Would like some advice on a tow vehicle - 200 series

I dont know anything about 200 series Toyota but a 2 to 2 1/2 year old vehicle sounds expensive to me. I think they are about $80 grand new.... 70,000 is not a lot of ks but its not much less than the new price. Others who know more than me about the 200 series may have a different view!! What about a 100 series for about half that, they have an excellent trouble free diesel engine?? !! Regards Michael

A 24.6 ft van is a lot of van and the real issue you have to address is can the tow vehicle easily tow the van. Do you know the weight of the van?

I have a 19ft van and is towed by a 200 series. It is only just under the legal tow limits for the 200 series. 200 have tow limit of 3500kg. Your 24.6 ft van must be close to that when loaded with gear, gas, water etc.

A look at the Lcool site may help you understand the 200series.Lcool site

I now have 100k on my 200 series without any problems. It uses some oil but doesn't need topup between oil changes.

Safe travelling

Alan

Hi.

I have a 3.5 yr old LC200 and love it. I don't use it to tow anything bigger than my 2t boat, but it does that with ease.

I 2nd the LCOOL search. I believe the oil consumption issue was dealt with a couple of years ago. I had the problem but it was completely fixed under warrany; I would guess your possible vehicle would be the same if it had the problem (not all did).

More importantly, there are worrying reports of a very expensive ($5k) power steering failure at around the 50-100k mark coming up. If you are serious about this buy, chk out the relevant LCOOL thread, and have someone inspect the vehicle before you buy. I had the PS failure but luckily had extended my warranty to 6 yrs, so it was fixed under that.

I'd also be doing a sanity chk on that price.

Cheers.

You won't do better than a 200 series as a tow vehicle, but then I am biased - with good reason :) If the 200 cannot tow it, nothing short of a truck can. The 3,500kg tow rating and 350kg ball rating is as good as it gets for these type of vehicles.

While any vehicle has the odd issue, the 200 has very few and those that do exist are generally well looked after by Toyota. You will get the odd brothers, mothers aunty who has a 200 with some big issue, but the reality is they are a very reliable vehicle. Mine had the oil issue, but was fixed with the vacuum pump mod under warranty.

The $70K is pretty steep for a stock GXL with 70,000kms. But the $70K could be justified depending what extras, like KDSS, roo bar, drawer systems etc... If stock standard with no extras, look around as you should be able to pick one up for mid $60K, there are now a lot appearing on the market as the 3 year lease life comes around.

If you don't want the creature comforts, you can get a brand new GX (new base model) for only ~$72K - if you bargain hard.

If travelling around, you may want to consider things like roo bars, cargo barriers and drawer systems. Not strictly necessary, but certainly make life easier and safer when touring.

Cheers

Captain

Generally agree with what Captain and John have said, great car and tow vehicle.

A question you need to advise is what is the caravan's ATM weight, total all up packed weight as this will help in the answers. Also is this the dealers or private sale price, service history etc. If dealer serviced then get Rego and Vin No. and a call or visit to the Dealer should be able to extract any service/ repair issues.

Hope this info assists, regards Richie.

Great tow vehicle, great to drive, great off road.

Tow capacity is 3500kg which is the legal limit, and 350kg on the towbar.

Update come in about August 2009, but don't let that worry you. Mine is Jan 08 and doesn't use oil.

Grubby,
There is no doubt that the 200 is a great tow vehcile provided it is setup correctly for your van. My concern is that you have a big van and by the sound do not have much experience in towing. Pulling and manoevering a van of that size takes some doing and I would do a training course if you do not have experience.

Second I would find out what the relevant total and ball weight is for your van and check that against the manufacturers specs for the vehicle you are considering. Don't forget you need to add extra for what you load into the van and vehicle which must include everything plus fuel and water. If you exceed the specs then legally you are in trouble with insurance and also safety will be an issue.

Take a little time and check things out. Make sure you get advice from people who really know not just friends and relations. Go for a few short trips before you start the big trip so you can sort out issues easily at home base.

I am not trying to put you off. I am sure you will have a great time, just don't rush and make mistakes - we all have.

cheers

Hi grubby

I tow a 24.6 Coromal with a 200 series Turbo Diesel.

It is a big rig to tow I brought the 200 series by trading in a 100 series T/D No comparisons with these units The 200 series is far superior The 200 diesel retail in Perth for just under $100K new

I too live in Perth <if you would like any info please E mail to martock@iinet.net.au.I would be happy to meet with you and explain a few things.

Yes the rig is sometimes a challenge ,but do not be put off by the knockers. You will enjoy the experience greatly

Hi guys

Thanks so much for all your responses – and sorry it took me a while to get back here – I am staying with a friend until I take delivery of the van later this week so I am not on the computer much at the moment.
I have been looking around on carsales.com.au and most other 200s seem to be between $75-87K for same year/mileage. I am not sure if this is the best sanity check to compare prices or not. Seems to be a bench mark website to me though at this point.
I have joined the LCOOL site and was waiting for my membership to be approved and that was today sometime I notice – so I will go and have a bit of a look around there also now I have the computer out.
My reasoning on a big van is I will be living in it forever – not just a month or so jaunt when I feel like getting away from home. I towed a 22ft and 26ft van around Australia from when I was 17 until 22 years of age (alone) and have driven triple road trains and think this can only of gotten easier, not harder with all the technology available now (reversing camera’s etc) (Oh and after driving the Kwinana ‘bush track’ today – nothing could be harder than that MESS lol.!!!) It is an off road van.
I kinda like 100 series too. My reasoning with the 200 was just to get the best vehicle I can get that will not give me drama’s – ie as late model as possible. Patrol’s were my first line of thought as I had a wonderful Nissan sedan since 2000 that never gave me an ounce of trouble ever in that 12 years. I have heard some bad things of them of late though. ?
I have spoken with the guy today again – and he said it is on ‘oil watch’ with Toyota – so maybe I am not so keen on it now anyways – I won’t be rushing this – as I don’t really have to be anywhere in particular – which is good and let’s face it – there is a lot of 4WDs out there. Accordingly it is ‘late 09’. I do still have to look into this a lot more – and I haven’t even driven it as yet – because it is a way away from me atm – I might do that on Thursday I think.
I’m not sure about exchange rates etc – but in looking at some old posts on EO – it does seem they (new)have gone up significantly since 2008 – but I would of thought the earthquake and GFE would of had a bit to do with that. But I really don’t care about that stuff – because there is nothing much anyone can do about it.
Will certainly drop you an email John S1. Thanks for the offer there – I can use all the assistance I can get wrt vehicles – I hate them LOL and wish my push-bike could tow it ?
So thanks again for your assistance guys – this is just the beginning of my vehicle journey. The rest of it will follow. ?

We have a 200 series v8 petrol, its a great vehicle for towing, our van is about 24 ft.
however, i'm sure you can buy a new 200 series v8 petrol for around the 70 K mark. Check with your local Toyota dealer. From my understanding the early 200 diesel models did have an oil burning problem.
See you on the road
Ken

Just for your interest, here's one with all the extras....
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/toyota-landcruiser-2010-12101159