What can I do with a full-blown off-road tow that I can't with an SUV?
Marshall said
02:33 PM Jul 17, 2017
I'm a single parent (had kids very late in life) and am just starting the planning for Round Australia when my youngest is settled into uni (so late January 2020 from Melbourne).
I keep my vehicles for long periods so the towing vehicle will spend far more time around town than actually towing (much less off-road). As an off-road vehicle would both cost more and be more awkward to drive around town, I'm trying to get a feel for what I'd gain by buying one. I can live with a 2,000 kg ATM so the range I'm looking at starts at something SUV'ish like a KIA Sorrento and runs up to an off-road'ish Land Cruiser (with the most likely somewhere in the middle like a Pajero Sport towing a Jurgens Skygazer [1,800kg ATM]).
The weakest link will be the driver .. I'll be in my 70's, solo and will have done only training courses for towing and off-road. Hence I'm self-limited (with caravan) to tracks that will have another vehicle come along within a couple of days, and/or off-road trips where I (leave the caravan and) join a group, possibly with a paid tour leader.
So what can I see/do that would only be available if I buy something like a Land Cruiser?
Dougwe said
03:30 PM Jul 17, 2017
Welcome to the gang Marshall, enjoy here and out in the playground.
My thoughts....With the 2,000kg mark you mention have you given any thought to the twin cab utes that are around? Note I said the weight you mentioned of 2,000kg not over 3,000kg. They handle well around the city and towns, easy to park etc. Get a aluminium canopy fitted not one of the ones fitted on top of the tub. Much easier to access and lighter.
If you plan doing any 4x4ing it really is best to have someone with you in another 4x4. IMO the reason 'some' people get into trouble 4x4ing is they go on their own a lot and have to wait for someone to come along that can assist them if they get into trouble. Different if you know what you are doing, to a point.
I tow what is in my signature with no problems at all and the aluminium teepee is 2.700kg max, I tow around the 2,650 mark. That said, I did get an extra leaf fitted to both rear springs for extra support on the Collie, I am on the road full time and felt it was a good investment.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Cadpete said
05:56 PM Jul 17, 2017
G'day Marshall and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit.
Having looked at the skygazer website it only says dirt road, not off road. Therefore a 4x4 only allows you to explore when unhitched, using the van as a home base, it will not allow additional access off-road when towing.
Pete and Marion
Tony Bev said
10:36 PM Jul 19, 2017
Hello Marshall
I hope that I am not too late, to also welcome you to the forum
Not many people come into this part of the forum
If you copy and paste your question into the General Section, you will have more people who see it
Sorry that I can not help, as I have only ever had cars, and on road lighter caravans
Possum3 said
09:28 AM Jul 20, 2017
For a great tag along Family adventure See;
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is a not for profit organisation which is officially backed and authorised by the New South Wales Police Force.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari organises a Trek to the Outback and other locations which is orientated for families and friends. The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is governed by an official committee which meets regularly, with an Annual General Meeting held within the first half of every year. The committee consists of 3 serving Police officers, an Ambulance officer and other dedicated persons whose interest is raising money for organisations which require community assistance.
The Safaris are held over the September/October school holidays between the 3rd and 4th term (NSW school holidays) and venture to areas including Outback NSW, Victoria, South Australia, together with areas of Queensland including the outback and central Queensland. We are not restricted to these areas alone; however being accessible logistically within a two week period is our only limitation.
Along the way a fun packed adventure is organised including, Morning Musters, Raffles, Games, Trivia Nights, Camp Fires, Fancy Dress Nights, Outdoor Movies, Bush Ironman Events, Talent Nights and wrapping up each trip is a final night Dinner with an Auction. We also avail the services of the small towns we stop in by allowing them to serve us a delicious evening meal with money raised going back to their respective community. If we are on a daily trek with limited supplies en-route a BBQ lunch will be arranged known as the "Dead Man's Cafe" serving sausage, rissole or steak sandwiches to satisfy your appetite.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is not a race but more of a leisurely stroll through the country side taking in the sites along the way. It is a great way to see the outback with all the support required including NSW Police a representative from the NSW Ambulance, a mechanic to get you out of trouble if it should arise and lead and tail vehicles to ensure everyone makes it to the destination with safety. These are things you don't have if you venture on your own.
If you have any questions relating to the Forensic Services Police Bush Safari, please contact the Chairperson by the email fspbushsafari@gmail.com or PM me. Please visit our website www.bushsafari.org for pics of this years trip and for info on next years trip.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is An Adventure to Die For!
