using a truck as tow vehicle pros/cons ???

BAILEY · Veteran Member

using a truck as tow vehicle pros/cons ???

patrolst · Senior Member

Hi Bailey.

It may be worth checking out the tow hitch as the ridged chassis and suspension of the truck may be too severe on the caravan.

A few years back a friend who worked around the country side and use to put his car on the truck, then hitch the van to the back of the truck but he had a hitch with coil springs and shock absorbers attached, in those times I use to see a few around so I'm not sure if they can still be obtained.

justcruisin01 · Guru

I have thought of this as well for when the time comes to replace the tug. These days we tend to want to carry every thing with us that opens & closes, boats & genny, solar , the list goes on.

With vans getting bigger & load limits being pushed I think a vehicle of this type would give you the added load carring capacity therefore not over loading the van &/or tug.

Draw backs, parking to do the shopping, less comfort in ride.

Cost, comparable with some 4x4's. Cheaper than yankie 4x4's.

JC.

justcruisin01 · Guru

patrolst wrote:
Hi Bailey.
It may be worth checking out the tow hitch as the ridged chassis and suspension of the truck may be too severe on the caravan.
A few years back a friend who worked around the country side and use to put his car on the truck, then hitch the van to the back of the truck but he had a hitch with coil springs and shock absorbers attached, in those times I use to see a few around so I'm not sure if they can still be obtained.

There is an air bag cushioned hitch available, maybe a good system, also some 5th wheelers use air bag on the hitch.

sufil · Guru

We tow with a mazda T4000 crew cab, put the Rav4 on the back,tinny on top and tow a 24ft Scenic. We tend to travel at around the 90 kph mark and average just over 5 kms to the litre. (On a good day our Cruiser got 3.5!!).We just have a regular tow hitch.The original hitch was too high so we had it modified by an engineer. ( before anyone starts on modifications and the legalities ,yes we have the paperwork in case the unthinkable ever happens).We find it quite comfortable but then we like firmer, more erect seating anyway.

sufil · Guru

Ooops that wasn't supposed to happen,was only supposed to be the attachment picture. Must stop talking to grandies while doing stuff on the computor!!

ROWDYRABBIT1 · Senior Member

As per most of us ,our backs are not as good as they used to be it is better for the back as motion is mainly up and down ,i dont get that side ways rocking which twists the back Rod

spice · Senior Member

I use a NPR200 as a tow vehicle, works for me a I carry a boat in the back of the truck, Rod

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We don't tow a caravan, but we drive an OKA which is a 4WD "truck", I guess.

The most dramatic thing I remember after first getting it was the view.
You actually see MUCH more from up there.
And if you are unlucky enough to hit a roo, it will probably go underneath and not do any damage whatever.

The other thing to consider is that 'trucks' are typically built for WORK, lots of it, for year after year.

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Sunday 13th of January 2013 05:05:49 PM

Landfall · Guru

As motor homes are based on trucks, there should be little, if any, difference in ride comfort.

The upright position would be better for bad backs.

Great looking outfit "sufil" very practical, far more useful IMO than a motorhome.

Ken

spice · Senior Member

In 2012 I covered 14,535 kilometres in total and 12,183 kilometres with the van and averaged 5.7997 kilometres per litre or 17.32 litres per 100 kilometres, Rod

brickies · Guru

Have meet many on the road with a truck towing their home with boat on the back and lots of tools , the ones I have talk to were tradies who were doing work has they traveled , They all said these diesel small truck use no more feul than a 4 x 4 . When I was a Maleny Showgrounds this bloke with a large caravan and truck with lockable carboards on the tray back had just been to The Sunshine Coast to pick up his new boat started building ramps to load and unload the boat he was set up like a mobile workshop , He said they enjoy sitting up high has view of the country side is better