Well we've done it. We've gone ahead and bought our van (read soooo excited, I can hardly type), now all we need is something to tow it. We'll need something that can tow a maximum of 2000kg. Been suggested to get something capable of towing 2500kg (not that we expect to have that much on board) for a safety factor. Suggested vehicles are: Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Landcruiser Prado, Nissan Patrol, Kia Sorento (2007 model, not newer ones). We'll be buying second hand, preferably 7yrs old or less. We're very keen to hear your views on likes and dislikes.
many thanks
Sheryl & Gav

I've been happy with my Pajero.... 2002 model, diesel, manual. I'm pulling 1350 ATM not the 2000 ATM you're talking about but should be fine. From my experience would recommend diesel in preference to petrol.

The Terracan is a good unit for your needs but make sure it already has the tow pack on it, I believe the packs are no longer available.. The Terracan can be a bit soft in the tail end as they age. They are a great drivers vehicle very comfortable ride but go diesel for the power and economy over time I currently drive a 2009 Pathfinder Diesel and the earlier models of the Pathfinders perform well, but like all vehicles with a bit of age it all depends what and who had them before hand . If you can afford it go for something a little younger than 7 try 3 - 4 and it may still have warranty from the factory

I'm engaged in the same search. Bad news is that it has lasted 18 months and is no nearer completion! Nissan Patrol is known as the grenade becos the engine explodes without warning and repairs start at some $12,000. I personally feel the LandCruiser is a bit "woosy". And silly prices. Prado's a nice vehicle but again a bit pricey. Pajero has many fans and is on my short list (I'm a Mitsubishi fan). Wanted a Navarra badly, but apparently it has "issues" of various kinds and frankly is probably too big for a lone traveller like myself Fancied a Pathfinder, too, but again there are reports of "issues". I intend next week to look carefully at the Mazda BT-50, which attracts a very good press. Last but not least, I will also have a look at the Nissan X-Trail diesel, which owners tell me is a much underrated tow vehicle, depending on size of van. In fairness, I should add that reports of "issues" are often balanced by reports from happy owners. And some of the bigger vehicles can use 20l of fuel for 100km. Some owners find this acceptable. I don't. Welcome to the minefield and good luck! Cheers, Tony

I have a 2005 NP Pajero...auto diesel 3.8 turbo.....next week I get my new caravan so it will be interesting towing that instead of my campertrailer....ofcourse it wont be 2,000 kg either. My advice....find something low milage.good condition........and your confortable driving .....I picked the Paj.....cause at 6ft 5" tall.....I can get in and feel good driving. Dave

we got a 06 td holden rodeo and we are very happy with it. check out your towing specs and go the deisel option i would say. imho

Further on this topic, as the site will not let me open a "new topic" box (and has not done so for days), any GNs use an X-Trail as a tow vehicle and would care to comment on its usefulness? I am particularly interested in the diesel, but petrol not out of the question at all. Cheers, Tony

We are dragging about 1900kg with an 05 Rodeo turbo deisel.  No problems. 

My fuel consumption (towing) is consistently less than 13 l / 100k. I travel at the speed limit (when conditions permit) apart from 110k zones where I usually travel at 100k. Obviously if pulling 2000kg it would consume more. I have found that travelling at 90k improves the consumption only slightly and below 90k there is little to be gained (other than being a pain in the a### on the road)

Well its one of thoes things , its like your footy team its always the best..Haveing said that. Have a look at what a tug has to do.. It has to be good on fuel. tow over two ton safley. be comfortable to sit in, have a low road noise, keep away from big luggy tires,unless you want to go off road in the wet , have all the latest safty gear on board. have good vision. Lets face it driving on the road is the most risky thing we all do .Ask all the big questions.. Dose it have ABS.? what about Air bags.. What about anti sway, what about traction control. when I hook the van on will the lights be pointing into the sky. how much can I tow safley with it. .what is the repair bill going to be if some thing goes wrong. And it will..Dont look at the nice paint work, and listen to all the spin that the sale person is on with. .You have started at the right place where people USE the tug each day and know what is what..Write a list down and cross them off when you ask the big questions..The big don,ts in my book is under power.. and petrol engines when towing , not that petrol engines dont have power they drink fuel, v6 yuk. .Comfort is on top of the list as well, That is where you will be day in day out sitting ..I know what I use and Im more than happy after 200thou on the road towing over 2 ton..Good luck, dont be in a rush, look with your eyes open..sorry about this but its a big step you are about to take..Bob n Bev

Have you considered a twin cab ute? As you are looking at second hand you will get more bang for your buck. They cost less than a station wagon style vehicle new and so second hand. If in the future you are going to carry extra fuel or a generator you have fewer safety concerns accommodating your cargo (you don't have flammable goods in either your van or passenger compartment or hanging off the ends of your van where they reduce the stability of your van.) You have more room to carry bulky and thus more comfortable outdoor furniture (so you don't have to sit on those fold into a bag umbrella chairs.) Here are a couple of comparisons to assist you to choose: 2007 Article . . 2009 Article Regarding the X-trail - The diesel auto is limited to 1350 kg max. Nissan don't like you using WDH with their tow bars and others also question whether they are strong enough too. The Hayman Reese towbar is only rated for 150 kg tow ball weight and their site specifies "No weight distribution kit to be used with this towbar" - From that I suspect that the available tow bar attachment points are not considered to be robust by HR (normally they rate their hitches for WDH.)

tonyd wrote:

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Nissan Patrol is known as the grenade becos the engine explodes without warning and repairs start at some $12,000.

