M-TDI Caddy Getting me home accross the country - General - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

M-TDI Caddy Getting me home accross the country by Justin on 19 Aug, 2007 07:04
well I said that I would let you guys know when I made it home and I have been a little late on that so here it goes,

I left Tucson AZ Friday Night (3 weeks ago) at 8:15 with my 82 Caddy with a M-TDI running 15 psi of boost, packed full with 5x8 uhaul trailer on the bumber hitch loaded up with all of my belongings. When I left I had 1200 miles on the Brand new TDI and I was going to attempt a 2058 mile drive? My Mom, Dad, Wife, Brother Sister and Best Friend said I was nuts and that I wouldnt make it, my reply was WOULD YOU EXPECT ANYTHING LESS FROM ME??

So through the Hills and mountains of New Mexico I went thouroughly amazed at the power of the TDI with cable shifted 5 speed pulling the trailer with ease (you could tell it was back there though)

7 hours of sleep, 6 monster energy drinks, numerous fast food meals, some redman chewing tobacco, 44 hours (8:15 Michigan Time) and 2058.5 miles later I rolled into my driveway and the Caddy never even blinked at eye

now I can brag to my family that my caddy is an excellent vehicle since it proved them all wrong, my dad was on stand by with the duramax and a trailer just waiting for that phone call to come get me, but the caddy prevailed

hope you like this and check out my cardomain site to see some pics of the trailer at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2449597/1

later
Justin
#1 by burn_your_money on 19 Aug, 2007 07:10
Damn that trailers bigger then the truck :lol:

How was the braking?

Glad to hear you made it, it sounds like you're just as crazy as I am when it comes to long drives with untested vehicles.
#2 by MacGyver on 19 Aug, 2007 07:51
How'd it do on fuel with that trailer catching the wind?
#3 by Justin on 19 Aug, 2007 13:28
the braking wasnt bad, you defineately had to start a little sooner, I think that the larcher drums out back definately helped

I averaged 25 mpg with the trailer, it ranged between 23 and 31 mpg depending upon how many hills there were.

later
Justin
#4 by Jetta Fan on 20 Aug, 2007 05:35
That's a serious workhorse you got there Justin. Glad you, your wife and Caddy made it safe and sound. That trailer is quite a load for the truck, but glad she performed well for you.
#5 by ratty on 25 Sep, 2007 16:51
what kinda milage with out the trailer?
#6 by MacGyver on 26 Sep, 2007 14:07
I just pulled my trailer (made from S-10 pickup) for a 5hr round trip on the weekend with a 1.9L TD & tranny in the back 1/2 way.
Got 38-39mpg IMP (31-32mpg US) with my 97 TDI. My trailer doesn't catch wind like that so 25 is excellent.

Hey...the money's on par, how come the mpg's are still different?? :lol:
#7 by Justin on 06 Oct, 2007 09:43
sorry its been a while, with out the Trailer I have been getting between 41 and 48 depending upon how I drive, I am averaging 43.5 right now overall, but I just fixed some stuff and my alignment is a little off so in time it will get better.

later
Justin
#8 by sprstu on 18 Oct, 2007 23:34
i love taking on road trips like that, where youre sure youll make it but many others are skeptical.
#9 by Justin on 27 Oct, 2007 10:51
its very satisfing when you make it when your wife cannot stand your car and you just say well I guess we will just have to keep it cause its just to reliable and able to do anything