TOW VEHICLE???
Submitted: Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 07:26
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Kime
Could anyone help us out here...
We are planning on travelling around Australia, we have an 18ft Jayco Caravan and are trying to find a vehicle with best fuel economy etc???
We are looking at a Landcruiser Diesel Turbo, but they are very hard to find??? Patrol???? We have been told the Landcruiser will be better towing power vehicle??
With them being hard to fine the turbo's that is, there is an abundance of petrol landcruisers on the market, but is that for a reason - too thirsty etc
We would really love any advice as we are getting mixed reports??
Someone even mentioned a Pajero????
Reply By: westozal - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 07:37
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 07:37
Hello Kime,
I think you should tell us a budget amount as its very difficult to comment otherwise.
Helpful posters could advise on a 70k vehicle yet you only want to spend 20k if you see what I mean.
Passenger Numbers etc also help...what you intend to carry, what kind of roads? lots of varibles.
You will get more specific advice to your question once we know these factors.
Get back to us.
Regards AL
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Reply By: Kime - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 07:49
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 07:49
OK yes sorry that does make sense... We are looking at a budget of 30k we want to buy second hand, travelling in car 2 adults and 2 small children, in regards to roads etc we want to travel mostly everywhere but not doing extreme off road definatly going on dirt but not the more experienced off road areas, plus we have a van to tow and dont want to be silly with where we go...
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Reply By: Madfisher - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:01
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:01
Do not for get while they give better economy servicing is more frequent andmore expensive then petrols. Most comparsions I have seen show gas as being the cheapest per k.
Good luck Pete
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Reply By: Bigfish - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:08
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:08
Personally I would TRY and get a 80 series toyota wagon, turbo. Room for family, economical, pull hard, reliable and often fitted with extras. The 6 cylinder is a strong motor when turbod and leaves the 4 cylinders for dead. The petrol do use a lot of fuel BUT excellent power for towing and if you are mechanically minded easier for the owner to work on. Drive a little slower and reasonable fuel econmy is achievable. Have driven both the 6 cylinder toyota and current vehicle is the 4 cylinder nissan. As stated the 6 toyota
miles in front. The 6 cylinder turbo nissan is also an excellent tow vehicle.
Decisions, decisions.
Good luck
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Reply By: patsproule - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:38
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 08:38
Try an NP DID pajero ((03 to 06 - will be in the 23 to 30K price range) or an NS DID Pajero (06-09 - about 28-40K). Both are favourites amongst the caravan crowd, are strong performers even when towing, and are reasonable on the fuel. Either will have a lot less KM than the 80 series mentioned, will handle much better on-road with the van in tow, will have a hell of a lot more features including safety, stability control and traction control, and have no real achilles heal bar the NP's sometimes popping the companion shafts out of the rear diff under a big load (easily fixed with upgraded parts). Come have a look at pajeroclub.com.au forums for some others experience with the fuel economy when towing.
I had an NM petrol and now an NP diesel and tow a ski boat quite extensively that would weigh a bit more than your caravan. It's the best tow vehicle I have had and wouldn't replace it for anything short of a 100 or 200 series cruiser or the new NT pajero (if I could afford one). On one trip up through the Snowys with the NP towing the boat a mate in a TD 80 series (no trailer) couldn't keep up. And with the traction control and a 2" lift it will do most things off road that the bigger boys can do until you get into the really gnarly stuff.
Cheers - Pat
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Follow Up By: OREJAP - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 10:21
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 10:21
Yep, I agree Patsproule your comments are spot on. I had an auto 3.2 T/Diesel 2003 Pajero very comfortable car & after driving many different 4x4 in my job I was so impressed with the Pajero I bought one. Towing heavy trailers & sometimes vans the vehicle very sound on the ground. My wife also is happy with the new vehicle a VR-X NT this although out of the price range mentioned, pulls like a train and just a very safe grand tourer. I would think an 80 series would probably have very high km's on the clock but a very good vehicle just the same. The Nissan & Toyota non turbo models whilst very strong they can be quite slow on the hills & overtaking. The 3 ltr patrols, T/D are a bit suspect after numerous complaints from owners with motors self destructing for no known reason even though have or were
well serviced. A duel fuel vehicle is also a consideration. I think you just have to look at every vehicle that may suit. Drive it, see if you can borrow it for the day, hitch the van on and also look at the room & comfort factor. I think a vehicle that feels safe and sturdy, easy to drive, numerous creature comforts & especially safety items such as driver & passenger airbags (Some Patrols only have one & some early vehicles don't have any) Drive a NP Pajero Auto Diesel great value for money.
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Reply By: Patrol22 - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 18:05
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 18:05
As much as this irks my loyalty to brand Nissan....I think if you are not heading into the remote areas like the CSR, the Simpson, Gary, Gunbarrel, Kidson then for the money you are talking about I believe a 80 or 100 series petrol cruiser on gas would be the way to go. You can get gas almost anywhere these days,
well at least withing the 500-600km range you will have. Even when there is no gas you can always get ULP/OPAL. You will get a much newer vehicle with fewer kays if you go for petrol/gas configuration and the either the 4.5 or V8 cruiser petrol will handle you van with ease. You could also go the 4.5 or 4.8 Patrol in petrol/gas configuration But, that said, if you are going remote for extended periods....then diesel is the way to go IMHO.
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Reply By: have a go - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 19:33
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 19:33
We have a 80 series TD for sale. Its taken us almost all over Aus. Towed a 18" jayco outback pop top. Reason for sale is we upgraded to a newer car with larger low capacity for larger van. It has all the ARB extras except roof rack which is on our new car. Pitty i got tight and didn't renew my
membership here. There was heaps of photos loaded on EO of it.
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Follow Up By: Kime - Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 20:08
Sunday, Jun 19, 2011 at 20:08
So you currently have one for sale?? What kind of klm's are on it....Would you be able to email me some info/pictures etc..... eisercj@bigpond.com
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Follow Up By: have a go - Monday, Jun 20, 2011 at 20:42
Monday, Jun 20, 2011 at 20:42
No worries.
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Reply By: ozjohn0 - Monday, Jun 20, 2011 at 14:16
Monday, Jun 20, 2011 at 14:16
Don't disregard some of the 4X4 Jap & Korean utes such as D-max, Colarado, Tritan, Hi-lux etc. as they've built themselves a good reputation as tugs.
Cheers, Ozjohn.
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