I'll admit that I'm not a greynomad! But I'm in need of some advice and figured that where better to ask than here!!
I am looking to buy a car to tow my horse float during weekends and be my run around during the week. My float, when loaded, varies from 2600kg - 2900kg and when I am competing I will be driving all around the Great Southern averaging 500-600km one way per trip. Naturally I need something that is going to easily tow that weight, but also have the grunt to give me extra power in the moments when it's needed - we all know what it can be like on the roads with a float or caravan and other drivers!
I've been competing since I was young and so my family has had it's share of vehicles (80, 100 and 200 series cruisers, 2012 DMax, 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2015 Navara) and out of that the cruiser and Dmax were the most reliable and easy to part source, and the jeep was fabulous all round but was $$$ for parts.
Sadly, I have a limited budget and so the cruisers and jeeps are out of the question (I only have around $30,000), and I am not too keen on the exteriors of the Dmax. This being said I could sway if the right one was found.
I am looking at the BT50 for its power and price vs kms - however I know not much about their longevity on the roads. Much to my fathers disgust (he's an avid cruiser man), I've contemplated the Pajero too for the luxury aspect it provides whilst still giving power, though not as much as the BT50.
ANY advice, experience or general info is very very very appreciated!!!
When you inside a vehicle you can't SEE it. when you get out. You walking away so STILL can't se it. What's the problem.
They all just a set of wheels with coupla seats and brakes. Everything else is incidental I'm an ex bikie. they ALL tin cans.
I'd only use a D'max or Pajero out of any of them.
The BT50 is just a Ford with different label. They not going so good out in the mines where 5 of my family work. F150/250 would be different kettle of fish. I've had , Son has. Navara. gret engine and ute. But thirsty and We found rev gear too high. for towing with boats and caravan.
Patrol.... Look at one of them?. You'll get a late model '08/9 for that price. and with log books would do best job.
2.6 ton UP is on or over limits for a ute realistically, and with 2 horses you'll be wayyyyy over. even one (I had an Appy 16.1.h. Trail. Cross country, and Jumper))
if anything goes wrong, they too light on and slidy on tyres to control a Tandem float.. and with your favourite horse in there. no way I'd do it. I'm an ex trucky over a lot of yrs (50+) Seen too many.
D,Max with load in back would be choice of your choices. with chip and Converter lockup ($475) I think Paj is only 2.5t, or was.
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 15th of July 2016 03:47:02 PM
Estelle, if you are able to observe what is out here towing large vans all around Oz you will see that most people who do not have superfluous funds tow with a Pajero. Very popular ,very comfortable, not too big to handle when doing the shopping and a very reliable car. A very good all rounder if you can't afford or don't want a huge 'Cruiser.Good luck, you should be able to get a really nice one for your price range.pajero from 2012 can tow 3 tonne, so most suitable .Fuel consumption quite economical, too.
-- Edited by wendycarlene on Friday 15th of July 2016 03:48:02 PM
Pajero is 3 ton from 2012 depending on Towbar weight.
All those little 4 Cyl diesels profit from Exhaust/Chip upgrade and, when towing loads.
a Torque Converter lock up from Wholesale Auto's.
That 2 grand ish does more for your veh as a tug.
Than anything else.
Set of Ironman 1\2 leaf helpers at rear if leaf.
Sorts any sag.
and/or, pr of King Coils best value for money.
Here's a clip from another forum about BT50
Actual experiences.
Same veh as Ranger, and they no good in mines.
This is long. but please persevere to end.
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Mazda BT50 (Ranger) not suitable for carrying loads on rough roads
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012 at 20:12
Member - Geoff M (VIC)
After the last catastrophic failure on my BT-50, I have come to the conclusion that the vehicle is not suitable for consistently carrying loads on rough roads or travelling to remote locations. The loads carried on the BT50 have been below the GVM, yet the failures have still occurred.
The latest failure was the wheel and axle from the LHS rear of the vehicle becoming dislodged. Photo below:
Image Could Not Be Found
After the vehicle was trailered back to my local mechanic, the complete axle assembly was sent to a specialist workshop in Melbourne for assessment and repair. The report back was that the actual housing was bent and was not capable of carrying the load. In fact the repairer stated that little effort in the press was required to straighten the housing.
