We are thinking of buying a new Toyota Land Cruiser and as part of our searching for reviews are getting mixed information.
We would like to ask for honest opinions from anyone out there who has a Cruiser how many litres per 100 you get when towing a caravan and not towing a caravan. Also information on towing uphill and in flat road conditions.
We are going on a trip in July over to Western Australia and we thought that our best investment would be a Cruiser. However just to add a little more to the story we were also looking at a Ford Ranger, but thought that the Cruiser would be more of an investment rather than just a (car) because it will not be our primary car.
Hi PKD2GO, (good name), we have a new Land Cruiser and the fuel usage is so far is : Around town 13lt klm per 100 Open road 11.5 Towing 20 3.5t caravan
We bought a Sahara and have increased the GVM to 3.8t Hoping the value stays high but my tip would be to purchase the vehicle to suit your caravan weight Dhutime
-- Edited by Dhutime on Friday 27th of January 2017 06:00:38 PM
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Keep your eyes open so you can see where you are heading
We have 2014 cruiser vx. We get 14 to 15 around town and 19 to 21 towing 3 ton van unless with head wind then it goes up to 23. We then get about 18 when we put the boat on top as it breaks the wind. Love the cruiser for comfort.
Thanks Dhutime for your input, we guess that because the car will only be used for travelling the comfort outweighs the cost of fuel. We re looking at getting a VX like Pam and Trevor, we figured we don't need the bells and whistles especially as we have a Prado at the moment and have not even used the entertainment system after 4 years.
PS I gave the PKD2GO number plate to my husband for his 60th birthday.
-- Edited by PKD2GO on Friday 27th of January 2017 08:08:53 PM
We have a 200 Series GXL . We had a Pajero which was fine for our smaller van but when we updated the van was always on the edge of being legal so did quite a bit of research and in the end decided to purchase the cruiser. Reasons were good towing ability, very comfortable and quiet ( we also have a falcon as our everyday car and it is as comfortable and quiet as this) Looked at resale and they definitely hold their value better than other vehicles. We get on an average about 11-12 not towing and anywhere between 18-20 towing but depends also on conditions. Up hills just pulls the van up (2600) very easily . Did 17000 last year to WA and so pleased we decided to go the way we did .
Hi. Basically depends on your van and it's weights.
2 tonish. Pajero. Ranger. etc. But the Toyota ute waay behind the rest.
Over 2.5 ton. Landcruiser. GU62 Patrol. Fuel usage approx same as Tojo going by reports you read. Over 3 ton. Japanese Light truck dual cab, or US Utes..
You CAN upgrade the spec's on some. to 3.8ish ton. to keep you inside weights limits. BUT. It doesn't mean you're safe or Safer. Just legal on paper.
If you ain't got van yet. Look at 5thers too. more towing\carrying capacity with a ute. and definitely safer to tow than a caravan hanging off your arse.
PS.
Investments....Cars?? More like depreciation's I'd say.
I'm an ex biker\ie?.
We called cars. "Rust Buckets".
Ever wonder why.
They all end up in wreckers\scrap yards. all Brown and holey....
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 27th of January 2017 11:54:25 PM
Thanks Bill B, I agree with your comment whole heartedly but we just wanted to get opinions from actual people who have these vehicles, not users who are being paid by the companies who are trying to sell their product.
We are thinking of buying a new Toyota Land Cruiser and as part of our searching for reviews are getting mixed information.
We would like to ask for honest opinions from anyone out there who has a Cruiser how many litres per 100 you get when towing a caravan and not towing a caravan. Also information on towing uphill and in flat road conditions.
We are going on a trip in July over to Western Australia and we thought that our best investment would be a Cruiser. However just to add a little more to the story we were also looking at a Ford Ranger, but thought that the Cruiser would be more of an investment rather than just a (car) because it will not be our primary car.
Thanks in advance for your opinions,
PKD2GO.
Hi PKD2GO,
We moved up in Dec 2012 after owning our V6 3.4 petrol for 15 years and 445,000km on the clock.
We brought New a 200TTD GX with barn doors (Yes) Way to go. If you want extra space in the cab, you can remove the rear split seats (saving 106kg weight forward of the rear axle)without setting off alarms and dash lights. The 8 bolts that hold the same seats in, are reused to secure 8 cargo hooks to the floor. Plus the 4 seat hooks =12 in total. We have a Milford Cargo barrier in the back.
We brought ours for work / going forward into retirement, with towing both a Jayco Journey outback fitted with extended drawbar ,all up 2680kg. Our first trip Sydney to Exmouth WA Plus last year. Going over at 100kmph in fifth 18's lts per 100. Tyres were at 40psi. The return trip with tyres at 50psi 16.1 -16.3 all the way. The power reserve is sensational, Plus towing our 6.3mtr boat again (1890kg Fully loaded) in 8 weeks back to Exmouth WA. Last Trip (15.8- 16.1lt per 100km.)
Driving in Sydney traffic for 4 years 12.9 13km per 100.
It sits on 1800rpm in 5th all day, up hill and down dale, towing.
It has the same motor and transmission as all the other models LESS the cost.In Dec 2012 we paid $71,998 driveaway .
Its the very best long term tug for us, as I will keep her till forever. A real work horse without working.
Regards Jim & Lambie
PS: While at home the tug is now used for towing 95%
We use our Corolla for our every day running around.
PS: We never use roof or luggage racks on any of our trips. We do have ARB bull bar and side rails with side steps.
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 28th of January 2017 10:12:23 AM
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 28th of January 2017 10:24:26 AM
Thanks Jim and Lambie you have really given us something to work with, and the fact that you have been to WA gives us a better idea of what we are looking at fuel wise.
We like the idea of taking out the rear seats and the platform in the back is a great idea, we have a fridge in the back plus tools etc that we keep for emergencies.
