Tow Vehicle for Jayco Expanda
Submitted: Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 18:31
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Elecmuso
Hi
Looks like we are about to buy a Jayco Expanda. This will mean a new tow vehicle is required. Our 'good' car is a Subaru Outback which is not really up to this job.
So I'm looking for advice as to what is a good inexpensive tow vehicle for this. Hoping a Falcon or Commodore will be sufficient.
Tare weight is 1500kg. Towball weight is 145kg.
Cheers
Greg
Reply By: Notso - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 18:36
Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 18:36
Falcon seems to be popular with the caravan fraternity, the max towing mass is 2300kg I think, the modern ones anyhow.
AnswerID:
473644
Follow Up By: Notso - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 18:38
Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 18:38
Just had a look, the Auto gets 2300, the manual 1600.
FollowupID:
748470
Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:33
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:33
Greg.
The Falcon and Manual & Auto has a max tow capacity of 2300Kg and a max ball weight of 230Kg when a WDH is used, but only 1600Kg (160) without a WDH.
With a TARE of 1500Kg the loaded weight of your van will be at least 1800Kg and a ball weight of 180Kg.
Note: The loaded weight must not exceed the vans ATM.
The Ford Territory has the same motor etc an makes an even better tow vehicle than the Falcon.
The Falcon/Territory have more power than diesels and more torque than teh majority of post 2011 - 12 diesels, especially in the Auto. This includes the
Ranger,BT50, Colarado, D-max etc except for the latest released model
Ranger & BT50.
Ozjohn.
FollowupID:
748502
Follow Up By: Notso - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:58
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:58
I am pretty sure the 2300 only applies to the Auto. That's according to the ford Brochure from their web site?
From Brochure
Towpack - heavy duty 2300kg rated incl. load levelling kit. Notes 9.10.
Note 9
9. Subject to State and Territory regulations
Note 10
10. Available on automatic transmission models only.
FollowupID:
748508
Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 15:28
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 15:28
Notso,
The info i posted above is correct.
"The Falcon, Manual & Auto, has a max tow capacity of 2300Kg and a max ball weight of 230Kg when a WDH is used, but only 1600Kg (160) without a WDH".
The above comes from both the Industry 'Tow Mass Guide' and direct from the 'Ford Handbook'. Both of which is sitting in front of me as I type.
Cheers, Ozjohn.
FollowupID:
748533
Follow Up By: Notso - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 16:15
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 16:15
That's interesting as their website and brochure seem clear that it's only the auto that gets 2300?? Does sound a bit strange though?
FollowupID:
748544
Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 22:44
Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 22:44
The Falc is the choice for towing you'll pull the bum out of a Dunnydore towing.
AnswerID:
473659
Reply By: wizzer73 - Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 22:55
Friday, Dec 30, 2011 at 22:55
I have a 16ft expanda and tow it with a 98 V6 3.5L jackaroo. Get about 24-26L/100km when towing at 95-100kmph.
Just more food for thought
wizzer
AnswerID:
473660
Follow Up By: Steven G1 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 09:16
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 09:16
Have to agree with wizzer. We have an expander 16ft as
well and tow with an XLT
Ranger. Have a look at something with more pulling power than a ford or a commodore.
Cheers Steve.
FollowupID:
748491
Reply By: Kimba10 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:26
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:26
Falcon will pull it no problems, New Falcon, Power 195kW @ 6000rpm
Torque 391Nm @ 3250rpm towrate 2300kg
Commodore........190kW @ 6700rpm Torque 290Nm @ 2400rpm
towrate 1600kg
Falcon has heaps more pulling power then a commodore always have,(only 19nm less then a diesel prado) like the old valiants as you can see by the towrate between the two. Heaps of falcons pulling even bigger loads then your asking, better brakes also.The commodore will also scrub the rear inner edges of the tyres due to there IRS set up which falcon has also but better set up (this is from experiance with a VX we had from brand new and towing). My uncle toured most of oz (obviously not off road) sealed roads and never had an issue and his. His van was close to 2t and cruised along beautiful, obviously had it set up write in regards to electric brakes, towing aids etc for memory the only extra thing he had added from new was a transmission cooler....If your not going off road then no need for a 4wd unless you were towing a huge van or you were extremely close to the towing rate remember to take into account full
water tank plus all your extre luggage which Im sure your aware of..............
