Willing Hyundai shows poise as GoSee takes Slippery When Wet coastal touring route
Bermagui headland lunch break
for AWD Santa Fe R with
Jayco in tow |
After four days and 793km of towing the Hyundai Santa Fe R 2.2 auto 'Green R' diesel is doing particularly well with fuel use figures ranging from 10.58 to 12.5 litres per 100 km.
When we tow GoSee makes no attempt to drive for economy.
Full use is made of the comfortable Hyundai's six-speed automatic gearbox both in auto and manual overide to provide safe progress.
Mixed weather with rain, wind and then settled conditions on the NSW coast shows the Santa Fe R AWD as sure-footed and responsive as a tow tug for the 1400kg loaded GoSee Jayco Discovery 16.52 pop-top caravan.
After an easy canter from the GoSee southern office at Bonbeach Victoria to an ensuite site at Park Lane Tourist Park Traralgon the Santa Fe R returned a relaxed touring result of 10.58 litres per 100km at between 86kmh and 110kmh when speed limits allow.
From Lakes Entrance Victoria to our second overnight stop at the budget priced Orbost Caravan Park the Hyundai first showed its superior AWD traction on the rain slicked coastal A1 highway.
After a restful night clear of the highway roar and with our act cleaned up by the Orbost Caravan Parks spotless ablution block we faced the highway ready for a real Victorian winter weather towing test.
Santa Fe R and GoSee Jayco Discovery stop to shop at Orbost 039 |
Slippery When Wet is an understatement on the A1 switchback as it weaves its way towards Eden and the New South Wales border. The going is similar to GoSee's serpentine road experience when we towed the Jayco Discovery about 2000 km around Tasmania in March.
Right through to Tathra Motor Village and GoSee's third overnight stop the Santa Fe showed its reliable balance. The 2.2 diesel is a willing worker and responds to manual management of engine braking through the well chosen gearing.
Under auto GoSee found that the Hyundai has a slight tendancy to hunt between 5th gear and overdrive on moderate grades. The substantial 436Nm torque hangs on to the death if the transmission is left in automatic.
Working the box between auto and the manual option allows the driver to fit the Santa Fe R to bad weather slippery towing in hilly, winding going. This keeps the willing diesel right in its sweet spot between 1900 and 2500rpm.
Progress is smooth and when the road drops away manually clicking back to 4th and 3rd gears means that most highway towing situations can be slowed and controlled without excessive use of brakes.
Sapphire Coast shimmers Bermagui in July 085 |
The Jayco Discovery pop-top caravan is a good match for the Hyundai Santa Fe R and follows the Hyundai's lead. But to really give the follow-the-leader abilities of the Hyundai and the Jayco a stretch GoSee chose the "scenic" old coastal route from Tathra to beautiful fishing crazy Bermagui.
For pleasure touring the beauty of this drive is reason enough to take it. This is the Sapphire Coast and it shines.
As we said earlier GoSee does not drive for enconomy when towing. This route requires full use of the gearbox and a powerplant which delivers genuine grunt.
The climbs are sharp, steep, sudden and sustained. In many cases there is little and often no run-up after 40kmh limit one-lane bridges.
The descents wind away down ridges to sea colours and secluded sands and then up again to the coastal ridges. A wonderful touring drive far from the broad bitumen of the A1 further inland
Ten points to the engineers who put the poise in the Santa Fe R design. It loves to work. 3000rpm in third is a snap. Heaps of torque, loads of traction and everything nicely under control.
GoSee does not see speed, anymore than driving for economy, as a prime factor in towing considerations.
The Santa Fe R excellent turning circle whips GoSee Jayco Discovery around 044 |
Speed signs are not a target. On wet slippery road surfaces, particularly when they are steep and winding speeding to the edge of adhesion can spoil the day permanently.
The A1 from Lakes Entrance to Batemans Bay can throw in heavy mist and strong winds too.
The tall timber towering close on either side of the highway keeps shadowed sections of the highway wet late into a winter day.
