Veeeery interesting, Rocky. IMO If another mag put out some info like that they would have a different list. It's the same old thing IMO that it is just the opinion of the writer/s at the time
I am still more than happy with my 2014 Colorado Twin Cab Ute towing or not towing and I tell you that for free. Again IMO
iana said
08:31 AM Sep 30, 2016
I goota BT50, I goota BT50.
Pop Corn and coke on order.
rockylizard said
08:33 AM Sep 30, 2016
iana wrote:
I goota BT50, I goota BT50.
Pop Corn and coke on order.
Gday...
popcorn shouldn't be necessary Ian
The article is only the opinion of one magazine/writer - it is rare for all these mobs to agree on their "best" of anything
Cheers - John
Ron-D said
08:50 AM Sep 30, 2016
There's a few nice vehicles missing with good diesil engines but a com makes the list ?
moamajohn said
03:13 PM Sep 30, 2016
Er hello ? A Ram Laramie !!! I mean fair dinkum that would be our first choice as a tug wouldn,t it ????? um ...Not ! what a load of crap ! really we are mainly folks that wanna vehicle thats an all rounder don,t we.Its gunna park in a Big W car park real easy ?Try climbing into one with a dodgy hip or better still try getting back out ! I have nothing at all against them its just that it may clearly be a theoretical winner ,however methinks we of the grey nomad era are of a more refined and practical persuasion. In my case as a retiree I am influenced by a budget that once spent I can never replace that money .Cheers
-- Edited by moamajohn on Friday 30th of September 2016 03:15:02 PM
aussietraveller said
05:18 PM Sep 30, 2016
Again another story written by an amateur, admittedly there are some good vehicles on the list but there are also some very good ones missing that generally rate much higher especially considering their including a Ram Laramie for towing a caravan me thinks they missed the mark with this article and need to do a rewright.
macka17 said
06:03 PM Sep 30, 2016
These mag's all write to suit the people paying for the posts. and a different one every yr. Regardless.
They often pick what everybody knows is a heap of rubbish and give "their" reasons why.
Tugs.
To 3 ton MAX.
Patrol 3 ltr (now gone but still purchasable)
Patrol V8 Petrol.
Range Rover. Magic but Exxxxxxxy.
Troopie V8.
To 2.5 ton MAX.
Pajero.
D-Max.
Ford Ranger/Mazda.
Prado?.Maybe but iffy.
2 ton max. and under.
The rest of them.
Safety wise.
Anything over 3 ton should be towed with Isuzu and Iveco small trucks.
Or Import US Utes.
MOST Vehicles rated to tow. say 3 ton.
Once you load it up to where it's safe. balance wise to do that.
Or what YOU need to put in/on there, for your trip.
Your rated capacity has dropped below the 3 + ton rating. and you illegal.
Check the figures. Then post them on here.
and show people on here where and what IS safe and legal,
to tow say. 3 ton and 3.5 ton. Make two lists..
and with WHICH vehicle. For all to see.
Vince said
07:24 PM Sep 30, 2016
IMO the list is in order is plausible, taken away my preferences and I can see the lineup is quite capable on to what they can do.
To choose from their list well my preference would be the Ford Ranger XLT and not on their list second would be the Holden Colorado LTZ both in auto.
Cheers
Vince
Phil C said
07:59 PM Sep 30, 2016
Gday all you lot
Did you notice most of the vehicles are maxed at 3500KGs? That rust bucket at the end at 2100 will have trouble lifting its own engine let alone towing (thats for free too Dougwe lol).
Still, its all a matter of choice and what we like best. I love my Ford and the way it tows my van..
Now I have a bowl of popcorn and will await the howls of derision on how great their tugs are..
BTW love ya Dougwe.... lmao
Moonraker said
09:52 AM Oct 1, 2016
I M O any of the yank tanks will tow better than the 200 series or the Landrover BUT who wants to drive a tank around town if not towing. The 200 series and the Disco 3/4 3lt in that order will easly tow 95% of all vans sold in Aus. The Ranger/BT50 and co dual cabs will be great for around 2.5 tonne vans or less. (Stated 3.5t but must be empty to do it).
The 200 series with Lovells suspension upgrade is my first choice for towing my 3.5t van. Drives great with or with out the van. Reliable but just in case service and parts all over Aus. Good resale value helps the initial outlay.
The bottom 5 on the list not needed unless you already have one!
Safe travels Moonraker
-- Edited by Moonraker on Saturday 1st of October 2016 09:54:44 AM
macka17 said
12:29 PM Oct 1, 2016
Moonraker.
You've never driven or been in a modern "Yank Tank", Have you.
I've been in a few and driven them too.With and without trailers on back
Coupla mates over there have a 150 Ford. and Carl has a 3500 Dual rears Chevvy.
