Hi All, Mark and Louise here. We have recently joined the forum as we are starting to think about life on the road. One topic I would like some opinions on from experienced travellers is, will a 2WD tow vehicle suffice for towing a 18 or 19 foot caravan on mainly bitumen with some easy dirt roads, or definitely 4WD vehicle for everywhere? I am looking at and like the Isuzu D-MAX or MUX. Any advice welcome.
Cheers,
Mark
Dougwe said
05:11 PM Dec 19, 2017
Welcome to the gang Mark, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have what is in my signature and tows the 2.7t aluminium tent with eze. I did put and extra leaf both sides of rear springs to do the job better though. I know a few with the D Max and have upgraded the rear suspension as well. The tugs are not quite what the sales people say they are or can do. So take your time.
The other thing I did was have a genuine Holden canopy fitted but it was a wrong move. Things are hard to get to and as I get older will get harder. I should have had a aluminium shed out on the back instead. Still might.
I better go batten down the hatches as about to be hit by a big storm in north central VIC.
Aus-Kiwi said
05:35 PM Dec 19, 2017
For years we towed most Aust roads with Falcons and Kingswoods without too much trouble !! 2 wheel or 4 wheel ? Most of us wouldnāt like to travel poroper 4wd trips these days ? Having said that an AWD / 4WD is nice to have ! It more the suspension travel these days . One car we have is Subaru . The AWD is awesome .
Cadpete said
12:07 AM Dec 20, 2017
G'day Mark and Louise 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. Personally we have 4wd and therefore supposedly can go anywhere, however you still need to have the appropriate skills to go fully off road, and if wanting to take the van need an off road van as well - all extra $$$. 2wd can probably do more than 90% of what most people would visit, and is both cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. 4wd have a perceived toughness but generally that is all it is - perceived!
Pete and Marion
Tony Bev said
11:39 AM Dec 20, 2017
A warm welcome from me also, Mark
As others have said, if you are not going off road, then a 4x4 although handy to have, is not essential
I did the lap towing a 17 foot pop top caravan, with a 6 cylinder Ford Falcon sedan, with no problems
The Villes said
06:41 AM Dec 21, 2017
Hey thanks for the advice Doug. Bit to think about before deciding on a tug, but can't wait. Cheers, and hope you got through the storm ok.
Mark
Aus-Kiwi said
10:17 AM Dec 21, 2017
These days we have more options . Even SUVās are at least AWD . It can get you out of trouble . Having said that I read some time back a UK couple in NT stuck in mud on almost dry river bed . Yep 4 WD !! But donāt get too greedy ! In this case the clever Pomās didnāt put it in 4 WD !! Lol
Aus-Kiwi said
10:19 AM Dec 21, 2017
If they where blond, Kiwiās or from Trasmania ? They would have an excuse ! Ahaha
Possum3 said
10:53 AM Dec 21, 2017
Rear wheel drive vehicle/ute is more than capable in pulling small caravan, no need for 4WD or AWD - Just check GTM of caravan you select and use that to select your towing vehicle - There are a lot of sedans out there comfortably towing - mainly V8's but a lot of 6 cylinder models as well.
iana said
02:45 PM Dec 22, 2017
Now careful here folks, Mark may well be asking us to give a "Yes you definitely need a 4wd" because he really wants one and his wife/partner is saying "do we really need that. So support Mark and give encouraging answers.
Now I asked the same question, and the wife says "We are getting a 4wd", I know that's strange, but she's off the land see!, so we buys a 4wd, well we went to a caravan rally, free camp on a farmlet, and guess what a ute comes in 2wd, not even towing and the wheels start spinning, and had to be pushed out. Now its been a week raining cats n dogs, and its time to go, all of the van had to pass through this gateway, after about the tenth van goes through, with lots of pushing and swearing, its now my turn, the gateway has turned into a bit of a bogmire, and I am dreading this. We have a fairly big van, and my tires are road tread, well I select low 4, lock the rear diff, engage traction control, and just slowly motor through, what an anti climax.
