Recommended Tow Vehicle Jayco Sterling 25ft

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 15:12
ThreadID: 34892 Views:14647 Replies:7 FollowUps:13
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I purchased a new Jayco Sterling 25 foot caravan, weight 2150kg, ball weight 220kg.
for delivery in approx 3 months. As this is a large heavy caravan, I would like to know any recommendations as to the vehicles that I should be considering purchasing to tow the van. I would be looking at used vehicles up to $40,000.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Reply By: BBB - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 15:59

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 15:59
I have a GU Patrol 4.2 Turbo Dissle. I Tow a 20ft Traveler off road van with two full size trail bikes on the drawbar total weight of van fully loaded is around 2500kg and a ball weight of about 275kg. I get very good full economy and plenty of power. I have had it for 4 years 140000 km now and it has never mist a beet. I would recomend the Patrol to any one and when I renew it next year I wont look ealswhere. It will only be about the best price on a new patrol.

Good Luck

BBB
AnswerID: 178274

Follow Up By: sav - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 18:05

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 18:05
Just be aware BBB, that you won't be able to buy the current 4.2 engine in a Patrol past 1st Jan next year.
The engine doesn't meet the EuroIV emission regs that take effect on that date for existing vehicles.
That's not saying that Nissan doesn't have something up the sleeve...
Sav.
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Reply By: Member - Andrew W (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 16:06

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 16:06
First thing to realise is the figures you quote are meaningless when you finally get you van loaded and set up. It will probably weigh about 2,700 kg and ball weight will be around 250 kg minimum - despite what the dealer will tell you! Just do a search on here for others with the same experience.
With those sorts of weights in mind that rules out all but the the largest of the 4WD's available - ie Toyota and Nissan.
Bear in mind as well that over 250 kg ball weight (which you WILL have!) rules out many others (read the fine primt on the car manuals)
Regarding diesel or petrol - again do a search on here - you could write a book on the pro's and con's of each.
AnswerID: 178276

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 16:24

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 16:24
F250 may suit you.
AnswerID: 178281

Follow Up By: Member - Axle - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:28

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:28
" Pull Ayres rock outa the ground.!!

But their legal carrying capacity is a bit pathetic.!
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Follow Up By: Old Scalyback & denny - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:52

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:52
goodday truckie
how was the weekend
get tyres fitted in richmond on saturday $254 a corner

steve
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FollowupID: 434443

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 08:15

Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 08:15
Good stuff steve.. hows that price compared to others? what size and what tires? Still the BF's AT's?
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Follow Up By: Old Scalyback & denny - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 16:16

Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 16:16
goodday bruce
gone for wrangler silent armour at's started at $279 asked how much was i quoted by others told him best was $255 for bfg's and he said hang on went back to calculator and then said best he could do $254 tyres look ok so we will see

steve
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Reply By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:55

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:55
GU Patrol. 4.8 L, running LPG.

Forget L/100 km. Think in $ per 100 km.
AnswerID: 178299

Follow Up By: Bill n Di - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:14

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:14
Hi,

What sort of gas system are you running - have you had it long? We are still looking at putting our 2004 GU 4.8lt on gas but getting conflicting info - Bill is licensed to fit and service LPG vehicles so we're happy to install - just deciding which is the problem!

Dian
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:03

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:03
Di,

I drive a V6 Terracan. I used to own a GQ on LPG which ran like a dream. Due to new laws I can't fit LPG to the "Jerrycan" as there is not yet an emission approved kit developed.

The current advice is to add oil injection which helps lubricate the valve train to assist the "dry" LPG fuel.

Cheers,

Jim.
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FollowupID: 434492

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew W (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:10

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:10
Terracan only rated at max of 2500 kg - down to 200 kgs if 7 passengers so no use to him
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:24

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:24
Andrew,

If you read my original response, I recommended a GU Patrol 4.8. The mention of what I drive is in response to the assumption that I drive a GU.

I would never recommend a Terracan to tow a load of this size. Even the 2.9 CRDi would struggle almost as much as a 3.0 Patrol. The 3.0 Patrol or 4.2 TD may be legal, but would be dangerously slow. Quite simply, 116 kW and about 340 Nm is not nearly enough to move a combined weight (loaded) of over 5 tonnes.

