towing 2 horses - which 4WD?

Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 07, 2006 at 10:54
ThreadID: 30513 Views:6267 Replies:12 FollowUps:8
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Hi all

Apologies if you have been asked this 10,000 times before by horsie chicks.
I have finally bitten the bullet and decided to buy a 4WD - to tow 2 horses safely, expecially up hills. My hubby and boys would also like to go camping/cart dogs, bikes etc, so it is the right time for us too.

I have up to $25K to spend, but less would be good. Have driven a 100 series Cruiser, and it felt like a truck. Drove a GQ Patrol 5 years ago, and that felt good. Dad said stay away from Land Rovers / Range Rovers / Jeeps as there are limited dealers and they have you over a barrel for parts. He had a Jackaroo towing a caravan, and although it did it, it was a bit gutless. I don't want gutless, I want safe.

It also has to be the car I drive to work, and park in a city car park (on the 7th floor). Hubby keeps trying to convince me this will suck, and we're better off getting a cheaper 4wd ($5 - $6K for a 1989/90 patrol and a "zippy" car for $6K for town travel - the diff in fuel pays for the second lot of rego & insurance).

So, trying to decide between the 2 car option, or spend $15 - $25K on a GQ or GU Patrol, or a Prado, or maybe an 80 series Cruiser if they are less "truck like". Only bad thing I've heard about Patrols is its difficult/very tricky to open the barn doors with a float on.

Also doing the whole gas/petrol vs diesel mind game, because I've been told diesel will get (around town non-towing figures) 12-13lit/100km diesel, petrol 17lit/100km and gas 26lit/100km, so if it is the same $$ fuel diesel to gas, I figure diesel is better for towing. But also told the non-turbo diesel patrols (ie pre 2001) were sluggish, and the early 3.0 turbos had issues, and anything after 2001 is out of my price range. So kind of feel I am going around in circles. Can anyone help please?? I really appreciate it :-)
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