triton as a towing vehicle

Hi Matt,

I have the Triton 3L petrol. They are now rated at 180kg towball and 1800kg for the trailer, although their web site doesn't reflect this yet. I tow an 800kg camper and you DO feel it. It tows well but lacks power on the hills. From what I've witnessed through mates with 4x4 dual cab utes, the Navara turbo diesel wins hands down for towing. The same guy's complain about the off road performance when the going gets a little tougher... Having never driven one off road I can't directly comment.

Hope that helps
Blue

Go the td Navara.....Great all round & heaps of go for towing....Add a D Tronic & it's even better

I dont think the navara has a single cab pickup 4x4 which is what i'm after. I want the room to sleep in back if required and the triton is the only make to offer this as far as i can see.

Matt

If you can, talk to a few mechanics and talk to a few transmission repairers.

I have read somewhere that the gearbox and clutch might not be up to a lot of towing but can't remember which of these vehicles mentioned above it applied to.

I had a `94 dual luxury cab diesel 2.5 turbo. In my opinion it would not make a good towing vehicle. I could barely hold 100 - 110 k going up reasonable hills - eg Mooney Mooney bridge north of Sydney. From memory it only had 70 odd kw and 200nm of torque and thats turboed ! Go for the petrol if you decide on a Triton.
Regards G.T.

If your looking at a 2nd hand MJ 2.5 turbo diesel triton you will have overheating problems ( not boiling but gives that smell )
Mine, 94 DUAL CAB with 80,000Km has this problem (even sometimes without towing ) and always has. I am still working on the reason why, but think the radiator is too small and particuly after installing a dual battery, there is nowhere for the air to escape after the radiator as the engine is too close to the bonnet. May need bonnet scoop.
Also I would never use fifth gear when heavy towing, assumming the gearbox is the same as the Pajero they blow the fifth gear.
Starting off causes tailshaft shutter on hills and with a high first gear ratio the clutch will get a caining, a quick slip to low range when needed fixes it and can be put back to high on the slow move with only a little grat.
Body, handling and brake wise you wont have any issues. I have towed on many occasions towing several ton for short trips and a Landrover Freelander ( after a viscus / transer and gear box failure ) from Newcastle to Canberra without any issues.

Im considering the new model which has the old pajero td. Is it up to towing 1000kg comfortably??