Wifey and I are hoping to begin our touring adventure late in April with our 20' 2.48 Tonne Windsor dual axle caravan. Been thinking of getting a 2015 diesel 4x4 MUX to pull it with.
They are listed as having 3,000 kg braked towing capacity.
So we're wondering how people are finding the MUX's for towing over 2 tonne?
EG; Is suspension upgrade needed?....
Are they powerful enough?
Do they cruise with van OK?
Is a bull bar advisable?
Etc...
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
Ernie (The Preacher)
-- Edited by The Preacher on Wednesday 10th of February 2021 08:09:27 AM
Wifey and I are hoping to begin our touring adventure late in April with our 20' 2.48 Tonne Windsor dual axle caravan. Been thinking of getting a 2015 diesel 4x4 MUX to pull it with.
They are listed as having 3,000 kg braked towing capacity.
So we're wondering how people are finding the MUX's for towing over 2 tonne?
EG; Is suspension upgrade needed?....
Are they powerful enough?
Do they cruise with van OK?
Is a bull bar advisable?
Etc...
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
Ernie (The Preacher)
-- Edited by The Preacher on Wednesday 10th of February 2021 08:09:27 AM
Hi Ernie....a friend uses one of these,and tows a 2700kg ATM van with it. He has travelled extensively,and says the car comfortably tows 2700kg,but that he would be loath to tow any more than that.Because the car has a GVM of only 2750kg,what he says makes a lot of sense,as,if safety is of any concern,always the weight on the wheels of the car should be around 10% greater than the weight on the van's wheels.This minimises the chances of the "Tail wagging the Dog". Were you to tow,say,a 2750kg van,with 10% towball weight,you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2475kg behind a car that,in theory,can weigh 2750kg.This would be safe.Whilst I am absolutely no fan of WDHs,you may like to consider one,as your car has rear axle weight of 1080kg before you load it,or connect the van.The 270kg towball weight would put around 370kg onto your rear axle,which has capacity of only 1600kg,so not much to spare!p there! You say that your van is a "2.48 tonne Windsor" which I am assuming is your ATM? (on compliance plate,usually in boot) If so,the little MUX will handle it well,with no suspension mods and no WDH.They have plenty of power...130kw (170hp) and are very comfortable.Bullbar is optional,depending on where you plan to travel,but I certainly would fit one for your "lap".Good luck with your purchase.Cheers.
P.S Don't even think about towing 3000kg as a PIG trailer.....ever!
G'day Ernie,
Welcome to the forum - I trust you will look through the various sections of it & learn from them. The Search, Advanced Search can assist heaps. Perhaps you can show us something too.
As yobarr says do your homework well as far as weights go (I got caught with my current pop top) but had already under taken a method of fixing the issue.
A friend has a 2018 MUX & tows a 2.3T Starcraft. He added airbags to his rear springs but does not go over the fence with pressures (nor did I when we had our Patrol). You can break things if you use them according to the directions (Airbagman ones, that is).
However while my friend says that all the stuff written in here is BS, I prefer to be legal & insured! For that reason nearly 18 months ago & although my wife wanted a MUX, I put my foot down & said "It's a D-Max or we keep the old Patrol!" So we have a D-Max & one that Isuzu stuffed up with their rear springs' issues.
Both cars have a good name for reliability & economy.
A bull bar is only required if you are going to be travelling in roo country between dusk & early morning. I don't think they are made for hitting bulls at 80kph! They are also somewhere to mount other aerials, driving lights, if required. Bear in mind they do affect the loading on the front axle & require a wheel alignment after fitting.
I saw the "Perfect" vehicle this morning parked in 1.5 parking spots at Toowoomba Aldi - it was a dual cab GMC ute. Too high, too wide & too long to even fit in my garage! I'd guess the cost would be well over $120,000 too!
__________________
Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Mr Pedders says I need to get them to upgrade an MUX suspension for $3,700 so the axle specs actually match the rated towing weight????? which is why I ask if they are a bit doey on the tail.
We've had a 2003 2.7 Merc diesel powered Grand Cherokee that has been an excellent tower but after 280,000 klms it seems to be developing bad habits - so for peace of mind- especially with the intention of actually getting home, we want to get something younger with same Tow rating. Another 6 weeks before we can access my wife's super for purchase. So if you see any MUX's up for private sale under 200,000klms- we'd love to know about it.
