What on road vehicle to tow a 16'Pop top?

Yes you can travel all way around Australia on bitumen rads. Either the Commodore of the Falcon (with correct tow bar) will tow the 16' Both vehicles will tow 2100 kg (or so) although that's pushing it a bit. I would suggest maximum 1800 - 1900 kg as a maximum. Whenever you place an engine under additional load it will always use more fuel. Lot depends on your driving style and prevailing conditions.

Id look at something like a Ford Territory AWD or a Kluger or Outlander. Tow your van no problems and much better than a sedan for doing the lap. Either of these can be set up on LPG to make them cheaper to run.

Keep your 4wd as you will need to go down a dirt road some time and their is more to see off the bittuman,other than parking bays,and some of the roads you will need your 4wdrive
Cheers for now...WilliamH...Bunbury...WA.

Falcon have been utilising them for years, towing heaving tandem trailers, campers and boat. Not a problem and yes off a farm and used them all over that as well.

A BA/BF or the new G series has more than ample power and same motor that is in the Ford Territory, but in a lighter vehicle.

Just make sure that you have correct capacity towbar for the van.

Regards

Trev

If it's just two of you travelling, you might even consider a Falcon/Commodore ute or trayback - the rear suspension is already setup to carry a load so it will cope better than a softly-sprung sedan.

MrBitchi
My thoughts exactly, you beat me to it , but I would also be looking at something with a Diesel Power plant, like a 2WD Captiva

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Falcon BA/BF/FG. All tow easily and are the most underated vehicle of all time! Minimal service costs and as strong as. Have a BA one tonner and it's a great workhorse and tows a lot. Had a BF sedan, great car. Have a FG sedan and fantastic car.
Straight 6 has great useable torque and develops good power and can be quite economical when driven sensibly and jesus can it get up and go when the pedal hits the metal.
They lose their value very quick so second hand they are a steal.

Another vote for the Falcon, however, steer clear of the BA - they had far too many design flaws and quality control problems that are starting to rear their ugly heads now (don't forget they're a few years old now).

Pony up the extra $$$ and buy a BF. FAR better car, better brakes, stronger transmission and just generally screwed together a lot better.

Both the Holden and the Ford will tow a 16" Pot Top easily.
I'm a Holden Man through and through, but when it comes to towing the Ford has the edge.
Holden Tow weight 1200kg, Ford 2300kg.
I recommend a Auto Transmission Cooler for both and the Holden will definitely need Air Lift Rear Shockers.
Both will also require a WDH.
I've just changed from a Commodore Wagon to a Ford Territory and it definitely does the job better than the Holden.
ozjohn.

Jazzy,
When we were on our way to Cape York, we came across quite a few caravanners using a Kia Sorento CRD. Most were running around bitumen roads in north and west QLD.
They all seemed to be getting quite exceptionally low fuel useage, around 10-11litres/100km.

From what I saw, they are pretty well built and will hold their value better than a Falcon or Commodore.

The Crewman "S" Pack would have to be by far the best tow vehicle I have ever used. Only down fall is the fuel tank size is a bit on the small size. The plus being you could quite easily throw an LPG tank in the tray. Even with just the two of you touring, it will give you the ability to carry items in the cabin at arms reach away, and still give you extra seats for that extra passenger. The towing capacity is good (2500kgs) and accessing the spare wheel doesn't require emptying the boot. My personal opinion, go for the VY model over the VZ model, a bit quieter and although not as many kilowatts as the VZ, the torque kicks in at a lower RPM. The longer wheel base and low centre of gravity also helps vehicle/van stability especially on the down hill runs.

Stick with something you can easily get parts for anywhere, so Falcon or Commodore I guess. You'd be hard pressed to find a fan belt for a Kia Sorento in Tennant Creek.

So my vote.....Holden VY Crewman "S" pack. The trans cooler goes without saying.