We have been away for a few weeks and have learned a lot.
About our 'van ,our needs, our habits on the road & what may help in the future.
Our 'van is a 16ft Viscount poptop with an ATM of 1020 Kg.
We have towed it with a hilux 4x4 with a V6 commodore motor.
Brilliant tug but we feel we need more luggage space.
Plus it is jacked up and Madame is over using the caravan steps to get in & out.
We are wondering if a commercial van would suit.
Does anyone use a van ( toyota,mitsubishi,transit, etc) as a tug ?
Recommendations ? Warnings ?
The change is a consideration, not a done decision.
Advise will be appreciated.
Cheers
KFT said
07:06 PM Jun 9, 2014
I have driven quite a few different vans at work all set up as service vehicles and all carrying a good load of gear.
In my experience the best was the Hyundai I load, auto diesel, cruise, speed limiter, comfy seats and went like a cut cat.
towing limit was 2000kg from memory but I could be a bit high on that.
I would say take one for a drive
frank
exa41 said
11:27 AM Jun 10, 2014
Hi Chopit , I drove a Toyota Hiace for many years , Reliability was good , fuel economy pretty good and handled quite well , BUT long trips on those crappy seats kill your back (Toyota Back) but I think that most cab over vans have simular problems , saying that you may be able to swap the seats for something more comfortable ,just an option .
jetj said
06:19 PM Jun 10, 2014
The Hiace has a small towing capacity about 1400 I think. The Iload about 1500. They would capably tow a small caravan but legally not much allowance for extra carrying capacity. Gettting into a Hiace would be similar to the Hilux I imagine in height.
The Transit and Fiat have a better towing capacity I'm fairly certain.
Graden said
10:44 PM Jun 10, 2014
Hi, my current tug is a late 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2ltr diesel auto. Currently tow a 19foot Jayco Westport van. Tow limit is 2000kgs and on last rip (1 week ago) averaged 15ltr per 100km fuel. This was with a head wind both ways on a 1200km trip. I have removed the 6th and 7th rear seats to increase the luggage space.
Hope this helps with your decision.
chopit said
10:04 AM Jun 14, 2014
Thanks for the replies.
We found what Dennis said. The average van has pretty ordinary seating.
The Transit vans have separate seats that could be improved. But the ones we could afford were pretty rough.
We have ended up cutting a deal for a holden commode ute.
Car comfort seats & this one has stronger rear springs,lock down lid & extra boxes.
Only time will tell but it should suit.
ozjohn said
07:56 PM Jun 14, 2014
Quote: "Our 'van is a 16ft Viscount poptop with an ATM of 1020 Kg." Is that the ATM stamped on the vans VIN Plate? Appears to be extremely light for a 16' van. As matter of interest, what is the vans TARE? Cheers, Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Saturday 14th of June 2014 07:57:39 PM
chopit said
10:20 AM Jun 15, 2014
It's a 1979 'van.
The only I.D. plate is near on unreadable.
I got the ATM from the rego.sticker.
TARE.. Can't read it.
Sorry, best I can offer.
G'Day All,
We have been away for a few weeks and have learned a lot.
About our 'van ,our needs, our habits on the road & what may help in the future.
Our 'van is a 16ft Viscount poptop with an ATM of 1020 Kg.
We have towed it with a hilux 4x4 with a V6 commodore motor.
Brilliant tug but we feel we need more luggage space.
Plus it is jacked up and Madame is over using the caravan steps to get in & out.
We are wondering if a commercial van would suit.
Does anyone use a van ( toyota,mitsubishi,transit, etc) as a tug ?
Recommendations ? Warnings ?
The change is a consideration, not a done decision.
Advise will be appreciated.
Cheers
In my experience the best was the Hyundai I load, auto diesel, cruise, speed limiter, comfy seats and went like a cut cat.
towing limit was 2000kg from memory but I could be a bit high on that.
I would say take one for a drive
frank
The Hiace has a small towing capacity about 1400 I think. The Iload about 1500. They would capably tow a small caravan but legally not much allowance for extra carrying capacity. Gettting into a Hiace would be similar to the Hilux I imagine in height.
The Transit and Fiat have a better towing capacity I'm fairly certain.
Hi, my current tug is a late 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2ltr diesel auto. Currently tow a 19foot Jayco Westport van. Tow limit is 2000kgs and on last rip (1 week ago) averaged 15ltr per 100km fuel. This was with a head wind both ways on a 1200km trip. I have removed the 6th and 7th rear seats to increase the luggage space.
Hope this helps with your decision.
We found what Dennis said. The average van has pretty ordinary seating.
The Transit vans have separate seats that could be improved. But the ones we could afford were pretty rough.
We have ended up cutting a deal for a holden commode ute.
Car comfort seats & this one has stronger rear springs,lock down lid & extra boxes.
Only time will tell but it should suit.
Quote:
"Our 'van is a 16ft Viscount poptop with an ATM of 1020 Kg."
Is that the ATM stamped on the vans VIN Plate?
Appears to be extremely light for a 16' van.
As matter of interest, what is the vans TARE?
Cheers, Ozjohn.
-- Edited by ozjohn on Saturday 14th of June 2014 07:57:39 PM
The only I.D. plate is near on unreadable.
I got the ATM from the rego.sticker.
TARE.. Can't read it.
Sorry, best I can offer.