Best option: comfort versus off road

We have an F250 and Palomino Real Lite poptop slideon which weighs 800 kgs in Canada and there is no way I would put that much weight on either a Hilux or in fact any of the mid size utes.
Even a Landcruiser ute would be a bit on the small side especially if intending to do any 4wd tracks.
I'd go for the tow vehicle and small van as you have got the best of both worlds, a hard sided "go inside and shut the door" when the weather is poor, and a vehicle that can be used to do rougher small side trips if you want. Plus you have transport if staying somewhere for a few days without the hassle of taking a slideon off.

Hi Herby,
Congratulations on your English - it is way better than many of us locals can do!

Toyotas have a strong resale value here in Aus, so in terms of value you will get a better $ proposition with a Jeep or a Ford. Have a look on this website's classified advertisements to see if a package or either one is suitable for you.
Here's one http://www.exploroz.com/Classifieds/Campers_Trailers.aspx?id=19166

Any of the combinations you have suggested will work - but the slide on pop top may have more wind resistance, and have a higher centre of gravity, which could be offset against having to tow a trailer. It's all a compromise........

If you get a trailer, you could leave that behind in a base camp while you go on small trips in the 4WD - not so in the slide on camper. The height of a slide-on unit has the potential to be an issue if you are on tracks through timbered or seldom traveled tracks, where an overhang of vegetation may exist.

Me?? I'd go with a Ford PK Ranger 3 L diesel dual cab for $21,612 drive away. Visit carsales.com.au.

Coupled to either a Cub or Aussie Swag off road trailer, like this for $27,000. http://www.exploroz.com/Classifieds/Campers_Trailers.aspx?id=19117

With a package total of $ 49,000, a 5 minute search has easily come in under your limit of $50,000. Remember these advertised prices are negotiable and are just a starting point. No reason why you could not get similar for $ 40,000.

Best wishes

I have a Jeep and I like it a lot but I wouldn't recommend using one as a visitor out there. Not enough parts or expertise to cope with the possibilities. My first choice would be a Ranger followed by one of those other "T" word brand. :-) Pack up the back of the Ranger with your gear and pull a camper. Excuse me while I duck for cover...

Hi! Herby. If you want to travel around australia in comfort and safety and see it all! Check out the Isuzu 4wd camper van in the classifieds section under motorhomes! Regards Brian.

If you want to see every where.....option 1....

Hi everyone!

Wow, more than 250 views. Thank you all for your response.
I understood that option 3 is too heavy and I will skip it. Nobody voted for option 2. And I follow the argument, that there are not enough parts or expertise to cope with the jeep; but it looks great.
I’m not familiar with towing a rig. So what’s with this option?

Ford Ranger Extra Cab tray + slide on like the trayon campers, travelander or wedgetail

Not so heavy, low centre of gravity and easy to set up free-standing in camp.

G, day herby56
Why not look at an ex rental bush camper, no towing hassles, room to get out of the rain, already set up with fridges and cooking etc.
I HAVE a 2008 V8 troopy and have done 100, 000 ks in 2 years.
The main problem is the original suspension, but I HAVE a ARB 50mm lift and 800kg rated springs which has solved the rear end droop and gives a very comfortable and supple ride. The vehicle is very capable off road and better on fuel than my Prado was towing small camper trailer.
IT ALSO COMES WITH INBUILT WATER TANKS.My brother in law has a Kia conversion and mine is a Maui, there are also Brizt campers available.
CHEERS
JOHN

Hallo Herby
Ich bin aus der Schweiz und kann euch vielleicht helfen. Ich habe selber einen Landcruiser und Camprite Offroad-Trailer. Im Moment in der Schweiz, aber hoffentlich bald wieder Downunder. Kannst mir direkt mailen: prospector@bluewin.ch
J.J.

Wow, ich wünschte ich könnte verbrachte 1 Jahr in Ihrem Land haben, hatte ich nur vor 3 Wochen, ging an Andrea Berg Konzert in Aspach zu sehen, dann verbrachten 6 Tage mit Freund in Nürnberg, ging nach Augsburg und Schloss Neuschwanstein, und 5 Tage in Ingelheim , Oppenheim und Rüdesheim. Sie haben eine sichere und angenehme Tour durch Australien.