I did give utes some thought as, going solo, even a single cab would be enough - and cheaper than the alternatives. I finally decided against on the basis of two technical and one personal reasons.
Technical 1 - in order to be able to carry a tonne on the back utes use a pretty primitive (leaf springs mostly) rear suspension (the SUV derivative replaces that with something more sophisticated).
Technical 2 - with the tray loaded and the caravan download on the tow bar and the ute is more or less balanced. But around town (most of its life) there will be nothing out back and the weight distribution will be heavily weighted on the front end.
Both of these make for (relatively) poor handling compared with their SUV derivatives.
On a personal basis I'm hoping for grandchildren and the SUV version is more family friendly.
Marshall said
12:12 PM Jul 23, 2017
Possum3,
Thanks for that. It looks exactly what I should be looking for.
The URL to www.bushsafari.org is not active at the moment (says it is "parked" whatever that means). Is there an alternative?
http://www.wj.com.au/bushsafari/index.html looks (also) great. The only problem is timing with the safari scheduled for Spring. I was planning to go anti-clockwise from Melbourne. So leaving late Summer so that I would be going through the North over winter. This means NSW in Autumn.
Does anyone know of similar guided tours in Queensland and NT and WA?
Possum3 said
03:11 PM Jul 23, 2017
Marshall, I was an originally LRPBS but moved to FSPBS based in Dubbo - it would be the best value with all funds going direct to Flying Doctor.
For others I suggest you contact the local stations direct: Lightning Ridge (Bush Safari) Opal Street, LIGHTNING RIDGE 2834
Phone: 02 6829 9799 Fax: 02 6829 9711
Also Bourke Police (Bash) 46 Oxley Street, Bourke. Postal Address: 46 Oxley Street Bourke, NSW 2840 Phone: 02 6870 0899 Fax: 02 6870 0812
Woody n Sue said
07:20 PM Jul 23, 2017
And it's welcome for us two 2 Marshall you sound like you have put a lot of thought in to this and I wish you well on your trips .
Those trips that Possum3 mention sound like the bees knees for you to start with if the timing is ok for you .
Perhaps a King cab or extra cab as some call them might just fit the bill for ya both my sons have had them and they are pretty comfy to drive and have an extra two seats in the back that are OK for kids or small adults but only for short trips though, as they are a bit cosy.
And they have a fair bit of room for the shopping as well, inside and locked .
I'm a single parent (had kids very late in life) and am just starting the planning for Round Australia when my youngest is settled into uni (so late January 2020 from Melbourne).
I keep my vehicles for long periods so the towing vehicle will spend far more time around town than actually towing (much less off-road). As an off-road vehicle would both cost more and be more awkward to drive around town, I'm trying to get a feel for what I'd gain by buying one. I can live with a 2,000 kg ATM so the range I'm looking at starts at something SUV'ish like a KIA Sorrento and runs up to an off-road'ish Land Cruiser (with the most likely somewhere in the middle like a Pajero Sport towing a Jurgens Skygazer [1,800kg ATM]).
The weakest link will be the driver .. I'll be in my 70's, solo and will have done only training courses for towing and off-road. Hence I'm self-limited (with caravan) to tracks that will have another vehicle come along within a couple of days, and/or off-road trips where I (leave the caravan and) join a group, possibly with a paid tour leader.
So what can I see/do that would only be available if I buy something like a Land Cruiser?
My thoughts....With the 2,000kg mark you mention have you given any thought to the twin cab utes that are around? Note I said the weight you mentioned of 2,000kg not over 3,000kg. They handle well around the city and towns, easy to park etc. Get a aluminium canopy fitted not one of the ones fitted on top of the tub. Much easier to access and lighter.
If you plan doing any 4x4ing it really is best to have someone with you in another 4x4. IMO the reason 'some' people get into trouble 4x4ing is they go on their own a lot and have to wait for someone to come along that can assist them if they get into trouble. Different if you know what you are doing, to a point.
I tow what is in my signature with no problems at all and the aluminium teepee is 2.700kg max, I tow around the 2,650 mark. That said, I did get an extra leaf fitted to both rear springs for extra support on the Collie, I am on the road full time and felt it was a good investment.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
G'day Marshall and welcome to the forum. Don't forget to try the two ongoing games here - 'Who is This' in the 'I Digress' section and 'Pick this Place' in the 'General' Section - a great source to find new places to visit.
