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Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / 4x4 Cars (Australian group) / November 2006Mazda Tribute downhill performance
I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill control of this vehicle as there doesn't appear to be any low gear lockdown or engine braking with its auto transmission system. The thought of taking my half tonne trailer plus a tonne and a half of towing vehicle down a steep incline on brakes alone with the engine idling, frightens the sh.t out of me to be honest. My alternative is the Nissan X-Trail which at least has a manual transmission option. Some advice would be appreciated. thanks  SignatureBrianM > I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my > camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > thanks Further information left out of above post. I'm talking about driving on sealed roads only, not serious off-road stuff which both vehicles are not designed for or suited to. As an example, the steep grade down from Mt. Tamborine above the Gold Coast, to Oxenford. -- BrianM >> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > -- > BrianM Yikes, with that road alone Id go for the X-Trail. IMHO Id concider the likes of deisels as well as they have better engine braking. >>> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >>> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > IMHO Id concider the likes of deisels as well as they have better engine > braking. Unfortunately I don't think there are any diesel softroad SUV's. I like the V6 power of the Mazda, pity it doesn't come in manual. For my modest needs, the softroader is adequate, otherwise I'd be looking at a grunty true-4WD Toyota or Nissan. Would still like to hear from any Tribute owners out there who tow a good load out the back down steep grades. cheers Scotty -- BrianM Hyundai Terracan = Diesel Bludge >>>> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >>>> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > -- > BrianM > Unfortunately I don't think there are any diesel softroad SUV's. Landrover Freelander- TD4 >> Unfortunately I don't think there are any diesel softroad SUV's. > > Landrover Freelander- TD4 Terracan (and soon) SWB Pajero http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/E41A88EA222C1C58CA2571F8000EB520 Though I'd quite happily debate that *all* of these are a step up from being 'softroaders' SignaturePeter Degotardi peterdegYourHat@au1.ibm.com (remove YourHat to talk to me) IBM Australia I speak *from* IBM, not *for* IBM >I'm talking about driving on sealed roads only Buy a commodore. >>I'm talking about driving on sealed roads only > > Buy a commodore. Another one ? -- BrianM >>>I'm talking about driving on sealed roads only >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > -- > BrianM the commonbore will be a better tow vehicle than any small softroader if you not going offroad just get a normal car Kev >I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my > camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > transmission option. > Some advice would be appreciated. look at the Pathfinder In my very limited knowledge of "soft roaders", I think a Suzuki GV is the best of them. I might be wrong though. Take one for a drive and see what you think. > I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my > camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the Nissan X-Trail which at least has a manual transmission option. Some > advice would be appreciated. Thanks everyone for your replies - I solved the issue of transmission by looking close at one today - it has the standard auto options of 1 2 D N R P Bought one this afternoon. cheers -- BrianM >> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > cheers -- > BrianM What extras did they suck you into? >>> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >>> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > What extras did they suck you into? None. I'll get a towbar fitted by a reputable private firm I know about as the Franchise charges like a wounded buff ! Signaturecheers BrianM >>>> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >>>> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > None. I'll get a towbar fitted by a reputable private firm I know about > as the Franchise charges like a wounded buff ! For Towbars give Mr Muffler in Mac Gregor a call, theyve done two for me at great price and service was fantastic. PS Tint plus in Mansfeild also does a great job at a good price. (Neither are the cheapest around but best all round from my experience) >>>>> I was considering buying a 2001 Mazda Tribute Classic to tow my >>>>> camper-trailer. I have some real reservations about the downhill [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > (Neither are the cheapest around but best all round from my experience) Vehicle alread has tint. A-Line towbars in Southport are pretty good as well. thanks Signaturecheers BrianM BrianM said.... > None. I'll get a towbar fitted by a reputable private firm I know about > as the Franchise charges like a wounded buff ! What sort and how much? > BrianM said.... > >> None. I'll get a towbar fitted by a reputable private firm I know about >> as the Franchise charges like a wounded buff ! > > What sort and