so you will slow down a fair bit and will affect travel times on a long trip, but that does not really bother us.
Clutch life, that really depends on the driver, should not really affect its life if you’re sensible.
As for the gear box, I guess the load is higher and will impact the life a little but not like it will half the life of the gear box. Again, depends on the driver. With a stock 2.1 you’re not putting a big load on the drive line. Push it very hard and you’d probably want to monitor engine oil temp/pressure and gear box temps.
The only other thing to consider is brakes. Stock brakes are adequate, and if the trailer brakes are good, you will be fine.
Those weights are within the specs of the van when braked, but the Syncro has a low tow weight compared to modern cars and need to keep that in mind for legality/insurance.
Just drive within the capabilities of the van, don’t be in a rush and it will do the job fine.
Oh, as for off road, I’ve not done that with a trailer. Dirt roads and fire trails will be fine, serious off road and the MV engine will struggle I would guess.
thanks for your reply Richard very helpful information.
How does one monitor the gear box temp in a syncro, perhaps a temp guage could be fitted?
I dont have a standard syncro as mine is EJ25/20 frankenmotor powered and it has Audi G60 front brakes and T4 rear disc brakes.
I tow a galvanised box trailer single axle 7 x 4 which ends up full of heavy tools and some building materials and I have even towed it through bumpy soft sand without any issues.
I much prefer not to tow anything though.
thanks for your message Scott
Be careful of your towbar rating. Hayman Reece are only rated at 1,000kg. Genuine towbar is 2,000kg.
I tow a stockman. No dramas. Don’t load it up too much. Have fitted a gearbox temp monitor. Sender replaces the filler plug. Hooked up to a vdo gauge. Works well. Easy install with a bit of wiring.
good advice thanks Phil
Thanks for the gearbox temp sensor tip Peter. do you like your stockman? dust etc,
which one do you have all roada, extreme or the base model? The all roada is lighter but has leaf springs no shocks or brakes. I just want to go down a few off road tracks and set up camp near a river
Hi Peter,
Should give us a write up and some photos of your install.
I would like to do a gearbox and front diff temp gauge from the sump plug and install 2 separate dash gauges to suit.
Great information all 
Peter, once installed does your temp sender sit in the oil? (the fill plug should be above the oil level)
I do not have a temp sender on the Syncro, if I do fit one I would look to mount it externally to a hot spot on the case. It would not be actual oil temperature, but will indicate if this are hotter than normal.
I thought the temp sensor was located in the drain plug?
Should always have oil on it…
The one I have is in the filler plug. Will go back through my receipts and find the supplier. You can probably buy ones for the drain plug. It was a replacement filler plug with a 1/8" insert for the sender unit. I know there are ones for the engine oil temp. Go Westy sell a replacement for a relief valve which also has the 1/8" hole for a sender unit. Do we have those in our Syncros?
Anyway, I wired mine up to a VDO gauge in a pod on the dash. Found the 12v supply from behind the fusebox that is dimmable from the instrument dimmer rheostat. Vey handy to have for the gauges.
I took some photos as requested. Cheers, Peter
Hi Greg. Mine is the base model. Pretty simple. Does all that I need. Very easy to tow. Great to throw a few more spare parts in, just in case!!! We done use it a lot as I have said. Just in longer trips or when I need to take a few more “toys”. I drive carefully and don’t strain the old van too much. Cheers, Peter
Looks very neat Peter.
Where did you get the guage pod from.
Perfect for those who don’t smoke!
I thought the filler and drain plug were roughly the same size.
I got the pod from Campervan Culture. I have seen them in quite a few sites. Some guys are making them with 3D printers. Not sure about the quality. Re the plugs, you may be right. I think at the time I possibly didn’t want to drop gear oil putting it in. There will be experts about who know about both the filler and drain plugs. I will crawl under mine and have a look. It would be better in the drain plug. Cheers.
I forgot that of course the drain plug is magnetic. Has a rod that collects shavings and broken bits (hopefully not). So not sure its a good one to use. The magnet is very important. Would be interested if anyone has thoughts on that. Peter
Peter thanks looks like a good setup. I have a trakka the same colour.
Im sure someone has a magnetic sensor set up that would do the trick.
Ive seen other set ups in the drain plug - i think that Greg guy that does the Boxeer conversions had one.
More research time!