Recommended vehicle?

lc 200

X2
LC200TTD with KDSS
+ aftermarket chip = 260Kw & 900Nm torque.
(an awesome tow vehicle without equal)
Cheers

A mate of mine tows the same van with a mid 2000's Pajero. Just done a faultless trip from Hobart to Darwin to Cairns and home. The newer Paj's (not his) have an issue with the rear door not opening when van on the back.....be aware! Use a WDH as well, makes a world of difference.

Wha price range ??

I would suggest you use my vehicle and I tow it for you, only trouble is SWMBO and I would have to use the van thenm :-)

Hah!

Hi Gavin,
Just pulled into home after 1600+ Ks towing Jayco Discovery outback 17.55 with my LC 80 aftermarket turbo manual using 4th gear as top and in company with friends LC 100 TD auto towing similar weight Jayco Heritage poptop. 80 averaged 16.9 l per100k .LC 100 auto averaged 13.9
Speed up to 95k only.
Prado D4D would be good. LC100 Td better at around 50k
regards
Guy

G'day Gavin, The Pajero with the 3.2 diesel is an excellent tow vehicle especially in automatic form. I would suggest you take on board what sales people tell you then check that advice on forums such as this with people who will give you an honest answer & not bull dust because they want to sell you something. The later model pajeros like the NT I have can tow 3 tonne. The ball weight differs with the weight you are towing. for weight up & including 2.5 tonne the ball weight allowed by the manufacturer is 250kg. Anything over that and the ball weight drops to 180kg. A good place to scource info on all vehicles like the Pajero is the website (forum) pertaining to that vehicle like the pajero 4 wheel drive club of Victoria. There is a post on there at the moment that is discussing tow vehicles & towball weight. My advice is look and drive everything that you like & which suits your purpose. The other thing to consider is warranty,service & running cost etc...after you have driven a few vehicle the final decision will be easy.....buy the vehicle the wife likes!!! Good luck & happy trails.

The choice of a suitably tow vehicle will be governed by the fully loaded weight of the van and whether you want car comfort or the more rigid ride of most 4X4's or twin cabs etc.
I love my Territory for both it's 'Car' comfort and towing ability, but unfortunately my new van is a bit heavy for it when fully loaded, so a search for a new tug has begun, with me leaning towards a D-max at the moment.
Cheers, Ozjohn.

Certainly an opened question do you need a 4 x 4, soft or hard or a 2 wd and what is the budget? So many variables.

Hi Gavin

Read many of above suggestions, some have merit, but I couldn't escape the feeling that you would still be better off with the GU 4800's I like.

Many cars have the basic ability to tow your future van so you can make a choice among many.

Certainly the Patrols have the power & torque but towing goes beyond that to requiring a strong fundamentally stable chassis.

The patrols wheelbase exceeds that of even the LC200.

Beyond that you have the choice to get the car in manual as well.
Many automatically go for an auto for towing, usually to get the combo of the line, but provided the car can do this easily then the more important factor is
engine braking ability, which the manual does better.

We do need to address costs though and the obvious 1/3rd more fuel use.
(less if a manual).

In a 50k car depreciation is by far the biggest real cost and with the patrols I
suggested the same basic car can be brought for under 20K up to 50k (2002-2010).

So the petrol patrol would be more economical overall.

If you brought a 20k one you may then see your way though to keeping
both the CX9 and the statsmen and everyones happy.