His tows a 42ft fifther. The others tow 27/30 ft caravans.
as easy as, more comfortable than a Falcon and 6x4. with more power.
The internals of those are really a leather loungeroom with all the trimmings.
Comfort plus.Sat TV/Radio the lot.
Your little Toyota is a little tight sqeeze box in comparison to.
Carl has more room in the back of his than you would have in total.
And you have NOWHERE near as much power 4+ ltrs, compared to 6.6ltr.
Large Yes. but designed and built for their roads.
And no different to a small Isuzu/Iveco truck here. Quite managable
A LOT cheaper There. than ours are here.
The 150 Series Ford and Chevvy would be perfect for towing the 3.5 ton rigs we have here.
Size and power wise.
WITH Safety.
Your 200 is overweight with a 3.5ton van on (regardless of power under the bonnet.)
If something goes wrong. It'll pull you sideways. or roll you
Fully loaded. YOU weigh less than your van.
Any van of that weight is HEAVIER than your 200 is allowed to be..
Problems waiting to happen.
Think about it, if you anyway safety minded.
Read up on accident statistics and the causes of vehicle/trailer accidents.
You lot live in a dream world as far as safety and stability statistics go.
Regardless of what the car builders SAY they can SAFELY/LEGALLY tow.
Everywhere else in the world.
The measure for safety/stability.
Is.
Max trlr weight. Can be, 80/85% of total towing vehicle weight.. when balanced properly
with correct drawbar weights.
How many 200 ser and others can be fully loaded (3.3ton??)
and tow a 3.5ton caravan Legally.
When the max you allowed is, 80/85% of your max axle weight.
It will come in.
Meanwhile you playing with other peoples lives in traffic and towns.
The sooner the Scalies start being serious.
The sooner the roads will be made safer from all these overweight rigs.
It's started.
Every vehicle smaller than a 3 ton truck will be illegal with a 3.5ish ton van on back.
and ALL fifthers should have a Semi Licence to drive them.
That's coming too.
People may not like it. But it's the real world catching up.
Responsibilities for your actions.
I've got a 1 ton differential with my current rig.
and the prev. Patrol and 6.5mtr offroader had 400/700kg difference
at all times too.
RobandFlip said
02:11 PM Oct 1, 2016
I notice a couple of people here very passionate about their own tow vehicles and how they perform. That's great, but it is all about horsepower for courses and the level of capabilities for towing a trailer. Consider safety above all else when choosing either a tow vehicle or caravan. Also, what comes first, the tug or the van?
If a current vehicle has to be "upgraded" to do the job of towing, then consider a smaller caravan. If the van of choice is the van of your dreams and it comes in at 3000kg dry weight with a load capacity of 3500 - 4000kg, then the tow vehicle, for safety reasons above all else, must be capable of towing up to 4000kg. + before any upgrade.
If considering an off road rig, then all of this info has to be taken into the mix. When we decided we "had to have" an off road caravan that had superb engineering and capabilities for most terrains, but not extreme, our tow vehicle had to be up to the task and be able to perform in any situation including an emergency.
The diesel engine was a no brainer, with hopefully an engine life span of up to one million kilometres on the clock.
So, for all the reasons listed in the review of the top 10 tow vehicles (long before this report), we chose a Ram 2500 Laramie. Our fortune at the time was the Aussie dollar was at parity with the US dollar. The conversion had to meet many and of course all of the "Australian" standards. We were able to pick the vehicle we wanted because the dealer worked that way with his clients. So, we knew what we were getting. End cost, same as the Sahara 200 series.
What a wonderful surprise. To our delight, this vehicle more than meets our needs, runs the best emissions standards as standard equipment and can be driven in 2WD when 4WD is not required. It tows our 21ft Van with ease, is not too big to make it impossible to park, or U-turn at the end of a dead end street or close. Power steering is standard, and has many great features to numerous to mention here. We always feel safe, vision is amazing and although it is a truck, rides reasonably comfortable. No upgrades necessary.
Oh, forgot to mention, around town driving or highway not towing, fuel usage is between 13.5 -14 litres to 100ks. (The computer in the dash keeps us posted, as well as tyre pressures). Towing a fully loaded van around 18 - 21, depending on terrain.
As for climbing in and out, for me who has arthritis in just about every joint, it is easier than in and out of our sedan. There is a grip handle in the door and another conveniently positioned towards the roof just inside the door up on the frame, very easy. A decent side step makes alighting easy too. All in all, a great vehicle, can be serviced across Australia at any Cummins dealer, parts not a problem.
Cheers,
Robyn and Phillip
Crustie said
06:37 PM Oct 1, 2016
Where do you buy parts and service those big Rams and big Fords or Chevs specially when you are travelling, and Im sure I don't want a vehicle that has been pulled apart to change it from left to right steering. Ridiculous! and if you cannot tow behind a Toyota or Nissan, Range drover etc its to BIG.