Thanks Jim and Lambie you have really given us something to work with, and the fact that you have been to WA gives us a better idea of what we are looking at fuel wise.
We like the idea of taking out the rear seats and the platform in the back is a great idea, we have a fridge in the back plus tools etc that we keep for emergencies.
Hi PKD2GO,
The logistics of camping for 3 months is huge.
Yes taking out the seats is awesone. We a off to WA at the end of March. Can't take the van. So we go back to our 7mtr x3.6 Dimanteama Cabin tent Plus the kitchen. All up, (9mtr's) with ALL THE EXTRA's.
After these photo's were taken I installed a Orr's fridge slide with walls around, so I could pack right up to the edge.
The floor is a Orr's custom that use's the existing 4 x cargo tie down points And has a rating of 380kg.
I built it for our long term travels. By measuring very accurately I was able to set the floor with 220mm clearance beneath.
Beside the fridge mount I can stack the equivalent of 8 milk creates.With fishing gear/ kitchen gear etc.
Behind the drivers/ passengers seats 36kg of tent poles and 60kg of tent canvas, ( which replaces the weight of the seats.) all ancored with 800kg ratchet straps.2 small tables and 2 chairs get ratcheted to the cargo barrier.
My fishing rods sit in the top of the roof. I had the cargo barrier modified to accommodate them.
We take Sat TV, 150lt chest freezer, 120lt bar fridge,2 x full Bunnings tables all carried and anchored in the boat.
Plus all the tools and gear needed for servicing and road side issues.
Its a lot of work. But at the end of the day, we make peoples fishing dreams come true. We love the West.
The GX can carry it all, then some.
We have made so many long term friendships over in the west.
Jim & Lambie
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Saturday 28th of January 2017 11:30:13 AM
PKD,
How large is your caravan if a big Tandem, when you load up the tug and the van you may find the GCM (Gross Combined Mass) is more than that allowed for the Ranger but still within the Cruisers capabilities.
We have a new 200 Series GXL Landcruiser. We had a Lovells GVM upgrade, which is recognised Australia wide, done before we bought it and along with that comes a lift. We have had it almost 6 months and love it for comfort and for the ease with which it tows. The worst we have had was 26L/100km into a dreadful headwind. Generally when towing it is around 20/100, sometimes a little less, sometimes more. Currently we tow a 2.5 offroad caravan. We knew when buying this that fuel consumption would not be great but anted to power and the ability for towing a heavier load as we are considering upgrading our van. When we do so we will check weights and may get a Lovells GCM upgrade if we feel it necessary.
Beautiful vehicles, wished I could justify the $$$ to buy and the running costs but I can't. :(
There is a reason why the LandCruiser has dual fuel tanks giving 138 litre fuel carrying capacity. That bigger engine is more powerful and can tow more but it also uses more juice and in some parts of Oz you would not make it between road houses before you ran dry.
Hylife wrote: There is a reason why the LandCruiser has dual fuel tanks giving 138 litre fuel carrying capacity. That bigger engine is more powerful and can tow more but it also uses more juice and in some parts of Oz you would not make it between road houses before you ran dry.
Towing nearly 3 tonnes I have never got less than 600 klms from full tanks .
Would you care to name some of the roadhouses a 200 Cruiser wouldn't make it between without a top up
Hylife wrote: There is a reason why the LandCruiser has dual fuel tanks giving 138 litre fuel carrying capacity. That bigger engine is more powerful and can tow more but it also uses more juice and in some parts of Oz you would not make it between road houses before you ran dry.
Towing nearly 3 tonnes I have never got less than 600 klms from full tanks .
Would you care to name some of the roadhouses a 200 Cruiser wouldn't make it between without a top up
I agree Bill.
Go for the Cruiser PKD2GO. You won't be sorry.
-- Edited by sandsmere on Tuesday 31st of January 2017 10:45:23 AM
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Nappies and Politicians should be changed often . For the same reason .
I own a Patrol Y62 - but I am NOT here to speak about it - I would like to make a comment on the LC200.
For resale value, they are superb. Full stop. They are popular, well regarded amongst those who own them, and have a good reputation in many aspects.
As for fuel consumption, there are lot of stories, lots of tales. Then there is science. At X km/h, with Y frontal surface area, a vehicle will require Z power. Change the speed, the power requirement will change. Change the frontal surface area, the power requirement will change. The only variable is the volumetric efficiency of the engine, and despite various claims, there isn't a whole lot of difference in between the various diesel engines in modern towing vehicles.
For what it's worth - you will have many years of enjoyment out of it. You only live once :)
Hi everyone,
You will be happy to know that we purchased a VX Landcruiser today 2016 model, we will be picking it up Friday week and we are excited.
We were lucky enough to be able to take the Toyota dealers demo for 2 hours to get a feel for it and to test it on the open road and parking, and we loved the comfort and power.
We are comfortable in the knowledge that we can now tow our 22ft van with all our goods and chatels and not worry anymore. Even though we loved our Prado we were just constantly mindful of what we could put in the van and the car which meant leaving the generator at home or the annexe.
To that end we would like to thank everyone for your input and honest opinions.
Hope to see you on the road!
Cheers Geoff and Michele (PKD2GO)
a nice vehicle for sure. Just be aware that with a total payload from Tare of 680 kg, you will still need to be somewhat careful what you load.
Your van tow ball weight would be around 250kg, both of yourselves would be around 140 kg in total and then a full tank of fuel will add about 105 kg. That is 495 kg of your load gone before anything else such as towbar, bull bar, roof racks, fridge or whatever else you plan to carry in the car. You will have accurate figures for your weights and the van tow ball weight, so can be more precise, but you do need to be careful.
Enjoy your travels.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