Cheers,

Jim
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FollowupID: 434501

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew W (VIC) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:35

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:35
Sorry Jim - missed your name on the original post - must be time for bed after staying up late last night watching the Soceroos!!
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:42

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 21:42
Cheers Andrew
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Reply By: Old Scalyback & denny - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:58

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 17:58
goodday steve

lots of questions
where will you be towing
did you ask for a rear water tank
what sort of weight will you be putting into the van

we are looking at 1 of these to bcome our permanent home and it will be towed with a nissan patrol 4.2 tdi and even then once the copilot has her loading done i might still be able to pull it

steve
the patrol has a towing weight of 3500 kg
AnswerID: 178300

Reply By: TroopyTracker - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:00

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:00
Steve,
Agree with others in that anything smaller than a Patrol/Cruiser would be doing it tough with your new van and most would be illegal, except maybe the new Pathfinder/Navara with 3 tonne ratings-not sure I'd want to do many k's with that sort of weight with either of these vehicles though. There is no replacement for wheelbase and weight with such a big van and in my opinion the bigger the motor the better also.

I realise your budget might not stetch to a 100series TD, but while some might want to kill me for saying so-I have serious doubts re the ability of the nissan 4.2 towing that sort of weight. Every person I know on the road towing around the 3 tonne and up with the nissan 4.2 have overheating problems. I must say I don't know every one in Aus doing these but so far the reports are all the same. The last three were all different vehicle van combo's but all with the same problem. 2 have since sold, one has done the turbo upgrade that you here about-(Motsons one???? 3 grand job??)-This has improved performance to satisfactory levels but not stopped overheating. I apologise profusly to all the 4.2 blokes, no offence meant and if you never tow these big weights I'm sure it's not an issue.

$40k?? Jayco van, I'd be looking at ether the 4.5 or 4.7 Cruiser, if not the 4.8 Patrol on gas. Not sure about gas on the yota, sure heaps do it no worries, but Toyotas definate no to gas would play on my mind. A 4.5 100 series could be had for $30K, leaving $10k for fuel, or somewhere around 35 000 ks before you put a cent in for fuel. I can vouch for the 4.5 being an adequete tow hack for large loads, mine has given no trouble only costs being maintenance. The 4.7 is supposed to be even better and it sounds good to boot (with some exhaust mods).

Maybe you're a gambling man, check out the 3litre manual Patrol ;-). Maybe you don't mind going slow and should check out a 1HZ powered Cruiser, again around the $30k mark. Maybe you have no intention of leaving the black top and want a bit more power/stability up your sleeve so a 2WD V8 Chev import might do, think they can be had for around the $40k mark for a later model. So many choices, but I love that part myself.

Cheers
Matt

AnswerID: 178309

Follow Up By: TroopyTracker - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:06

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 19:06
Steve,
Do a search for Bilbo's posts re building a 6.5 Chev diesel from a 2.8 GU. Think that'd come in under budget but requires a fair bit of time to organise/put together. Plan to convert my vehicle in the near future-unless this new troopy coming is something extra special??

Matt
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FollowupID: 434454

Reply By: Member - Duke (TAS) - Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 20:46

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2006 at 20:46
Hi Steve,
Have had a 2003 4.2 Turbo Diesel Intercooled for three and a half years towing a 24 foot Jayco Heritage Van which weighs approx 2.8 to 3.0 Tonnes travelling weight. Have had no issues with over heating or any other problems in 80,000kil travelled mainly in the north of Aus in fairly high Temp. Handles every-thing superbly and could not be happier.
DUKE
AnswerID: 178334

Follow Up By: Old Scalyback & denny - Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 17:18

Wednesday, Jun 14, 2006 at 17:18
goodday duke
thanks i have the same vehicle and have no problems as described above we tow an 18footer (will grow in the next 18mths)in 3 trips up north we have not had any of these problems
as for tow weights i think some of these blokes have there hands on it
or
MAYBE THEY ARE JEALOUS OF 4.2 TDI OWNERS

STEVE
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FollowupID: 434677

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