Dilemma, Which 3000kg towing vehicle to buy?

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Dilemma, Which 3000kg towing vehicle to buy?

Koko · Member

Hi We have just purchased a Jayco Sterling Outback caravan and are looking at purchasing a 4x4 vehicle with a 3000kg towing capacity. I have a back problem so need comfortable supportive seats. Now what to choose love the Landcruiser we have had a couple over the years when towing horse floats, but really don't want to have anything that big. We would probably go with a Prado if it had a 3000kg towing capacity, but unfortunately it doesn't. Not that keen on the 3 door. Have looked at the VW Toureg, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Pajero. Does anyone have any comments on these or any others? Your help and comments would be greatly appreciated. Help

Koko · Member

Thanks for your imput, would be interested to hear how you go with your new Jeep. The indicator is a little confusing but you will get the hang if it pretty quickly, we have a XC90 Volvo which I love, but unfortunately does not have the towing capacity. I drive it all the time and am used to the european indicators, but hubby still turns the wipers on when he gets in very funny. I like the Jeep because it is very like the Volvo as far as comfort, hubby is leaning towards the Toureq, will have to do some more research. We take pocession of our van in Feb 13, so hopefully will have worked it out be then.
HAPPY TEAVELLING

PeterInSa · Guru

Am biased, like Cruisers, in the unlikely event that you have a breakdown in the outback the local garage most likely will have some Cruiser experience, since they repair Farmers or miners utes. Recently had a breakdoen with a European designed vehicle in a large country town and it took sometime (days) to identify the problem.

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Peter, agree with your comments

I was previously biased to Patrols, for much the same reason.

I forgot to mention earlier, that I chose the Jeep over the Patrol because of value for money, 177Kw/550Nm, 6 cyl engine, appointments, towing capacity and reported fuel economy.

Where as the Patrol is much lessor powered and 4 cyl while the Cruiser's fantastic power of a V8 is a huge premium price to purchase (in the order of $30K extra) also both have worse reported fuel economy figures.

Koko, I've talked to Toureq caravanners who absolutely swear by them, however the price tag is much higher than the Jeep.

Cheers

Koko · Member

Yes Landcruiser is probably the best option but as you said, way over priced, we had Saharas 20 years ago great car, but LCT has spoilt it for a lot of us. I think it is going to come down to the Toureg or Jeep, would love to hear from anyone owning either if these.

zagg · Member

the vw amarok can tow up to2800 kg zagg

rockylizard · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Am biased, like Cruisers, in the unlikely event that you have a breakdown in the outback the local garage most likely will have some Cruiser experience, since they repair Farmers or miners utes. Recently had a breakdoen with a European designed vehicle in a large country town and it took sometime (days) to identify the problem.

Gday...

Let me state firmly firstly - there are many more Toyota Dealers and mechanics that have experience with Landcruisers around Australia and that does make them more 'attractive' for travelling this wide, brown land.

However, in my four years of travelling I have met folk with EVERY type of 4X4 vehicle who have encountered delays ranging from 2 days to 2 weeks waiting for parts to be freighted in from a major town.

My last such encounter was with a bloke in Yeppoon with a 2007 200 Series Landcruiser that needed the water pump replaced. Rockhampton Toyota dealer did not have one in stock and neither did Brisbane. They had to fly one in from Melbourne store - he had waited 8 working days from the time he had been told he needed a new water pump.

They are ALL excellent vehicles when they are going ... but EVERY vehicle on the road these days will wait for a minimum of "overnight" (sometimes longer) for a part that is not a "normal" service item with quick stock turnover at dealer level.

PS - my Landy has never been a problem on the road and has never stopped me on the side of the road - but once I had to wait for 3 working days for a replacement air compressor for the electronic air suspension. Last week I needed new front ball joints - needed to be brought in overnight.

Cheers - John

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Gee, I'm glad I did not order a Landy, seems they never break down (on the road) because they must have expensive rebuilds at service time.

