Best Car to tow with - Under 7k?

[DoreSlamR]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Be serious, for under $7k he can get a very reasonable AU. For that price any diesel is going to be a POS and insanely expensive to repair.

I am being serious.

Diesel is brilliant for towing long distances.

Granted I'd prefer something a bit better than what 7k can typically buy, but a good buy is out there if one is patient.

AU wagon will do the trick too, just thought I'd throw diesel in too, since it should be considered.

[Uncle Niceguy]

surprised no one has thought of a cab chassis 4wd something like this mabye:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...1&sort=default

or this all ready has a canopy:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...1&sort=default

[mik]

as long as the car/van is serviced and van is balanced /loaded well you should`nt have any trouble, the auto oil cooler fitted before the trip is a good move i reckon,
i think the weight is less of a problem in many cases, i did a 5 k trip with an old van with the aero dynamics of a kenworth, with my unleaded xr6, it just about doubled my fuel consumption, mind you i sat on the highway speed limit pretty much where ever i went 100kph, on occasion on the trip home when i was getting nagged 110 kph, that in itself pushing a lot of wind will use your fuel,

the Au for me towed 1200 kg+ loaded to the hilt and 2 large pensioners and associated crap up hill down hill at times in 40+ degrees aircon running without one single problem, personally i`d say the Au xr6 is even better suited to towing with the slightly firmer suspension, obviously you`d feel the steep hills less with an an f series equipped with a 7 litre diesel or a big block(but it`s gonna cost you).

i ran mine in 3rd gear the whole trip , it took a little getting used to too , but after a while i did`nt even notice it, as for general trundling around through the burbs , most of the time the falcon would just idle off at the lights with a minimal throttle opening, my passenger often commented how you would`nt even know there was a caravan on the back,
most of the medium hills it would just lose a little road speed and climb over the top, for the bigger ones it it would drop back to 2nd, only on a pretty nasty hill would it go back to 1st(maybe twice or 3 times on the whole trip), for any serious steep stuff i`d swap cogs manually anyway and control the throttle myself rather than let it kick back and really load up the engine (slow and steady wins the race), better on the car, better on the wallet too.

for my own trip i got home and was absolutely glowing with praise for how well the xr6 towed and handled the trip, i think a wagon would be fine, as long as you budget for more fuel consumption if your lugging a high fat van.

personally i would`nt have minded running lpg just to knock the edge off the fuel cost, to me it seems unlikely you`ll find much in the 7 k range better than a falcon for towing, 6 or v8 would be fine , a 6 orv8 on gas would be a bit of alright too.
good luck.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Mr.NiceGuy

surprised no one has thought of a cab chassis 4wd something like this mabye:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...1&sort=default

or this all ready has a canopy:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...1&sort=default

one of my old bosses had the diesel rodeo, it was`nt to bad cabin wise , but it was a bit it like watching paint dry, it was so bloody slow, i would steer clear of one of those.

[Peuty]

AU ute with a canopy mate. Add the trailer and you'll be set.

[XP6]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Not enough weight in the rear.

BS my old BA XLS towed better than my FG XR(which is pretty good BTW), plus he'll be loading it up with gear anyway!

[graham7773]

XC GXL. 351, FMX, 9 INCH DISC BRAKE DIFF Big rear leaf springs and easy to add overload leafs and pump up shocks. Large steel balls.

[ILLaViTaR]

GQ patrol, better tower and unlike the AU it won't depreciate anymore.

[FG_Frodza]

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

I am being serious.

Diesel is brilliant for towing long distances.

Granted I'd prefer something a bit better than what 7k can typically buy, but a good buy is out there if one is patient.

AU wagon will do the trick too, just thought I'd throw diesel in too, since it should be considered.

That Rodeo had a 1000kg braked towing capacity just FYI

[Windsor342ci]

Though I havent had a chance to tow with it yet, a 4.7L Grand Cherokee seems to be pretty beefy and with enough patience and haggling Im sure you'd find one close to 7k.

Also Diesels are the go if not. My little Pathfinder is the bees knees. No 10 second car when towing but has happily towed near 3 tonn to Albury with no apparent dramas yet. I got that Pathfinder for 4K. Great buy. Nothing pretty to look at but does over and above the job

[DoreSlamR]

Originally Posted by FG_Frodza

That Rodeo had a 1000kg braked towing capacity just FYI

Yeah, I saw that, was just an example.

