Anybody got one of these?

How do they go?

Looking at a diesel. Has a tow capacity of 2500 kilos.

Cheers
Ross

Jeez I hope not! Unless you intend to tow a cub camper trailer. Personal choice. You haven't said what you'd be towing. I've seen a couple of these towing large vans to begin with, but returned to the caravan park on the back of a tilt tray, with the van hanging off the back of the truck. It's all about chassis structure and where the tow bar is mounted, the engine capacity, gearing etc. Just because it's a 4 or all WD, with a diesel motor, doesn't mean it's up to the hard work of towing a caravan over 12ft long. The car gets loaded up, the van gets loaded up, and oops! Too hard for little motor car. You may think it's the economical option, but if you're making the poor little car work to the maximum of it's capabilities you'll spend more in fuel and drag the guts out of it. You'd be wiser to get a bigger tug with spare horses in the name of economy and tug-ability. The country isn't all long, flat stretches of highway. Some of the steep and winding country really makes the toughest tug work to the max. It's all about "horses for courses" (pardon the pun).

Thanks Granny I've got a 17 foot pop top with ATM 1760. Tows okay with my 2001 model Commodore but am starting to look at my options. The car being advertised is second hand 2.9L turbo diesel with a towing capacity of 2500 kilos. I think they stopped construction of these in 2006 and started on the Sante Fe's. I'd like a cruiser or prado, even a pajero but pricewise, even the second hand ones have over 200,000 on the clock for the same price as a Terracan. As I said just exploring my options at present. Cheers Ross

rosco wrote:

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Thanks Granny

I've got a 17 foot pop top with ATM 1760.

Tows okay with my 2001 model Commodore but am starting to look at my options.

The car being advertised is second hand 2.9L turbo diesel with a towing capacity of 2500 kilos. I think they stopped construction of these in 2006 and started on the Sante Fe's.

I'd like a cruiser or prado, even a pajero but pricewise, even the second hand ones have over 200,000 on the clock for the same price as a Terracan.

As I said just exploring my options at present.

Cheers
Ross

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Apparently the Nissan Patrol is a good, cheaper alternative to the Land Cruiser. My sister and husband have towed their 18' 6" Avan all over the country with theirs. I think the Patrol is a '02 model, diesel, 4 cylinder...don't know how many litres. 

My son just bought a '06 model from Vic with only 30,000 kms on it! It was like new! I don't know exactly what he paid, but he said it was a bargain.

 

You could have peek at the Terrican Owners Forum and there are also many members of vanning forums that tow bigger rigs than your Pop Top with Terricans.
Most of the reports have been extremely positive.
I tow a similar size Pop top and the only reason I don't have the Terrican is they stopped importing them.
Changed from Holden to a Ford Territory and must say it's the best tug I've had yet.
It's the steadiest towing platform I've ever used and with it's power and torque l almost dont know the van's on the back, but I will admit it's heavy on juice.
The 2011 Diesel version could very well be an even bigger seller for Ford.
Also some of the 4X4 Twin Cabs have very good reputations as tugs, like Holden Colarado, Mazda BT50, Izusu D-Max etc. but brands like Hyundai Santa Fe & Kia Sorento don't have high enough Ball Weight allowances for your van.
ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of October 2010 02:10:20 PM

-- Edited by ozjohn on Monday 25th of October 2010 02:12:04 PM

Cruising Granny wrote:

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Jeez I hope not! Unless you intend to tow a cub camper trailer.
Personal choice. You haven't said what you'd be towing.
I've seen a couple of these towing large vans to begin with, but returned to the caravan park on the back of a tilt tray, with the van hanging off the back of the truck.
It's all about chassis structure and where the tow bar is mounted, the engine capacity, gearing etc.
Just because it's a 4 or all WD, with a diesel motor, doesn't mean it's up to the hard work of towing a caravan over 12ft long.
The car gets loaded up, the van gets loaded up, and oops! Too hard for little motor car.
You may think it's the economical option, but if you're making the poor little car work to the maximum of it's capabilities you'll spend more in fuel and drag the guts out of it.
You'd be wiser to get a bigger tug with spare horses in the name of economy and tug-ability.
The country isn't all long, flat stretches of highway. Some of the steep and winding country really makes the toughest tug work to the max.
It's all about "horses for courses" (pardon the pun).