Having looked at the skygazer website it only says dirt road, not off road. Therefore a 4x4 only allows you to explore when unhitched, using the van as a home base, it will not allow additional access off-road when towing.
Pete and Marion
I hope that I am not too late, to also welcome you to the forum
Not many people come into this part of the forum
If you copy and paste your question into the General Section, you will have more people who see it
Sorry that I can not help, as I have only ever had cars, and on road lighter caravans
For a great tag along Family adventure See;
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is a not for profit organisation which is officially backed and authorised by the New South Wales Police Force.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari organises a Trek to the Outback and other locations which is orientated for families and friends. The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is governed by an official committee which meets regularly, with an Annual General Meeting held within the first half of every year. The committee consists of 3 serving Police officers, an Ambulance officer and other dedicated persons whose interest is raising money for organisations which require community assistance.
The Safaris are held over the September/October school holidays between the 3rd and 4th term (NSW school holidays) and venture to areas including Outback NSW, Victoria, South Australia, together with areas of Queensland including the outback and central Queensland. We are not restricted to these areas alone; however being accessible logistically within a two week period is our only limitation.
Along the way a fun packed adventure is organised including, Morning Musters, Raffles, Games, Trivia Nights, Camp Fires, Fancy Dress Nights, Outdoor Movies, Bush Ironman Events, Talent Nights and wrapping up each trip is a final night Dinner with an Auction. We also avail the services of the small towns we stop in by allowing them to serve us a delicious evening meal with money raised going back to their respective community. If we are on a daily trek with limited supplies en-route a BBQ lunch will be arranged known as the "Dead Man's Cafe" serving sausage, rissole or steak sandwiches to satisfy your appetite.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is not a race but more of a leisurely stroll through the country side taking in the sites along the way. It is a great way to see the outback with all the support required including NSW Police a representative from the NSW Ambulance, a mechanic to get you out of trouble if it should arise and lead and tail vehicles to ensure everyone makes it to the destination with safety. These are things you don't have if you venture on your own.
If you have any questions relating to the Forensic Services Police Bush Safari, please contact the Chairperson by the email fspbushsafari@gmail.com or PM me. Please visit our website www.bushsafari.org for pics of this years trip and for info on next years trip.
The Forensic Services Police Bush Safari is An Adventure to Die For!
In a similar vein, See also; http://www.wj.com.au/bushsafari/index.html
Dougwe, thanks for the advice,
I did give utes some thought as, going solo, even a single cab would be enough - and cheaper than the alternatives. I finally decided against on the basis of two technical and one personal reasons.
Technical 1 - in order to be able to carry a tonne on the back utes use a pretty primitive (leaf springs mostly) rear suspension (the SUV derivative replaces that with something more sophisticated).
Technical 2 - with the tray loaded and the caravan download on the tow bar and the ute is more or less balanced. But around town (most of its life) there will be nothing out back and the weight distribution will be heavily weighted on the front end.
Both of these make for (relatively) poor handling compared with their SUV derivatives.
On a personal basis I'm hoping for grandchildren and the SUV version is more family friendly.
Possum3,
Thanks for that. It looks exactly what I should be looking for.
The URL to www.bushsafari.org is not active at the moment (says it is "parked" whatever that means). Is there an alternative?
http://www.wj.com.au/bushsafari/index.html looks (also) great. The only problem is timing with the safari scheduled for Spring. I was planning to go anti-clockwise from Melbourne. So leaving late Summer so that I would be going through the North over winter. This means NSW in Autumn.
Does anyone know of similar guided tours in Queensland and NT and WA?
For others I suggest you contact the local stations direct: Lightning Ridge (Bush Safari) Opal Street, LIGHTNING RIDGE 2834
Phone: 02 6829 9799 Fax: 02 6829 9711
Also Bourke Police (Bash) 46 Oxley Street, Bourke. Postal Address: 46 Oxley Street Bourke, NSW 2840 Phone: 02 6870 0899 Fax: 02 6870 0812
Those trips that Possum3 mention sound like the bees knees for you to start with if the timing is ok for you .
Perhaps a King cab or extra cab as some call them might just fit the bill for ya both my sons have had them and they are pretty comfy to drive and have an extra two seats in the back that are OK for kids or small adults but only for short trips though, as they are a bit cosy.
And they have a fair bit of room for the shopping as well, inside and locked .
Woody