My good ol' Patrol has done 4 extreme round Aus treks (and a lot of other short trips and towing) and never replaced things like ball joints. Worst I've done is batteries, tyres and wiper blades,,, ohhh , and replaced a broken windscreen.

Interesting to see how my new Jeep will go in comparison to my trusty old Patrol, but sure glad I didn't order a $ burner of a Landy.

Time Traveller · Newbie

Koko wrote:
Yes Landcruiser is probably the best option but as you said, way over priced, we had Saharas 20 years ago great car, but LCT has spoilt it for a lot of us. I think it is going to come down to the Toureg or Jeep, would love to hear from anyone owning either if these.

I bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3 litre diesel 18 months ago and its the 'ants pants'. We travelled 10,500K through WA this year and as we are grey nomads, my wife and I both reckon its one of the most comfortable 4WD's we have owned after having had 4 Pajeros, an Outlander, CRV and Nissan 40 dual cab previously.

Compare the price with other similar vehicles and at $50,000 it's the best specced car in it's class AND the motor is extremely economical averaging 11.2L/100K towing our 1.3 Tonne camper. It handle it with absolute ease. It's rated at 3500Kg with a 350Kg towbar. It would romp in 3 Tonne in my view. Great car!

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Time Traveller,

Thanks, you've just summed up why I ordered the Jeep CRD after all my research

Enjoy your travels and stay safe.

Cheers

rockylizard · Guru

Nomad246 wrote:
Gee, I'm glad I did not order a Landy, seems they never break down (on the road) because they must have expensive rebuilds at service time.
........sure glad I didn't order a $ burner of a Landy.

Gday...

Over the past 25 years I have owned two 60Series Cruisers, petrol and diesel - consecutively, a 1988 (from new) HiLux Petrol, an 80Series Cruiser diesel, a 1999 diesel HiLux (2nd hand - 32,000km) and a 100Series Cruiser. Now the Disco3 Landy. (I also had a flawless Hyundai Terracan for 54,000km.)

Why is that any mention of a LandRover draws the denigrating comments from those who have never owned one - but "know a mate who has a mate whose cousin's grandfather had one" or "I read that they all are hopeless reliability-wise".

I suggest you look broader in your outlook when it comes to motor vehicles. I won't bother to mention the 3litre Patrol's engine problems BECAUSE THEY ARE NO LONGER OCCURING ! but they were a reality to those who owned them and fought with Nissan or that 200Series had "oil problems" initially. Similarly, I will not bother recounting the problems that the 60, 80 and 100Series Cruisers I owned - great vehicles for what I used them for, but I am not so blind that I would suggest they are better (or worse) than any other 4X4 on the road.

I am fully aware of the 'reputation' but Disco 3 and Disco 4 are a long way from the Disco 1 and 2 models. If you cannot advise a fellow-forumite with informed comment I suggest you temper your responses, please.

Cheers - John

Nomad246 · Senior Member

rockylizard wrote:
Nomad246 wrote:
Gee, I'm glad I did not order a Landy, seems they never break down (on the road) because they must have expensive rebuilds at service time.
........sure glad I didn't order a $ burner of a Landy.
Gday...
Over the past 25 years I have owned two 60Series Cruisers, petrol and diesel - consecutively, a 1988 (from new) HiLux Petrol, an 80Series Cruiser diesel, a 1999 diesel HiLux (2nd hand - 32,000km) and a 100Series Cruiser. Now the Disco3 Landy. (I also had a flawless Hyundai Terracan for 54,000km.)
Gee ,,, in the last quarter of a century I've owned,,, err 1 ,,, you have,,, what is it ,,, 7 bad choices,,, My 1st choice has afforded me the ultimate of fun and reliabilty,, yet you keep protesting you are a 'spurt' (drip under pressure). Pull your head in and avoid influencing others toward your bad choices and let us have an open mind to make the RIGHT choice. If this pressures you ,,,, I check my pressure every Saturday ,,, but I'm anal.

