Best car for towing

Rin and Steve · Member

Best car for towing

brickies · Guru

Welcome lots will tell you their tug is best very hard Question , First you will need to know what caravan you are going to tow and how heavy it is .good luck do some research on caravan then look for a tug that will do the job .

Dougwe · Chief one feather

After checking, I notice I haven't welcomed you so welcome to the gang Rin and Steve, enjoy here and out in the playground.

Now, It's all a personal choice really and there is a lot of choice out there.

Tug, you could go with Twin Cab Utes, Large 4x4's like the Landcruser, Nissan Patrol or even the Landrover . then you could even go bigger and get a F250 of similar, a small truck like the Iveco or Isuzu, choices choices choices.

Den, well you could get a campertrailer, campervan, caravan, motorhome or even a tent, don't laugh, seen heeps of tents out here again, choices choices choices.

See what I mean by choices!

I chose to go with a caravan and twin cab ute as listed in my signature as I felt I had more frexibility than with a motorhome or similar, my "choice" but otheres travel in motorhomes or similar, their choice. All choices again.

Research my friends, research and heaps of it and you should be out here in the playground quicker than quick.

Good luck with your "choice" and Keep Safe on the roads.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 31st of January 2016 06:29:46 PM

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Welcome to The Grey Nomads Rin and Steve :)

It depends on the size 'van you intend to tow and if it will be a poptop or hard top. Generally a "car" is not designed in terms of power or suspension to tow a larger van.

Let us know what sort of caravan you have or are thinking of getting and you get will get heaps of advice and suggestions from other members

Phil C · Guru

Welcome to the forum, this is a great place for information and fun.

This thread is sure to open a can of worms as I am an avid Ford man.

We bought a Ford Ranger XL Diesel 2012 new.

I tow a 2600KG caravan and returned 13.9 litres per 100 KMs last trip. We are setting out to Perth in a few weeks so stand by for an update on those numbers.

When we were looking for a new ute we had a couple of criteria.

1. Safe and comfortable.
2. Able to tow well within the Utes limits (3350KGs)
3. Reasonable mileage when towing and good mileage around town (8.6 lit per 100 around town)

Now the rest is up to you, we test drove a Colorado and the salesman advised us it needed a heavy duty tow bar upgrade to tow or van, we said goodby at that point as the Ford had it all together, our ute cost $42,000 with a lot of extras including heavy duty towbar, (only standard on the much more expensive XLT, cover for the ute tray (can't spell torn o) all round weather shields, snorkel and a few other bibs and bobs..

Take care when choosing, some vehicle manufacturers don't like the ESC or WDH systems (I believe they are both a must on big caravans.

Take care

Desert Dweller · Guru

On our travels we've noticed quite a few huge caravans being towed behind an underwhelming vehicle. Buy a tug capable of towing large loads & a van considerably under its maximum tow rating, that way you'll be legal & have a more relaxing towing experience.

Swoffer · Senior Member

Phil C wrote:
some vehicle manufacturers don't like the ESC or WDH systems (I believe they are both a must on big caravans.

Take care

Just for the dummies out there , what are these systems please ?

Phil C · Guru

Sorry, ESC is Electronic Stability Control, automatically applies the van brakes when it starts to sway. WDH is weight distribution hitch for balancing caravan tug combo at the tow ball.

deverall11 · Guru

Rin and Steve wrote:
looking to start out soon and would welcome suggestions on what type of car is best for towing a decent size van

If you buy a 200 series Landcruiser you will have plenty of scope when choosing your van. You can tow a 16' 1800 kg GVM single axle right up to 3.5t GVM 24' dual axle with all the fruits. Your choice your budget. Just remember, there is no such thing as 'type of car is best for towing a decent size van'. You choose the vehicle that will tow the weight you require all within your budgetary constraints.

Good luck, Larry

Delta18 · Guru

Rin and Steve wrote:
looking to start out soon and would welcome suggestions on what type of car is best for towing a decent size van

Without meaning to sound condescending I would respectfully suggest that if you need to ask this question you may like to look at a towing education course before purchasing a van or tow car.

There is a lot more involved than just buying what a forumite suggests then hooking up & travelling. We too often read of folk that have done just this and sad results have followed.

Do a course and learn your capabilities then buy a car and van to suit.

My opinion anyway.

Cheers & good luck, Neil.

Plendo · Guru

Welcome Rin and Steve, your first question is perhaps the most difficult thing you could ask, everyone thinks they know the answer, and everyone's answer is different, and with good reason, everyones situaton is different.

No one can give you your answer.

