Tow vehicles

Submitted: Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 06:31
ThreadID: 125505 Views:5423 Replies:9 FollowUps:10
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Just purchased our first Bushtracker (19'). Now we need a vehicle to tow it with.
Would appreciate some comments on alternative vehicles to a Toyota 100 or 200 series Landcruiser wagon. For example, Nissan patrol, Toyota 100 or 200 series Landcruiser Ute / Workmate / Troopcarrier.
Would prefer to be able to tow with ease rather than have a vehicle that struggles with the load.
Also would be grateful for any comments on perhaps buying a cheap tow vehicle until we find out what is best for us.
Thanks - Yogibob and Wendy
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Reply By: Motherhen & Rooster - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:48

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 10:48
Hi Wendys

Ours is 18' and an older model without all the trimmings with a TARE of 2.22 t. I expect your 19' will be quite a bit heavier, and the bigger the van the more room for load, hence more weight to tow. We started towing ours with our 3 litre auto Patrol - the auto was only rated for 2.5 t - we would be over by just filling the water tanks without packing anything. The motor pulled it fine, but with nothing to spare on hills. We wouldn't consider risking a sandy track. The 4.2 litre Patrol would be as sluggish (our son has one - more sluggish than our 3 litre, even without towing).

Options were really only a 4.2 litre turbo diesel Landcruiser, ute or troopy preferred, or a bigger towing vehicle. The V8 diesel Cruiser wasn't out at that time. We wanted diesel not petrol, and needed auto. We chose the V8 F250 - probably overkill for our small BT, but it has plenty of power for sandy tracks and it is nice to have a good safety margin.

It also depends on how much towing you will do - will you be on the road most of the time or just short holidays?

There are a variety of tow vehicles out there pulling BTs, but for confidence in going outback, and in the longevity of your vehicle, being over powered is better than under powered. So i would suggest at the very least a 6 cylinder Landcruiser, preferably an 8, or go into the larger US style vehicles.

We love our Patrol, but i don't think it would last for ever towing a Bushtracker.

Motherhen
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AnswerID: 577407

Reply By: Andy1 - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 16:04

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 16:04
Wendy

This is a genuine case of the cart before the horse.

If you are carrying a boat et al & want to be legal the only choice below about $70k is a used F250. No boat, the Toyota 200 series.

Andy
AnswerID: 577408

Reply By: Silver Fox - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 18:55

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 18:55
Adding a "chip" i.e. a 'DP' or in my case a 'Steinbauer, P Box' gives a goodly amount of extra grunt to a Landcruiser 100 TD. Diesel seems an economical and useful at low speeds choice. cheers
AnswerID: 577409

Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:22

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:22
Narrow the choices down by choosing Auto or Manual, Station Wagon or Ute, what do you intend carrying weight wise. Will it double as a town vehicle, take a few different models for a drive and you will soon start having 'favourites'

Good luck with it, 19' nice choice :-) We use an Effy does the job easily, but the size can be a hindrance in some conditions. If i didn't feel the need to have a rear seat i'd have a chopped 100TD into a extra cab ute or the [KISS principle] a 79series' TD Ute,

AnswerID: 577410

Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:46

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:46
Aaaah, the Cruiser TD Ute.

I knew that ride in mine would spoil you Mick.

How's Vicki going? OK now?

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FollowupID: 850991

Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:51

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 19:51
Shame about the colour though ....... lol

will send you an email.
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FollowupID: 850992

Reply By: Turist - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:02

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:02
Hi Wendy
As new BT owners you may not be aware of the benefits of becoming a financial member.
As the pic below shows there is a lot more behind the Owners Forum tab that will assist you.

Tips and Hints, Camp Sites, Muster Information etc.
As a financial member you will receive e-mails from time to time advising you of forthcoming events.

In the next few weeks we will have a number of new sections incorporated into the web page that will assist owners even more.

The fees from the owner members are the backbone of our fiscal strategy, they are what keeps this site going.
So why not join up, or at least give us a reason for not doing so.

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AnswerID: 577411

Reply By: Turist - Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:16

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:16
When in the learning phase I was using this system to calculate the amount of packing required under the wheels in order to level the van.

A 300mm spirit level placed at either end of the tail lamp section.
Level the spirit level and estimate the distance under one end of level to tail lamp section.
Multiply this by 8 to estimate how much packing required.
If distance is 5mm then 40mm packing required.

Now I just stand back and have a look

Bob

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AnswerID: 577412

Follow Up By:- Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:39

Monday, Mar 30, 2009 at 21:39
"Now I just stand back and have a look"

me too........sight against the horizon or some buildings......you need to stand away a bit but you will soon get the hang of it.
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Reply By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 02:11

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 02:11
Bob - you must have been a "Engineer" LOL

John
AnswerID: 577413

Follow Up By: Turist - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 02:23

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 02:23
An engineer would have had a better eye for detail and posted this in the correct thread.
I think that they will read it here anyhow.

Bob
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Reply By: Grasshopper - Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 05:15

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2009 at 05:15
Hello Wendy,

If you need a good tow vehicle and you are prepared to buy within the next 4 weeks I would be happy to sell you our F250 as advertised a few days ago
for $72000. No more discount. That is an excellent looked after vehicle with complete service record.

Regards,

Eric
AnswerID: 577414

Follow Up By: 11-UPS - Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 09:27

Thursday, Apr 02, 2009 at 09:27
Wendy

Tare for 19' should be around 2480 kg we live full time in it and our GVM is around 3200kg fully loaded including water & outboard if this is of any help.

Darrell
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Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 05:37

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 05:37
We must have a heavy 19' our tare is 2620 :-)

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Follow Up By: Bobrovin - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 07:20

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 07:20
It must be Mick
Our 20' is same tare as your 19' at 2620
Bob
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Follow Up By: NIK `N` OFF - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 09:03

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 09:03
I'm not sure why, we have a yacht style and large cupboards / wardrobe, U shaped lounge, 4 panels, 4 batteries, extended drawbar other than that all is much the same as everyone else.

The Effy doesn't care ..... :-)
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Follow Up By: Mobi Condo - Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 18:30

Friday, Apr 03, 2009 at 18:30
At 19' standard 'A' frame/draw bar etc and minimal factory provided 'toys' on board we came in at 2440 on the VIN plate.
Just 3 panels and 3 batteries tho' - I reckon that would make a difference, but180 Kg difference here between two seemingly standard 19 footers for 1 panel and 1 battery & extended draw bar seems a tad high.
Like you say you have an Effie so heaps of tow energy available!
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FollowupID: 850999

Reply By: galacticbob - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 00:35

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 00:35
Thanks guys for the wealth of information provided.
We have narrowed the field down with your help and should be able to set off into the red dust in the not too distant future!!!
Enjoy your Easter
Yogibob and Wendy
AnswerID: 577415

Follow Up By: Bushtucker Man - Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 20:48

Monday, Apr 13, 2009 at 20:48
Hi Yogibob & Wendy,

Welcome to the lifestyle, I am sure you will enjoy getting away. Trish & I enjoy it so much I want to turn around each time we get within 100k's of Sydney.

We tow our 20'er with a 200 series TD & fully loaded it is close to the 3.5 T limit.

Cheers.
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FollowupID: 851000

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