Dickodownunder said
06:53 PM Oct 1, 2016
@Moonraker I tend to agree with you.
I had an F250 and it was a complete monster to drive particularly for duties like shopping etc. When towing it came into its own.
It was a nightmare in the Colesworths car park.
I had the good fortune to drive a Ram and it was definately a better vehicle than the Ford but I did not tow with it so I could not compare.
Much to macka17's horror I now have a 200 series LC and it is so much easier to manoeuvre in carparks etc.
My wife would not drive the F250 at all but she happily drives the Toyota. In my opinion the 200 series is without a doubt the best vehicle that I have ever owned. The concept of a ute is attractive to be able to carry a bit more gear but they come into their own (necessity) if you have a 5th wheeler.
I considered buying a Ram when I bought the Toyota but the Ram was so much more expensive (new) than my GXL. I did not have the advantage of the dollar being on par.
Just a note on Patrols that macka17 neglects to mention is that the later model diesels had an oil feed problem in the engines which deprived the cylinder wall and the piston of oil resulting in the piston overheating and subsequent engine failure. I am not sure but maybe that is why Nissan don't put diesel motors in there new models. I guess macka will tell us about it.
RobandFlip said
08:46 PM Oct 1, 2016
We can source parts through any of Australia's 118 Cummins dealers. These vehicles have standard common rails diesels, we have just had our Ram serviced like any other truck at a Cummins agent in Wodonga. Great service by the dealer and no surprises BTW The car/engine was NOT pulled to pieces to do the conversion.
cheers,
Robyn and Phillip
macka17 said
12:57 PM Oct 2, 2016
Fair enuff Geoff Everybody to their own. I wouldn't have a Toyota in my drive. They have too many problems Just look at recalls as a start.
The US models. Only the front end, pedals and dash basically for the conversion. The structure doesn't basically get touched. I test drove a 200 ser once. Stepped out of Patrol Cab into toyota cab. Back into Patrol. First thing. Jeez this is tight in here. Second. it rolled all over the road. Suspension Soggy as. and typical Tojo steering. Wanderlust.
Lotsa horses in the donk. But it's just an expensive engine basically. with a label on the front.
Regarding the 3 ltr Patrol Engine. It was taken from small Euro truck and not checked properly for our climate. Minimal oil passage and level too low, causing overheating in the below piston areas. basically. Shorter dipstick and more oil not fully fixed it. But by 2002. (Mine) it wasn't a problem.
5th gear. was a short term design fault. In SOME gearboxes Original was noisy. They Designed smaller multiple splines to quieten box.
Whoops. Some towed in 5th. Loaded. Pop. Stripped splines. Had to drive to servo for rebuild.(AT NISSANS COST) And in competition a few front coil supports cracked welds. Easy fix. Which reminds me. What suspension do MOST Toyota's run under their cars in Comp. Hellooooo. 85% run Nissan running gear. You don't need to ask why. It takes the work without breaking.
Shall we start on Toyota. Gearboxes. Pistons. engines. Clutches. Front suspensions dropping out from under the 100 ser on dirt roads. Just for starters.
in 13 yrs.towing a 3 ton van. Apart from tyres and std Maint. my patrol cost me. 1 key ring sensor. $430 1 Belt tensioner on front.$240
I replaced Dual mass Flywheel and clutch (for myself. Nothing wrong) after160k just for better performance. same as updating Intercooler,and fitting chip/ for myself. to improve towing and economy. (and deter any possible future problems.) Which IS a lot better with them than Toyota's of same yrs.
Look on 4wd mags comparing the Toyota 200 to the new Patrol v8 petrol. More herbs. Smoother quieter. and very similar economy towing. Plus the Nissans have better reliability and comfort. More stable suspension until the Tojo's updated.from the saggy. rolly stock.
I and a lot of others. Run the best most efficient. Reliable,
cost efficient veh (to suit themselves) on the market at that time
To do the best job they wanting it for. An awful lot don't have Toyota's on the list. Look around.
Tojo's a bit like Coca Cola and Holdens. Advertising. In your face. C--p. shhhhh.
PS Toyota and Nissan ran Utes in US In competition to the Yanks. BASICALLY??? NO Competition. I tried 'em both last time we over there.
-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 2nd of October 2016 01:01:41 PM
Quick link to US reviews on Tacoma. Read from when you turn the engine on. There's lots more too.
Off to fit the Brake sw in caravan now See Ya
-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 2nd of October 2016 01:09:34 PM
mike g g said
02:24 PM Oct 2, 2016
sorry but I have the best all wheel drive .aussie built aussie designed but sadley not to be continued no wonder this country is struggling ,FORD TERRITORY Diesel AWD 440 NM Torque towing rate 2700kg ball weight 270 kg .rides like a car handles like a car ,but has off road cap,within reason,been on the Daintree 10k`s .
