After 20 years in a family tent and the last 10 years in a camper trailer we have recently purchased our Winnebago Esperance.
Traded in the Hilux , as we don't need it to pull the camper any more, on a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not as capable as the Hilux but still a 4x4 with constant 4 wheel drive and low range so we can go with our turbo tent where the Winny won't. An added bonus is the Neutral position which disengages all 4 wheels and enables it to be flat towed on 4 wheels without clocking kilometers on the Suzy.
When I sell my tinny and trailer (advertised on Gumtree at the moment) I am going to add a Hobie dual kayak which will travel on the roofracks of the Suzuki.
great looking set up, Mick and welcome to the site!nice rainbow too!
how is it to revers the mh with the car on the back? I'm thinking of a car trailer for my 2004 mazda 2 , when I eventually get my set up happening..
mickm said
01:38 AM Apr 15, 2013
Can't (shouldn't) reverse so you need to plan ahead. If for some reason you need to go back it takes about 60 seconds to unhook. I am going to shortly test the theory that the Suzuki in low range should be able to pull the Winnebago back a few meters if you are on flat ground. I decided that that negative overrides the three negatives of having to find a spot to park the trailer and the car, the extra cost of an extra registration and the extra weight that a trailer contributes to the GCM.
MickM
GaryKelly said
11:30 PM Apr 15, 2013
Wow, that is one serious rig.
sarg said
11:25 PM Apr 16, 2013
WOW what a great setup you have Mick. Enjoy your travels and enjoy this site, you will find plenty of interesting facts and people. Please keep us up to date on your travels and adventures..........stay safe....Sarg.
Jack Mac said
02:12 AM Apr 17, 2013
Great looking setup.
Might I suggest that anyone looking at a similar type set up to consider the Kia Sportage around 2001 model (i.e. the longer body model). I bought one about 15 months ago to tow my camer trailer, not for serious offroading but just to get me into the odd spot where 4wd required. So far it has done all that has been asked. They are a genuine 4wd with full ladder rail chassis, and high and low range 4wd,and from reports I have read are very caable in the off road stuff. NRMA did a review when they came out and for the new price came out looking pretty good. No speedster but pretty good. I drive to work along 100kmph road and get about 10l/100km, with camper attached about 11-12 l/100km. Hasn't got all the bells and whistles but does the job. I believe the motor is the same as used in Mazdas of the time.
Not trying to sway anone into them but as a part time vehicle may suit someone looking at that sort of second vehicle. Look up Kia Sortage 2001 NRMA reviews on google and you should be able to find the review.
Cheers
Jack
Mike C said
08:14 PM Apr 18, 2013
Hi mickm
I would be interested in what sort of breaking system you have in the Suzi for the Aframe.. I was looking at A Frame systems but thought that one needed to stay under the 2Ton mark (GVM) or required a special braking system operatable from the drivers seat and a breakaway device (applies brakes etc). Understand that there are a few out their and would be keen for feedback.
cheers
Mike
patrolst said
05:09 AM Apr 20, 2013
Mike M
Cood you please advise where you purchased the hitch was it from a supplier in Australia or the USA.
Regards Jim
Duh said
03:12 AM Apr 21, 2013
patrolst wrote:
Mike M
Cood you please advise where you purchased the hitch was it from a supplier in Australia or the USA.
Regards Jim
Same here Mike, I've never seen one like that before, nice looking rig all round !
The cable you see on top of the mount attached to an L shaped black bracket is physically connected to the brake pedal in the Suzuki !!!
mickm said
03:41 AM Apr 21, 2013
I purchased the tow hitch and had the baseplate and wiring and braking system fitted by Northcoach at Labrador.
mickm said
03:47 AM Apr 21, 2013
There are 2 cables you can see. The black one is the standard braking system which is activated by a mechanism in the ready brake tow hitch and is connected to the Suzuki brake pedal. The red one is the break away system which locks the brakes of the Suzuki on in the case of the hitch failing. This event is more likely to happen by operator stupidity like failure to secure a retaining pin or the like.
Duh said
03:50 AM Apr 21, 2013
Thanks for the feedback and video Chris and Mick
mickm said
03:57 AM Apr 21, 2013
I don't know about the Kia but only very few 4x4's can be flat towed withou tcausing damage. The Suzuki has a N position as well as 4H /4H Lock/4L/4L Lock on the dash selector. This allows all 4 wheels to freewheel and not clock up kilometers on the dial when towing. This is why it seems to be the vehicle of choice for flat towing for most motorhomes.
Mike C said
04:20 PM Apr 21, 2013
mickm wrote:
There are 2 cables you can see. The black one is the standard braking system which is activated by a mechanism in the ready brake tow hitch and is connected to the Suzuki brake pedal. The red one is the break away system which locks the brakes of the Suzuki on in the case of the hitch failing. This event is more likely to happen by operator stupidity like failure to secure a retaining pin or the like.
