Tow vehicle

I'm not sure that those statistics will give you the answer you're looking for unless they can be related to the numbers that are out there.

If 80 Toyotas and 10 Range Rovers need a ride home in a given year, but only 60 Range Rovers were out there amongst 100,000 Toyotas, the choice becomes a bit more obvious.

I suspect you'll find yourself choosing between LandCruisers and Patrols.

Michael

G/Day
That was one of the main reasons we got rid of our Range Rover a few years ago, we had a drama in the middle of no where when the Radiator Fan exploded and went through the bonnet and damaged the Radiator, we managed to get the RACQ to carry it back to their service depot and do temporary repairs, they patched up the radiator and used the two electic fans for cooling, and taped up the gash in the bonnet, But for them to do major repairs we would have had to wait several days for parts, plus it was getting very expensive re servicing and upkeep.

Cheers

Sorry to hear about your troubles Whisky, but, unfortunately that is a fact of life with most of these vehicles with lots of electronics to keep them running.

The dealers in the country regions generally cannot afford the diagnostic equipment for many of these vehicles, and they can't afford to send their staff away continually for training programs to keep up to date with each new 'advance' in technology.
Not to mention the cost of a big spare parts inventory.

So if you live in the country, or travel a lot in the country, you really can't get anything more sophisticated than a Bunnings wheelbarrow otherwise you won't be ably to get it serviced.

Note all the manufacturers that state they have 24-7 roadside assist.
That just means there is truckie somewhere all ready to go and pick up your vehicle and take it back to the big smoke to get it looked at.

Dave

Mate,
besides your Toyota's and Nissans many people swear by the later model Pajero's if that is the style of vehicle you are after.

You could also consider one of the dual cab utes if they would suit your purpose.

We went from a late model TD5 to a '02 TD Troopy to try and avoid your scenario. Put in better seats, cruise, central locking, etc. Always tempted to go with more confort but only when we hang around too long in the city. :-)

John

The 1995-2003 Range Rovers are certainly not paragons of reliability, and I am always amazed how unprepared many are for well known problems and go to remote places without backup. Pioneers end up with arrows in their bum and certainly owners of these can have a very sore bum and wallet.

A quick peruse of the AULRO site would show that there are kits available to stop the let down happening, consisting of 4 shrader valves linked into the system, which makes a sensor failure a minor inconvenience. Any specialist knows of these fixes and can preempt problems by replacing the seals in the manifold, and fitting the rescue kit which is not that expensive

A 1998 Rangie is now 12 years old and again a search of theAULRO site would find recommendations to replace the air bags at 10 years plus.

One of my friends had the same problem in Albury on a trip from Melbourne to Sydney, depite my nagging him for several years to fit a "rescue kit".

IMHO part of trip preparation.

BTW, I have met Landcruiser owners in Broome stuck for 6 weeks waiting on parts from Japan, and that in a new 200.
Regards Philip A

I carry a Rovair kit which allows you to inflate or carry out minor repairs to the air suspension system, the kit was created by a Land rover mechanic. The full kit which I have allows you to by pass the air suspension computer and control everything manually.
His website is http://www.labtronx.com.au/page3.html and I got mine through Graeme Cooper automotive. (I have no association with these companies)

I also carry a spare front and rear air bag as well as back up computer and height sensors when travelling remotely, at least if I can not fit the part myself then a mechanic can.

We did the Darling river run last year in our 1993 Rangie and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I always remember what a mechanic at the Shell roadhouse at Birdsville said when I commented on the vehicles in the holding yard awaiting transport back to civilization (?)
"What are the three things computers don't like ? Heat, dust and vibration and out here they get plenty of all".
racinrob.

G'day whisky-mac, What a shame & sorry to hear of your misfortune. I believe that the best valued vehicle on the market is the new NT Pajero. 3.2 Common rail diesel,strong auto,BIG brakes & great value for your $$$$. 5 year warranty & roadside assist (But update it to total or premium care) 10 year warranty on engine,transmission & driveline components. Patrols were once great value for your $$$ however old & outdated technology with a severe lack of safety features. The GU is basically the same vehicle as launched in 1997!! People rubbish L/rover & range Rover but I am sorry the runs are on the board for the Patrol,engines (3 litre diesel) self destructing & gearbox failures are things to be considered when looking at a replacement for the Rangie. Toyotas in my opinion are over rated for what you pay & every vehicle has it's short comings having said that if you are planning on towing a big heavy 3 tonne van around Australia & money is an issue go for a 4.8 Petrol GU & put it on gas. Turbo diesel cruisers are very expensive due to their popularity & therefore have a good resale value. The new Prado is not a patch on the NT Pajero & even Toyota Fans state it's a disappointment. I have a camper and the Pajero handles the 1.7 tonne with little effort. Drive a Pajero...you'll love that car.

The best value full sized 4WD wagon on the used market is a 3.5l V6
Jackaroo. The most call outs for NRMA etc are flat batteries, hardly an
indicator of reliability.....oldbaz.

I posed this question about 4 years ago over whether we're getting too complex - if anything it's got worse.

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