After picking up our new van a couple of weeks ago, the weekend just gone was our first trip away. A massive 70km from home (and that was the long way there ).
At an ATM of 2740kg the Triton (3000kg ATM) certainly knows it's pulling something now. The Jayco Camper and the 15' Crusader pop top we previously had were a breeze. I deliberately filled the 190 Lt water tank to the brim and took all the goodies we would take on a longer trip just to get a feel for it. On the flat Barrie (that's the Triton) was happy to sit on 100kph without any drama. Yes the take off from a standing start is slow (er) and the gearbox is now dipping into lower gears on a hill climb that it wouldn't before, but nothing I wouldn't expect. Barry was happy holding 80kph at 2500rpm on a steep hill, nothing earth shattering but then why thrash it to go quicker, our destination wasn't going anywhere.
Arriving at Pt Elliot C/P gave us a bit of a fright. I didn't think I'd asked for the narrowest entry to the smallest site there but we had it. . Two goes and no arguements had the van parked, Boy I'm good (or was it the expert direction the Boss was giving me. ). Anyway a longer rig did seem easier to reverse.
All in all a successful weekend and we can't wait to do it all again
Ha ha, our white Triton was called Barry too...great minds eh.
On our 'shakedown' trip with our last van showed that the most important thing we forgot to take was a pen & paper to write down the other things we forgot.
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Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
Always good to do a short trip first. Glad things went well for you. Your comments on the Triton towing near to it's maximum capacity highlight how optimistic all of the '' rated towing capacities'' of the current crop of dual cab 4X4 utes are. Dragging a heavy van around will obviously result in issues down the track. Our 2015 Navara is only towing 1600kg but runs out of puff on inclines. Can't imagine what it would be like towing 3000kg plus a tinny on the roof. Some people do it though.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Back today from our first "Big" trip. Aldinga Beach to Swan Hill and back, 1196km with some sight seeing thrown in.
For those who have asked in the past my 4x4 Auto Triton (Barry to his friends) pulling our new 2740kg (ATM) Kokoda van averaged 17.6Lt/100km on the way there. Some hills out of Adelaide and the flat mallee highways via Lameroo, etc. The way back was just a little different, Windy as "@#%!!" and heading right into it. 20.2 to 24.7lt/100km, ouch! But, I was very pleased with the stability of the whole outfit.
The only downside to the trip was somewhere in the Adelaide hills a tree branch "punched" my brand spanking new sola panel. Anyone want to buy a slightly used sola panel (95% shiny).
All in all a great trip and very pleased with our new baby
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Live Long and Prosper
MN Triton auto diesel 4x4 & 20' 6" Kokoda Tribute II XL Platinum
We are yet to kick off our caravan adventure, due to start in Dec this year. I have to say, 20+lt/100km scares the dickens out of me and my budget. Thanks for the heads up.
Cheers, Colin
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Three cheers for dog-friendly camping and responsible dog owners.
Our previous van was a pop top at around 1800kg ATM, I used to get 12.9Lt/100km. Less weight and wind resistance than the Full van. Our Jayco Camper was even less.
The 17.6Lt/100km with the new full sized van at 2740kg ATM was kinda what I was expecting (less would have been nice tho' )
The 20.2 to 24.7Lt/100km was what I would call the very worst of conditions. Side and head winds of ridiculous proportions. Hell I recon I would have got 5Lt/100km if I turned around and went back!
Anyway, I now understand why some have said in this forum "If it's real windy, wait and travel on a calmer day". Good advice me thinks
The Mitsi Triton on occasion gets bagged quite a lot compared to some of it's bigger brothers (Coli's, BT50's, etc). Yes it's only rated at 3 tonne ATM but it does depend on what your pulling, and at $10-$15k less than it's big brothers means value for money. I also seem to remember an article somewhere telling of the Tritons GTM being not to shabby compared to the others.
I'll temper my words with the following admission. "I'm a 30years (ex) Mitsi employee" and I do have soft spot for the product. But I do feel the Triton is still value for money in today's market.
If your pulling 3t or more then there is better suited Tugs out there. Our van has an ATM of 2740kg so it's getting up there, but then that's why I spent a bit more and fitted a WDH (weight distribution hitch) and ALKO ESC (Electronic Stability Control).
I hope that info is of use to you
Jeff
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Live Long and Prosper
MN Triton auto diesel 4x4 & 20' 6" Kokoda Tribute II XL Platinum
).
. Two goes and no arguements had the van parked, Boy I'm good 
). Anyway a longer rig did seem easier to reverse.
But, I was very pleased with the stability of the whole outfit.