how much? got a heavy duty Trailboss and it cost around $350 iirc. cheers BrianM BrianM said.... > Thanks everyone for your replies - I solved the issue of transmission by > looking close at one today - it has the standard auto options of 1 2 D N > R P Bought one this afternoon. Let us know how you're getting on with the vehicle. I've just bought a Tribute (06 model, superceded one with the column shift). I wish to purchase a small van, pop-top, camper, expanda, whatever. Therefore I'm most keen to hear what people have to say about the car and their experiences with it. Info is difficult to come by, other than reviews by car mags and the like where they don't really do long term tests on such vehicles under these conditions. > BrianM said.... > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > car mags and the like where they don't really do long term tests on such > vehicles under these conditions. Sorry for the long pause between posts. currently putting on some extras to the Tribby i.e. series 2 nudge bar with Hella Comet 550 lights (not extraordinary lights but decent ones), some new Simex tyres, mud flaps, got a heavy duty Trailboss towbar put on the other day, so things are progressing nicely and we are doing the Birdsville Track - well part of it - with the campertrailer next winter. One of the rewarding things I got for the interior was an el cheapo cup holder fromThe Warehouse for $3.50. It clips into the fixed air vent on the drivers side. I lined it with soft velcro and my UHF-CB portable sits in there perfectly.. I suppose there are flasher holders around but this is retro !. cheers BrianM >>BrianM said.... >> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > cheers > BrianM Umm how long do you think that holder will stay there for? think lots of bumpy roads and a bit of weight bouncing about inside it try bumping it on top with your hand and see how much pressure it takes to dislodge it just a thought Kev >>>BrianM said.... >>> [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Kev Hi Kev, I thought about that and applied large amounts of thick double-backed tape to help keep it in place. I'll eventually get around to putting in a proper holder but this will do for the highway in the meantime. cheers BrianM BrianM said.... > currently putting on some extras to the Tribby i.e. series 2 nudge bar > with Hella Comet 550 lights (not extraordinary lights but decent ones), > some new Simex tyres, mud flaps, got a heavy duty Trailboss towbar put How much did the Trailboss cost you, and why did you pick it instead of say, a Hayman Reece hitch? > BrianM said.... > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > How much did the Trailboss cost you, and why did you pick it instead of > say, a Hayman Reece hitch? $480 fitted. Hayman-Reese and Trailboss are owned by the same company. SignatureBrianM > BrianM said.... > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > How much did the Trailboss cost you, and why did you pick it instead of > say, a Hayman Reece hitch? $480 fitted. Hayman-Reese and Trailboss are owned by the same company. SignatureBrianM BrianM said.... >> How much did the Trailboss cost you, and why did you pick it instead of >> say, a Hayman Reece hitch? > > $480 fitted. Hayman-Reese and Trailboss are owned by the same company. So, are you saying that the H-R and the Trailboss are the same towbar? If so, why market them under different brand names? > BrianM said.... > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > So, are you saying that the H-R and the Trailboss are the same towbar? > If so, why market them under different brand names? go to any supermarket have a look at how many supermarket names are out there and how many are all owned by one Company because the general public are easily fooled Kev Kev said.... >> So, are you saying that the H-R and the Trailboss are the same towbar? >> If so, why market them under different brand names? > go to any supermarket > > have a look at how many supermarket names are out there > and how many are all owned by one Company > > because the general public are easily fooled Maybe. But we're not talking about canned tomatoes or a TV dinner. This is a specialist product usually decided upon by consumers who've generally done their research. > Kev said.... > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > is a specialist product usually decided upon by consumers who've > generally done their research. not but it's the same priniple why not sell the same product under more than one name you will sell more than if you sold them all under the same name Take the Dick Smith Electronics and Tandy deal both are owned by Woolies, and both sell the same sh.t for the same price but some people think that Tandy are better than DSE and vice-versa and as for consumers doing research the number of people who delve deeper than just listening to the salesman are few and far between Kev > BrianM said.... > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > So, are you saying that the H-R and the Trailboss are the same towbar? > If so, why market them under different brand names? Why are you asking me? I don't make towbars, I get qualified mechanics to fit whatever they consider appropriate for the vehicle. SignatureBrianM |
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