Hi mickm
Is there a means to control the brakes from the Drivers seat?
The reason I ask is that my enquires to Vic Roads seemed to indicate that for over 2 ton GVM you had to have a driver controlled brake system and a breakaway device fitted they also indicated that override brakes were not permitted.
The 2 Ton was based on the GVM of the vechile. The 5 door petrol is 2100kg and diesel 2170kg. I was thinking that I would be limited to a 3 door GVM of 1870kg however would much prefer a 4 door if it can be done without too many hassles etc.
Apreciate any feedback that you can provide.
Cheers
MIke
mickm said
12:56 AM Apr 22, 2013
I don't know of any system that is controlled by the driver but I am not an authority. I suggest you give Mitchell at Northcoach a ring on 0755005561. I am sure he will know a solution.
After 20 years in a family tent and the last 10 years in a camper trailer we have recently purchased our Winnebago Esperance.
Traded in the Hilux , as we don't need it to pull the camper any more, on a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not as capable as the Hilux but still a 4x4 with constant 4 wheel drive and low range so we can go with our turbo tent where the Winny won't. An added bonus is the Neutral position which disengages all 4 wheels and enables it to be flat towed on 4 wheels without clocking kilometers on the Suzy.
When I sell my tinny and trailer (advertised on Gumtree at the moment) I am going to add a Hobie dual kayak which will travel on the roofracks of the Suzuki.
Then we will be off.
how is it to revers the mh with the car on the back?
I'm thinking of a car trailer for my 2004 mazda 2 ,
when I eventually get my set up happening..
I am going to shortly test the theory that the Suzuki in low range should be able to pull the Winnebago back a few meters if you are on flat ground.
I decided that that negative overrides the three negatives of having to find a spot to park the trailer and the car, the extra cost of an extra registration and the extra weight that a trailer contributes to the GCM.
MickM
Great looking setup.
Might I suggest that anyone looking at a similar type set up to consider the Kia Sportage around 2001 model (i.e. the longer body model). I bought one about 15 months ago to tow my camer trailer, not for serious offroading but just to get me into the odd spot where 4wd required. So far it has done all that has been asked. They are a genuine 4wd with full ladder rail chassis, and high and low range 4wd,and from reports I have read are very caable in the off road stuff. NRMA did a review when they came out and for the new price came out looking pretty good. No speedster but pretty good. I drive to work along 100kmph road and get about 10l/100km, with camper attached about 11-12 l/100km. Hasn't got all the bells and whistles but does the job. I believe the motor is the same as used in Mazdas of the time.
Not trying to sway anone into them but as a part time vehicle may suit someone looking at that sort of second vehicle. Look up Kia Sortage 2001 NRMA reviews on google and you should be able to find the review.
Cheers
Jack
I would be interested in what sort of breaking system you have in the Suzi for the Aframe..
I was looking at A Frame systems but thought that one needed to stay under the 2Ton mark (GVM) or required a special braking system operatable from the drivers seat and a breakaway device (applies brakes etc).
Understand that there are a few out their and would be keen for feedback.
cheers
Mike
Mike M
Cood you please advise where you purchased the hitch was it from a supplier in Australia or the USA.
Regards Jim
Same here Mike, I've never seen one like that before, nice looking rig all round !
http://www.readybrake.com/video.html
The cable you see on top of the mount attached to an L shaped black bracket is physically connected to the brake pedal in the Suzuki !!!
I purchased the tow hitch and had the baseplate and wiring and braking system fitted by Northcoach at Labrador.
There are 2 cables you can see. The black one is the standard braking system which is activated by a mechanism in the ready brake tow hitch and is connected to the Suzuki brake pedal. The red one is the break away system which locks the brakes of the Suzuki on in the case of the hitch failing. This event is more likely to happen by operator stupidity like failure to secure a retaining pin or the like.
Thanks for the feedback and video Chris and Mick
I don't know about the Kia but only very few 4x4's can be flat towed withou tcausing damage. The Suzuki has a N position as well as 4H /4H Lock/4L/4L Lock on the dash selector. This allows all 4 wheels to freewheel and not clock up kilometers on the dial when towing. This is why it seems to be the vehicle of choice for flat towing for most motorhomes.
Hi mickm
Is there a means to control the brakes from the Drivers seat?
The reason I ask is that my enquires to Vic Roads seemed to indicate that for over 2 ton GVM you had to have a driver controlled brake system and a breakaway device fitted they also indicated that override brakes were not permitted.
The 2 Ton was based on the GVM of the vechile. The 5 door petrol is 2100kg and diesel 2170kg. I was thinking that I would be limited to a 3 door GVM of 1870kg however would much prefer a 4 door if it can be done without too many hassles etc.
Apreciate any feedback that you can provide.
Cheers
MIke
I don't know of any system that is controlled by the driver but I am not an authority. I suggest you give Mitchell at Northcoach a ring on 0755005561. I am sure he will know a solution.
Mick M