Hi folks, I have a Jayco Westport Van on hold -- tare 1600kg -atm 2020 -- looking myself blind in deciding as to what to aquire for a Tug -- Aus is a lot "Wilder"than NZ, looking at Toyota,
Cruiser, Prado, Terracan Ford ranger/ BT50 -- prefer Diesel -- The Terracan i am thinking about has the rear suspension upgrade, diesel 2.9lt with full service chip for fuel and power -- rigged to tow a van --2006 165000km -- thoughts-- there is so much out there --the variety viable is mind boggling --there are a lot of you out there that have had different tugs --your view would be appreciated very very much ---
i am a retired truckie ,seen alot of h/way from Perth Melbourne, Sydney, east coast up to Airley Beach up to Cairns - some inland parts, always respected the caravans, traveling public, Its becoming my turn to ply the roads h/ways with a van -- is there still respect out there ??????????
Hi Kenny I like the Kenworth pic. My experience so far is don't get a Prado to Tow 2 Ton. Why. My van is a Jaco Sterling Pop top Tandem axles. I have a 2008 Grande 3 lt Diesel ( Always filled with BP ) which is a lovely Car, tows and handles well, comfortable as, 14 lt per 100 km and a range of 1000km on the two tanks of diesel. I feel it struggles power wise. We have done 1 full lap and 2 half laps of oz and many trips in between but the gears are constantly changing no matter what speed I go. Slight rises in the road or head or tail winds have the car changing from 4th 4 1/2 to 5th most of the time. 180000 km and no problems at all but my next car will be a v8 diesel Land cruiser, I know people who have got them and they tow 3 plus tons in top gear with ease. So Kenny cross the Prado off your list good luck with what ever you get . Tom.
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Made Beer Bottles for 44 years..... Now.... just test them.
It is a good question you ask. We went to buy a Merc ML350, but the first thing the sales rep ask us was - what are you going to us it for.
Answer, to tow a caravan aroung Aus. His straight reply was; you are in the wrong yard, the Merc will cope in WA (i'm in Mandurah just south of Perth) but will struggle on the eastern side of Aus. You need to go to Toyota and purchase a 200 Series Landcruiser.
Which we did. Its a Diesel 4.5 Ltr Twin Turbo V8, 2013 Model. Purchased it new for our retirement (Hope to "Tee Off" Jan 2017)
I have just been on my maiden voyage in a van I build, which weighs 2200 Kg Tare. I travelled light, so possibly was only 2500 Kg all up.
My fuel usage varied from 17.28 Lts/100 with a slight tail wind; but some hills, to 19.45 Ltrs/100 with a strong head wind.
These figures are for travel at 100 Km`s/Hr on Cruise control.
Very comfortable and no slow grinds up hill or head winds.