Hewy54 said
02:58 PM Oct 2, 2016
Well said Macka.
Each to their own.
There are so many happy Toyota owners and drivers out there. The high resale of the toyota could be linked to the quality of the product.
Aus-Kiwi said
03:26 PM Oct 2, 2016
Ahh you guys need to learn to drive !! No issues with 8m motorhome . Lol
macka17 said
03:31 PM Oct 2, 2016
Hey Hewy.
Some bite some don't.
It's all in fun. But the Toyota's do have a lot of recalls.
As long as a person is happy with his. fine.
I reckon Toyota went downhill. 4WD/Offroad vehicle wise, when they stopped making the 60 ser.
THAT was a nice 4wd that held it's own with Nissan.
Nothing has since. (Off road)
when both in std Basic off showroom floor condition.
Yuk. been doing some silastic work at front of van fitting brake sw.
Bloody stuff over my Pinkies and sticking to keys.
See ya later after.
After the footie probably.
LLD said
05:12 PM Oct 2, 2016
Just back from a month up and down the NSW coast from Shellharbour to Moonee Beach. Rarely see a RAM before this trip but there was at least one in every park we stayed in (8 parks in all). And I think they were all pulling vans, not 5th wheelers.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:30 PM Oct 2, 2016
Then theres the single / dual cab Jap trucks ? They ride a lot better than you think . Plus suspensions can be softened and air bags fitted to front . Mitsi, Hino, Isuzu all good .
macka17 said
08:33 PM Oct 2, 2016
And they the ones you NEED to be legal with the 3 ton and above.
People are learning hey.
Stellaginger said
09:30 AM Oct 7, 2016
I just showed this to my husband in regard to top towing vehicles. Very interesting to see what has been printed and to know that the hours and hours of research he did re a tow vehicle, has paid off. We bought the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak. Did not want to put a canopy on the vehicle, have no need for that. We are travelling Australia and began our trip with a 28 ft Jayco, which basically fell apart. We bought what we thought would be perfect , a Royal Flair Piazza, appear to now be having problems with the deck continually being put up and down. The rubber stoppers between the deck and drawbar are worn continuously and my husband has spoken to Royal Flair in regards to this matter. Finding a van for full time on the road living appears to be very hard to do. As we are not getting any younger and looking for comfort we have a good vehicle . My husband would not even contemplate the Ram as had to add the heavier tow ball to get the heavier weight for basically double the price of ours. Ridiculous when also the petrol tank is enormous and we move frequently. Then what van is best!! We are looking at a Cell now which offers us all the creature comforts we need. Oh! But then we come up against ATM and GMC. And what you can tow. What a huge problem!! With this towing vehicle guide around is there does anyone know a list of the top 10 vans to tow with this towing rate, not meaning the updated Ram, which would appear to be our next option but not one we really want to take. Am really interested in having room inside to move around, recliner chairs , and kitchen room. 5 th Wheelers are out, too many issues. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. But I do understand that what works for one person may not work for others.
Stellaginger said
09:50 AM Oct 7, 2016
Exactly why we did not buy a Ram or any American models. How do I for one get up into it at 5'2 and getting older. Our roads and shopping centers are no where near the American/ Canadian way of life. their way of life is very different to ours, shopping centers are huge with huge parks for these vehicles. They have them for a reason. Fuel is cheap, parking is easy, and they are good for their long winter climates. Plus one thing one has to remember about America is: everything is big over there. In Canada everything is bigger. We in Australia are no where near their size in roads firstly, and don't have the cheap fuel. So we will stay with our new Ford Ranger Wildtrak thankyou very much. We would like money staying in the bank instead of going into the rip off petrol companies that can appear to do what they like with petrol prices here. Our clearance is excellent, now it appears we have to find the perfect van to live in full time. Cell are looking to be our choice as they offer us recliner chairs, a separate dining, and a separate bedroom. All what we would like, room to move like our house used to be. Sold now and on the road for a number of years.
-- Edited by Stellaginger on Friday 7th of October 2016 09:54:15 AM
Stellaginger said
10:01 AM Oct 7, 2016
So where are the specs for towing something bigger in regard to a van on the open road, re petrol usage. You have a 21 ft. We are looking at a 26-30ft, can you point me in that direction please?
iana said
03:32 PM Oct 7, 2016
Stellaginger it sounds as if you have gone through the same exercise that we have, our one stipulation was to have recliner chairs that could be fully reclined. Separate bedroom, ensuite etc. Decided on purchasing the Ford Rangers half sister the Mazda BT50. This was an extra cab so the passenger could recline the seat and be comfortable, but we were planning on a 5 wheeler, so we got a tray top ute.