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Gday...

We bought a Hyundai Terracan CRDi Auto new in 2007 (2006 build). We did 56,000km with it and there was not one single fault or problem with it for all that time.
It puts out 125Kw at 3400rpm and 345nM Torque at 1750rpm.  As you say it is rated to tow 2500kg.
We have a Golden Eagle 23ft van ... had an ATM of 2450kg and it towed this with ease and returned 13.5ltr/100km to 15.8ltr/100km during about 2000km towing. We sat on 1800rpm in Drive (with cruise when sensible) which is 85kph.
It returned 8.3ltr/100km not towing at highway cruising.
We only sold it after we put our van over the scales and found it had an ATM of 2650kg (due to the Tare being nearly 200kg over the compliance plate).
Given the ATM you are talking of towing it will pull it with consumate ease and do it reliably and economically. It is a very comfortable highway cruiser as well.
Three things to make sure of ... make it a turbo diesel 2.9ltr, auto and have it set up with a Hayman Reece WDH.
You will not regret it ... and there is not as capable a full size 4x4 on the market for the price of a 2nd hand Terry.
If you go to www.camperz.com.au ... select Forums ... and down the bottom of the list just above Grey Nomads forum you will see the Terracan Owners Forum. A visit will be worthwhile.
Cheers and happy travelling
Julie & John

 

-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 25th of October 2010 04:02:43 PM

Rockylizard I have 2 friends with Terracan they cannot speak to highly of there performance and have travelled in one and enjoyed the smooth ride . Ozjohn will be taking another look at the Territory has i have a friend who has a 2009 model which is his work vechile and has a 2007 falcon and much prefer the falcon for towing over the Territory , his says the Territory is gutless and much heaver on fuel look forward to doing research on the 2011 ford territory

This whole situation of tow vehicles has completely lost the plot by manufactures & RTA,
Not to many yeasr ago we had Tojo & nissan,s with 4 & 4.5 lt motors with a tow limit of 1.5 t.
Now we have mid size tugs with 2.5 /3lt motors rated to tow 3 tonn. Admittidily they are producing good power but working them hard, must affect reliability & duration.
Pulling some thing is one thing, having the tug mass weight to control these heavy weights is another,
I beleive if it keeps going the way it is there will be a major mishap some where  & it will all hit the fan for every one.
Same as driving licence,s
eg, F250 near 4tonn.  23ft Bushtrakka  near 4 tonn==8tonn
     F250  + 5th wheel =very little difference to a semi.
      All this on a car licence.

    If we want to drive a 5tonn rigid traytop truck we must have a LR licence ,
   If we want to go to a 8tonn boggie drive we need a HR licence.
None of this makes any common sence. Manufactures are pushing up the tow cap,s trying to make sales with disregarde to saftey.

We bought a terracan and kept it for about a month. It did tow our van ok but it was like riding in a tractor both noise and suspension wise.

Our previous tug was a Terracan and we loved it.It towed our 24' Adria (2000KG) with ease.
Only reason we no longer have it is our new van is 3250KG.

Very reliable and fantastic on economy.
I would not hesitate in recommending.

Hi Ross, I have the 2.9 turbo diesel and tow a1500kg full offroad camper trailer and towed it to Vic and back and it didn't miss a beet. It is also very capable if you want to take it off road. The fuel used for the trip was 10.2 ltrs to 100 ks and this was towing down the princess highway. I can not fault this car and would buy another one in a heartbeat. yours kevin

You get the go, but what do you do to stop? I agree with justcruisin'. Better to have more weight in the tug and more power than you need, than to pull the guts out of the poor little mid-sized tug. Especially an automatic transmission. Then there's the braking and slowing down stuff. I also worry about the expectations of these little vehicles. If you want this lifestyle you may have to compromise a little comfort and luxury for practicality and realistic expectations of your vehicle. My cruiser is 4.2 ltr diesel, not turbo. She's now got just over 300,000 kms on the clock and strong as an ox. I'm the 3rd owner, and just love my truck, Rosy. I've now got new springs, shockies and bushes, I keep her will serviced and check everything. She has a few dings and scratches and might not look pretty, but she's a good truck.