I use H4 when towing and starting off at the lights or an intersection, H4 on roads where I think 4 driving wheels would be safer. L4 when backing or moving the van when parking. glad I've got 4wd.
The Villes said
12:41 PM Dec 23, 2017
Hey thanks for your information Guru, something to consider.
Cheers,
Mark
The Villes said
12:47 PM Dec 23, 2017
Thanks for the advice Pete and Marion. We will not be actually looking for the roughest 4WD track out there, and i am probably starting to lean towards 4WD now, for the just in case factor.
Cheers,
Mark
The Villes said
12:52 PM Dec 23, 2017
HI Iana, I think your story of the 2WD slipping around and not even towing nailed it for me. Looks like a 4WD it is. Just a bit daunting not knowing what sort of road conditions are out there.
Thanks,
Mark
Woody n Sue said
01:16 PM Dec 23, 2017
And its welcome from us two 2 Mark
Woody n sue
the rocket said
08:59 AM Jan 14, 2018
Hello and welcome. Will let the blokes answer your question.
Desert Dweller said
05:20 AM Jan 25, 2018
You don't need a 4WD for towing but it's best to get one because you'll be told hundreds of times that you should have got one by other people on your travels.
Are you in the economy section of the market or the prestige section?
The Villes said
10:28 PM Jan 25, 2018
Definitely not prestige, just not sure whether we would need a 4WD that often. Cheers.
Joda said
11:03 PM Jan 25, 2018
Hi mark, have you considered a ford territory diesel, 440nm of torque plus comes in 2wd or awd, drives better than most cars in the price range @ gives good economy to boot, zoom in reversing camera for hitching up & 6speed auto box,
Joda.
The Villes said
12:00 PM Jan 26, 2018
Hi Joda, no never looked at the Territory, but now looking at an Isuzu MUX, leaning towards 4WD. Anybody out there driving one now?
Cheers, Mark.
Wylie foxes said
10:54 PM Jan 26, 2018
Hey!Aus Kiwi, Hope that post wasn't a Pop at pomes generally
we might not be good with wet australiA conditions up but give us minus 15....
we have good Colorado, 4wd, but recently in really wet conditions, Sydney storms, got to traffick lights, steep hill, not in 4wd and we could not get the rig to move with a small (new age road owl) on the back, too wet, and steep approach....
did it the next week with 4wd no bother...
lesson learnt? 4wd yes please! Even on tarmac roads.
enjoy, hope to meet some nomads on our travels!
K&C
-- Edited by Wylie foxes on Friday 26th of January 2018 10:56:39 PM
iana said
11:04 AM Jan 30, 2018
Thought I would post a picture of our Mazda, Its an extra cab, so not a dual cab, but bigger than a single. We have seats that can lean back for comfort, and the two seats in the rear for short trips only for two adults. The canopy mounts a little further forward, so gets the load more over the wheels, than a dual cab. The canopy does not have a door in the rear, so no dust, and the side doors seal well. All of our stuff is contained within, even spare fuel, so its a tidy towing unit that's secure. The rear suspension has been up-graded. We are happy with it.
Hi All, Mark and Louise here. We have recently joined the forum as we are starting to think about life on the road. One topic I would like some opinions on from experienced travellers is, will a 2WD tow vehicle suffice for towing a 18 or 19 foot caravan on mainly bitumen with some easy dirt roads, or definitely 4WD vehicle for everywhere? I am looking at and like the Isuzu D-MAX or MUX. Any advice welcome.
Cheers,
Mark
Welcome to the gang Mark, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I have what is in my signature and tows the 2.7t aluminium tent with eze. I did put and extra leaf both sides of rear springs to do the job better though. I know a few with the D Max and have upgraded the rear suspension as well. The tugs are not quite what the sales people say they are or can do. So take your time.