After much negotiation with the manufacturer, we decided to get a Jayco which came in at half the price, and still ticked all the boxes. At 24ft I am sweating about the combined mass of the vehicles.
One small point is the weight distribution for 5 wheelers is different than for caravans. However the combined weight limits are still the same.
Be aware that any vehicle or RV salesperson will sell you anything and tell you its OK.
Stellaginger said
05:33 PM Oct 7, 2016
Thankyou Iana for that info. The recliners I want in the van, not the vehicle we are driving. We can recline the seat with no problem when driving. We have had a Jayco caravan , would never have another in our lives. In our van we want space, and yes recliner chairs as we will be in this van for many years to come. This exercise to find the perfect vehicle and the perfect van for us appears to be a problem. There is always something missing and I have a list of exactly what I want. We stay away from the larger van parks as do not being cramped in like sardines, tending for the smaller towns and their nice parks. Have in 12 months of travel only found one park that was not really good, but we won't be going back there anyway. We are venturing down to NSW to look at vans and will look at Ivecos and the Rams again. When we did look at the Jaycos again a year ago we looked at the 5th Wheeler , but were told our Ford Ranger would not tow it at all. They were only suitable for the Iveco. And yes you are right the dealers will tell you the weight is ok. As has already been done by the dealer we bought our current van from. But unfortunately we cannot buy another tow vehicle this year as my husband is a veteran and gets exemptions on vehicles , that he buys. But to get those exemptions we have to wait another year. So do we continue on as we are and muddle thru, and then this time next year order both a new van and tow vehicle, eg a Ram. Or do we get a new van now and stay with what we have. That is the question!!!
Gday...
https://www.caravanworld.com.au/features/1609/top-10-tow-vehicles-of-2016?utm_source=cvw_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=review1_index&utm_campaign=cworld-160929&user_id=fef5569bff84bb3b1b3140fe484ae4bc1b07e5f3
Cheers - John
Veeeery interesting, Rocky. IMO If another mag put out some info like that they would have a different list. It's the same old thing IMO that it is just the opinion of the writer/s at the time
I am still more than happy with my 2014 Colorado Twin Cab Ute towing or not towing and I tell you that for free. Again IMO
Pop Corn and coke on order.
Gday...
The article is only the opinion of one magazine/writer - it is rare for all these mobs to agree on their "best" of anything
Cheers - John
There's a few nice vehicles missing with good diesil engines but a com makes the list ?
Er hello ? A Ram Laramie !!! I mean fair dinkum that would be our first choice as a tug wouldn,t it ????? um ...Not ! what a load of crap ! really we are mainly folks that wanna vehicle thats an all rounder don,t we.Its gunna park in a Big W car park real easy ?Try climbing into one with a dodgy hip or better still try getting back out ! I have nothing at all against them its just that it may clearly be a theoretical winner ,however methinks we of the grey nomad era are of a more refined and practical persuasion. In my case as a retiree I am influenced by a budget that once spent I can never replace that money .Cheers
-- Edited by moamajohn on Friday 30th of September 2016 03:15:02 PM
They often pick what everybody knows is a heap of rubbish and give "their" reasons why.
Tugs.
To 3 ton MAX.
Patrol 3 ltr (now gone but still purchasable)
Patrol V8 Petrol.
Range Rover. Magic but Exxxxxxxy.
Troopie V8.
To 2.5 ton MAX.
Pajero.
D-Max.
Ford Ranger/Mazda.
Prado?.Maybe but iffy.
2 ton max. and under.
The rest of them.
Safety wise.
Anything over 3 ton should be towed with Isuzu and Iveco small trucks.
Or Import US Utes.
MOST Vehicles rated to tow. say 3 ton.
Once you load it up to where it's safe. balance wise to do that.
Or what YOU need to put in/on there, for your trip.
Your rated capacity has dropped below the 3 + ton rating. and you illegal.
Check the figures. Then post them on here.
and show people on here where and what IS safe and legal,
to tow say. 3 ton and 3.5 ton. Make two lists..
and with WHICH vehicle. For all to see.
To choose from their list well my preference would be the Ford Ranger XLT and not on their list second would be the Holden Colorado LTZ both in auto.
Cheers
Vince
Did you notice most of the vehicles are maxed at 3500KGs? That rust bucket at the end at 2100 will have trouble lifting its own engine let alone towing (thats for free too Dougwe lol).
Still, its all a matter of choice and what we like best. I love my Ford and the way it tows my van..
Now I have a bowl of popcorn and will await the howls of derision on how great their tugs are..
BTW love ya Dougwe.... lmao
I M O any of the yank tanks will tow better than the 200 series or the Landrover BUT who wants to drive a tank around town if not towing.
The 200 series and the Disco 3/4 3lt in that order will easly tow 95% of all vans sold in Aus.
