Advice needed please - which car would you recommend?
- Thread starter Tayla
- Start date
Might do another hijack of this topic...
We have a NT t/diesel auto and tow a 17.56-2OB
So far very happy with tug, although we are going to change a couple of things llike putting a bigger exhaust on.
We are also going to upgrade the suspension and do some other cosmetic things like bull bar etc.
Our van is as follows - tare 1903kg, ATM - 2378kg, Max ball - 212kg. On our Easter break we drove from home to Echuca approx 250kms away. We averaged approx 16.8L p/100 on the trip.The Paj tows really well, using manual in the tiptronic gear box. We run a WDH as specified by Mitsubishi.
If looking at a Paj, just make sure it can handle the van you are looking at as the max ball weight drops from 250kgs to 180kgs once the van weighs over 2500kgs. Max towing for Paj is 3000kgs. IMO very good for non towing duties as well as let's face it, you will not be towing every day. SWHBO felt very comfortable driving when towing as well which is great for me. Quite spacious inside for us. Would choose diesel over petrol for towing duties.
I'm sure other people will give their opinions on there favourite tugs as well.
I think I'd better stop waffling on now. Let me know if you want any more info as I'm happy to help if required.
Cheers
greynt
We have a NT t/diesel auto and tow a 17.56-2OB
So far very happy with tug, although we are going to change a couple of things llike putting a bigger exhaust on.
We are also going to upgrade the suspension and do some other cosmetic things like bull bar etc.
Our van is as follows - tare 1903kg, ATM - 2378kg, Max ball - 212kg. On our Easter break we drove from home to Echuca approx 250kms away. We averaged approx 16.8L p/100 on the trip.The Paj tows really well, using manual in the tiptronic gear box. We run a WDH as specified by Mitsubishi.
If looking at a Paj, just make sure it can handle the van you are looking at as the max ball weight drops from 250kgs to 180kgs once the van weighs over 2500kgs. Max towing for Paj is 3000kgs. IMO very good for non towing duties as well as let's face it, you will not be towing every day. SWHBO felt very comfortable driving when towing as well which is great for me. Quite spacious inside for us. Would choose diesel over petrol for towing duties.
I'm sure other people will give their opinions on there favourite tugs as well.
I think I'd better stop waffling on now. Let me know if you want any more info as I'm happy to help if required.
Cheers
greynt
The Paj was on our short list, though the swinging rear door and the spare wheel on the rear door is what turned us off. Yes a very capable vehicle and have seen many on the highways towing large vans. Great insight greynt. Pace.
Hi Tayla I have a friend who tows with a Ford Territory it's a 7 seater diesel AWD (so you can do a gravel road or two with your OB) and quite a comfortable and economical vehicle only problem is you will have to jump the fence from Holden to Ford!but that would be a plus hey Holden_man (ooohh can of Worms lid just ripped clean off) :rockon:
Did it once, went from Holden to Ford, never never again. Slightly off topic, best car I ever had was a Holden LX8 Adventra, surprising has a low tow rating but would have pulled the drawbar off my expanda.
Hi Tayla I have a friend who tows with a Ford Territory it's a 7 seater diesel AWD (so you can do a gravel road or two with your OB) and quite a comfortable and economical vehicle only problem is you will have to jump the fence from Holden to Ford!
Ya killin me CG
Can't see anything good about jumping the fence, you just end up getting splinters
Hi Tayla
Yes the ball weight can vary dependant on the accessories fitted to the van, eg - solar panels, batteries external shower etc.
I would use the catalogue as the very base for weights both van and ball.
Maybe if possible talk to Jayco to get a better idea of the van weights with the options you would like on the van.
Even search through the forum for people with similar vans and see what they say.
Everybody as you know is very helpful on the forum.
HTH
Cheers
greynt.
All variants of the 5 door 150 series Prado (GX, GXL, VX and Kakadu) should have a 2500kg rating, the 3door has 3000kg. I am also pretty sure they have just released, or are about to release a special edition Altitude Prado, heaps of extras for around $5k more than a GXL.
I have an 18 57 6 OB and I have absolutely no problems towing it. Best tow car I've owned. I have the GXL and paid $60k on the dot drive away with mats, tow bar and plastic protectors. For what you get, I'm not convinced this is an over the top price, especially given most of the Pajeros are this and more. Plus IMO the live rear axle in the Toyota is a better set up for towing.
Having said that they really are Both great cars, both will tow the 18 footer easily and I think you would have to go a long way for better tow cars for the money. Next step is the Disco4 and 200 cruiser at $80k plus. Awesome tow cars but hard to justify the coin.
I agree The Alberto in regards to the price of the Prado. I don't think they are over the top at all. If was buying new or 1 year old definitely I would go with a Prado. Absolutely awesome vehicle and coming standard with long range tanks is such a great thing and they hold their value better than any other car IMO.
I have been looking at prices in the second hard market over the last week and the Pajeros are quite a bit cheaper than the Prados in rightly so as I don't think anyone wants to sell their Prado.
Thanks greynt for your insight.http://www.expandasdownunder.com/find-new/5387/threads
Cheers
Ants
I have been looking at prices in the second hard market over the last week and the Pajeros are quite a bit cheaper than the Prados in rightly so as I don't think anyone wants to sell their Prado.
