Im looking at buying a new vehicle to tow my poptop van (17ft, 960kg empty, mechanical brakes) and was hoping on any feedback , pros & cons on the following vehicle based on towing, comfort and fuel economy.
Looking at 4x4 and diesel engine/auto
Mazda BT50
Ford Ranger
Nissan Navara
Toyota Hilux
Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Check out the VW Amrock reports about it's tow capabilities and fuel consumption in the Caravan and Caravan magazines. People will tell you no way spares are hard to find. Most stuff has to be freighted in from the main warehouses for all makes so that doesn't wash and the reliability factor is a major plus.
Guy in the park next to me has the base model and says he wishes they had been around years ago.
I picked up my BT50 in January last year and left home towing a 21' Paramount Classic, fully loaded in June. Done in excess of 27,000kms to date and it hasn't missed a beat.
I upgraded the suspension in Darwin, otherwise it's stock standard. It is a Freestyle cab/chassis with a steel tray. I'm also carrying a Hobie Mirage Outback kayak on top. Did the Gibb River Road (without the van) and it performed faultlessly.
Best bit is, it was about $7000 cheaper than the Ranger.
You could do worse.
The Phantom
-- Edited by The Phantom on Wednesday 29th of January 2014 08:45:18 PM
I am not having a go at bt50s, but the next door neighbor blew a motor is his because of worn injectors and bad fuel.Common rail diesels inject at very high pressures, and their injectors wear out quicker. Has anybody else had any problems. Bill
I am not having a go at bt50s, but the next door neighbor blew a motor is his because of worn injectors and bad fuel.Common rail diesels inject at very high pressures, and their injectors wear out quicker. Has anybody else had any problems. Bill
I would say dirty or contaminated fuel ?? Someone part filled with E10 ??
