Best 4WD for towing.

Submitted: Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 11:33
ThreadID: 58550 Views:9402 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
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Hi,

im new here and am after some help. I will be getting my P's(VICTORIAN P's) in November of this year and this 4WD will be my first car. I have horses and need a vehicle that can comfortably tow 1 horse (approx 670kg) and my double extended float (approx 780kg) with the option of towing another horse if need be (most likely over the 500kg mark).

I have been told to look at the toyota landcruiser 80 series. Do these come in a V6 model or a V8. If i was to get a V8 I would need to apply for an exemption from the new P Plater rules here in Vic (im pretty sure the weight to power ratio no longer exists for the P plate system i will fall under)

Would anyone please be able to give me the towing MAX of the 80 series landcruiser.

Also... auto or manual best for towing? and Im interested in hearing about LPG and towing with a dual fuel. Any feedback would be great.
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Reply By: _gmd_pps - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:43

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:43
We have two trucks for towing. One is a US GMC V8 Diesel and is most likely out of your range. The other is a Nissan Patrol 4800 Petrol V6 on LPG. We tow a dual horsefloat regularly with the Nissan and it works ok. No comparison to the GMC but it works ok.
I also occasionally tow my boat (2t) with my 1986 Mercedes 280 SE and this also works when you don't have many hills. It has leveling hydraulics though and automatically keeps the butt up.
If you start out and don't need much off road capability an old Merc will do well. You get them for $5000 and less and they go forever if treated properly. We have several Mercs at the moment (300Td, 200C, 280SE). With the current price development I would stick with a gas converted vehicle. We got the Nisssan for 25k in good nick until it became our dog and horse car :)) .. lol. I personally would not even go close to a Toyota. Until recently we had a Camry station and it was the dearest car in parts.
good luck
gmd
AnswerID: 308757

Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 16:48

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 16:48
from memory... hic... when your on "P" plates it's not cool to be seen in anthing like an older Benz, not enuff noise or fast enuff and too heavy on fuel...

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 11:29

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 11:29
Gday,
Yes..the old "1986 Mercedes 280 SE" might do the job, but personaly Id lean toward an "Erickson sky crane", unless of course thats out of your budget. And in that case what about a old "Bell 214B" with a 8000 lbs lifting capacity...garunteed to keep your load level without the use of hydraulics....just gravity.

BUT
If that still is out of you budget.
Try what "Crackles" said below...sounds like a more sensible reply to me.

LOL
Cheers
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Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:46

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:46
Either the 80 series or GQ Nissan's would be suitable for your needs. They all run straight 6 cylinder engines in both petrol & diesel. In these older 4 wheel drives I would lean towards the manual gearbox for towing.
Ideally the turbo diesel models would be my choice with their excellent low down torque but the power of the petrol's will do the job well & if on gas give reasonable running costs. You may find both the standard diesels wanting particually with 2 horses on board.
Cheers Craig.........
AnswerID: 308759

Reply By: Bagwon - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:51

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 12:51
HI milliemack,I own a Nisson 4.2 ltr turbo.It would be powerful enough to tow afloat with a couple of hores.Idont know the towing rates for tojo or nisson.Though the nisson is a cheaper vehical and as good.Have owed and carted horses around for years.

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AnswerID: 308760

Reply By: tonyfish*58 - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 14:14

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 14:14
Hi. Have a look at some turbo charged 4cyl cars as an option. I've had a large range of the larger 4wds including an 80 series without a turbo. Although it could tow the load with ease they are heavy on fuel when pushed or you are towing. I now have the new Holden Rodeo ute with the 4cyl 3ltr Common Rail turbo diesel (120kw). This car boasts a 3ton bracked towing capacity and it tows my large boat with ease. Fuel consumption is around 12 - 14 ltr per 100k when towing either on the flat or up the ranges and 9-10 ltr per 100k when not towing. Regards Tony
AnswerID: 308767

Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 15:14

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 15:14
Australia has some odd ideas about the size/power of vehicle you need to tow.

I towed a twin axle, 24 foot caravan, loaded with all the stuff a family of four takes, all over Europe including over the Swiss/Italian Alps (up to 8000 feet) in a Rover 2.6l in-line six cylinder auto vehicle which produced about 130bhp iirc. It struggled at bit at 8000' but that was because internal combustion engines loose about 30% of power at that altitude. Can't remember what the rig weighed but it would have been at least as much as your 2t.

I am unconvinced you need to spend the extra cash it takes to both purchase and maintain a large 4WD.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 308774

Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 17:20

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 17:20
Mike makes a good point.

You can pick up a good AU or preferably BA Falcon running on LPG for the cost of a much older, worn 4wd.

Just check its towing limit, I think the BA is good for 2300 kg with a weight ditributing hitch, but don't rely on my memory.

Also a much nicer thing to drive on a day to day basis.

Jim.

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Follow Up By: G.T. - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 15:52

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 15:52
Stay away from BA`s . Au`s are O.K. BA`s have diff issues.
Regards G.T.
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Reply By: DIO - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 16:13

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 16:13
What size (capacity) you will require depends very much on the type of conditions that you will be towing in. If they consist of mountain/very hilly, unmade/dirt/gravel roads, paddock/slippery then you might need the larger capacity tow vehicle. By the way are there any weight limit restrictions when driving on P's? Two horses and a float will weigh in at about 2 tonnes and your tow vehicle may also exceed 2 tonne in all 4 tonnes + You might need to check with the authorities. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
AnswerID: 308785

Follow Up By: Member - AJB (VIC) - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 19:36

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 19:36
Thats a good question about weight limits on P's. It seems crazy that one can get their licence driving a 4 cyl manual hyundai or something and then the same day drive off in a 4WD towing a horse float, caravan, boat etc. My nephew did the same thing and it was astounding. Towing on P's should be illegal as experience is everything. Get to grips with driving alone, not under supervision, and then slowly progress in the towing world.
But thats just my opinion and I dont make the rules as I may not have the required common sense to do such.
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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 14:42

Tuesday, Jun 10, 2008 at 14:42
Gday AJB,
I disagree with your comment of " Towing on P's should be illegal "

Not all "P" drivers have no expierience,
My 12 year old daughter can already drive my manual 80 series Toyota with trailer on behind. And next time we go out my 9 year old is going to have a go as he's getting to big to sit on my lap (and my gut is getting too big!)
I know lots of kids that can drive all sorts of machinery (some of them better than adults!)
It should be based on ability (which shows expierience) not age.

Cheers
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FollowupID: 575038

Reply By: madfisher - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 20:05

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 20:05
Millie what is your budget?
Cheers Pete
AnswerID: 308854

Reply By: gmac - Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 20:56

Monday, Jun 09, 2008 at 20:56
Beware the 4cyl turbo ute types with claimed 3 tonne towing.WE tow with a BT50 and d4d HiLUx and you need your witts about you with two horses behind. Go the heavier vehicles 80 series GQ.

Regards
AnswerID: 308895

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