What truck to buy to travel around Oz with 2 kids in car seats?

Mick, I'm in a similar position and have been looking at a Mazda BT-50, talking to owners towing vans on a recent trip I did they all gave it a thumbs-up but then that's normal.
rr VKE237 6678

opening the rear door (what for?) is really a very small consideration - and one that may be 'fiddled' by parking on an angle...?

I recently drove my 100 series from Perth to Brisbane return to collect a camper trailer purchased in QLD. The trip reinforced my decision to buy the Cruiser some 5 years ago. I am a one eyed Cruiser fan and they are the only way to go if it fits within budget.

Hi Mick,

If you like the prado, would changing the coupling to a lower, offroad style of coupling fix the problem with the rear door opening? Might be worth looking into.
Only a few hundred dollars might get you into your preferred vehicle.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the great feedback so far...keep it coming because the more I learn before I buy the better.

Access to the boot of the truck is important because the van is an expanda type van with little boot storage so the truck boot storage area will be valuable on the trip.

I'm happy with all other vehicle suggestions as I would like to test drive as many of the trucks that people suggest to get a better idea of the benefits of each of them.

Thanks again and keep the info and suggestions coming.

By the way, my wife and I are both manual drivers but having read that the Navara has clutch issues, does it really matter if we get auto or manual?

Mick

Mick
Reading you list of considerations leaves only one choice that is the VW Amarock. I recommend you drive one, you will be very impressed. Eric.

What about a troopy. We bought a 2nd hand 2008 GXL. Rear seats are up high, we have a 2 1/2yr and 1 yr old and they love it. We love the power & interior space.

Hi Mick,

my one eyed advice is to have a good look at a Landcruiser.

They are strong, reliable and comfortable. Towing a van you'd probably be better suited to a turbo diesel or petrol. The petrols cost more to run but they are cheap to buy.

Our diesel 80 series has just turned over 400,000 kms and it is like it has only gone 200,000. I have mates with 350,000 and 550,000 kms on the clock and still going strong.

The 80 series is almost unbeatable off road, spares and after market products are readily available.

Hoo roo,
Steve

Hi Mick,I have had two seperate reports from my customers of Mazda BT50 chassis cracking under stress from corragated roads... One was on the Anne Beadell, where the whole group cut there trip short to assist the BT50 safely back to where it could be trucked out and repaired.. $$$. The other incident involved towing on outback roads for long periods. Another unhappy customer with a large bill. $. Have also had unhappy navara owners complaining of build quality... After many kms of harsh outback corragations everything rattles, even on the blacktop.. I've had 2 Patrols and 2 landcruisers. Both have never let me down on a big trip...

Don't forget to do the touch test with how easily the kids car seats fit in and how easy it is to lift a child out or for an older child to climb in and out. Some vehicles are very tight, especially if you have two car seats and may need to get larger ones as kids grow! We have been through two other tow vehicles before giving in and buying the Landcruiser 100 series we should have bought in the beginning! If you need boot space it has plenty. When the grandkids are with us (4 and 6) it takes two large carseats easily and another adult can still sit between them! The kids are comfortable and not jammed too close together. The seats are easy to fit and we can get kids in and out easily too. It is a fantastic and reliable tow vehicle as well! Lynne

Mick,
I am not going to even suggest what vehicle to buy but I will give try to give you the info for you to decide. I will go through the process.

1. Wether others like it or not Toyota have a great rep in the bush and this must be for a reason. I know why because I have put them through hell for years and seen all their faults. Most places you can get parts and help if things turn to crap.

2.Get a vehicle that can tow easily. What I mean by this is not what most will think. If the vehicle can't take of in high range up a hill without slipping the clutch I would not even consider it. Clutches on these small capacity turboed engines cop a flogging as the engine doesn't develop the torque until up in the rev range. They also cost a fortune to change. For those who wish to dispute this I also drive Hilux and Narvara utes. You will have to consider the load you are towing and the terrain you are towing in.

3. The problem of a broken chassis can be eliminated by not overloading especially behind the rear axle. Don't use air bags to hold up your suspension as the load on the chassis is placed at a point that was never designed for it and don't flog it over corrugations.

4. Don't drive it like a hire car and you will be surprised how far it will go and how little problems you will have.

5. If you are mainly on bitumen roads most vehicles will do the job.

6. Mate people have great stories about the vehicle they have and others have horror stories about the same vehicle. Keep researching on the net for their problems as they all have them.

Mick,
I won't recommend anything. One of the reasons for this this is the amount of money you are willing to spend for the vehicle and I don't really know how hard you wish to push it. Also I don't know if you want a new vehicle or second hand.

The old 4.2 Patrols were a great vehicle but they are getting long in the tooth.
The 100 series factory turboed cruisers ware also a great unit but again you have to steal one cause on one wants to sell them at leads at a reasonable price.

You will have to do lots of homework on the vehicle and get a general consenus.
The reason for this is some will have a great run with a vehicle and others will have the horrors. Have a look on the actual vehicle owners forums so you get an honest view of their problems.

If you are towing a van with a small turboed engine I would go for an auto tranny and make sure it has a good transmission cooler. These allow the slip when you wish to take off. In sand you won't beat an auto. All is a compromise between torque, drive, braking, uphill and down.

My old girl is getting very long in the tooth so in the future I will have to go through what you are going through. If I had the choice I would buy a brand new one of what I have now but that ain't going to happen.

At this present time I would be looking at a Dmax or a new Mazda but that could change very quickly.

I am afraid none of the new vehicles will do and continue to do what my old girl has. Let the tears roll.

All the best and happy travelling.

Having lived ina remote area for a long time the vehicle I would never consider for towing or off road work is any of the lighter 4 door or 2 door utes. Hilux etc. They just cannot handle the constant towing and off road rigour.
They aren,t called "rollux,s" for nothing!
Get a good troopy, 80 or 100 series turbo wagon. Even a 6 cylinder nissan is a great vehicle. If towing a lot make sure you get the turbo model. Dont touch the 4 cylinder turbo nissan. Like all the other small 4turbo 4 cylinders they rely on high revs for power and torque. The low down grunt of the bigger 6,s is a joy to tow with.
The lighter utes often have chassis issues. Even the larger tojos and nissans also had some chassis issuesbut nothing compared to their smaller brothers.
Probably have people jump down my throat for bagging the 4 cylinder lightweights. I have just seen so many bust up trying to do a job they were not really made for. Might be ok for highway cruising, but off road their lifespan is shortened dramatically.
The comfort, power and cost effectiveness of the older large 4wds is perfect for a rig to see Oz in.
cheers