This is the second major failure on the BT50 in the past 12 months. In a remote location last year, the chassis cracked on both sides.
A summary of the various faults and problems that have occurred on the BT50 over the past 4 ½ years is as follows:
1. Crack in weld on rear axle housing (new housing replaced under warranty)
2. Broken rear spring (replaced by aftermarket supplier of springs under warranty)
3. Stuck injectors in engine (replaced under warranty)
4. Faulty throttle sensor (replaced at my cost)
5. Installation problem with rear differential lock (fixed at my cost)
6. Chassis break (fixed at my great cost)
7. Axle dislodgement (fixed at my cost)
The purchase and build-up of the BT50 was supposed to be a long term proposition, to allow us to travel to remote locations and enjoy camping at these places. Unfortunately the BT50 is not the vehicle that can reliably be used for this purpose, so I will need to find a different vehicle that can meet my needs.
It is disappointing to investigate, purchase and enhance a vehicle for touring then find that it is not up to the task. It has cost a lot of money, caused inconvenience and holiday plans to be changed, and been a stressful experience at times.
Mazda have been connected on several occasions (dealer and head office) and have listened to my story, but have offered no suggestions or even seemed interested in helping.
By relaying my experiences I am hopeful that perhaps other owners will not have to go through the same experiences and expense that I have had to. The roads and tracks travelled have been typical outback fare with corrugations - I have not taken the BT50 in places that my previous vehicle had been! Also the load was kept to a minimum - we selected one of the lightest slideon campers on the market and tried to minimise what we carried.
End of post......
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If you love your gee-gee's I wouldn't use ANY ute for that weight.
Toyota's I wouldn't have a bar of. seen too many sick over the yrs.
My last three have been Nissan.
Navara in '90's. then GQ and an '02, 3 ltr Patrol.
That veh history as follows.
Towed 6.5mtr off road van all it's life 3 to 4 months a yr. 2.7 to 3.1 ton.
with it's own weght averaging 3.2 ton, loaded, with tinny on top.
In all that time '02. till 18 mths ago. that car cost me over and above maint and tyres etc.
a sum total of $430.... For a "Key ring sensor".
That was it.
I've travelled with a lot of toyota's over the yrs. ALL used a lot more fuel than I, on same trip/loads.
and mainly had a lot more costs in Maint/repairs.
Late model 100ser with modified front end. (They fell apart on corrugations regularly)
Would be only Tojo I'd touch.
2003 onwards Patrol 3 ltr, then add chip Exh and shockers/rear springs.
Will take you anywhere for a looong time. reliably.
Just maintain properly using full Synthetic oils right through. and stay away from Auto.
UNLESS you fit a Wholesale Auto's converter lock.
That fixes them 94%.
Mine was manual. with D;Tronic Chip. tuned exh. King 2in lift coils, EFS Shockers
with solid flywheel/Safari Clutch..
magic tow vehicle.
and you'd pick one of those. WITH books to prove service around an '08/09 for under $30k
DON't buy ANY tug --------without------- FULL LOG BOOKS for servicing done.
Never buy one that's had it all done and worked.
Look for a basic old farts truck with decent low mileage.
and be willing to go Interstate.
Mine sold for $17.500 to first buyer.
He's been towing his 2.7 ton van ever since and happy as Larry.
But mine was better than new, seriously..
and averaged 6.5kmph WITH van on back. At road speeds mainly
Have done 940km's on Primary 95 ltr tank without light coming on.
at road speeds by itself. Yeppoon to Melb, or Adel.
Bloke over the road, last yr. bought an '08 manual, with 76k on for just under $28k
Immaculate. and I bought for granddaughter,
a '2000 Auto WITH update motor for $8.000, $450 for Auto lockup
She sweet as.
Utes. and big lods BEHIND them.
are NOT safe when things go wrong. NO control of trailer.
regardless of engine power. Traction is the controller.
light rear ends do nOT have traction with heavy weight pulling sideways.
believe me.
Ex trucky seen quite a few over 50odd yrs
