Purchase of a new Towing Vehicle

Wendy · Member

Purchase of a new Towing Vehicle

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Wendy, In my opinion there is no such thing as overkill in this situation.

The more tow weight you have in your tug the less work it has to do.

Either tug you mentioned would be a good choice, I think the Colorado is the better of the two though but take a peak at the Ford Ranger and Isuzu DMax before you make your final choice. I think you will find the DMax is a lot cheaper.

Try and go with 4x4 Diesel as you will have greater flexibility. A canopy fitted to the back would be a good way to go as well.

My opinion only of course.

ozjohn · Guru

The latest model (RG) Colorado has a tow capacity of 3500Kg.
Ozjohn.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I did think that was the case John but didn't want to mention it to Wendy incase I was wrong. I put my foot in things enough without adding to it. smile

I know someone that has the new Colorado and reckons it's the best thing since the wheel was invented. He has 2,800kg hooked up and usually has the tug loaded to the roof as well and has no problems, he has the 4x4 diesel auto.

GaryKelly · Guru

For what it's worth, I agree with Doug. More capacity, less work, and probably increased longevity.

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi ,I'll put my pennys worth in too.I have always felt that it's better to run a larger engine at half speed than a smaller engine at full speed. You also have the benefit of having something left to work with. Much better to have a reserve of power than have nothing. Take ships ,their 'Cruising' speed is nothing like top speed they always have something in reserve ,something to play with when needed. When towing the analogy is the same you need something in reserve.

Wendy · Member

Thank you all for your input. It has reaffirmed my initial thoughts. Better to have a bit larger towing capacity, and also the diesel fuel is a must have. Canopy as well as I travelled once before with the generator inside the vehicle and it drove me a little crazy the smell.

So overall, Navara or Colorado - both of them I like, with a canopy and diesel, twin cab, Automatic.

Let the hunt begin!!

Popeye · Senior Member

Wendy do not disregard the Isuzu DMax diesel, twin cab, Automatic.

KFT · Guru

Hi Wendy,

which Navara were you considering?

I have a 2012 ST-X with the V6 turbo diesel and 7 speed auto. We tow a 2500kg van and have just completed a 12500km trip on which it averaged 13.5 l/100km.

The V6 has power to burn when towing and is a very comfortable vehicle to travel in. We have a canopy as well to give us a bit more room in the cargo area.

frank

Wendy · Member

will investigate the dmax ta

Wendy · Member

Dont think i have the $$$ for such a recent model however will look at the turbo side of a little bit older model.

PeterD · Guru

Wendy, The main thing to look at is that you are not leaving yourself short of tow capacity. As others have said there is really no upper limit to purchasing tow capacity. When you have a selection of potential vehicles you then look to see if it has the carrying capacity within the vehicle. As you are looking at utes I assume you are desiring the capacity in the tub, either for you camping in it or the load you want to carry. I would say you are heading in the correct direction.

WAssa41 · Senior Member

Hi Wendy, we have a 09 Colorado 4x4 turbo intercooled diesel towing 23,Jayco 2500kg. We live on Mount Tamborine 1500, above sea level and I can travel almost all the way up in third (manual Gear box) the corners slow me down. I have also installed a preformance chip which gives that extra pulling power going up hills. Did the trip around the block covering 22,000k and averaged 15.1L/100 travelling at around 90-100kph, average 8.5L/100 when not towing on a trip. The colorado is a rebaged D-max. My wife has two rods in her back and finds that the ride is firm but not uncomfortable unless we trave for 6-7 hours and then we both feel the bumps. I think that is more old age rather than the tug.

We purchased ours second hand with about 40k on the clock and saved $000 on a new one.

Iam sure you will be more than happy with the Colorado.

Good luck and if you require any info let me know.

Regards,

Wassa

Cruising Granny · Guru

What they all said. You go girl!
I always say it costs less to have spare horses, than to suck the guts out of too few horses. They've given you good advice.
I know where there's a good 80 Series Landcruiser for sale. offers anyone? Anyone?
Safe and happy travels to you.

copper1 · Guru

Hey Wendy, we had a 2010 LTR Colorado great vehicle towing a 19' Coromal of about 24/2600kg done it easy at 16lrs to the 100. I also had her DP chipped and that made a difference the reason I know that id we had two LTR;s on our last trip in March one chipped ,one not. We then set off towing my 19" van and the other towing a 15" Avan .At the bowsr and we both travelled at between 90/100km/h on the road in the same conditions with a bigger van vs smaller van I would use at times 1/2 to 1 litre more in fuel, at fuel up so a worth while investment so much so we have chipped the second vehicle.

D and D · Guru

There are legal restrictions on towing capacities and simply because someone has used a particular vehicle to successfully tow a particular van doesn't necessarily make it legal. What also stuffs it up is the different rules applying in each of the states. I found this to be a good starting point to working out what capacity I needed in selecting a towing vehicle: http://www.towingguide.com.au/. More information can be found by Googling "caravan towing weights australia".

ozjohn · Guru

Wendy,
Prior to the latest models the Colorado was a clone of the Dmax with the same motor gear box etc.
But with the release of the latest models the Dmax has gone with the old motor (Slightly twigged) and the same gear box, while the Colorado has a different motor (Duramax) and a an Allison 6 speed auto. While the motor has 0.2Lts less it has loads more torque for towing. It leaves the Dmax in its dust.
I test drove quite a few different twin cab diesels before settling on the Colorado.
My first choice was the Mazda BT50, (Cheaper then Ford Ranger), but cheaper) but unfortunately it was out side my planned budget.
Second and final choice was the Colorado which fitted my budget.
Third choice was the Dmax, but while fitting my budget it couldn't match the torque of the others two.
OJ