AnswerID:
473676
Reply By: Kimba10 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:27
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:27
Falcon will pull it no problems, New Falcon, Power 195kW @ 6000rpm
Torque 391Nm @ 3250rpm towrate 2300kg
Commodore........190kW @ 6700rpm Torque 290Nm @ 2400rpm
towrate 1600kg
Falcon has heaps more pulling power then a commodore always have,(only 19nm less then a diesel prado) like the old valiants as you can see by the towrate between the two. Heaps of falcons pulling even bigger loads then your asking, better brakes also.The commodore will also scrub the rear inner edges of the tyres due to there IRS set up which falcon has also but better set up (this is from experiance with a VX we had from brand new and towing). My uncle toured most of oz (obviously not off road) sealed roads and never had an issue and his. His van was close to 2t and cruised along beautiful, obviously had it set up write in regards to electric brakes, towing aids etc for memory the only extra thing he had added from new was a transmission cooler....If your not going off road then no need for a 4wd unless you were towing a huge van or you were extremely close to the towing rate remember to take into account full
water tank plus all your extre luggage which Im sure your aware of..............
AnswerID:
473677
Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:46
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:46
Jackeroo specs.....158kW @ 5400rpm Engine Size (cc) 3494 Torque 310Nm @ 3100-3100rpm ...........Falcon having 81nm more and reving at just 150rpm more..You will be
well under 20L per 100 towing with a falcon under normal circumstances (head winds,hills etc will vary that) Not knocking the jac in any way very underated 4wd and very capable, little bit thirsty but not alot more then other V6 petrol 4wd's. prados arnt as high as the jack more around the 20's......Grab a falcon hook the van up and give it a go. Go to car sales they will give you a vehicle over night to see if you like it or not to ties. Hook your van up and give it a go if you dont like it for what ever reason take it back grab a commodore and so on. My other neighbour did this when he bought his exceed turbo diesel pajero (fantastic towing vehicle if you like them). Carsales are big on lending you a vehicle so hoepfully you will buy it, great sales pitch, drive it home fall in love with it then drive away in it...........................
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Follow Up By: wizzer73 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:46
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:46
If you compare a 2004 falcon with a 2004 commodore the falcon is streets ahead in power and torque. Have a look at redbook for some figures. Greg was saying a car 6-8yrs old. Also the fuel economy is about even on both.
wizzer
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748505
Follow Up By: wizzer73 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:52
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:52
Yes the jackaroo is underated. Has more power and torque then the pajero or prado of similar vintage (petrol that is). I think the falcon would make a great tug, but.... for me, if there is any 4wding in the area I'm
camping, its like a magnet, I just have to do it. lol
wizzer
FollowupID:
748506
Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:58
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:58
Sorry Fleet Sales I meant not car sales, carsales is a website for finding vehicles for sale like trading post.................... Sorry wizzer missed that bit about 6 to 8 years old, but even with a vehicle 6 to 8 years of age between the falcon and commodore Id still say a falcon, still have better pulling power and always have over a commodore..Not knocking commdores as I have had a few and brand new ones but falcon will aways out tow a commodore pulling up hills big time. My old man always had valiants in his days of towing vans, would always out pull my 5L V8 HZ up the hills between his van and
mine. he would always brag, get up the side of me say through Bulladelah and wave at me and give it a gutfull and just pull away, my 5L would be back in 2nd revving and sloowly pull, lol those were the days, and it was always bragging between my uncle and old man as my uncle was the one with the falcon and the old man would only just get him on the hills BUT my uncles van was bigger 18f compared to the old mans 16 1/2 viscount..................
FollowupID:
748507
Reply By: Elecmuso - Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:38
Saturday, Dec 31, 2011 at 10:38
Thanks guys
Sounds like a Falcon will do the job nicely.
Yes I'll keep my eye out for something else but it is a case of $.
Cheers
AnswerID:
473679
Reply By: Elecmuso - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 18:16
Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 18:16
Guys
This had me a bit worried as the prospect of having to go and find a cheap but decent tow vehicle was a bit daunting.
However...
I have just had a look at what is PERHAPS such a vehicle.
Now I know they were not the most popular of the Falcons but here's what I'm ooking at:
1999 Futura
Now it has low km so the age does not put me off.
It has no towbar which can be a good and bad thing I suppose.
Is this vehicle rated to 2300kg?
What would I be up for for a 2300kg towbar?
Are there many downsides to this model apart from the supposed styling (which I actually don't mind)?
Cheersa
AnswerID:
473966
Follow Up By: ozjohn0 - Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 10:28
Wednesday, Jan 04, 2012 at 10:28
Mate,
Allow yourself at least another $1800 - $2000 or so for a Heavy duty 2300Kg Hitch and wiring, a 250Kg WDH, and a Auto tranmission cooler.
OJ
FollowupID:
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