What tow car? We're getting there :)

Mike Harding · Guru

What tow car? We're getting there :)

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Mike, my understanding is the Trailblazer has taken over from the Colorado 7. Under the bonnet is the same as a Colorado Ute. My Collie tows 2.7t quite well. I wouldn't go over 3t though.

I think the Isuzu Mux is similar and Ford have one too.

of course you could aways get a Ford F250, put a canopy on it, it's not a ute then. I want a 250 when I grow up.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 31st of January 2020 03:22:07 PM

Bobdown · Guru

Mike, not sure what weight your towing, but the Trailblazer doesn't handle it too well.

Just read Caravan World testing results for their "van of the year", which they used a Trailblazer for a tug.
It was thrown around like a rag doll with some of the heavier vans, (mind you it was a windy day), so much so they had to average 50 kph over the test run coz they were worried about sway.

Plenty of wagons around, depends on budget I suppose.

Cheers Bob

Jacksa · Veteran Member

Not sure about the comment about Trailblazer not towing well. A friend has one and tows his 3t Jayco with comfort.
Do you want 4x4? What weight do you tow? What is the budget.
Trailblazer and Isuzu MUX top in that class for comfort, economy and price.
Jacob

Snail · Senior Member

I'm not sure if Bobs comments are fair. The test was carry out in strong cross winds, it is never fun towing in strong wind I do not care what car you are towing with.

below is from the review.

However, as alluded to above, any analysis of the Trailblazers towing performance needs to be prefaced by stating that there were significant mitigating circumstances, notably the weather. Throughout the entire eight hours of testing we experienced very strong and gusty crosswinds. The combination of strong crosswinds, large caravans, potholed and bumpy roads led judges to conclude that the Trailblazer is best suited to caravans with a smaller ATM than the placarded limit.

Several judges experienced ESP or trailer-sway control activation in the Trailblazer, indicating that the van was beginning to develop undesirable sway. Obviously not a desired action, the positive take on this is that the Trailblazer is fitted with this valuable safety feature as standard, and it was most certainly appreciated in our testing conditions.

I would just like to add that I have towed with a Trailblazer a few times and it is a good car. My personal tow vehicle is a 200 series Landcruiser.

-- Edited by Snail on Friday 31st of January 2020 07:29:12 PM

-- Edited by Snail on Friday 31st of January 2020 07:29:48 PM

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

I think it's fair to be testing in adverse conditions after all we often strike head/cross winds of various strengths & we have to be able to cope.

While I have a D-Max & friends have Mux's - there was something written here recently that gave the total axle weights of various cars including both Isuzus. The weights were quite different if I recall.
The Mux has a maximum towing capacity of 3T.

The Isuzu & Colorado are the same vehicle - with different engines & transmissions.

landy · Guru

Been here before biggrin

.

ConsumerMan · Senior Member

I have a 2019 Holden Trailblazer LTZ. Has a towing capacity of 3000Kg. I tow 2000kg caravan (ATM) and the vehicle does it easily. Had it in some stiff cross winds in outback SW QLD and have had no problem with sway. Maybe the cars sway control and caravans ESC are doing their job, I dont know. The Trailblazer feels strong and rugged although I feel the ride is a little lumpy. Seats could be a little more comfortable and of course the diesel engine in the Trailblazer and Colorado has to the noisiest I have heard. Fortunately I like the sound of a diesel engine. I also looked at the Isuzu MUX but found it very bare bones with regards to features. I am happy with my Trailblazer, I think it is good value for money. Also check out some reviews on www.productreview.com.au

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
No ute, I don't like utes, they're OK on a farm but not for me.
So, after much consideration I've narrowed it down to:
Holden Trailblazer
Holden Colorado 7
As far as I can see the Trailblazer is an update to the Col7 - both have the same engine and gearbox (updates aside) and tow limits and sort of look the same. I don't give a toss for the trinkets (would prefer not to have them - "lane control", what's that?).
Any opinions people?

Hi Mike....It is my belief that only a brave man,or a fool,would put a 3000kg van behind a Trailblazer.The main problems are the short wheelbase,at 2845kg,and the rear axle,which is rated at only 1600kg.With the generally accepted 10% towball weight,and a 3000kg van,you would have (obviously!) 300kg on the towball,but that would put around 450kg EXTRA onto the lightweight 1600kg rear axle. Not sure of rear axle weight at tare,but you can be sure that there would little leeway to carry any 'stuff' in the car,after you have added fuel,driver,the weight of actual towbar structure,tools etc. I do understand that,as a person,you have little concern about weights,but I wonder if safety is of any concern to you? Your aversion to utes certainly narrows the field,but realistically,neither of your two selections is up to the task if staying legal,and being safe,are of any concern.No matter how much you mess around trying to load correctly,you are always going to have the weight on your van wheels (GTM) greater than the weight on the car's wheels,when,for safety,the GTM should always be at least 10% less than the car's weight.Whatever course you choose,I wish you well with your selection.Cheers.