Thanks greynt for your insight.http://www.expandasdownunder.com/find-new/5387/threads
Cheers
Ants
Cheers pace9908 and Antman. I agree about the prado being a great tug as well. I was weighing up between that and the Paj, but just could not justify the extra money for it. I bought our Paj second hand. Another bonus for touring with the prado is the tank size, I think 150ltrs which is great until you have to pay for it... One thing I forgot to say Tayla is the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked. Looks like you have a tough choice on your hands with both great tugs.
. Looks like you have a tough choice on your hands with both great tugs.
Borderline maybe especially for an 18. But try a search for Challenger on this forum. I thought they were Triton based so had a bit more torque but only 2500kg towing capacity. There'll be members that tow with Challengers and they'll be happy to give you honest feedback I'm sure.
Hi Tayla,
Agree with Xpandafan about the +400nm and 3000kg. I don't know to much about about the Challenger but IMO i don't think 350nm is enough when trying to tow a full '18 and family of 7. Are you looking at brand new or second hand, as there can be some great value tugs that are approx 1-2years old at a reduced price. We brought our Paj and it was 3 years old and very happy with it.
From left field, have you looked at Jeeps? Matty4 has one and from memory he is happy with it and is around the same price as the others, with good power both nm's and kw's, don't know if they are available as a 7 seater though. Maybe even speak to cruza driver as he had a LC and now has a Paj, maybe would give you a good idea on pro's and con's for each.
Cheers
greynt
Agree with Xpandafan about the +400nm and 3000kg. I don't know to much about about the Challenger but IMO i don't think 350nm is enough when trying to tow a full '18 and family of 7. Are you looking at brand new or second hand, as there can be some great value tugs that are approx 1-2years old at a reduced price. We brought our Paj and it was 3 years old and very happy with it.
From left field, have you looked at Jeeps? Matty4 has one and from memory he is happy with it and is around the same price as the others, with good power both nm's and kw's, don't know if they are available as a 7 seater though. Maybe even speak to cruza driver as he had a LC and now has a Paj, maybe would give you a good idea on pro's and con's for each.
Cheers
greynt
Sorry haven't checked this thread since last week I was away over the weekend
Honestly I haven't towed with the Paj (even though that was the original plan) as I ended up replacing my Cruiser with a new BT so that gets the nod for towing duties. In saying that I will be sharing the duties between the 2 when over winter I hope to throw an electric brake controller and some rear airbags into the Paj.
I am really looking forward to towing with the Paj as I find it a very nice car to drive and its one of those cars that you feel at home with straight away. And as a family car it ticked all the boxes for us after lots of researech, we got the Platinum model that came with lots of extras. I'm not sure if we needed them but they are a nice anyway For day to day driving my wife gets around 10.2lt per 100km
Good luck with your decision and for me personally I'd go and drive a few different cars and see what you feel comfortable in and what suits your needs
Good Luck.
Honestly I haven't towed with the Paj (even though that was the original plan) as I ended up replacing my Cruiser with a new BT so that gets the nod for towing duties. In saying that I will be sharing the duties between the 2 when over winter I hope to throw an electric brake controller and some rear airbags into the Paj.
I am really looking forward to towing with the Paj as I find it a very nice car to drive and its one of those cars that you feel at home with straight away. And as a family car it ticked all the boxes for us after lots of researech, we got the Platinum model that came with lots of extras. I'm not sure if we needed them but they are a nice anyway
For day to day driving my wife gets around 10.2lt per 100kmGood luck with your decision and for me personally I'd go and drive a few different cars and see what you feel comfortable in and what suits your needs
Good Luck.
I appreciate everyone's input on this, however, amount of Nm a vehicle has is only a very minor part in towing a larger and heavier load. IMO, it is mor important to look at the tare weight of the tow vehicle. It is no good having plenty of pulling power if you cannot stop the load in an emergency. I am sure none of us would like to be in a position where the tail wags the dog.
Not sure if it has been mentioned so far, but the Jeep Cherokee Larado diesel should fit the bill. (As much as this pains me to say). A couple of people we camp near at christmas had them and just wouldn't shut up about them. Chrysler/Jeep don't have a great reputation in aust, so I was very sceptical. But after doing some research , if I tooting the position where I had to lay down my own cash, the Jeep would be it. Approximately $55k, with a diesel that puts everything short of the v8 cruiser to shame.
I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo diesel towing my 16.49-1. It currently has 30,000kms on the clock ansd so far I am very impressed with it. It has a towing capacity of 3500kg, 177kw, and 550nm. Awesome car. Cheaper than most, and still fully equipped. Tows my van with ease, and still manages to return excellent fuel economy.
I'm very impressed with it.
I'm very impressed with it.
Hi Soaring,
Actually what happened was that the Chrysler/Dodge group was bought by Fiat. Fiat now own, Alfa, Maserati, Chrysler and Dodge. The diesel engine in the Grand Cherokee is a european engineered engine by VM Motori, which is about to be dropped into the Maserati Ghibli. One of the changes to it are an extra turbo. Here is the news article at http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbc...eratis-first-diesel-powered-car#axzz2RF9iqO88
Cheers
Actually what happened was that the Chrysler/Dodge group was bought by Fiat. Fiat now own, Alfa, Maserati, Chrysler and Dodge. The diesel engine in the Grand Cherokee is a european engineered engine by VM Motori, which is about to be dropped into the Maserati Ghibli. One of the changes to it are an extra turbo. Here is the news article at http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbc...eratis-first-diesel-powered-car#axzz2RF9iqO88
Cheers