Would I down size my 25' van for a smaller one that could towed by a station wagon (SUV), so I can save on fuel. HELL No !
Just for the record towing my Ranger Ute delivers between 13-17l/100, not towing 8-10, If I had the same ute in automatic then the figures would inflate to 17-20 towing, but that option of saving fuel is being taken away from you, because its almost impossible to buy a vehicle that can tow 3000kg with a manual gearbox option.
Even the Toyota 70 series is available with an auto all be it coupled with a 2.8 litre diesel, and now we are seeing the the big rigs that are actually capable of towing 3500kg being petrol powered at least, the new Ford dealer supplied F150 doesn't afford you the diesel option.
Hi Gundog
I'd hoped I'd get a few members that had traded down and supplied the reasons why. From what I can conclude is that heavy rig owners are content to stick with what they have.
I do acknowledge that the price to pay towards a smaller more economical rig can be high. As one owner said "we just sit for an extra day here and there until pension day when fuel is dearer".
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Be nice... if I wanted my school teacher here I would have invited him...
Hi Gundog I'd hoped I'd get a few members that had traded down and supplied the reasons why. From what I can conclude is that heavy rig owners are content to stick with what they have. I do acknowledge that the price to pay towards a smaller more economical rig can be high. As one owner said "we just sit for an extra day here and there until pension day when fuel is dearer".
It could be that there would be no financial reward, considering trade in valuations for existing equipment to replacement equipment.
I could see someone may consider a downsizing when they may feel that the bigger equipment is becoming a problem to handle, if that was my situation then we would more than likely give up touring for which we personally have 2 options.
The first is to become static in a locality/caravan park with a mix of facilities that suit our needs, the second which is already available, our youngest son has made it clear that he wants us to reside with him so he can look after us in our twilight years, for which we have agreed to do.