The Ranger/BT50 and co dual cabs will be great for around 2.5 tonne vans or less. (Stated 3.5t but must be empty to do it).
The 200 series with Lovells suspension upgrade is my first choice for towing my 3.5t van.
Drives great with or with out the van. Reliable but just in case service and parts all over Aus. Good resale value helps the initial outlay.
The bottom 5 on the list not needed unless you already have one!
Safe travels
Moonraker
-- Edited by Moonraker on Saturday 1st of October 2016 09:54:44 AM
You've never driven or been in a modern "Yank Tank", Have you.
I've been in a few and driven them too.With and without trailers on back
Coupla mates over there have a 150 Ford. and Carl has a 3500 Dual rears Chevvy.
His tows a 42ft fifther. The others tow 27/30 ft caravans.
as easy as, more comfortable than a Falcon and 6x4. with more power.
The internals of those are really a leather loungeroom with all the trimmings.
Comfort plus.Sat TV/Radio the lot.
Your little Toyota is a little tight sqeeze box in comparison to.
Carl has more room in the back of his than you would have in total.
And you have NOWHERE near as much power 4+ ltrs, compared to 6.6ltr.
Large Yes. but designed and built for their roads.
And no different to a small Isuzu/Iveco truck here. Quite managable
A LOT cheaper There. than ours are here.
The 150 Series Ford and Chevvy would be perfect for towing the 3.5 ton rigs we have here.
Size and power wise.
WITH Safety.
Your 200 is overweight with a 3.5ton van on (regardless of power under the bonnet.)
If something goes wrong. It'll pull you sideways. or roll you
Fully loaded. YOU weigh less than your van.
Any van of that weight is HEAVIER than your 200 is allowed to be..
Problems waiting to happen.
Think about it, if you anyway safety minded.
Read up on accident statistics and the causes of vehicle/trailer accidents.
You lot live in a dream world as far as safety and stability statistics go.
Regardless of what the car builders SAY they can SAFELY/LEGALLY tow.
Everywhere else in the world.
The measure for safety/stability.
Is.
Max trlr weight. Can be, 80/85% of total towing vehicle weight.. when balanced properly
with correct drawbar weights.
How many 200 ser and others can be fully loaded (3.3ton??)
and tow a 3.5ton caravan Legally.
When the max you allowed is, 80/85% of your max axle weight.
It will come in.
Meanwhile you playing with other peoples lives in traffic and towns.
The sooner the Scalies start being serious.
The sooner the roads will be made safer from all these overweight rigs.
It's started.
Every vehicle smaller than a 3 ton truck will be illegal with a 3.5ish ton van on back.
and ALL fifthers should have a Semi Licence to drive them.
That's coming too.
People may not like it. But it's the real world catching up.
Responsibilities for your actions.
I've got a 1 ton differential with my current rig.
and the prev. Patrol and 6.5mtr offroader had 400/700kg difference
at all times too.
If a current vehicle has to be "upgraded" to do the job of towing, then consider a smaller caravan. If the van of choice is the van of your dreams and it comes in at 3000kg dry weight with a load capacity of 3500 - 4000kg, then the tow vehicle, for safety reasons above all else, must be capable of towing up to 4000kg. + before any upgrade.
If considering an off road rig, then all of this info has to be taken into the mix. When we decided we "had to have" an off road caravan that had superb engineering and capabilities for most terrains, but not extreme, our tow vehicle had to be up to the task and be able to perform in any situation including an emergency.
The diesel engine was a no brainer, with hopefully an engine life span of up to one million kilometres on the clock.
So, for all the reasons listed in the review of the top 10 tow vehicles (long before this report), we chose a Ram 2500 Laramie. Our fortune at the time was the Aussie dollar was at parity with the US dollar. The conversion had to meet many and of course all of the "Australian" standards. We were able to pick the vehicle we wanted because the dealer worked that way with his clients. So, we knew what we were getting. End cost, same as the Sahara 200 series.
What a wonderful surprise. To our delight, this vehicle more than meets our needs, runs the best emissions standards as standard equipment and can be driven in 2WD when 4WD is not required. It tows our 21ft Van with ease, is not too big to make it impossible to park, or U-turn at the end of a dead end street or close. Power steering is standard, and has many great features to numerous to mention here. We always feel safe, vision is amazing and although it is a truck, rides reasonably comfortable. No upgrades necessary.
Oh, forgot to mention, around town driving or highway not towing, fuel usage is between 13.5 -14 litres to 100ks. (The computer in the dash keeps us posted, as well as tyre pressures). Towing a fully loaded van around 18 - 21, depending on terrain.
As for climbing in and out, for me who has arthritis in just about every joint, it is easier than in and out of our sedan. There is a grip handle in the door and another conveniently positioned towards the roof just inside the door up on the frame, very easy. A decent side step makes alighting easy too. All in all, a great vehicle, can be serviced across Australia at any Cummins dealer, parts not a problem.