But perhaps we can guide you to find your own answer, point out some of the things you should consider when looking at what to get.

The biggest factors will be what you plan to tow (you have indicated a large van), where you plan to go, how you expect to travel, and last but by no means least how much you plan to spend.

You indicated a large van, so it is safe to assume it will be heavy. Many vehicles now claim the ability to tow over three tones, but I would be wary of the utes, they appear to be over rated. If you do need more than 3 ton towing capacity, then there are really only a handful of modern large SUVs that do the job well, Some people are now towing with light trucks which are proving to be very capable. You need to consider more than your towing capacity, look also at maximum ball weight, and how much payload you will have left when you have the maximum ball weight, the tanks full etc.

If you plan to go off road, then it cuts your field of contenders a different way, and effectively takes the light trucks out of the picture.

What sort of luxury do you want when you travel, think here about how long do you plan to spend in the vehicle. This is very much a personal choice, some people are happy with quite a basic vehicle, others just need the luxury.

As always budget comes in to play, and when you consider budget look not only at the purchase price, but also at things like service intervals.

Do yourself a favor and have a good look, some of the numbers may surprise you (then again I just might be biased).

One of the caravan magazines did a good review recently, I think it was called the Ten Best Tow Vehicles in Australia", it is worth a look.

Good luck with your research.

hako · Guru

Your bio suggest you are buying a motorhome? .......but if you are now looking at a car/caravan setup then you need to decide if you want to drive a car, SUV or utility vehicle then onto caravans when you decide single/dual axle, offroad, self contained, poptop, camper etc etc.
So if you could give an indication of roughly where your thoughts are you will stand a better chance of getting the answer you want.
Personally what we did was wander thru a few caravan parks and just shoot the breeze with van owners, this way we figured out just was suited us.

Good Luck.

Bevandy2 · Senior Member

Car and caravan are the most convenient options, so you don't have to take the house down to Woolies to buy a bottle of milk. But some homework is required re towing and reversing etc, and learn how to deal with the truckies so we all stay friends.

As all the above have mentioned, there is no short answer to this.
You should decide on the van first, what is it's total fully laden weight, (Gross Trailer Mass, AKA GTM) then choose a vehicle that the manufacturers claim has a towing limit that exceeds that weight, then get the tow bar fitted, TJM are the Hayman Reese agents, and can advise you on all the needs for towing, ie ball weight, electrical connection to the fridge etc.
We use an American set up, called Eaze Lift, as good as if not better than Hayman Reese, be careful what you choose. This is not something to cut costs on.

The vehicle needs some back bone, torque is important, when towing, (ie muscle) we tow a 16' pop top with a BF11 Falcon six, and it is brilliant, heaps of guts for towing, and we have fitted poly airbags to the rear suspension to take the weight without over stressing the rear suspension.

You'll need a brake controller fitted, Hayman Reese have one, but we had ours changed when it gave trouble and had fitted a Tekonsha Prodigy, which so far has proven to be a good choice. That's a whole different subject for you to explore.

Lots for you to explore, don't do anything rashly, do the home work and you'll have a fabulous retirement like the rest of us.

Bevan

Rin and Steve · Member

As we said , we are looking around, getting advice.

We already have decided on doing a refresher course as I haven't driven anything bigger than a car for years and certainly haven't towed for even longer, fortunately I retained my heavy rig licence . So, its a given that a course is a must when we are closer to the event, but for now we collect advice , look around ,take our time learning all we can. We were looking at a motorhome but are now leaning towards car/ van setup as it allows more freedom . The only downside that we can see is takes more time to set up on arrival at your destination.

As we intend to be away a long time, we are looking at 22 ft plus van with comfort a factor . Don't want to be too much under each others feet LOL . So like we say, any helpful suggestions, welcome at this research stage . Thanks to all previous contributions.

see you out there soon enough

Thanks guys

Rin and Steve

-- Edited by Rin and Steve on Monday 1st of February 2016 07:56:17 AM

brickies · Guru

But you be towing a car or a caravan

rockylizard · Guru

Plendo wrote:
Welcome Rin and Steve, ~~~SNIP
One of the caravan magazines did a good review recently, I think it was called the Ten Best Tow Vehicles in Australia", it is worth a look.
Good luck with your research.

Gday...

This was posted a while ago ... definitely not definitive, and quite possibly has the bias of the writer, but it may give some food for thought.

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t61445924/caravanworlds-top-10-tow-vehicles/

There are many comments on that thread that may be of assistance.

I believe that as stated in this thread by others, you have asked quite probably the most difficult question.

