I would appreciate some advice on a tug for my van.
I've recently purchased a 1988 13` Windcheater van, 800kg weight, but am adding an extra 300kg when loaded, and I am now looking to buy a 4wd tug to tow the van.
So far I have considered a Nissan Xtrail, Subaru Outback, Mitsubishi Pagero, Challenger and an Merc ML270 cdi (although they are a bit harder to find).
I don't really want a big 4wd as I am a solo traveller and don't have a need for a people mover.
I've considered the diesel options, but I'm leaning more to a dual fuel (ie unleaded/lpg) tug.
Any suggestions?
Keep Smiling
ozi2 said
02:12 PM Sep 2, 2010
Cee wrote:
Hiya,
I would appreciate some advice on a tug for my van.
I've recently purchased a 1988 13` Windcheater van, 800kg weight, but am adding an extra 300kg when loaded, and I am now looking to buy a 4wd tug to tow the van.
So far I have considered a Nissan Xtrail, Subaru Outback, Mitsubishi Pagero, Challenger and an Merc ML270 cdi (although they are a bit harder to find).
I don't really want a big 4wd as I am a solo traveller and don't have a need for a people mover.
I've considered the diesel options, but I'm leaning more to a dual fuel (ie unleaded/lpg) tug.
Any suggestions?
Keep Smiling
G'day Cee, looking at your vehicle selection I would drop the Mercedes simply on cost of servicing/spare parts when touring Oz. All your other considerations are fine and will tow your 800kg + van with no problems. You could also look at secondhand Suzuki Vitara 4wd, although it does have a short wheel base ( longer heavier vehicle will tow better) Hyundai have some very good 4wd vehicles along with Kia. (perhaps members with some of the above could add their comments with pro's and con's?) most of these vehicles come with petrol/diesel motors and some are able to be converted to LPG whilst some on the list are doubtful, I would check with manufacturer to be sure. There are govt rebates avail for this but you will still be out of pocket in the region of $1500 to $2000 for current LPG conversion. If you want to travel to more remote regions you cannot rely on LPG being available when you need it. Do you have a preference for auto or manual? You are on the right track, between members and your motoring organisation you will find what you are looking for. cheers, Ozi
GrumpyOne said
02:26 PM Sep 2, 2010
Hey Cee,
I know you have said you arent after a larger 4bie, have you considered the lesser known Ssangyongs, I have the Actyon dual cab deisel 2l & its proven very economical at an average of 10/100 with a range of 650ks to a tank.
As for price they are more than comparable at a smidge over 32k drive away, there are also other models such as the Actyon sedan which is also a 4bie, that will do the same job but are smaller still with the deisel.
-- Edited by GrumpyOne on Thursday 2nd of September 2010 02:27:55 PM
-- Edited by GrumpyOne on Thursday 2nd of September 2010 02:29:12 PM
excited-newbies said
07:01 PM Sep 2, 2010
hi cee I am a bit bias but I have 2 hyundais the santa fe 2.2 turbo diesel is also another good option just my 2 bobs worth excited-newbies Chris and Vina
Cee said
08:15 PM Sep 3, 2010
Hiya All,
Thanks heaps for your input, it's been really helpful.
I'm leaning towards Nissan Xtrail..............your thoughts?
Keep Smiling
Ma said
08:17 PM Sep 3, 2010
I had an X=Trail for a number of years and absolutely loved it.
The only reason I got rid of it was because we upgraded the van and it was to heavy for the X-Trail.
It was a sad day for me. I went everywhere in that by myself and felt very safe.
Cee said
08:32 PM Sep 3, 2010
Hi Ma
Thanks for the post.
Can I ask what size van you towed with the xtrail please?
Keep Smiling :)
Ma said
10:04 AM Sep 4, 2010
It was a Jayco Penguin Cee. Length approximately 14ft and weight around 1600.
The x-trail towed it with ease. By the way it was an automatic and petrol engine.
Cee said
04:10 PM Sep 4, 2010
Thanks for that Ma.
Mine's a 13` weighs 800kg (probably more like 1200kg) when loaded.
You've put my mind at ease so I'll seriously start looking at the xtrails.
Keep Smiling
Ma said
12:58 PM Sep 5, 2010
I think the X-Trail is perfectly suited to us ladies. So easy to drive and the vision from all round is excellent. Hope you can find one, you certainly won't regret it.
