Which vehicle

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 21:01

ThreadID: 78042 Views:2843 Replies:4 FollowUps:1

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Leo53

Hallo All

Have a question, I currently have a Ford EL on dual fuel and would like to tow a compact van in the future on an extended around Oz trip with my partner. We are both on pensions and a tight budget, do we need a 4X4? if so any sujestions.

Thank you

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Reply By: Madfisher - Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 21:09

Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 21:09

Theirs Black top right around Australia so your EL would be fine, just research where you intend going first. Plus Falcons have grunty motors and your model was the last with the strong diffs. If you intend doing dirt roads get some LT tyres for it.
Cheers Pete

AnswerID: 414505

Reply By: dbish - Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 22:50

Tuesday, Apr 27, 2010 at 22:50

Hi Leo the only thing i would check, is make sure it has a transmission cooler. It will certainly do what you want it to do. Cheers Daryl

AnswerID: 414529

Follow Up By: Brunohamilton - Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 07:03

Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 07:03

Hi Leo,
I am towing an 18 footer, duel wheel, shower/toilet full caravan with an LPG VT Commodore and I have seen quite a few Falcons towing with no problems, I started in Adelaide, went around the WA coast (and a bit inland) through Darwin and I am now in central Queensland. No problems, and I went to quite a few places and that people didn't think a 2wd could go.

My car only has problems with sand, it just stops when it sees sand.

I tried to get light truck tyres for the back of my car (I have same SS wheels for the back when towing as my AMG mags are too expensive to smash), but the LT tyres I could get were ridiculously expensive, and I still got a little over 10 000km from standard car tyres.

The Falcon will be good, and LPG is good except when you get a long way from main cities, when it is cheaper to run on petrol.

FollowupID: 684733

Reply By: Member - Barnesy - Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 11:37

Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 11:37

Good advice above. Also strengthen the rear suspension. It's amazing how much weight there is on the towball once everything is loaded up. It will be much safer and easier to drive with strong suspension in the rear.

If you don't have plans to do any bush driving then a Falcon will be fine. Just be aware of its limitations, don't decide to explore 'that bush track' and get stuck out bush somewhere.

Barnesy

AnswerID: 414573

Reply By: Member - Geoff H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 21:04

Wednesday, Apr 28, 2010 at 21:04

Don't worry too much Leo, I had a mate in Mt Isa who used his Falcon wagon as a 4x4 around those parts, he was bought up on a farm and did have some experience in driving vehicles through impossible country. Just be careful.
Regards
Geoff

AnswerID: 414629