Isuzu SWB NLR series as tow vehicle - how has it been

That's what we originally intended - a Jayco RV body on a heaver Isuzu, required truck license which the chief cook didnt want to obtain - and I dont want to be the one doing the driving all of the time.

With extra care and effort it is possible @ 4.5T.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

I agree with Peter.
I would revisit the idea with the cook, it is much easier to be driving a truck than towing a caravan in practical terms if she can get her head around the idea

Do any of you know of any aftermarket installers/certifiers that can offer an upgraded passenger seat and Eng Cert in NSW. I've been given some details of someone in QLD, but it would be handy to find someone closer.

I didn't realise the passenger seat was so basic, and I'd like to have it replaced before initial rego so that it is modded the right way with paperwork etc.

In SA, the RTA provides a list of approved certified engineers.
Is the seat belt attached to the vehicle or the seat?
If you choose a seat with approval somewhere else then it is a minor job unless it needs floor mounting mods. in which case it is a tad more complicated.
Talk to the dealer.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

The two common seat upgrades are Recaro or Sheelman seats for those trucks. Another good option is to keep your existing seat and have it reshaped with better support and trimmed
Proseat is one company that does it but most motor trimmers will do it and there isno modification certificate required

Thanks for the info

It would be worth asking Brisbane Isuzu as well as they sell a lot of modified trucks so know all the ins and outs with these vehicles

You make some good points there Roy.

The aim of the SWB tray is to be able to load the bike on the back (it ways just under 500KG's) and the van we will tow is just over 2800kg.

Also, so many seem to buy a van, after a few years want to upgrade to Buckingham palace on wheels, and have to upgrade the tow vehicle. I hope that If I could make the Suzi comfortable, we can have the best of both worlds by only having to upgrade the van (by we I mean "she" :) )

The 4x4 option is a maybe, really only for those times where we need to get off wet ground and want the extra traction.

As a side note I emailed our Isuzu Dealership last week with a few questions - must all be asleep as no one has responded so.

What led to the decision to not go with a light truck?

Hi Tonysmc, thanks for the information. You make some good points about comfort and ability , but the bike wouldn't fit in the area of a D Max/Ranger/Hilux tray.

When we first started looking at setups we decided on either a Jayco Motorhome on an Iveco Chassis or an Isuzu MUX with a van. It wasn't until my wife asked "where do we put the Spyder?" that got I pretty excited and began looking at alternatives and I wasn't about to disagree with her wanting to bring the bike.

I looked at our options - Towing a Van vs Motorhome vs a Slide-on on a light truck chassis and everything we tested, or discussed we found an issue in what we wanted. Motorhome required a truck license and could tow a trailer big enough to bring the bike, but the missus didn't want to get a truck license.

If we can find a setup in the Isuzu Light Truck that allows
- us to be comfortable
- us to transport the bike
- us tow a van we want now and any upgrade later on
- carry some additional gear that might be desirable in the future
then the light truck on paper ticks the boxes.

I should add - we have test drives arranged for a Nissan Patrol and a Landcruiser 300 Series as plan B. :(

You have given me food for thought though... heading for google now

Thanks for the reply, that makes more sense now. I was thinking a trail bike sideways across the tray, but a Spyder is completely different. (Maybe swap the van for a "toy hauler") Well, half the fun is setting up, so good luck.

I have to tell you, I emailed Isuzu and gave them some details and if the D-MAX with single cab, 4x4, 3.0L is available with the Tour Mate kit and there thoughts on the spyder on a tray.

Your idea may just solve all our objectives. Thanks again for your comments

I was thinking of a single cab ute or a 79 series with a chassis extension and aluminium tray to fit the Spyder. You do lose some carrying capacity with an extension, but cost involved you are probably best to go with your original thought of the NLR45-150.
Remember your rear overhang of any load can only be 60% of the wheel base of the vehicle. I just measured my old Landcruiser, Tray is 2250mm, Slide on camper is 2680. Given my wheelbase, I am allowed 1788mm overhang from centre of the rear wheels. My camper overhang is 1720. Also, even with a single cab, weight distribution should be considered but your "under 500kg" and the bike design shouldn't be an issue.
You may find this video interesting. Would definitely need a spring upgrade.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJPK_FAsRs