Coming down a hill into a slippery curve flicking the Santa Fe R into 5th or 4th adds engine braking and instantly available power to keeping towing safe.
In sunlight the same trees flicker sunlight across the highway through their trunks. It is distracting and care and quality sunglasses ease the eyestrain.
In tight manoeuvres the Santa Fe R has a useful turning circle of 10.8m which GoSee finds makes caravan handling much easier.
The Hyundai's AWD traction control is also handy on wet, grassy campsites and it copes well on sloping ground and across sandy campsites.
The Hyundai has well planned seating and the driver can set up "the office" to suit. The Santa Fe R GoSee is using has full electric adjustment on the driver's seat.
A useful addition to the Green R Hyundai's impressive running gear would be a GPS. The reversing sensor alarm is now a valued addition to hooking the GoSee Jayco Discovery to the Hyundai towbar and ball.
For the first time in years of towing GoSee is not using our Hayman Reese drop shank and Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH). Hyundai's Owner Manual does not recommend WDH.
Tuross Beach Holiday Park provides ocean views for Santa Fe R and jayco Discovery 089 |
On that subject GoSee notes confusion in terms of using WDH with some European built caravans. These caravans are often mechanically braked and a WDH could negate the braking and anti-sway control which is engineered into some European designs.
The GoSee jayco Discovery we are towing is typical of Australian designs and is engineered around an electric braking system.
The Hyundai Santa Fe R came to GoSee well run in and fitted with Tekonsha Electronic P3 Brake Control. GoSee has not used this product before although we note it has many supporters in Forum thread comments.
GoSee set the unit at 6 after a couple of low speed brake tests on flat road. The LCD display and menu options are easy to follow. The Tekonsha P3 has a manual over-ride and a power boost option B1 B2 and B3.
Tekonsha says the power boost should not be used in icy road conditions. The boost has a value if the driver wants the caravan to brake first. It would also be useful if the caravan weighed more than the tow vehicle. This is not a towing situation which fills GoSee with joy but we know it happens.
In fact GoSee met an unhappy tug and caravan example at Tathra. We wonder how the sales person who sold the combination to the woman and child who were travelling in it will face themselves in the mirror should the situation get seriously out of hand.
Gosee is proud to work with the majority of RV industry people who take safe towing as a first priority, but we would like to see an end to the few exceptions.
Absolute beach position Tuross Beach Holiday Park 095 |
GoSee is travelling north with pet friendly caravan parks in mind. We are adopting a family with a tight budget attitude when we chose a caravan park stop.
Our first overnight stop was Park Lane Tourist Park Traralgon.
Park Lane is an old friend of GoSee and we admit bias.
It has new managers in Helen and Tom Marshall. Helen and Tom have been GoSee supporters for seven years.
GoSee likes quality caravan parks and Park lane is among the best in value, quality service and facilities in Australia. So GoSee is happy to pay $34 a double a night on a powered ensuite campsite when we are in Gippsland.
Orbost Caravan Park on the second night was new to GoSee.
But GoSee noted the pet friendly policy and at $22 a double a night with big powered sites the caravan park is budget touring value.
Once again there has been recent change. Greg and Jenny Stevens (they could not afford the Ph) have taken on the lease and Orbost Caravan Park has shining showers and spotless toilets. There is a purpose-built disabled bathroom with a baby-sized bath opposite.
The caravan park is close to Orbost shopping centre and far enough from the A1 highway noise to keep the peace through the night. There are plenty of big powered sites.
Tuross Beach Holiday Park is another pet friendly stop quietly placed off the A1. Owners Geoff and Pam Ward have a Holiday Park at which managers Chris and Kerrie Curtis put GoSee on one of its absolute beachside powered campsites. The views are million dollar at $32 a double a night and the sound of waves easing up the beach outside the Jayco Discovery's door is hypnotic.
