Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 at 11:08
G'day Kris & Kev,
If you are buying an OffRoad van there are a lot of things to consider.
Depending on the size you want every kilogram of trailer is a disadvantage to the tow vehicle but some compromises are made in order to get what you want for your circumstances.
A single axle will go where a dual axle van never can. You can physically turn a smaller van around in circumstances where a dual axle can only go forward. Sometimes unhitched you can drag it around on a narow road if need be but not with a big van, no room to do it.
If you have to reverse somewhere the smaller van is better too. If in cities you may be able to park a smaller setup where a big van you must catch a train in from the outer suburbs so to speak.
With a lot of modern vehicles and vans people are getting around the same economy as years ago despite technology but fuel costs are much greater, so travel is a great deal more expensive.
You mentioned standard
suspension advice from a yard manager, Yes it may be easier to repair but you shouldn't be buying a van on the basis that you will be repairing it road side.Thats like buying a commodore and accepting the breakdowns as normal while everyone else motors on.
Speaking of Kedron/Bushtracker, these vans are big and unmanageable, heavy and fuel sucking monsters. They might have engineered a
suspension which survives, but all that so people can have aircon and a shower/
toilet? Madness.
If the van weighs near the same as or more than the tow vehicle then the term OFFROAD`becomes less and less applicable cos it isn't/can't be true.
Many people are forced to buy an $80,000 vehicle, maybe s/hand one, just to be able to legally tow these things on road. Again madness.
If the vehicle used normally 4wding has trouble negotiating some terrain how can it also tow more than its own weight in these conditions?
I believe in lighter vehicles, supple
suspension, not too much weight, definitely not a Hilton on wheels.
Ross M
FollowupID:
756871