P.S I understand that 'lane control' is fitted to some cars as a safety device to warn drivers who do not have their eyes on the road,because they are busy texting,twittering or whatever,that their vehicle has wandered over a white dividing line?

Whenarewethere · Guru

4wd Action 8 ute comparison review to add to the confusion!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld1bMp5Hh1I

Mike Harding · Guru

Hi Yobar - Thanks for your input.

The van actually weighs 2.7T and I'll be able to lighten that a little as I sort things out - after one year on the road I have a better understanding of what I need and what I don't. In the vehicle there's only me and probably about 120kg of kit.

You have insisted on 10% tow ball weight previously and I certainly do not have the knowledge to debate the point but I do recall when towing my van all over Europe neither I nor anyone else ran at 10% - this is an interesting page on the subject:

https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/driving-towing-towing/towball-weight-and-trailer-stability/

Holden, in their wisdom, have rated the Trailblazer at 3T and I expect it to be capable of towing 3T.

>It is my belief that only a brave man,or a fool,would put a 3000kg van behind a Trailblazer.

For me; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are the former and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the latter - I take Sundays off :)

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Hi Yobar - Thanks for your input.
The van actually weighs 2.7T and I'll be able to lighten that a little as I sort things out - after one year on the road I have a better understanding of what I need and what I don't. In the vehicle there's only me and probably about 120kg of kit.
You have insisted on 10% tow ball weight previously and I certainly do not have the knowledge to debate the point but I do recall when towing my van all over Europe neither I nor anyone else ran at 10% - this is an interesting page on the subject:
https://outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/driving-towing-towing/towball-weight-and-trailer-stability/
Holden, in their wisdom, have rated the Trailblazer at 3T and I expect it to be capable of towing 3T.
>It is my belief that only a brave man,or a fool,would put a 3000kg van behind a Trailblazer.
For me; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are the former and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the latter - I take Sundays off :)

All is good Mike....I recall,from waaaay back,that you spoke of towing 3 ton with a Rodeo,so I was using that weight as an example.Either of your chosen cars will tow 2700kg OK,and still leave a bit of room for 'stuff',but there's no way known that a sane man would tow 3 ton with one! No way. My understanding is that European vans generally are very light so don't need towbar weight.In Australia we get all sorts of people towing big weights with lightweight cars,and being surprised when the van starts controlling the car.....tail wagging the dog,if you like.On a recent trip to Taree I passed two accident scenes where twin-cab utes had overturned after being thrown off the road by the big vans that they were towing.I didnt stop for photos,as there were rubber-neckers everywhere,but one van was spread over about 50 metres,with only the chassis and wheels left hooked to the car,all upside down. Would have been easy to adjust the brakes though! Good luck with your choice,and I'm sure that either vehicle will serve you well.Cheers

P.S Holden rating the Trailblazer at 3 ton towing capacity is similar to an LC200 being rated to tow 3500kg,or a Ram 1500 rated to tow 4500kg. There is no way known that either these cars can SAFELY tow more than 3000kg as a PIG trailer.Sad,inconvenient,truth that buyers only realise after purchase.Cheers.

-- Edited by yobarr on Saturday 1st of February 2020 02:35:42 PM

Eaglemax · Guru

I agree with you Yobarr, in fact Id go further in that all tow vehicles towing over 2700kg should reduce their towing capacity by 10%. Eg A tow vehicle with capacity of 3500kg should be limited to only 3200. It sounds like a flippant statement but I believe such tow vehicles are being stretched beyond reason. It is my view that towing to the max isnt wise ... why risk an accident? So Mike, a towing capacity of 3T is fine based on my comment. Tony

Whenarewethere · Guru

How much can these cars tow when off-road?

My Land Rover cuts the towing capacity by 50% for off-road.

Mike Harding · Guru

Whenarewethere wrote:
How much can these cars tow when off-road?
My Land Rover cuts the towing capacity by 50% for off-road.

Do they define "off-road"?

Whenarewethere · Guru

No

yobarr · Guru

Mike Harding wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:
How much can these cars tow when off-road?
My Land Rover cuts the towing capacity by 50% for off-road.
Do they define "off-road"?

That'd be an interesting exercise as many 'Toorak tractor' drivers seem to believe that driving across their lawns is an 'off road' exercise.Cheers

Mike Harding · Guru

yobarr wrote:
That'd be an interesting exercise as many 'Toorak tractor' drivers seem to believe that driving across their lawns is an 'off road' exercise.Cheers

Indeed.

Most of the Vic High Country tracks I do (did) there is *no way* I would tow even a small camper trailer along them but I'll happily haul my 2.7T caravan through forests and bush tracks in low range.

Like most things; common sense applies.