Ich denke, vielleicht Toyota Truppentransporter wäre eine weitere Option sein, würde ich nicht mit Folie auf Camper belästigt werden.

.

Hi Herby, you haven't mentioned your ages or state of health and fitness, I'm going to assume your birth year was 1956 and that you and your partner are physically fit with no massive medical issues ( dodgy joints, heart etc, ).
If this is the case, get a Prado and an Aussie Swag type hard floored Camper that has an awning, the Prado is a pretty capable off road unit, the diesels are good with a great fuel range, parts availability is very good.
Aussie Swag, Kimberley Campers, Camprite TL8, Pioneer etc, each has their own good and bad points/features, find out as much as you can about each of the many types and pick one that suits your particular needs the best, they will all do the job adequately.
If you are older, or have physical/medical issues, Still go for the Prado, good towing unit for medium sized towing, but maybe consider realistically what your abilities are, and maybe a Pop top caravan may be a better option for your trip. Have a great trip and don't forget Tasmania!!! Kanga.

If you have a year to travel and want a little comfort a Toyota with a smallish sturdy caravan would work very well for you. You would have time to set up camp for a few days and have a comfortable (heatable and insect proof) base while you do 4x4 day trips without dragging a trailer along the tracks. You would have convenient storage and could also have some solar power, a decent sized 3 way fridge and perhaps a toilet! This type of arrangement works very well for us now we feel we have grown out of tents!
We know a couple towing such a van with an Isuzu twin cab 4x4 ute and they have done some very Outback travelling with no issues. Another couple are currently doing well with a Pajero and a van. Neither paid huge money for a top of the range Off Road van, just reasonably sturdy suspension with good clearance. For a long trip you could get very tired of putting up a camper trailer and lifting gear in and out, to say nothing of the comparative discomfort of being under canvas in heavy rain or cold. In a year travelling all over the continent you are sure to strike some uncomfortable weather!
Have a great time whatever you decide! Lynne

Hi
Just a quick comment. Toyota is still without prejudice "the king of the Outback", a specially any kind of Troopy.
Cheers Dana

Hi Herby
One of our camps with the Camprite Trailer (Camprite 4-2). 120lt. water, 85lt. fridge/freezer, 150W solarpanel and all this close to the Gold ! ! !
Cheers J.J.

Send me a email direct and I will give you the email address of my German friend from Austria. He has lived here for 20 years and just moved back there a year ago. He and his wife know the outback very well and explain things much better. They live in Pertisau.

a small bit information and often people who do not live in remote area often forget is if some one thing goes wrong where do you get parts from and my pet subject tire sizes

parts for some cars toyota prado hilux you can get most places jeep parts may not be so easy to buy

tire sizes are some thing people do not think of till there have to buy a new tire in the middle of no where

again toyota hilux would be easier to get

Have you considered either:
(a) Tenting it. Probably staying in motels/cabins a fair bit of the time but tenting when it suits.
(b) A troopcarrier (or similar) converted so that it can be slept in.

Just thoughts - it might not suit you.

Herby - When you find that the standard towing capacity of a Jeep Wrangler is 500kg, you get the impression very rapidly, that the Jeep is an American highway cruiser, not a proper off-roader, like the original WW2 Jeep.

The Prados are overpriced both new and used, making them poor value, IMO.

Try an auto auction house such as Pickles or Manheim - they often sell good low-km Hiluxes from Govt Depts that are often never worked hard, and which will suit you nicely.

A Hilux and an off-road camper trailer or poptop caravan would be amongst the best choices.

Hi Herby, Hi all
We are happy with this configuration ..... 4wd and offroad Trailer, 4wd and trailer with the same type weel. Our next step is more comfort ....... we will replace the Camprite by a AOR ECLIPSE .......... of corse the ECLIPSE is over a 50k Budget.