Ford Territory as Tow vehicle

drep · 13-04-2013, 01:34 PM

Hi All
Invite forum members opinion on using a Ford Territory as a tow vehicle for a 1900kg all up weight twin axle 8 metre long caravan. I am looking at a 2008 Ford Territory Variant TX, SY 5D S/Wagon , 4spd Tiptronic, 4.0 L Injection, rear wheel drive petrol model, it has done about 160.000Km and the asking price is $12,000. ( my maximum budget)
I heard on the grape vine that some earlier models had some problems, with transmission etc.
Would appreciate advice on Territory’s in general as a towing vehicle, any problems in general with the 2008 model, plus anything useful.
Thanks this is a great forum!

03 GHIA · 13-04-2013, 01:51 PM

Haven't towed that much weight before, but you'd certainly want to fit a large trans cooler to bypass the radiator if it hasn't been done yet, killed a box in the EA because it didn't have an external cooler.
Most common would be the heavy duty PWR kit, they're bar and plate coolers and the kit can be had for under $200, pretty simple to fit following the instructions.
Not sure on what brand mine is but it's core size is 300x300x50mm and also bar and plate, overkill but I'd rather be on the safe side.

OLD BALDY · 13-04-2013, 04:19 PM

Make sure you buy one with a 6 speed ZF and you will not go wrong.

phillyc · 13-04-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drep

Hi All
Invite forum members opinion on using a Ford Territory as a tow vehicle for a 1900kg all up weight twin axle 8 metre long caravan. I am looking at a 2008 Ford Territory Variant TX, SY 5D S/Wagon , 4spd Tiptronic, 4.0 L Injection, rear wheel drive petrol model, it has done about 160.000Km and the asking price is $12,000. ( my maximum budget)
I heard on the grape vine that some earlier models had some problems, with transmission etc.
Would appreciate advice on Territory’s in general as a towing vehicle, any problems in general with the 2008 model, plus anything useful.
Thanks this is a great forum!

Territory are great tow vehicles. As 03 Ghia said, fit an aftermarket heavy duty cooler. I would also recommend getting a transmission fluid change at the same time. Should be about $400 ($200/$200) for the lot. New fluid and a cooler and you'll have no worries. Enjoy!

Gobes32 · 13-04-2013, 04:53 PM

Wagon with it's leaf spring backside is theoretically the better tow vehicle. But my fathers Mitsubishi Triton is beautiful to tow with. $12k will get you a nice petrol dual cab, probably not a diesel with low k's.

**Gothefalcon** · 13-04-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

Wagon with it's leaf spring backside is theoretically the better tow vehicle.

Agreed !!

But a Wagon with the benefits of it's leaf spring back end and the additional benefits of the 6spd ZF and Terry's AWD front end is even better !!

All that aside though... I tow my racecar on a tandem car trailer, which weighs about 2300Kg alll up... and the 6spd ZF auto makes towing a breeze !! I hardly notice the weight on the back, and it makes light work taking off from rest and towing up hills ! A Terry should handle 1900Kgs no worries at all !!

Dhru

b2428 · 13-04-2013, 05:44 PM

Have regularly towed around the 2 ton mark with a ba fairmont I can only guess a Terri would be even better given the extra ground clearance. Rear clearance was only issue I ever had. Oh that and it drunk like a fish.

ryeman · 14-04-2013, 08:45 AM

If your REALY on a tight budget, I recon a solid axle is the way to go...a good AU frinstance .

Agile · 14-04-2013, 08:55 AM

Have towed a tandem traddies trailer for 5 years behind 04 Ghia AWD. Have had no problems. Have recently spent dollars on King Springs [raised 50mm] Airbags and all bushes replaced and it is even better now. It does like a drink so be prepared for 15/16 litres per hundred Kays, minimum whilst towing.

provked · 14-04-2013, 04:30 PM

Agreed with all, can't beat a diesel ute, however I towed a 21ft van 1900 kg empty, to 2200 ish maybee more loaded with my 2010 awd tx, towed Great at 100+kmh in drive but once I dropped speed to 85 90 in some twisty stuff it was up and down gears all the time, plus slight hills, . It did however tow as good if not better than my dads 09 prado, and that's his comment too. Only down fall is fuel, I used a full tank to go 280 ish kms

provked · 14-04-2013, 04:53 PM

Saying that though I think the fuel issue was the wind factor not so much the weight,

lamborghinifan · 14-04-2013, 05:39 PM

4sp terry is ok, but fit the heavy cooler (120 ish + fitting), also the back end is a bit saggy, recommend a set of poly-airs or similar (270ish + fitting).
Will like a drink but is still quite adequate, and a nice car to drive when not towing. If you can stretch the budget, the 6sp is a very nice box. i've owned and towed with both. 4 sp is pretty bullet proof once the cooler is in place.

**Luke Plaizier** · 15-04-2013, 10:51 AM

I just towed about 1700kg over easter, probably closer to 1900kg once loaded up. Did it easy with an AWD 2004 SX Ghia. Needed a few extra revs though for some of the hills, but the 4sp auto was fine, although it did drink a bit (thankfully it has had a LiLPG conversion) but kept up with the highway speeds easy.

The Ghia comes with the trans cooler by default. I agree with the others, get the trans cooler installed if you're getting a lower spec model.

Lukeyson