I mentioned this in another section but it was way down in the dungeons so a quick mention here. It looks like I might get a new tow vehicle, Toyota Prado "Grande" 2000 model. Auto with duel fuel, gas/petrol. I run gas/petrol now in the Falcon so I am keen on the same combo. It has all the trimmings and brand new BFG all - terrain tyres all round. It's not the shiniest coin in the bunch but nothing a spit and polish wouldn't fix. The only thing it hasn't got is a bull bar but that is being looked into as we speak, so to speak. It's got low km and in good nick, just waiting on a better offer for it and my trade-in.
Bull bar sorted, all going well the Prado will have a new home late next week.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 06:47:02 PM
Beth54 said
02:33 AM Jan 19, 2012
Sounds good Doug. Good luck!
Happywanderer said
03:03 AM Jan 19, 2012
Good luck with that Doug. Hope it all goes well and you will be back on the road in no time.
scotia59 said
03:13 AM Jan 19, 2012
good luck with the new vehicle.
We too have a Prado and love it, can't fault it in any way.
Travel Bug said
03:34 AM Jan 19, 2012
Sounds good Doug...congratulations
Dougwe said
04:00 AM Jan 19, 2012
Thanks all, it's been a lot of thought and home work over the last month or so but after speaking with people on this forum and my regular mechanic and a friend that is a mechanic my decision was narrowed down to only a couple of vehicles in the end. I am pretty sure I have made the right decision in the Prado and also being gas/petrol, I am happy with that bit. In the end I got a good deal and it is only waiting on me to cough up the coffers and the dealer to get the bull bar fitted and give it a spit and polish for me. Bring on next week. I will have sort out the level of the tow bar/ball etc when I bring it home as my Avan camper a frame is low and the tow ball is higher but I think I can get a tow ball bracket that drops down so all should be fine.
Esmeralda said
06:17 AM Jan 19, 2012
Congratulations Doug - hope all goes well and you're back on the road quickly.
Dougwe said
12:24 PM Jan 19, 2012
Happywanderer wrote:
Good luck with that Doug. Hope it all goes well and you will be back on the road in no time.
Hi Marj, sounds like you are back from Geelong and stayed a few days at Greens Lake on your way home?? I will have to get up there soon.
bill12 said
10:08 PM Jan 19, 2012
Is it a hayman / reese towbar? If it is you can buy ajustable hieght towbars to whatever height you want.If not, get one made by a competant welder. I have had the same problem with my hilux. Made a lower towbar atachment myself , and it wirked well. Bill
Dougwe said
10:25 PM Jan 19, 2012
Hi Bill, yes it is haymen/reese and I thought I'd seen them around. I will measure up my Ford and the Prado and do some snooping around. I will be paying the deposit on the Prado tomorrow.
Jack Mac said
11:35 PM Jan 20, 2012
Hi Doug,
Good luck with the Prado.
I've just traded in the Falcon as well. Bought a Kia Sportage. With my camper it's all I need now. Not new but low klms, good price and trade price, and like all used cars, pay your money and take your chances. Certainly not the grunt of the Falcon but you drive accordingly. Trailed the camper back from Brisbane over the Blackbutt ranges etc. and did everything I required. just have to learn what 4wding is all about. Hate to be stuck in the sand with onlookers saying "another silly old b****r" doesn't know what he's doing". Get son in law for instruction.
Dougwe said
03:47 AM Jan 21, 2012
Hi Jack Mac, good luck with it all, I am going to check around for 4x4 driver training and do that, like you I don't want to get into a situation and not know what to do, this is my first experience with a 4x4. I pick the Prado up next Wednesday all going well.
Hi bill12, sorry, it's a Toyota Tow Bar, I double checked today when paying the deposit.
bill12 said
12:38 PM Jan 21, 2012
It doesn,t matter who made it , as long as the tow piece is like a reese bar. You can get many different heights, and even have one made to suit your vehicle. Bill
Esmeralda said
07:21 PM Jan 21, 2012
Dougwe wrote:
I am going to check around for 4x4 driver training and do that, like you I don't want to get into a situation and not know what to do, this is my first experience with a 4x4.