From my point of view, the purchase of a vehicle (or van) is completely dependent on what YOU want to meet YOUR needs/requirements.

This purchase will be driven by your budget, how you intend to use the vehicle/van ... will you be using it mainly as a commuter vehicle, will you be using it mainly as a tow vehicle, will you be expecting to go 'off road', if so, what type of 'off road', will you be travelling in remote areas or mainly populated areas, how comfortable do you need the vehicle to be. The list could go on and on.

With a few exceptions, everyone is happy with the vehicle they purchase to do the chore they have and I guess we all have a bias toward the vehicle we have chosen for ourselves.

Within some limitations, every vehicle on the market will do the job you require, every vehicle will have a problem from time to time. If only only one vehicle was considered the 'best tow vehicle' then it would not be long before it was the only one on the market.

Certainly do the 'research', seek opinion, weigh up the information - but ultimately it will really be what YOU want that best meets most (rather than all) of your requirements.

cheers - and happy searching and travelling - John

[edit: rocky cannot spell ]

-- Edited by rockylizard on Monday 1st of February 2016 08:44:58 AM

Rin and Steve · Member

Thanks John for posting the link , We will have a good read and no doubt it will be very helpful.
As you say, everyone has their own preferences and needs. we've already changed our minds from a motor home to a car and caravan with doing lots of research and we were totally convinced it would be a motor home.

Strange thing is, the closer we get to doing this, the more confused we get. Never mind, it will happen !!!

Thanks again for everyones help ;)

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Rin and Steve wrote:
We were looking at a motorhome but are now leaning towards car/ van setup as it allows more freedom .

From my perspective that is quite false.

A motorhome will go to many places that a car and caravan simply won't go because of its size.

A motorhome may also tow a boat, if you wish, without being overloaded.

The money needed for a caravan as you describe PLUS a suitable tug that won't be overloaded will buy you a lot of motorhome.

One registration instead of 2, one insurance instead of 2 and lower fuel consumption are the bonuses.

Cheers,

Peter

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

I just remembered (and found) this site ... quite comprehensive and I am sure will probably add to your confusion - but it contains some valid information.

https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/why-a-3500kg-tow-rating-may-not-really-be-a-3500kg-tow-rating/

Cheers - John

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

We have 8m motorhome . Other that MR licence . I don't have too many issues parking in shopping centres .. We mainly use the awning so packing up takes less than 2 min . Big changes are coming in Holden & Ford with new ( to Oz) vehicle . The Ford Territory is a good tow vehicle . But heavy towing ? A light truck cannot be beaten!! Patrols and Cruisers are basically light trucks . Or check Second hand Fuso, Misti, Isuzu etc . Turbo diesels are very efficient these day . They will need some additions to make combatable for your van ., storage etc .. Not rough ridding like old trucks either ..

Brisand · Veteran Member

Jeep Grand Cherokee without doubt, have had one for 30 months and really happy, great value and great towing capacity.

-- Edited by Brisand on Monday 1st of February 2016 10:11:09 PM

Salus · Member

I would advise you to read the info on the link provided by Rockylizard, especially the info surrounding the GCM and GVM tug's. Do your sums on the weights, water, fuel, food, Gen ?, clothing, bikes, ball weight and passengers, get the picture .

I'm now looking for a new tug that can tow 3.5t with a greater GCM than a piddly 6t for our full time tour of the back yard.

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Rin and Steve.

As you will be aware, there are lots of choices.

To help you decide and or eliminate, I offer my details.

I have just been to Victoria/NSW and return from Perth WA. 4 weeks in total for the there and back. (29th Dec 2015 - 27th Jan 2016)

I have a 2013, 200 Series V8 Landcruiser; twin turbo, Diesel Auto.

I used cruise control for the entire trip (9000km`s) and had it set for 100 Km`s/Hr. Not economical, but when you have to get from A - B in a short time!

My fuel comsumtion was: Good day (no head wind/cross wind) - 17.25 Lts/100 Km. Worst day 19.85 Lts/100 Km.

Fuel usage a bit high, but passed a lot of the 4 cylinder "Tugs" struggling with the winds.

An example: (wont mention vehicle make) but 4 cyl, duel cab with 22 Ft Van; 82 Ltrs for 180 Km`s. (Nullabor, SA - Border Village). That was my 19.85 Lt Day.

200 Series; total comfort, and nice to drive in all conditions.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

Hetho.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Op said CAR . So other than good ole Aussie 6 or SUV or van .. Towing draw bar weight legalities must be considered .. Jap or Euro light trucks is next best or in order .