The other thing I did was have a genuine Holden canopy fitted but it was a wrong move. Things are hard to get to and as I get older will get harder. I should have had a aluminium shed out on the back instead. Still might.
I better go batten down the hatches as about to be hit by a big storm in north central VIC.
G'day Mark and Louise 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. Personally we have 4wd and therefore supposedly can go anywhere, however you still need to have the appropriate skills to go fully off road, and if wanting to take the van need an off road van as well - all extra $$$. 2wd can probably do more than 90% of what most people would visit, and is both cheaper to buy and cheaper to maintain. 4wd have a perceived toughness but generally that is all it is - perceived!
Pete and Marion
As others have said, if you are not going off road, then a 4x4 although handy to have, is not essential
I did the lap towing a 17 foot pop top caravan, with a 6 cylinder Ford Falcon sedan, with no problems
Hey thanks for the advice Doug. Bit to think about before deciding on a tug, but can't wait. Cheers, and hope you got through the storm ok.
Mark
Now I asked the same question, and the wife says "We are getting a 4wd", I know that's strange, but she's off the land see!, so we buys a 4wd, well we went to a caravan rally, free camp on a farmlet, and guess what a ute comes in 2wd, not even towing and the wheels start spinning, and had to be pushed out. Now its been a week raining cats n dogs, and its time to go, all of the van had to pass through this gateway, after about the tenth van goes through, with lots of pushing and swearing, its now my turn, the gateway has turned into a bit of a bogmire, and I am dreading this. We have a fairly big van, and my tires are road tread, well I select low 4, lock the rear diff, engage traction control, and just slowly motor through, what an anti climax.
I use H4 when towing and starting off at the lights or an intersection, H4 on roads where I think 4 driving wheels would be safer. L4 when backing or moving the van when parking. glad I've got 4wd.
Hey thanks for your information Guru, something to consider.
Cheers,
Mark
Thanks for the advice Pete and Marion. We will not be actually looking for the roughest 4WD track out there, and i am probably starting to lean towards 4WD now, for the just in case factor.
Cheers,
Mark
HI Iana, I think your story of the 2WD slipping around and not even towing nailed it for me. Looks like a 4WD it is. Just a bit daunting not knowing what sort of road conditions are out there.
Thanks,
Mark
Woody n sue
Hello and welcome. Will let the blokes answer your question.
You don't need a 4WD for towing but it's best to get one because you'll be told hundreds of times that you should have got one by other people on your travels.
Are you in the economy section of the market or the prestige section?
Definitely not prestige, just not sure whether we would need a 4WD that often. Cheers.
Hi Joda, no never looked at the Territory, but now looking at an Isuzu MUX, leaning towards 4WD. Anybody out there driving one now?
Cheers, Mark.
Hey!Aus Kiwi, Hope that post wasn't a Pop at pomes generally
we might not be good with wet australiA conditions up but give us minus 15....
we have good Colorado, 4wd, but recently in really wet conditions, Sydney storms, got to traffick lights, steep hill, not in 4wd and we could not get the rig to move with a small (new age road owl) on the back, too wet, and steep approach....
did it the next week with 4wd no bother...
lesson learnt? 4wd yes please! Even on tarmac roads.
enjoy, hope to meet some nomads on our travels!
K&C
-- Edited by Wylie foxes on Friday 26th of January 2018 10:56:39 PM
Thought I would post a picture of our Mazda, Its an extra cab, so not a dual cab, but bigger than a single. We have seats that can lean back for comfort, and the two seats in the rear for short trips only for two adults. The canopy mounts a little further forward, so gets the load more over the wheels, than a dual cab. The canopy does not have a door in the rear, so no dust, and the side doors seal well. All of our stuff is contained within, even spare fuel, so its a tidy towing unit that's secure. The rear suspension has been up-graded. We are happy with it.
Hi All, finally made a decision and have purchased a Isuzu MUX 4x4, so caravan next.
Thanks for all the advice and comments,
Cheers,
Mark