Towing Vehicle

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 07:04
ThreadID: 126162 Views:3990 Replies:5 FollowUps:2
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Hi all

I've been dreaming of buying a BT for several years now and have decided to make it more of a reality! But I haven't done that much towing so I was hoping to gain some knowledge through your experiences.

I drive a standard 1997 80 Series Landcruiser diesel wagon and have been looking at the 17' BTs.

Does anyone know if it's feasible for my Landcruiser to tow 16-17' BTs as is? Would it tow an 18' BT?

If not, I need to consider fitting a turbo to the car (would that work?) or buying a new car, too.

Hope someone knows.
Thanks
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Reply By: Noosa Fox - Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 07:24

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 07:24
Your model 80 Series should have a towing capacity of 3500kgs, the same as the 100 series so it should tow an 18 ft van no problems. I think the pre 95 model had a lower tow capacity.

Brian
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AnswerID: 579211

Reply By: Runt Of The Litter - Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 10:40

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 10:40
My suggestion is if you have not done much caravanning,Buy a cheep old Viscount in good cond,( watch ants).If you have the money too buy a BT ,put it in a high interest account you can not touch. Then may be if one comes available buy a cheep pre 2002 Coromal XC full van not pop top.(XC means cross country)after 2001 a new company brought them out. Then you will have learnt and have better knowledge before buying the ONLY now surviving off road van. ( No competetition).But be aware I waited 18mths for delivery after my order Date.And the whole proccess is worth it as you meet and talk too a lot of great owners. Walk before you run, stuff up a $5000 van (maybe not if insured,, all will insure a $5000 van only one will insure a $130,000 van at about $1700 a year in QLD.cheaper in WA., CIL insuance).Have done homework and even had Nat. bank on phone for last 2 weeks only too find no can do, again no competion.God are we all stupid are we all too old too care,BT have over $1,000,000 in orders alone at $10,000 an order up front. Yes some have tried and failed too copy,BECAUSE they went for the cheep(I think no homework on this). It takes 10yrs too get a good name too survive.Any Retirees want to go back into business??????
AnswerID: 579212

Reply By: Innkeepers - Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 20:08

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 20:08
Hi Pam,
A member couple on this forum, Ian & Sally with a screen name Mobi Condo have a standard diesel 80 series that they have now fitted a turbo to. They tow a 19' BT and have traversed far and wide and well off the beaten track.

So you would have no problem with your choice of a 17' or 18'.

Cheers
Rick
AnswerID: 579213

Follow Up By: Mobi Condo - Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 23:15

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 23:15
Howdy Rick - thanks for the reference!
Yes we have upgraded to turbo on the 1HZ. Pre turbo we toured Tasmania with the BT and it did well there, but is about 1.5 gears better and 11% more economical after turbo. (gear judgement was tested on same hills on two different trips before and after fitment)
Have done Adelaide to Kimberly and region via Tanami Road, returning via west coast to Onslow, Tom Price, Wiluna, Kalgoorlie and the Eyre Highway.
Last Christmas we came hom from a trip with the last week being from Canberra to home via Yass, Batlow, Tumbarumba, Corryong, Sassafrass Gap, Taylors Crossing, Omeo, Hotham Heights etc. The mountains really tested the tug engine cooling system in the 40 deg heat though.
Just recently came back from 12weeks LSL of 12,000k from Adelaide to Cape York (all the way including Chilli Beach), Twin Falls with the van then to Chillagoe, Undara, Cobbold Gorge, Gulf Country, Lawn Hill gorge, Diamantina NP etc
We averaged 4.74 kpl and had a ball. Lots of folks mentioned that we had a great vehicle for the job (Nov 1996 build 80 series).
We have King Spring High Lift Comfort Springs (fitted back in Nov 1999) and have had the GVM re-rated by an auto engineer from 2960 to 3350kg.
Cheers - Ian & Sally
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FollowupID: 851966

Reply By: Mobi Condo - Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 23:16

Saturday, Oct 31, 2009 at 23:16
Oops forgot to mention - we have a 19 foot van and we travel on the mass limit of van 3500Kg(when all 4 water tanks are full), tug 3350 = 6850 all up.
Cheers - Ian & Sally
AnswerID: 579214

Reply By: Wilmo7 - Monday, Nov 02, 2009 at 05:53

Monday, Nov 02, 2009 at 05:53
Gidday!
We have been towing an 18fter with and 80 series Land Cruiser for 6 years now. It is not turbo'd but has 2 hi-clones, extractors and an hydrogen-oxygen generator which gives it marvellous torque low down.
I am getting 4.5 kms per litre towing the van which is maximum all up weight and the LC weighs about 3 1/4 tonne with all the gear in it. Cruises all right in undulating country but drags down to about 80kph on the long flats in western Qld/NSW/SA and the Territory.
My cruiser is a 95 model just passing 484,000kms.
Truthfully I couldn't afford anything else, but you learn to drive according to the conditions. Incidentally I have fitted a Reece (not Hayman Reece) stabilizer bars which are much stronger and rated to 12,000 lbs (US) drawbar weight and `1,200 lbs (US) ball weight. The rig therefore has very little sway and I haven't had any collywobbles in 6 years of all condition driving.
Len
AnswerID: 579215

Follow Up By: gypsypam - Tuesday, Nov 03, 2009 at 02:07

Tuesday, Nov 03, 2009 at 02:07
Wow - thanks for all the info!

It has crossed my mind to buy an old van to see how I cope and to learn the basics, and it's certainly still a consideration. But it's hard to look and the old vans - it's a bit like comparing an old brumby to a thoroughbred!

Thanks, too, for the modifications/improvements required to help the 80 Series manage the load better - will have to include the extras when pricing the whole deal.

Thanks again
Pam
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FollowupID: 851967

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