Cheers,
Robyn and Phillip
@Moonraker
I tend to agree with you.
I had an F250 and it was a complete monster to drive particularly for duties like shopping etc.
When towing it came into its own.
It was a nightmare in the Colesworths car park.
I had the good fortune to drive a Ram and it was definately a better vehicle than the Ford but I did not tow with it so I could not compare.
Much to macka17's horror I now have a 200 series LC and it is so much easier to manoeuvre in carparks etc.
My wife would not drive the F250 at all but she happily drives the Toyota.
In my opinion the 200 series is without a doubt the best vehicle that I have ever owned.
The concept of a ute is attractive to be able to carry a bit more gear but they come into their own (necessity) if you have a 5th wheeler.
I considered buying a Ram when I bought the Toyota but the Ram was so much more expensive (new) than my GXL. I did not have the advantage of the dollar being on par.
Just a note on Patrols that macka17 neglects to mention is that the later model diesels had an oil feed problem in the engines which deprived the cylinder wall and the piston of oil resulting in the piston overheating and subsequent engine failure.
I am not sure but maybe that is why Nissan don't put diesel motors in there new models. I guess macka will tell us about it.
We can source parts through any of Australia's 118 Cummins dealers. These vehicles have standard common rails diesels, we have just had our Ram serviced like any other truck at a Cummins agent in Wodonga. Great service by the dealer and no surprises BTW The car/engine was NOT pulled to pieces to do the conversion.
cheers,
Robyn and Phillip
Fair enuff Geoff
Everybody to their own. I wouldn't have a Toyota in my drive.
They have too many problems Just look at recalls as a start.
The US models. Only the front end, pedals and dash basically
for the conversion.
The structure doesn't basically get touched.
I test drove a 200 ser once. Stepped out of Patrol Cab into toyota cab.
Back into Patrol.
First thing. Jeez this is tight in here.
Second. it rolled all over the road.
Suspension Soggy as.
and typical Tojo steering.
Wanderlust.
Lotsa horses in the donk. But it's just an expensive engine basically.
with a label on the front.
Regarding the 3 ltr Patrol Engine.
It was taken from small Euro truck and not checked properly for our climate.
Minimal oil passage and level too low, causing overheating in the below piston areas.
basically.
Shorter dipstick and more oil not fully fixed it.
But by 2002. (Mine) it wasn't a problem.
5th gear. was a short term design fault. In SOME gearboxes
Original was noisy.
They Designed smaller multiple splines to quieten box.
Whoops. Some towed in 5th. Loaded. Pop. Stripped splines.
Had to drive to servo for rebuild.(AT NISSANS COST)
And in competition a few front coil supports cracked welds. Easy fix.
Which reminds me. What suspension do MOST Toyota's run under their cars in Comp.
Hellooooo. 85% run Nissan running gear.
You don't need to ask why. It takes the work without breaking.
Shall we start on Toyota. Gearboxes. Pistons. engines. Clutches.
Front suspensions dropping out from under the 100 ser on dirt roads.
Just for starters.
in 13 yrs.towing a 3 ton van.
Apart from tyres and std Maint.
my patrol cost me.
1 key ring sensor. $430
1 Belt tensioner on front.$240
I replaced Dual mass Flywheel and clutch (for myself. Nothing wrong) after160k just for better performance.
same as updating Intercooler,and fitting chip/
for myself. to improve towing and economy. (and deter any possible future problems.)
Which IS a lot better with them than Toyota's of same yrs.
Look on 4wd mags comparing the Toyota 200 to the new Patrol v8 petrol.
More herbs. Smoother quieter. and very similar economy towing.
Plus the Nissans have better reliability and comfort.
More stable suspension until the Tojo's updated.from the saggy. rolly stock.
I and a lot of others. Run the best most efficient. Reliable,
cost efficient veh (to suit themselves) on the market at that time
To do the best job they wanting it for.
An awful lot don't have Toyota's on the list. Look around.
Tojo's a bit like Coca Cola and Holdens. Advertising. In your face. C--p. shhhhh.
PS Toyota and Nissan ran Utes in US
In competition to the Yanks.
BASICALLY??? NO Competition. I tried 'em both last time we over there.
-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 2nd of October 2016 01:01:41 PM
"www.caranddriver.com/toyota/tacoma"
Quick link to US reviews on Tacoma.
Read from when you turn the engine on.
There's lots more too.
Off to fit the Brake sw in caravan now See Ya
-- Edited by macka17 on Sunday 2nd of October 2016 01:09:34 PM
sorry but I have the best all wheel drive .aussie built aussie designed but sadley not to be continued no wonder this country is struggling ,FORD TERRITORY Diesel AWD 440 NM Torque towing rate 2700kg ball weight 270 kg .rides like a car handles like a car ,but has off road cap,within reason,been on the Daintree 10k`s .
