Hi Folks,
After recently purchasing a very
well priced second hand 2012 Cub Supamatic Drover fitted with all the bells and whistles (think A/C, Boat, boat loader, 9.9hp outboard, 2nd spare wheel) we decided to have our first run in her last week.
While the camper is absolutely fantastic there is an issue with the suitability of our current tow vehicle (2007 Mitsubishi Triton, petrol 3.5lt auto fitted with the normal touring bits incl Redarc controller,
snorkel, canopy, radio, spotties, rear spring assister etc).
After disappointingy finding out on the trip that we need to really upgrade our tow rig to a heavier more robust turbo diesel Landcruiser (as the poor Mitsu 3.5 Auto wouldn't pull the skin off of a custard when the combo's going to be loaded up to near GVM 1500kg) I'm attempting to find out what other series of L/C's will potentially suit the hubs/wheel combo fitted to the camper so as we can use the same rims/wheels combo on the camper as we do on the tow vehicle (camper has two spares).
The previous owner towed the full rig using a 1998 100 Series 6 cylinder petrol GXL Landcruiser and when purchasing the camper had Cub fit '100 Series Hubs' to it. I spoke with Cub and they could not provide much information other that the owner specified ' 5 stud Landcruiser hubs' ie with no reference to IFS/Beam axle and PCD requirements.
Based on my homework on the internet I believe that the 1998 100 Series Auto GXL petrol L/C had a beam axle (non IFS) and was fitted with 5 x 150 rims with 0mm offset wheels (still to take a rim down to the local Tyrepower to confirm that is what is fitted to the camper though!) and that the IFS L/C's (ie 105 Series aka revitalised 80 Series) had a 60mm offset.
Guess the big question is could anyone advise what other L/C's use a 5 x 150 0 offset wheel (eg HDJ100R 100 series, 78 Series, Troopy's with the 100 Series 0mm offset rims not fitting a 105/200 Series) as we'll need to start the process of looking around for an alternative tow tug (4.5 lt 6cyl diesel (not thirsty V8), turbo, manual, Dual tanks with as many bells and whistles we can get) at a reasonable price before heading off next year for an indeterminent period working our way around/through cattle properties, farms, (
well anything really as the partner's a chef and baker & I'm handy on the tools).
While I could go down the path of a full build program on the Triton (ie 2" lift, auto box rebuild, L/R tank exhaust etc and cost >$10-$14k) she'll still be underdone in the engine department, still be petrol and still be an auto (the loving partner being a country lady who hates Auto's!!) so it's not worth the money so a change is in the wind for a trade up ASAP.
Thanks for reading, looking forward to your replies & ideas.
Cheers,
Andrew & Jo