New Santa Fe – powertrain
2.2 CRDi turbo Diesel (3rd generation common rail with piezo electric injectors)
145kW of peak power @ 3,800rpm
421Nm peak torque @ 1,800 to 2,500rpm for 6-speed manual
436Nm peak torque @ 1,800 to 2,500rpm for 6-speed automatic
Fuel consumption+ 6.7 litres/100 km (man), 7.5 litres/100 km (auto)
CO2 emissions+176g/km (man), 197g/km (auto)
Specifications:
Engine: 2.2-litre, four cylinder, turbo diesel
Power: 145kW @ 3800rpm
Torque: 436Nm @ 1800-2500rpm
Induction: Common Rail & Turbocharged
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Discs with ABS & EBD
CO2 Emissions: 197g/km
Fuel Consumption: 7.5L/100km (ADR)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 70L
Fuel Type: Diesel
ANCAP Rating: Five-star
Airbags: Front, Side & Curtain
Safety: ESC with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Full-size Alloy
Suspension: Strut (F) / Multi-link (R)
Cargo Capacity: 969/2247L
Tow Capacity: 2000kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 10.8m
Warranty: Five-year / Unlimited kilometre
Weight: 1988kg (Tare)
Wheels: 18-inch Alloy
Towing Capacity CRDi 2.2 Diesel
Braked / unbraked (Auto) 2000 / 750 kg
Maximum towball weight 150 kg
Roof cross bars load limit 100 kg
Editor's Note: Also See -
Practical Caravan Park knowhow transforms Park Lane Tourist Park in Latrobe Valley Victoria
Around Australia via Victoria and Tasmania - Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Route
Agnes and Nick camp at pet friendly Park Lane and tour fresh, green Gippsland
GoSeeAustralia's Great Drives of Australia - Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Route
On the Road with no Fixed Abode - get mail, car rego, pay bills, stay online, enjoy TV and vote
Comprehensive Tow-Ed course educates towing newcomers and polishes techniques for Old Hands too
For more information
contact: Garth Morrison
Editor Go See Australia and Go See New Zealand Directory
Email: garth@contact.com.au
GoSee gets directions at Tathra beach Motor Village from Mark Jefferson 046 |
A big rig rolls into Tathra Beach Holiday Park 076 |
Aslings Beach Eden 043 |
Aslings Beach Eden lunch stop in sound of the surf 041 |
Beach Hut cabin Tathra Beach Holiday park 073 |
Hyundai Santa Fe R AWD traction puts Jayco on site at Tathra Beach Motor Village 052 |
Kangaroo morning Tathra Motor Village 055 |
Looking across Aslings Beach to Eden 045 |
Pet Friendly Tathra Beach Holiday Park 079 |
Santa Fe R finds a home among the gum trees Tathra Beach Motor Village 051 |
|
 | Check out the new
Hyundai Santa Fe R 2.2 Diesel
as evaluated for towing by GoSeeaustralia.
See our web site for more information. | | Hyundai Motor Company | | Email Us | | www.hyundai.com.au |
 | The Colourful Park
Top Tourist Parks Chain
Pet Friendly
Call us now on
1800 440 000 | | Park Lane Tourist Park | | Email Us | | Our Website |
 | | Orbost Caravan Park | Quiet
Relaxed
Clean &
Friendly
Make us your overnight stay
Call now on:
03 5154 1097 | | NOT PUBLISHED | | Our Website |
 | Stay in our cabins or sites right on the waterfront.
A member of the family Parks Chain.
Pet Friendly
Call us now on:
02 4473 8236 | | Tuross Beach Holiday Park | | Email Us | | Our Website |
 | Discover the East Coast with Easts!
BATEMANS BAY
1800 132 787
MORUYA HEADS
1800 232 787
NAROOMA
1800 332 787 | | Easts Holiday Parks | | www.easts.com.au |
 | | BIG4 Broulee Beach Holiday Park | Private entrance onto sparkling Broulee Beach and world class facilities
Midway between Batemans Bay and Moruya
1800 633 590 | | Email Us | | Our Website |
 | | Beachcomber Holiday Park | POTATO POINT
VIA BODALLA
Right on the beach
Great fishing
Great accommodation | | Email Us | | Our Website |
|
