Choosing my new 4WD

Ron

You need to start with specs on towbar capacity, towball weight and the Gross Vehicle Mass for a specific vehicle.

These all vary form vehicle to vehicle.


A rule of thumb also to keep in mind is that the tow vehicle needs to be heavier than the towed vehicle for braking and control

Else you may be illegal and have insurnace problems.

Hope you find what you are looking - look at the spec sheets for the Rodeo.

Hi
Have a look at the new Triton - max towing cap 2.3 tonnes

Happy days

George

Is that 2.5 tonne van an actual weigh bridge reading with it loaded or a guesstimate from the plated weight ??If the later then get it weighed as most plated weights and guesstimates are usually 200 - 500kg under the true weight.
Once you have an accurate weight then look at vehicles max capacity.

BTW the 2 suggestions of a Triton with 2.3 t capacity with a 2.5t van aren't the smartest unless you like having an illegal rig on the road.

Cheers

Darryl
Brisbane

Ron, I think you have to move away from the 'lighter' 3 Litre Utes. George suggested the Triton wiith 2.3T tow capacity, but your van is 2.5T.

I have a new model Hilux and it tows my 1.5T CT beautifully, but I would not want to tow more than 2T with it over long distances.

My rule of thumb is to use only 80% (max) of your vehicles tow capacity for it's standard load on long distance travelling. No basis for this other than a safetly margin and not flogging the vehicle more than necessary.

If your 2.5 T van is fully loaded for travel, I reckon you should be aiming at a vehicle with 3T tow capacity. If the 2.5T does not include all the clothes, food, water and other stuff you put in it, perhaps you need to be targeting 3.5 T tow capacity vehicles.

The new Navara is rated to tow 3T (I think), but it is a very similar vehicle to the others in it's class. I wouldn't regularly tow that much with one.

I think you might need a Land Cruiser, Patrol or similar to do the job. They are expensive and difficult to get, but the new LC ute, set up with a canopy for load carrying seems to be an ideal touring and towing vehicle (but no ABS or airbags). It is my dream vehicle anyway, once the heat goes out of the market so they get a bit cheaper.

Good luck with your research.
Norm C

Ron

All I can say is buy something that will give you plenty in reserve. Your van is heavy and if 2500kg is the empty weight, it will most likely go over 3000kg when fully loaded. It will be a fair load on many cars and will be even worse if you take it through hilly country on unsealed roads.

I think a 3 litre will definately pull it, providing everything is legal, but how comfortable will it be? Caravaning is great when you can cruise along and hardly even notice the van is on the back. It can be very disappointing when you are forever changing down through the gears, the fuel gauge is dropping like there is a hole in the tank, the temperature gauge is up a little and the postman goes flying past you uphill on his little bike.

I was at the Milmerran Camp Oven Festival last year and there were about thirty or so members of the Kedron club in attendance. They all had big heavy off road vans and from what I could see, it looked all were being towed by Cruisers and Patrols.

I would be looking at nothing smaller than a V8 diesel for a van that size. Even if it is a little overkill, you won't regret it.

Brian

Ron

What is the ATM of your van? That is the figure you have to look at when deciding whether the proposed vehicle is capable of towing your van. Look at this link. Looking at the specifications quoted in it both the Rodeo and Navara can be legally used to tow the van if the ATM is below 3,000kg.

I would like to add support to those who suggest checking the weight of your van. If it's tare weight is 2,500kg it's ATM will probably be 2,900kg (manufacturers commonly allow 400kg load in a twin axle van.) The big problem with van weights is many of us have purchased new vans and found the registered tare weight is not accurate - and none of them were lighter than stated. Also if accessories like awnings, air conditioners and solar systems have been added after the van was delivered to your agent then these will probably not have been included in the tare weight and therefore your van has not been correctly registered.

PeterD

Go the heaviest 4wd you can get, Patrol or Lancruiser. 6 or 8 cylinder. Little engines and smaller cars still struggle when towing heavy vans, whereas the bigger fourbies do it with ease and still have plenty in reserve for hills, overtaking and emergencies.

Can't remember exactly the figures but a few years ago i read the carrying capacity of the f250 was only around 100kg more than the Rodeo!

Take manufacturers claims about towing capacity with a grain of salt and go for size.

Barnesy

80 series for sale...2500kg tow cpacity...LOL...

Laura

Thanks for your feedback, my van is 2550 Kg GVM on the wieghtbridge.
Cheers
Rond