Cruising Granny wrote:

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You get the go, but what do you do to stop?
I agree with justcruisin'.
Better to have more weight in the tug and more power than you need, than to pull the guts out of the poor little mid-sized tug. Especially an automatic transmission.
Then there's the braking and slowing down stuff.
I also worry about the expectations of these little vehicles.
If you want this lifestyle you may have to compromise a little comfort and luxury for practicality and realistic expectations of your vehicle.

Gday...

Time to go to www.redbook.com.au and check the specs of some of the 'favoured' 4x4s.
The Terry weighs only about 20kgs lighter than an a 100 series cruiser - has the same ground clearance, identical approach and departure angles, bit narrower and not quite as tall. Overall, it was about the same as my 100 series Cruiser.
100series cruiser non-turbo 94Kw/260Nm torque rated to 3500kg towing.
Terry CRDi 125Kw/345Nm torque rated to 2500kg towing.
My Terry ran rings around my 100series cruiser which is why I bought it and never regretted it.
And the finish quality and reliability of the Terry was excellent.
Given the 2nd hand price of a 2006 Terry CRDi auto compared to a 2006 100series Turbo auto to tow an under 2000kg van - the Terry wins hands down in all areas.
Cheers and happy travelling
Julie & John

 

That's very good comparison. Good technical stuff Rocky Lizard. It sounds like I might have been a bit harsh on the Terry. I see them in the same category as the Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Subaru and all those little "something" wheel drives. I have always wondered about the logic of using these mid-sized 4x4 or AWD to tow huge heavy vans. It appears some believe if it's 4WD and diesel it will pull, and stop, anything. Is it power or just enough power, in the name of economy. I'm wondering if it's not false economy to run under-powered vehicles in the long run. If I had my way I'd have the V8 turbo series Cruiser - my personal dream machine. I've travelled in an F250 with a 22ft van, and I hardly noticed it. But they're a bit big for everyday stuff like parking at the shopping centre. I know, I'm a bit strange as "girls" go. I love the GRUNT! The throb of that V8 always turns my head. No soft bottomed, plush upholstery luxury limousine for me. It's all about GRUNT! To each his/her own. As long as we do it safely. LET'S DO IT!!!!

Gday...

Understand the 'grunt factor' Granny ... been there meself .

The price of the Cruisers (especially the 200s) is what turned me off. I had difficulty in justifying the price of a turbo 200 series auto .... so got the Terry. Had HiLux and Cruisers since the early 80s.
We have the Discovery 3 now only because it tows 3500kg and runs rings around the Cruisers - and 2nd hand price was competitive. Discovery is SOOOOO comfortable and has more grunt than we need.
Just keep me fingers crossed for reliability.

Cheers and happy travelling
Julie & John

Thanks all for your replies. They are much appreciated. You've given me a few alternatives too, might sus them out. Thanks again. Ross

Thought I'd change my avatar too. Thats my current set up. Ross

Think I will hunt out some pics of our set up and change my avatar too.   Might take me a while though

Ma wrote:

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Think I will hunt out some pics of our set up and change my avatar too.   Might take me a while though

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I think your current selfportrait is fine

 

Well, I suppose you know who it is don't you.   If I put another one up you would think I was another newbie or someone.

Yea Ma, we've gotten "used" to you. Now that's not used as in made use of. That's acquainted, dependent and accepting of you. This bloody English language! Well, you get what I mean. We like and accept you as your Avatar. Don't post a "real" photo! Well, yeah, actually you could post a real photo, but then you'd lose your anonymity.

yeah, it's kind of nice being icognito.  If I posted a real photo people might run a mile.......

Gee that was a stray off the subject, again. I'm surprised to hear about the grunt of the Discovery. I know about their comfort, but I always wonder at their durability and reliability in the long run. I did some bush stuff in the Kimberleys with an old Landrover with a 186 Commodore motor. We went everywhere until the gearbox croaked as we tried to climb the road off Cable Beach. Then the fun began pulling the old box our and putting the new box in. The "Irish white ants" had taken their toll on the poor old steel chassis, but some channel steel fixed that with the help of some welding. I don't know if it would have passed the roadworthy, but in the part of WA it wasn't a biggy. Oh so many vehicles, so little time. I'd love to try them all. That's just the way I am.