Check with your local 4x4 club or stores such as TJM or ARB they should be able to give you advice regarding driver training. If you can't find anything close to where you live, let me know and I will check with my friend's husband who is big into 4x4 and may know about training down your way.
Tow-Ed do 4x4 training as well as caravan training -I think in both Traralgon and Cranbourne as well as Sandown.
Cheers, Helen
Dougwe said
04:10 AM Jan 22, 2012
Thanks Helen, didn't think of Tow-Ed, they might even do a combo ie caravan and 4x4 together. I will look into it. I paid the deposit yesterday arvo and should have the Prado Wednesday next week all going well, it all depends on their auto elec as they are changing the plug and fit a cable for the 12 volt leading to the fridge as it is seperate to the plug, to suit my Avan camper, it was too late in the day to contact the auto elec. There are a few other odds and bodds and all take time. DOUG
I mentioned this in another section but it was way down in the dungeons so a quick mention here. It looks like I might get a new tow vehicle, Toyota Prado "Grande" 2000 model. Auto with duel fuel, gas/petrol. I run gas/petrol now in the Falcon so I am keen on the same combo. It has all the trimmings and brand new BFG all - terrain tyres all round. It's not the shiniest coin in the bunch but nothing a spit and polish wouldn't fix. The only thing it hasn't got is a bull bar but that is being looked into as we speak, so to speak. It's got low km and in good nick, just waiting on a better offer for it and my trade-in.
Bull bar sorted, all going well the Prado will have a new home late next week.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Wednesday 18th of January 2012 06:47:02 PM
Sounds good Doug. Good luck!
We too have a Prado and love it, can't fault it in any way.
Sounds good Doug...congratulations
Thanks all, it's been a lot of thought and home work over the last month or so but after speaking with people on this forum and my regular mechanic and a friend that is a mechanic my decision was narrowed down to only a couple of vehicles in the end. I am pretty sure I have made the right decision in the Prado and also being gas/petrol, I am happy with that bit. In the end I got a good deal and it is only waiting on me to cough up the coffers and the dealer to get the bull bar fitted and give it a spit and polish for me. Bring on next week. I will have sort out the level of the tow bar/ball etc when I bring it home as my Avan camper a frame is low and the tow ball is higher but I think I can get a tow ball bracket that drops down so all should be fine.
Congratulations Doug - hope all goes well and you're back on the road quickly.
Hi Marj, sounds like you are back from Geelong and stayed a few days at Greens Lake on your way home?? I will have to get up there soon.
Hi Doug,
Good luck with the Prado.
I've just traded in the Falcon as well. Bought a Kia Sportage. With my camper it's all I need now. Not new but low klms, good price and trade price, and like all used cars, pay your money and take your chances. Certainly not the grunt of the Falcon but you drive accordingly. Trailed the camper back from Brisbane over the Blackbutt ranges etc. and did everything I required. just have to learn what 4wding is all about. Hate to be stuck in the sand with onlookers saying "another silly old b****r" doesn't know what he's doing". Get son in law for instruction.
Hi Jack Mac, good luck with it all, I am going to check around for 4x4 driver training and do that, like you I don't want to get into a situation and not know what to do, this is my first experience with a 4x4. I pick the Prado up next Wednesday all going well.
Hi bill12, sorry, it's a Toyota Tow Bar, I double checked today when paying the deposit.
Check with your local 4x4 club or stores such as TJM or ARB they should be able to give you advice regarding driver training. If you can't find anything close to where you live, let me know and I will check with my friend's husband who is big into 4x4 and may know about training down your way.
Tow-Ed do 4x4 training as well as caravan training - I think in both Traralgon and Cranbourne as well as Sandown.
Cheers, Helen