FnOzi said
03:56 PM Sep 24, 2010
Definately recommend the X trail,for superior engineering.Pity they don't make it in diesel.
cheers...
elliemike said
10:41 AM Sep 28, 2010
We have a 2010 Manual Diesel Nissan X-Trail. Excellent vehicle. We tow an Avan Cruiseliner. 900kgs unladen. Probably 1200- 1300kgs loaded. Will get it weighed just as we set of for the next trip (weighbridge at my casual workplace) But that is what we estimate we take with us, Judging from what we carried in the Hiace
Just arrived home from a trip up North of Perth to take in the spring wild flowers, (not very abundant this season) Travelled about 2344 klm's. Quite a bit on unsealed roads, up through Mullewa, Murchison Settlement, Gascoign Junction, etc.
I would appreciate some advice on a tug for my van.
I've recently purchased a 1988 13` Windcheater van, 800kg weight, but am adding an extra 300kg when loaded, and I am now looking to buy a 4wd tug to tow the van.
So far I have considered a Nissan Xtrail, Subaru Outback, Mitsubishi Pagero, Challenger and an Merc ML270 cdi (although they are a bit harder to find).
I don't really want a big 4wd as I am a solo traveller and don't have a need for a people mover.
I've considered the diesel options, but I'm leaning more to a dual fuel (ie unleaded/lpg) tug.
Any suggestions?
Keep Smiling
You could also look at secondhand Suzuki Vitara 4wd, although it does have a short wheel base ( longer heavier vehicle will tow better) Hyundai have some very good 4wd vehicles along with Kia. (perhaps members with some of the above could add their comments with pro's and con's?) most of these vehicles come with petrol/diesel motors and some are able to be converted to LPG whilst some on the list are doubtful, I would check with manufacturer to be sure.
There are govt rebates avail for this but you will still be out of pocket in the region of $1500 to $2000 for current LPG conversion. If you want to travel to more remote regions you cannot rely on LPG being available when you need it.
Do you have a preference for auto or manual?
You are on the right track, between members and your motoring organisation you will find what you are looking for.
cheers,
Ozi
I know you have said you arent after a larger 4bie, have you considered the lesser known Ssangyongs, I have the Actyon dual cab deisel 2l & its proven very economical at an average of 10/100 with a range of 650ks to a tank.
As for price they are more than comparable at a smidge over 32k drive away, there are also other models such as the Actyon sedan which is also a 4bie, that will do the same job but are smaller still with the deisel.
Their URL is: www.ssangyong.com.au
Hoo Roo Happy Days
Grumps
-- Edited by GrumpyOne on Thursday 2nd of September 2010 02:27:55 PM
-- Edited by GrumpyOne on Thursday 2nd of September 2010 02:29:12 PM
I am a bit bias but I have 2 hyundais the santa fe 2.2 turbo diesel is also another good option just my 2 bobs worth
excited-newbies
Chris and Vina
Thanks heaps for your input, it's been really helpful.
I'm leaning towards Nissan Xtrail..............your thoughts?
Keep Smiling
The only reason I got rid of it was because we upgraded the van and it was to heavy for the X-Trail.
It was a sad day for me. I went everywhere in that by myself and felt very safe.
Thanks for the post.
Can I ask what size van you towed with the xtrail please?
Keep Smiling :)
The x-trail towed it with ease. By the way it was an automatic and petrol engine.
Mine's a 13` weighs 800kg (probably more like 1200kg) when loaded.
You've put my mind at ease so I'll seriously start looking at the xtrails.
Keep Smiling
I think the X-Trail is perfectly suited to us ladies. So easy to drive and the vision from all round is excellent. Hope you can find one, you certainly won't regret it.
Excellent vehicle.
We tow an Avan Cruiseliner.
900kgs unladen. Probably 1200- 1300kgs loaded.
Will get it weighed just as we set of for the next trip (weighbridge at my casual workplace) But that is what we estimate we take with us, Judging from what we carried in the Hiace
Just arrived home from a trip up North of Perth to take in the spring wild flowers, (not very abundant this season) Travelled about 2344 klm's. Quite a bit on unsealed roads, up through Mullewa, Murchison Settlement, Gascoign Junction, etc.
Fuel consumtion = 9.8 per Hundred Klm's
Regards
Mike and Ellie