Each to their own.
There are so many happy Toyota owners and drivers out there. The high resale of the toyota could be linked to the quality of the product.
Some bite some don't.
It's all in fun. But the Toyota's do have a lot of recalls.
As long as a person is happy with his. fine.
I reckon Toyota went downhill. 4WD/Offroad vehicle wise, when they stopped making the 60 ser.
THAT was a nice 4wd that held it's own with Nissan.
Nothing has since. (Off road)
when both in std Basic off showroom floor condition.
Yuk. been doing some silastic work at front of van fitting brake sw.
Bloody stuff over my Pinkies and sticking to keys.
See ya later after.
After the footie probably.
People are learning hey.
I just showed this to my husband in regard to top towing vehicles. Very interesting to see what has been printed and to know that the hours and hours of research he did re a tow vehicle, has paid off. We bought the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak. Did not want to put a canopy on the vehicle, have no need for that. We are travelling Australia and began our trip with a 28 ft Jayco, which basically fell apart. We bought what we thought would be perfect , a Royal Flair Piazza, appear to now be having problems with the deck continually being put up and down. The rubber stoppers between the deck and drawbar are worn continuously and my husband has spoken to Royal Flair in regards to this matter. Finding a van for full time on the road living appears to be very hard to do. As we are not getting any younger and looking for comfort we have a good vehicle . My husband would not even contemplate the Ram as had to add the heavier tow ball to get the heavier weight for basically double the price of ours. Ridiculous when also the petrol tank is enormous and we move frequently. Then what van is best!! We are looking at a Cell now which offers us all the creature comforts we need. Oh! But then we come up against ATM and GMC. And what you can tow. What a huge problem!! With this towing vehicle guide around is there does anyone know a list of the top 10 vans to tow with this towing rate, not meaning the updated Ram, which would appear to be our next option but not one we really want to take. Am really interested in having room inside to move around, recliner chairs , and kitchen room. 5 th Wheelers are out, too many issues. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. But I do understand that what works for one person may not work for others.
Exactly why we did not buy a Ram or any American models. How do I for one get up into it at 5'2 and getting older. Our roads and shopping centers are no where near the American/ Canadian way of life. their way of life is very different to ours, shopping centers are huge with huge parks for these vehicles. They have them for a reason. Fuel is cheap, parking is easy, and they are good for their long winter climates. Plus one thing one has to remember about America is: everything is big over there. In Canada everything is bigger. We in Australia are no where near their size in roads firstly, and don't have the cheap fuel. So we will stay with our new Ford Ranger Wildtrak thankyou very much. We would like money staying in the bank instead of going into the rip off petrol companies that can appear to do what they like with petrol prices here. Our clearance is excellent, now it appears we have to find the perfect van to live in full time. Cell are looking to be our choice as they offer us recliner chairs, a separate dining, and a separate bedroom. All what we would like, room to move like our house used to be. Sold now and on the road for a number of years.
-- Edited by Stellaginger on Friday 7th of October 2016 09:54:15 AM
So where are the specs for towing something bigger in regard to a van on the open road, re petrol usage. You have a 21 ft. We are looking at a 26-30ft, can you point me in that direction please?
After much negotiation with the manufacturer, we decided to get a Jayco which came in at half the price, and still ticked all the boxes. At 24ft I am sweating about the combined mass of the vehicles.
One small point is the weight distribution for 5 wheelers is different than for caravans. However the combined weight limits are still the same.
Be aware that any vehicle or RV salesperson will sell you anything and tell you its OK.
Thankyou Iana for that info. The recliners I want in the van, not the vehicle we are driving. We can recline the seat with no problem when driving. We have had a Jayco caravan , would never have another in our lives. In our van we want space, and yes recliner chairs as we will be in this van for many years to come. This exercise to find the perfect vehicle and the perfect van for us appears to be a problem. There is always something missing and I have a list of exactly what I want. We stay away from the larger van parks as do not being cramped in like sardines, tending for the smaller towns and their nice parks. Have in 12 months of travel only found one park that was not really good, but we won't be going back there anyway. We are venturing down to NSW to look at vans and will look at Ivecos and the Rams again. When we did look at the Jaycos again a year ago we looked at the 5th Wheeler , but were told our Ford Ranger would not tow it at all. They were only suitable for the Iveco. And yes you are right the dealers will tell you the weight is ok. As has already been done by the dealer we bought our current van from. But unfortunately we cannot buy another tow vehicle this year as my husband is a veteran and gets exemptions on vehicles , that he buys. But to get those exemptions we have to wait another year. So do we continue on as we are and muddle thru, and then this time next year order both a new van and tow vehicle, eg a Ram. Or do we get a new van now and stay with what we have. That is the question!!!