Looking for input from all you people with hands on experience. We are considering what tow rig is going to be the best for us. We tow a 20' BushTracker and currently have a Landcruiser 200 series with upgraded suspension to 3580kg. This does a great job but with full water tanks etc ready to roll we are on the upper limit of GVM,  and now we want to add a boat to the mix. Also, we are used to travelling with a tray back and find the wagon too restrictive.

The standard dual cabs are not big enough.

So this leaves us with the big American trucks, Ford F250, Ram 2500 and GMC

All of you out there who have taken the leap and purchased one of these, can you share why you chose the one you did and how happy are you with it? What is your fuel consumption? Any issues? Any difficulty with getting spare parts or servicing out of the capital cities? And a big one, who has taken their truck in proper off road situations? Have you had it in deep sand?

We have been doing heaps of research and have driven them all, but it is very hard to find info on how they are in real life situations in Australia, so, please, make a cuppa, sit down and share your experiences, the good, the bad and especially the ugly.

Thanks!

Welcome to the gang Try2findus, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I love my Collie and seeing the GMC is it's BIG brother I want one when I grow up, if that ever happens that is.

That said and from what you say, have you thought away from the ute type tugs and maybe think, Iveco Daily, set up as you want. 

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

If you can get a hold of the current Outback mag there's a review of the Chevy Silverado in it.

Hi Try2findus i have a Ford F 450 dually turbo diesel I tow a 26ft 4ton caravan in the 3years i have driven this truck i have never had a problem,fuel economy on normal highways towing my van is 21lts per 100klm the best i have had is 18.8,without towing i get 12.5. I am not trying to convince you to buy a ford as i have several friends who tow big vans and everyone loves their particular truck so it comes down to go and test drive as many of the yank tanks and pick the one you like because which ever one you buy I think you will be very happy with.
Cheers
Baker

G'day T2Fus . Welcome .

Onya Brother . Go Big or go home.

My Beastie is coming together , getting gear box done at th moment ,

but will be out & about soon . But I still like my pootroll.

Here's my F150 . So I lean a bit more towards a Henry . But I have a Heap of American friends who prefer a F250.

We go over there most yrs as part of our trips (Family\friends.

I prefer Chevvy 3500 dual.

A lot like the Henry 250\350.
Smaller.
After driving them all.
I'd go the latest Ford 150. Then the Cadillac. 4wd.
Not a Ute. but sooooo nice to drive.
Dodge just a cheaper Chevvy in disguise.
These just my choices.
Carl and his cousin tow 5thers 42ft. One each Chevvy dual 3500 and Ford dual 320.

"I" Think the chevvuy is nicer to drive. Ford has more grunt.
But at that size. both have waaay more grunt than they need.
With. Without the trailer. Not much difference.

And for them that likes big barrels to play with (Chuckle)

Lean against one of these 'uns. These were the "little". Stern Pea Shooters.

BIGuns were round the front.  THEY. were big.

last Yank Decommissioned Battlewagon. Parked up in a cutting on the Mississippi.

That was closest we were allowed by water.

sandgrooper1 wrote:

---

Hi,

Have you considered the Isuzu NPS300 4x4 as an option? Even allowing for suspension modifications, seats ,wheels to make it less truck like and more" touring like" you would get a lot of change by comparison with the purchase price one of the american cars.
Just an idea.

Cheers AL

---

 Better still, put a motorhome body on the back and go places you never dreamed about. :)

Cheers,

Peter

ps...Macka - it is time you started using your own pics for your avatar instead of stealing other peoples.

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

 

ps...Macka - it is time you started using your own pics for your avatar instead of stealing other peoples.

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 30th of October 2017 03:16:27 PM

---

 I suppose that you have this same advice for me and all of the others who 'Steal' other peoples'.

(I edited out my next comment for fear of violating Forum 'rules').

Thanks for the replies! We have looked at the Iveco etc options but people we have spoken to who drive them say they don't have enough power! Also they are very "truck like". Yes ideal for a motorhome but we have a van!

Thanks for that info Baker! That is impressive milage for a big truck!

Hi Try2findus how about i answer all your questions

Spare parts i purchase all my parts out of America mostly filters being diesel,but i have bought other things because if you try and get a part in Australia they will order it then charge you double.

4WD  These trucks are big wide and heavy but in saying that I got caught in a free camp in Tasmania where we got caught in the mud and all i did was drop tyre pressure to 20psi engaged 4wd and just idled out.The biggest problem is they are wide and if you venture down certain tracks you will scratch the truck and its no fun polishing out the scratches.

Once again running them in sand i wouldnt do it but i have seen videos where the American trucks have no problems on the beach,

Hope this helps

Cheers

Baker

'Ello Pete.

As we sailed past her on a Paddle steamer.You want another half doz?.

Here's a couple more from same chip on same trip.

Canada. US. Mexico. Cancun. Mehico city LIMA. Peru. Santiago etc.

Last are American Falls. and inside old Irish Castle from early part of that trip..

With N.Z for 10 days fishing to wind down b4 going home. (11 week trip.

that one.  Usually 10 to 13 weeks every other yr now.

Plenty more if you want. 

Around 60 yrs worth.

Regards.

That trawler is what I did (in bigger. older boats) in the '50's North Sea.

She's a Scottish Brothers boat, they have 2

-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 31st of October 2017 01:48:27 AM

-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 31st of October 2017 01:52:25 AM

-- Edited by macka17 on Tuesday 31st of October 2017 02:01:00 AM

Here's another couple. Niagara and American falls Frozen.

in 1911.

PS I DID copy these ones chuckle.