Koko ,,,, sorry to highjack your post,,, but there are some trolls that want it all their own way, without informed opinion,
Your families view sits well with a sensible persons research of new vehicle purchase,,, but you gotta avoid LCT ,,, because you don't get anything for what you pay.
Cheers and enjoy your choice of Das Auto or "she bought a" Jeep

landy · Guru

Nomad246 wrote:
rockylizard wrote:
Nomad246 wrote:
Gee, I'm glad I did not order a Landy, seems they never break down (on the road) because they must have expensive rebuilds at service time.
........sure glad I didn't order a $ burner of a Landy

Well I wasn't going to post here, but I can't understand where nomad is getting his information or his poor opinion of Land Rovers from.

I am more than happy with my Landy, and with 180000 km on the clock, mainly towing, it has been a very reliable vehicle with no major problems.

We have recently returned from a 10,000 km trip towing our 3.2 ton van and we averaged 17 litres per 100. I will not pretend to know what fuel consumption figures nomad is getting from his rig but I have been told by several Land Cruiser owners that they would like to be able to achieve those sort of figures without the van on .

These are the facts for my Land Rover, which is a 1999 5 cylinder diesel with an aftermarket overdrive and a remapped computer. I am not posting with the intention of getting into a "my rig is better than yours" debate or a slanging match.

Landy

rockylizard · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
PeterInSa wrote:
Am biased, like Cruisers, in the unlikely event that you have a breakdown in the outback the local garage most likely will have some Cruiser experience, since they repair Farmers or miners utes. Recently had a breakdoen with a European designed vehicle in a large country town and it took sometime (days) to identify the problem.
Gday...
Let me state firmly firstly - there are many more Toyota Dealers and mechanics that have experience with Landcruisers around Australia and that does make them more 'attractive' for travelling this wide, brown land.
However, in my four years of travelling I have met folk with EVERY type of 4X4 vehicle who have encountered delays ranging from 2 days to 2 weeks waiting for parts to be freighted in from a major town.
Cheers - John
Nomad246 wrote
rockylizard wrote:
Nomad246 wrote:
Gee, I'm glad I did not order a Landy, seems they never break down (on the road) because they must have expensive rebuilds at service time.
........sure glad I didn't order a $ burner of a Landy.
Gday...
Over the past 25 years I have owned two 60Series Cruisers, petrol and diesel - consecutively, a 1988 (from new) HiLux Petrol, an 80Series Cruiser diesel, a 1999 diesel HiLux (2nd hand - 32,000km) and a 100Series Cruiser. Now the Disco3 Landy. (I also had a flawless Hyundai Terracan for 54,000km.)
Gee ,,, in the last quarter of a century I've owned,,, err 1 ,,, you have,,, what is it ,,, 7 bad choices,,, My 1st choice has afforded me the ultimate of fun and reliabilty,, yet you keep protesting you are a 'spurt' (drip under pressure). Pull your head in and avoid influencing others toward your bad choices and let us have an open mind to make the RIGHT choice. If this pressures you ,,,, I check my pressure every Saturday ,,, but I'm anal.

Gday...

Firstly, again, apologies to koko. It is a shame that when a forumite asks for advice on a particular vehicle, or choice of vehicle, the biased opinions ooze out of the cracks like the proverbial.

Secondly, apolgies to Cindy. It has, and is, NOT my intention to drag any post down to personal denigration level. Having said that, I need to provide the following response.

Nomad - please go back and read my posts. Particularly, where I have agreed that Toyota (and Nissan for that matter) have an extensive dealer network Australia-wide and many mechanics, both trained and bush combined, can work on Cruisers (and Nissan for that matter).

You will see that, rather than "pushing the merits" of any particular brand of vehicle, I actually stated, perhaps poorly, that EVERY 4X4 is a good buy, and EVERY 4X4 can be stuck 'somewhere' waiting for a part.

At no time have I ever, in this thread or at anytime, tried to be a "spurt" - whether a 'drip under pressure' or so knowledgeable that I see any one 4X4 as the 'only one to buy'.

