What are some reliable older 4x4s to tow 16.6ft caravan?

G'day Blueteddy

Probably the most common T/D at that price would be the Jackaroo .. damn fine car, but terribly UNRELIABLE motor.

I own one, 1999 model, 4JX1 motor.. goes great but you never really know if you are going to get home.

Having said that, I have 220k on mine, I have owned it 2.5 yrs, and have had 1 injector and 1 sensor replaced in that time, so not really expensive, or a 'bad run'. It's just the reputation they have, based on documented history, that makes you feel a little uncomfortable about being a long way from nowhere.

It is the fuel delivery system that is the problem.

Happy hunting, Dave

I have recently spent 2 years driving around the block...including up and down the middle in a 1989 GQ Patrol towing a small 1989 16 foot tandem Viscount Seabreeze poptop tare around 1500kg...(heavier at times!!) We covered 45,000 km and had to replace an alternator after 25,000km. Other expenditure was on a battery and oil changes.I was religious about the oil and filters...for obvious reasons.
We got more and more adventurous as our confidence grew and had lots of good times on the gravel in the outback. The 4.2 diesel patrol of this vintage is not fast or powerful but very reliable. Good luck and enjoy.

G/Day Mate, A absolute lucky dip in that price range lol...IMHO...Pajero turbo diesel, ,,, Landrover Defenderor Disco one 98models 300tdi, on saying that my brother just picked up a 60s Toyota with a genuine 160ks indicated on it,There out there but you have to be really careful in obtaining something capable of doing a trip of that nature, ...luck be with you


Cheers Axle.

Mate , why buy a $10000 TD, thats just waiting to have $10000 spent on it. What you save on fuel , you will spend three times on repairs. The only two I can recomend would be the 2.8 Paj and the older Jackaroo 3.1 td. This is not the motor my mate Brian is talking of. Some of the 3.1 have recorded 650000ks. I wish I had one. They where made between 92 and 97. Injectors are only a couple of hundred ea as against $1000 for common rail motors.
I have seen a few of theses still floating around with 200000ks, but still get a good mechanic to check it over.
The tow capacity is 2500kg.
Personally I would be looking at a 3.5 v6 petrol, powerfull and very long lived if serviced. Get a man if economy is importent/
The other option if you are hell bent on diesel is an normally aspirated 4.2 diesel, bit slow but a genuine million k motor if looked after. My uncle is a retired mechanic is this is the rig he has just brought, with an after market turbo on it.
Good luck Pete

Hi Blue, if you are "mainly on sealed roads" why do you need to buy a 4x4?

You do not NEED a 4x4 to tow a caravan!

I, and many others have done 000's kms with caravans behind a family sedan. I had a 22' Millard old style tandem, 2 door heavy van and my XB Fairmont towed it admirably.

It is a fallacy that you need a 4x4 to go caravanning unless you want to do beaches etc as well.

Cheers Neil

Gday , for 10grand you wont get anything worthwhile. I would spend a bit more & go for a lc 80 series petrol or diesel. Also could get a ford territory around 05 model for mid $teens which would tow your van just fine..

Cruiser or Patrol 4.2 diesel, well serviced, don't buy any with more than 750,000 K's. Enjoy the trips