3.5 t Caravan Towing

What about the F250??

Cheers Kev

Trekkie, is that 3.5t before he loads up? Water, personal stuff etc?

I don't like the idea of the tug weighing less than the trailer !, or even the same, Prefer to have a few kgs up my sleeve as far as the towing vehicle is concerned. Just feels a safer option IMHO.

Cheers Axle.

He shouldn't buy the van until he personally KNOWS all the details re weights (not a simple story - GVM, GV this, GV that) - what he has been "told" is worthless - he might get trapped like another van purchaser described here quite some time back - bought a new car - bought a van - had to change the car !

Assuming it is 3.5 tare - it will weigh heaps more when laden. Since the F250s have become harder to get, other choices are the Silverado and Suburban. Mainly big US type vehicles. A v8 Cruiser would do it, but a heavier vehicle would be a wise choice. Lots of big vans out there with a variety of tugs.

Motherhen

Yes I was one of those who didnt do my homework and it cost me $23,000.

DONT BELIEVE ANY SALESMAN.
Itis not ok to leave watertanks empty to keep weight down to vehicles limit.

Look up the ADR rules or go to a Transport depot and ask someone who knows.

You need to know what the plate on the van says as to what the ATM is
Thats what matters . Nothing else cos if that figure exceeds the tow vehicles, or its towbars limit you cant tow it EVER Empty full whatever thats the rules at least here in QLD it is anyway.

I seriously doubt that a 200 series will be able to as well as the GCVM will kick in and the 200 GXL VX and Sahara have a worse limit than a 100 series due to their heavier tare weight. They even leave out the sub tank to try to save weight.

Doubtless I will be corrected or chastised but
DONT BUY TILL YOU ARE SURE.

Trekkie


This from a caravan site

Maximum Trailer Mass
Throughout Australia, the allowable maximum mass for the trailer is either the capacity of the tow vehicle's towing attachment or the towing limit specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the towing vehicle, whichever is the least.



OR



If the vehicle's manufacturer has not made a recommendation as to the towing mass, then the following rules apply. A vehicle may tow a laden trailer of up to one and a half times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, provided that the towbar is rated accordingly and the trailer is fitted with brakes that comply with the requirements stipulated in the Australian Design Rule ADR38.



If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, then the maximum mass must not exceed the unladen mass of the motor vehicle. The unladen mass of the vehicle can be found in the vehicles handbook, or check with your dealer. All trailers with a GTM exceeding 750kgs must have brakes.

***************************************
These are the modern rules. But ten years ago we came to the end of our 'on the wallaby' journey with an old FJ55 and a 27ft Viscount. At one time, with a m/bike straddled across the drawbar we went 4100kgs. But I reduced the weight over the years down to around 2800kgs. The van had manual brakes and the cables used to rub on the tyres so I disconnected the brakes. Drove like that for many years.....just had to be careful. Was never stopped once and we did 260,000km thereabouts in 5
years.

Image Could Not Be Found

Cheers

The 70 Series Toyota vehicles will also handle a 3.5 Tonne ATM caravan if that is what you mean.

My van has an ATM of 3.5 Tonne and my 2008 79 Series handles it very well.

On a recent trip we met a guy with a 3.5 Tonne Bushtracker. He had tried 100 Series Toyota, Disco and F250 as towing vehicles. For various reasons he was not happy with any of them. He had recently bought a new 200 Series TD and reckoned it was easily the best tow vehicle he has owned. His only concern was if any of the smart electronics failed in a remote area.

Norm C

I might be a little slow but.......if a van weighs 3.5T and a 4x4 can tow 3.5T (assuming the manufacturer didn't tell porkies and the van actually weighs 3.5T ).....then once you put a person in the 4x4....isn't it then deemed illegal ???


Once the van has water tanks full, clothes and food etc added, bbq's etc etc.....and the back of the 4x4 loaded with recovery gear, fridge, plus human's......wouldn't you need a 4x4 capable of towing 4T plus ???

With all the answers on this subject being theoretical, until the original poster quantifies whether the 3.5tonne is tare or ATM it is useless giving them any advice.
When posting more information is better or you can get completely incorrect answers.

It would be a bloody big van to have a tare of 3.5t anyway

The van next to me in the park is a 27ft Spaceland with all the fruit W/m Drier full 2 door fridge dual 120ah bats and it is only 3 tonne ATM so whats he buying.

Didnt know the QEII was for sale LOL

I offer no advice re weights etc, but after safety, the thing of greatest concern is Insurance. If your tug, or your van, exceed the prescribed limits your insurer can wipe you like the proverbial.
Insurers have realised that many 4wd, towing & not, are overloaded, & will firstly weigh your prang before offering any
liability to pay. Get it right........oldbaz.

Hey Trekkie...have you seen these
Klingons on the Starboard Bow

Thanks to everyone for their comments - I never did follow up for the correct information - but my mate went and purchased a Discovery - hope he got his own research correct - some interesting comments - some based on fact - some on "the feel" for it