I did not, and would never, attempt to persuade, or try to influence, ANYONE to purchase any model of 4X4 I have owned. I was attempting to, in fact, point out that, each 4X4 purchase is the decision of the indiidual to meet THEIR personal needs, requirements, budget and usage.

I am sorry you have failed to read and absorb my posts as being broad in advice, rather than prescribing any particular choice. Perhaps, my choice of words, or lack of full explanation, in the above thread has muddied the waters from your perspective.

In conclusion, koko, buy what ever are YOUR personal needs, requirements, budget and usage, after doing whatever research and opinion-seeking you can ... and enjoy the wide, brown land.

Cheers - happy travelling - and let's all get our feet firmly back on the ground.

Cheers - John

KFT · Guru

G'day everyone,

With both of us on the cusp of retiring we have ordered a Navara ST-X V6 diesel crew cab as our new tug/runaround/toolbox/shopping vehicle.

This vehicle will replace our two current vehicles, my commodore ute and mrs kft's Kia sorento.

I have read the reports about the cabin ventilation systems causing noise and hopefully have a fix for that.

What impressed me were the cabin appointments like comfortable seats, dual zone aircon(his and hers temps), fold up rear seats. Lots of power and torque and plenty of gear ratios and of course a 3000 kg towing capacity.

The $3000 cash back was a bit of help too.

see how we go with it towing our 2500 kg van.

frank

-- Edited by KFT on Thursday 22nd of November 2012 08:50:07 PM

Nomad246 · Senior Member

KFT,

that's a capable vehicle you've ordered, enjoy it

Cheers

PeterD · Guru

KFT wrote:
The $3000 cash back was a bit of help too.

If you have an ABN they will give you $5k discount.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Having never owned anything resembling what the OP wants, I have no bias based on previous or current ownership.

Based on what I see in the bush, I would ONLY buy a Landcruiser.
That is not just because they are better (many argue that the Patrol is a technical match, or more and may be right), but because of the parts and experice available in the bush.

My personal choice would be one of the commercial series Cruisers, but if that does not have enough "bells and whistles" for you, I would seek out the best 100 series diesel that I could find and buy that.

Additional point. I would only buy a vehicle with 16" wheels. Anything with 17 or 18" wheels and lower profile tyres would not get any consideration whatever.

Cheers,
Peter

bill12 · Guru

I have heard nothing but prase for the v6 nisanns. They are powerful, and thrifty, or so I am told. One of those with an auto, and an oil cooler would be a great tow vehicle.Have a great time, Bill.

spida · Guru

I have a 2006 Nissan d40 double cab diesel, 6 speed manual - very comfortable seats and heaps of towing capacity. Love it. Got a high top canopy put on it so lots of space. 1st is geared little high but I am used to it now and dont stall anywhere near as much ..... and have 4x4 if needed. towing Jayco 18"' Expanda.

woodylad · Member

I would be very interested to hear what GN's think about pro's and cons of the Jeep versus the Nissan V6 Diesel? I'm going to purchase a vehicle with 3000kg towing capacity (intending also to buy a Jayco Stirling). We are Kiwis going to do the big lap and have no experience towing big rigs in Australia, 30 years experience towing large caravans in Europe. I'm thinking that diesel fuel is preferred? Is LPG an option? We plan to start our adventure February 2014. Any advise would be gladly accepted!!!!

Koko · Member

Thanks to all for your input. Well after a lot of research, test drives, discussions with dealers and motoring bodies, the decision has been made and the Landcruiser has come out on top. We have looked at some beautifully appointed SUV's with lots of bells and wihistles, I really liked the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel. Very hard to get looking at mid next year as they are now working on a new model. But after talking to a lot of people, we kept coming back to the Landcruiser 200 series Altitude V8 Diesel. Maybe a bit pricey, but has what we need and has the capability and more to tow our van. When looking back at all the cars we have had over the years the 3 Landcruisers that we have had, definately came out on top we realiabily. Yesterday we signed on the dotted line and should take delivery this week. It will be a sad day when I say goodbye to my much loved Volvo XC90, but looking forward to many happy times in our Cruiser.