After a couple of very wet stays at caravan parks and getting stuck on soft surfaces we have decided to trade in the diesel Territory (2wd) and get a 4x4. I have narrowed my choice down to either a Pajero or an Isuzu MUX. Being a bit of a skinflint can anyone let me know what sort of economy I would expect to get from these two. ( I have had varying reports of the Pajero's fuel usage ranging from nearly 19 l/100km to as low as 14l/100km ) We currently tow a 21 ft van with an ATM of 2345 kg.
Dougwe said
04:12 PM Aug 11, 2016
Welcome to the gang Ian, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I don't tow with either vehicle but both get good reports lately.
Keep Safe on the roads.
Bruce and Bev said
05:43 PM Aug 11, 2016
Hi Ian - and a 2nd welcome to the GN's :))
I have an Isuzu Dmax and love it - good price, 2 years old and 67K later - no warranty faults.
So I also cant tell you about fuel use, but there have been reports on this site that the MUX is very soft in the rear suspension and not great for heavy towing. I suggest that before you buy either tow vehicle, you get them hooked up to your van and see if they sag or don't tow well
Woody n Sue said
07:04 PM Aug 11, 2016
Can't help with fuel use but my brother checked the mux out yesterday and say that the mitsy takes HP rating from the fly wheel and the mux is taken at the rear wheels hardly a fair comparison
Woody
PeterD said
07:29 PM Aug 11, 2016
Ian, a lot will depend on the van you are purchasing. In reality, the Pajero is only god for a van of 2500 kg ATM maximum if you are getting an Australian designed van. Oz vans should have a ball weight of around 10% of their loaded weight. Mitsubishi reduces the maximum ball weight to 180 kg for van loaded weights over 2500 kg. This effectively limits you to a 2500 kg ATM maximum.
macka17 said
09:13 PM Aug 11, 2016
Either susp can be modified to suit with simple spring/shocker change.
Which most do anyway.
Been in both but never owned either (D Max here 2 ton van)
I'd say Mitzi more comfort orientated. MUX more industrial. but better 4wd.
Although saying that, The Mitzi's go some real places too
Ger08 said
03:03 PM Aug 12, 2016
Have a look at the Paj Sport brilliant vehicle and we can't fault it
nuttyalmond said
04:16 PM Aug 12, 2016
Hi
I have a 2012 Diesel paj towing a jayco sterling outback (19' 6" full size tandem) I get any between 9L/100km and 12L/100km NOT towing and anywhere between 14L/100 km and 18L/100km towing the caravan.
The pajero has rear air bags fitted ($500) to give a little more firmness to the rear.
Hope this helps
Bruce and Bev said
04:58 PM Aug 12, 2016
if buying a new tow vehicle, be aware if you have the suspension modified in any way (other than by the Dealer) your warranty is voided for anything that can be associated with the modification
Ron-D said
08:05 PM Aug 12, 2016
I spoke to the guy that did the service on my auto, and in his opinion for towing the four speed auto is the best as it can hold top gear , the five speed auto not bad , but in his opinion these new 8 speed autos are good cars, but not much chop for towing as the top gears are useless.
this is only his opinion but it makes sense to me....
Trapper said
12:54 PM Aug 13, 2016
I have a NX Pajero, tow a 2.8 t caravan, fuel range approx 530 kms on a full tank (88L) without the caravan on a long run approx 1000 kms, tow in 4th 4H , no problems, hope this helps
Brisand said
06:26 PM Aug 13, 2016
Ron-D, the auto guy you refer to obviously needs to get with it, the modern 8 speed auto's are fantastic I have One in my Jeep and is great, it usually spends 80 % of the time in 8th gear and I am towing a 22 ft tandem caravan.
rockylizard said
08:57 AM Aug 14, 2016
Ron-D wrote:
I spoke to the guy that did the service on my auto, and in his opinion for towing the four speed auto is the best as it can hold top gear , the five speed auto not bad , but in his opinion these new 8 speed autos are good cars, but not much chop for towing as the top gears are useless.
this is only his opinion but it makes sense to me....
Gday...
I would suggest you find another "guy" to service your auto from now on. Here are 'typical' ratios for 5, 6 and 8 speed boxes ............
So? .... which "top gears" are "useless" in these boxes ?? I think he needs to get some re-training personally.
If we apply the "use direct gear for towing" theory ... then 4th in the 5-speed box ... 4th in the 6-speed box ... and SIXTH in the 8-speed box.
