Hi we are looking at purchasing the 16-49-4 model expanda at moment we have kia grand carnival which is not going to tow the van. So we will be looking for a new (second hand) vehicle which is roomy enough for 2 adults, 4 young children and a beagle which will tow our new van. We have between $25 -$30 to play with.
Good tow vehicle for family of 6
- Thread starter Heidi at
- Start date
We have a Land Rover Discovery 3 although petrol so not going to be cheap towing you get one around that $ range. Watch how well they have been treated parts like the air suspension not cheap. Wife really likes it to drive around town and you can actually seat adults in the 3rd row, has side airbags all the way down. Also built like a tank.
Ford Territory not bad although do you want split 3rd row seats? Not sure 3rd row covered by side airbag.
Maybe look at a Pathfinder, Pajero or Prado diesel around that money. Probably more likely to get a good Pathfinder.
Not as easy with 4 kids and getting them to fit cars seats.
Ford Territory not bad although do you want split 3rd row seats? Not sure 3rd row covered by side airbag.
Maybe look at a Pathfinder, Pajero or Prado diesel around that money. Probably more likely to get a good Pathfinder.
Not as easy with 4 kids and getting them to fit cars seats.
If you don't need any real offroad ability, I highly recommend a Volvo XC90. The layout and functionality of the seats is very good and there is still a lot of room behind the split 3rd row. A diesel one would be quite good for towing and would comfortably tow a 16' easily.
An SZ Ford Territory diesel would also fit the bill nicely but the 3rd row isn't split, it's all up or down and there is a lot less leg room in the 3rd row and room behind the 3rd row is smaller too.
Otherwise any Disco, Pajero, Prado, Kluger (if you were desperate enough, AWD one)
An SZ Ford Territory diesel would also fit the bill nicely but the 3rd row isn't split, it's all up or down and there is a lot less leg room in the 3rd row and room behind the 3rd row is smaller too.
Otherwise any Disco, Pajero, Prado, Kluger (if you were desperate enough, AWD one)
We have an 11, 7 and 5 yr old twins would like the 3rd row of seats and planning on 6 month trip around oz next year so would prefer diesel for fuel economy and something comfortable to drive.
Looked at Volvo but it only has towing weight of 2250, I would have thought we would need at least 2500 to tow comfortably especially on long trips - never heard of a disco who makes that?
Landrover Discovery Heidi, I like the Pathfinder,Prado and Pajero as well you should be able to pick up a good unit for $30k.
Your 16.49-4 even in OB trim will have an ATM of under 2T, so the Volvo will tow this comfortably and legally.
Make sure you get a later one with the 6speed, they didn't have trans problems.
I've got 3 kids and have owned over the years a Pajero, 2 Territory's and the Volvo XC90. All 3 were 7 seaters and for sheer practicality the Volvo wins, hands down. If nothing else, take a very good look at how you are going to be using it on a daily basis as well as travelling with it because I would strongly suggest that as you are going to need the 3rd row permanently up, a split seat is a far better option.
Those that don't split will rob you of a lot of storage and carrying space.
Food for thought, good luck
Yes a Disco is a Land Rover Discovery
Make sure you get a later one with the 6speed, they didn't have trans problems.
I've got 3 kids and have owned over the years a Pajero, 2 Territory's and the Volvo XC90. All 3 were 7 seaters and for sheer practicality the Volvo wins, hands down. If nothing else, take a very good look at how you are going to be using it on a daily basis as well as travelling with it because I would strongly suggest that as you are going to need the 3rd row permanently up, a split seat is a far better option.
Those that don't split will rob you of a lot of storage and carrying space.
Food for thought, good luck
Yes a Disco is a Land Rover Discovery
Fuel vs how well it handles your daily life.
How easy is it goes for normal life. If your still using 3 car seats how hard will it be for your 11 year old to get in the rear. Or will you put one of the car seats in the 3rd so does it have a anchor point? A lot do not have them for 3rd row.
How much leg room is there in the 3rd row for growing
As mentioned watch if they have side airbags to 3rd row as your always going to have one kid there. Again a lot of cars with 7 seats stop at 2nd row so those in rear have nothing.
We did not think of towing when we got the disco a few years back. Diesel would of been 10-15k more so we looked at that's a lot of fuel. We just had a look again now we brought the jayco again it's extra coat vs fuel to upgrade
How easy is it goes for normal life. If your still using 3 car seats how hard will it be for your 11 year old to get in the rear. Or will you put one of the car seats in the 3rd so does it have a anchor point? A lot do not have them for 3rd row.
How much leg room is there in the 3rd row for growing
As mentioned watch if they have side airbags to 3rd row as your always going to have one kid there. Again a lot of cars with 7 seats stop at 2nd row so those in rear have nothing.
We did not think of towing when we got the disco a few years back. Diesel would of been 10-15k more so we looked at that's a lot of fuel. We just had a look again now we brought the jayco again it's extra coat vs fuel to upgrade
I'd go for an Mitsubishi Pajero - importantly specify in your search the NT Model (Brought in late 2008 - I had an NS). I think in your price range you will get a great vehicle, which whilst a little harsh compared with more modern 4WD's, will go for a long time and do everything you want. My quick search saw cars with even less than 50,000km on the clock and plenty in the sub 80,000km mark.
Cheers
Andrew
(Here's a picture of your new rig towing a 16 foot Expanda so you can picture yourself in it!)
Cheers
Andrew
(Here's a picture of your new rig towing a 16 foot Expanda so you can picture yourself in it!)
You have all given some great options, I will start looking into each of them- don't need until Christmas so I have lots of time for looking and research. Hubby will no doubt have the final say - thanks all. Once we get the van and the car will post.
We have a 2012 Pathfinder a TI 4cyl and a 2012 Kia Carnival the Kia drags the 16-49.4 Expanda around with power to spare a little heavy on the fuel its only problem is its front wheel drive so can loose traction off the black top. Pathfinder less on the fuel, less room for the 4 kids, in my opinion works a lot harder but will go in all places we go without the lose of any traction.
I have had 2x Prados diesel 7 seaters tows great too but they hold there value in the second hand market so not sure if you would get one at $30k?