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Tony - you really should come up to date with this (or are you just a Nissan hater, yous eem to have unfounded remarks about the other models.) That problem was cured around 7 years ago. Probably all the time bombs would have exploded by now but they would probably be too old for the OP to be considering them.

 

-- Edited by PeterD on Sunday 4th of July 2010 12:11:13 PM

Thought I may as well throw in my two bob's worth here.

We have an 08 Ford Ranger towing a Jayco Discovery with shower and loo.

It is a very comfortable ride in the front seats........we don't worry about the back seats as we don't sit in them.

Having a canopy on the back is great.  Like someone else said you can stow your extra fuel and all the other stuff you need for outdoor comfort without putting stuff on the floor in the van when you are travelling.

Ours is a 3ltr diesel and the fuel consumption is well within the acceptable bounds.  Will have to ask the other half when he gets back from fishing just what the numbers are but I know when we fill up he does a quick calculation and he is more than happy with what we get.

We too looked at 2nd hand Pathfiners, Pajeros and all those sorts of things and found that getting a NEW Ford Ranger and adding all the necessaries still was very comparable with the 2nd hand option.

Just another opinion, for what it's worth,  but we find ours great and would seriously considering doing the same thing if and or when we need to replace "Fred"

-- Edited by Ma on Sunday 4th of July 2010 01:39:21 PM

HI all, whilst not owners of the van --yet-- I do however tow a boat that weighs in about 2.5T. I own a 100 series T/D L/Cruiser. Since having that I have found towing to be easy. Fuel averages about 16/17 l/100/kms. The speed you can maintain is is surprising given an overall gross weight of car and boat of just over 5 tonne. One main this I would suggest is that whatever you choice may be, do not choose one in which you will always wish you gotten something with a bit more grunt, and are left wanting for power on hills and the like. Paul

Here is my two cents worth on this issue.I have a 2005 Jeep KJ 2.8 Turbo diesel.It has a max towing capacity of 2800kg and a ball weight of 280kg.Being a four cylinder it is cheaper to register and tows our 1400kg van with ease.It has all the safety features like ABS, traction controll,two front and four side impact airbags,cruise controll etc etc. Im sure some of you in cyber space would have shuddered when you read the word Jeep,but to date we are very pleased and this is our second Jeep,the last one was a 1998 2.5 Turbo Diesel.Many have been put off by the supposed cost of parts for Jeeps but any part from a dealer will cost you.The way to keep the cost of replacement parts down in the dollar department is to track down the aftermarket suppliers and there are many of them in Aussie for all makes of vehicle.I have recently received a complete timing chain kit (belt,2 x pulleys, 1x tensioner pulley and 3 x engine seals)and had the parts sent over from the UK including postage for $329.00. All via the internet.The Jeep dealership in Adelaide wanted over $300.00 just for the belt !!!!!!! Good luck in your hunt for the right vehicle.

G'day flyboy, I too have a kj 2.8 2006 model. You got your timing belt kit via the AJOR forum did you?.A fantastic forum for jeep owners.

Yes William i did.A while ago when i realised it was slowly comming up to that time i did some research on the net and found the VM Diesel webpage.I contacted George and he said he would be only too pleased to help us here in Aussie.So i posted his contact details on the forum and many members have now used him for parts.Considering it only too five days to get here from UK i was very impressed.To date i have done the additional tranny cooler and only this weekend i modified the fan shroud to get easy access to the fanbelt without removing the shroud.Both those were posted on the forum by members.A couple of good examples for avoiding the dealer where possible to save dollars.

Thanks all for replies (and sorry for sort-of hijacking the thread!) Am now probably leaning towards the ute option, thus getting more space for my buck. And PeterD, I am not a Nissan hater. In fact, I'd quite fancy a Patrol, but I would be uneasy about the possible risk, even now. What I read about Nissan's attitude to problems/warranty matters is not particularly happy, either. That said, I see hundreds of Patrols on the road every day! There are times when I feel this vehicle thing is even more complicated than the dual battery/solar panels debate! Cheers, Tony

have just bought a fifth wheeler GVW 4200 kls.  Will a new Toyota landcruiser V8 4.5 do the job