Those "top gears" certainly useless in an 8-speed box
Cheers - John
Ron-D said
04:24 PM Aug 14, 2016
Yeah interesting figures but common sense would tell you that without the van onto your car for argument sake ,fuel consumption would be much more economical in top gear. But if for you were silly enough to let's say. Lock your new 8 Speed auto into 6th gear instead of driving in top gear it would chew up a lot more fuel obviously.
you can't pull a two ton caravan in auto and hold top gear with these new 8 speed gearboxes most have to have them locked in 6th gear from what I have read and if you think that's economical well I guess we will have to respectfully disagree...
Mutley said
08:49 PM Aug 15, 2016
Ianap, if you are comparing a Pajero, not a Pajero Sport, to a Mux, you are comparing a wagon based 4WD to a Ute based 4WD. They're chalk & cheese!
Aus-Kiwi said
12:41 AM Aug 16, 2016
Be aware of higher gears on auto box's . If It doesn't kick down when under load it should be manually changed or sport mode . You getter economy in lower gears . Or around 2000 rpm cruising speed light throttle . Run into two or three late model Nissan & Toyota's with issues ..
Ron-D said
03:07 PM Aug 16, 2016
Brisand wrote:
Ron-D, the auto guy you refer to obviously needs to get with it, the modern 8 speed auto's are fantastic I have One in my Jeep and is great, it usually spends 80 % of the time in 8th gear and I am towing a 22 ft tandem caravan.
I agree in a Jeep or a cruiser big powerful diesels no problems, but with 2.5 ltr engines that are in the medium sized vehicles Your going to be in a lower gears than the biger engined vehicles.
After a couple of very wet stays at caravan parks and getting stuck on soft surfaces we have decided to trade in the diesel Territory (2wd) and get a 4x4. I have narrowed my choice down to either a Pajero or an Isuzu MUX. Being a bit of a skinflint can anyone let me know what sort of economy I would expect to get from these two. ( I have had varying reports of the Pajero's fuel usage ranging from nearly 19 l/100km to as low as 14l/100km ) We currently tow a 21 ft van with an ATM of 2345 kg.
I don't tow with either vehicle but both get good reports lately.
Keep Safe on the roads.
I have an Isuzu Dmax and love it - good price, 2 years old and 67K later - no warranty faults.
So I also cant tell you about fuel use, but there have been reports on this site that the MUX is very soft in the rear suspension and not great for heavy towing. I suggest that before you buy either tow vehicle, you get them hooked up to your van and see if they sag or don't tow well
Woody
Ian, a lot will depend on the van you are purchasing. In reality, the Pajero is only god for a van of 2500 kg ATM maximum if you are getting an Australian designed van. Oz vans should have a ball weight of around 10% of their loaded weight. Mitsubishi reduces the maximum ball weight to 180 kg for van loaded weights over 2500 kg. This effectively limits you to a 2500 kg ATM maximum.
Which most do anyway.
Been in both but never owned either (D Max here 2 ton van)
I'd say Mitzi more comfort orientated. MUX more industrial. but better 4wd.
Although saying that, The Mitzi's go some real places too
Hi
I have a 2012 Diesel paj towing a jayco sterling outback (19' 6" full size tandem) I get any between 9L/100km and 12L/100km NOT towing and anywhere between 14L/100 km and 18L/100km towing the caravan.
The pajero has rear air bags fitted ($500) to give a little more firmness to the rear.
Hope this helps
I spoke to the guy that did the service on my auto, and in his opinion for towing the four speed auto is the best as it can hold top gear , the five speed auto not bad , but in his opinion these new 8 speed autos are good cars, but not much chop for towing as the top gears are useless.
this is only his opinion but it makes sense to me....
Ron-D, the auto guy you refer to obviously needs to get with it, the modern 8 speed auto's are fantastic I have One in my Jeep and is great, it usually spends 80 % of the time in 8th gear and I am towing a 22 ft tandem caravan.
Gday...
I would suggest you find another "guy" to service your auto from now on. Here are 'typical' ratios for 5, 6 and 8 speed boxes ............
If we apply the "use direct gear for towing" theory ... then 4th in the 5-speed box ... 4th in the 6-speed box ... and SIXTH in the 8-speed box.
Those "top gears" certainly useless in an 8-speed box
Cheers - John
Yeah interesting figures but common sense would tell you that without the van onto your car for argument sake ,fuel consumption would be much more economical in top gear. But if for you were silly enough to let's say. Lock your new 8 Speed auto into 6th gear instead of driving in top gear it would chew up a lot more fuel obviously.
you can't pull a two ton caravan in auto and hold top gear with these new 8 speed gearboxes most have to have them locked in 6th gear from what I have read and if you think that's economical well I guess we will have to respectfully disagree...
I agree in a Jeep or a cruiser big powerful diesels no problems, but with 2.5 ltr engines that are in the medium sized vehicles Your going to be in a lower gears than the biger engined vehicles.
and as I said there great cars but for towing ??