Gee Ernie,
You could have had my old Patrol if I'd have kept it. It had 453,000 kms on it & was still going very well! I had a pre-road worthy done on it - the only thing wrong with it was the rear windscreen wiper blade perishing! Weight was the issue (GVM of 3300kg max). I had already removed my car fridge to reduce the weight & when I sold it, a lot more.
I went to Pedders about the D-Max - am certain they don't know what they were on about as they said just update the rear shocks with their foam cell ones at $550 & that will fix it! My understanding is that springs control weight & ride, shocks also affect ride but they exhibit control of the springs. My issue was the rough ride on roads that are less than perfect e.g. some QLD highways!
One thing I've found & I'm certain it has been mentioned on this forum is that you cannot use cruise control when towing except on flat roads with automatic transmissions. But modern manuals have their own issues.
You asked about power - most of the 4 cylinder diesels produce similar power & torque figures. Some are bigger e.g. 3.2L (Pajero), Isuzus are 3L, some are smaller at 2.4L (Trident), 2.3L (Navara), 2L (Ssangyong & the new Ford). I probably belong to the old school where I reckon larger engines may last longer than those that are smaller - true or false, I don't know yet. My last two Nissan were 4.2L - not known for bags of power but good reliability.
And regarding your purchase, get it inspected by a reliable mechanic or one from a motoring association before you part with your wife's hard earned cash.
__________________
Warren
----------------
If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Wifey and I are hoping to begin our touring adventure late in April with our 20' 2.48 Tonne Windsor dual axle caravan. Been thinking of getting a 2015 diesel 4x4 MUX to pull it with.
They are listed as having 3,000 kg braked towing capacity.
So we're wondering how people are finding the MUX's for towing over 2 tonne?
EG; Is suspension upgrade needed?....
Are they powerful enough?
Do they cruise with van OK?
Is a bull bar advisable?
Etc...
Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
Ernie (The Preacher)
-- Edited by The Preacher on Wednesday 10th of February 2021 08:09:27 AM
Hi
You may need either air bags or HD shocks and springs depending on your tow ball weight and what you put in vehicle.
When I bought Dmax the factory suspension was useless for any weight but not sure about Mux. As far as power its no racing car but will chug along all day with plenty of torque sitting on about 1800 to 2200 revs.
I assume its automatic as mine is and I usually tow locked in forth gear and sometimes in fifth depending on conditions as its stops (hunting through the gears) I have talked to many pre 2017 model Isuzu owners and no one has faulted them unlike the later models with the dpf which in time could be expensive repairs after warranty runs out.
Fitting a catch can a secondary fuel filter and automatic transmission cooler are also highly recommended by most as well.
The bull bar I reckon its a must on a 4x4 its good for a winch and cb Ariel its also good to lean on instead of your body work but I dont think I would want to hit a bull with one.
The factory Isuzu steel bar might stop a roo hitting your radiator but wont take a winch and you wont have to upgrade your front suspension but you may have to with the ARB bar which is heavy.
Cheers
__________________
John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
I called it a Bull bar as the advertising does but you are right- Roo guard is what i'd want it for.
Do you find much advantage having a CB?
A car dealer told my wife's school girl friend who'd had bought a diesel Subaru - that she needs to drive it like she stole it..... as an old farm mechanic/ mission mechanic (unqualified but fairly experienced) I've learnt a bit about the DPF's first hand- especially in the Pajero's.
Might see you around the tracks then- thanks for your response.
I called it a Bull bar as the advertising does but you are right- Roo guard is what i'd want it for.
Do you find much advantage having a CB?
A car dealer told my wife's school girl friend who'd had bought a diesel Subaru - that she needs to drive it like she stole it..... as an old farm mechanic/ mission mechanic (unqualified but fairly experienced) I've learnt a bit about the DPF's first hand- especially in the Pajero's.
Might see you around the tracks then- thanks for your response.
Ernie
Hi Earnie
300 you would definitely to beef up your rear end
The speed is 90 km to 100 kph
Bullbar also necessary for driving lights
CB comes in handy to call up trucks to let them know you will back off and let them overtake if they wish or for emergencies
Towing they get a good thrashing maybe thats good
Yes you never know we might cross paths one day
Cheers
__________________
John
2017 dmax lovells upgrade full CSM trade aluminium canopy,3.5 m quintrex tinny and rear boat loader mangrove jack aluminium trailer