[ebxr8240]

I know it has been said that E series V8 would drink fuel..
On long trips they are VERY economical..
On LPG even better...
Lower diff ratio of XR / Tickford 3:45 would help towing
considerable weight...
Early Rodeo's handle like a boat and slow...Unless V6 then they are VERY
thirsty!! Std or 15 / 16 wheels helps torque also..
Be weary of some Nissan's in that era !! There rod bolts where rubbish..
Any load and they let go.. Not a question of if but when..
What model to avoid etc..
http://www.navaraownersclub.com/2009...ngine-problem/

[BPXR6T]

Wouldn't touch the rodeo. Grand parents traded their e series falcon on a dual cab rodeo. Towed the van with it on one trip. Got home and traded it on an e series falcon. The rodeo was gutless, chewed fuel, rough as guts, and uncomfortable on long trips.

[OffRoadFalcon]

We've towed heavy loads behind the AUII Futura wagon a few times, handled it very well, economy was good too, dont remember the figures though. Easily had the power and torque, and ours being a ex-transport inspector vehicle, it has HD suspension which is a good 80mm or so higher than stock, and the car's ride improves with weight. For the money I'd say you can't go wrong.

AU engines seem to be unbreakable, and sound better than the B series IMO too! I actually much prefer driving our AUII to the BAII XT sedan. Only thing the B series has over the AUII is power... but the AUII feels faster despite that.

I'd get an AU wagon, but it's only one of many cars out there that would do the job as well.

[Cam]

Wow, lots of replies, so much to consider! I will try and cover off a few points rather then going for the worlds largest multiquote..

The diesels in my range did get a lookin, but after seeing their less then impressive (in the rodeos case) 88kw and 200nm I decided that they were not going to cut the mustard. I want to travel for a year, not a year between towns..

I am still considering a ute with a canopy, as the extra space in the back would be awesome. I am traveling with my 3 year old boy, so having him in the front of a ute (whist it is legal) does make me feel a little uneasy.. Will give it some more thought.. I have seen some AU XR's in my price range, as was mentioned the 3.45's would help whilst towing.. I had also considered a Manual XR ute.. Will the T5 self destruct in 3rd??

As was mentioned GQ Patrol fuel economy is shocking, I would've been better off towing it with my stroked AU..

mik - Good advice, totally agree on all counts

CRYHSV - Jeebus, those cherokees are serious bang for your buck! Going to go searching for a Jeep forum and do some digging! 175kw and 400nm does sound appealing.. Although I suspect the fuel economy may not!

[Mr Hardware]

gas does cause dramas.

i have problems closing my wallet sometimes.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

GQ patrol, better tower and unlike the AU it won't depreciate anymore.

Your bank account certainly will depreciate tho.

You won't get a diesel for under $7k, so it's a petrol 4.2l you would get, and if it's auto, expect above 20L/100km for any sort of towing.

I owned a GQ petrol and it was great, but shocking on fuel.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

gas does cause dramas.

i have problems closing my wallet sometimes.

I have the same issues.

Lots of paranoia about gas systems isn't there! I had better tell my old man that his AUII egas isnt going to be reliable, because he's only done 530k km with absolutely NO work done to the converter (actually no serious work to ANY part of the car). I just opened the wax/drain valve for the first time on his car a few weeks ago, not a drop come out, and idle jet clean as new.

[AU Mont]

just dont go VCT as they chew nearly as much as a windsor

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...2001-12437491?

a clean AUII/III Fairmont with grandpa height suspension would be ideal

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

and the EF/EL aircons leaked like an Italian Cruise-Liner.

15 years and counting, and not a single leak in the air con in my EL yet...

[flappist]

You are going around Australia? Not just up and down the main highway along the east coast?

If you are actually going around Australia there is a bit more to consider.

1) Fuel. If you do not run either ULP or Diesel you may find yourself in situations where you have to wait to get fuel. PULP and LPG are a bit random despite what google, wikipedia and AFF experts who have never been outside the east coast except on QANTAS say. If LPG make sure it is dual fuel and works well on both. Also it can be a long way between servos especially with some of the headwinds you will strike so make sure you carry enough to cover at least 400km @ 20l/100++.

2) Heat. It gets rather hot out west and your engine/trans will be heavily loaded. Oil coolers are a good idea as is a big water container for both the car and passengers. In extremely hot conditions you will use more fuel.

3) Comms. UHF is a good idea and if you have young children an Iridium is also. Voda and Optus have almost no coverage outside the cities and even Telstra is scratchy once you leave the coast.

4) Spares. At least 2 spare tyres and 1 for the van. It would be a good idea if they had the same stud pattern so in an emergency they could be used on the "wrong" axle. Two sets of belts, bulbs, oil, trans fluid, diff oil, grease, a full set of spanners etc., plastic windscreen sheet etc. are all a very good idea. When you are at the corner of No and Where 200km from anything RACQ will NOT be there in 20 minutes with whatever you need to get you going. Also replace your battery before you start and if you can, take the old one along as a spare. Get a "big dummys guide" for your car from Repco or Supacheap, it may save you a lot of stress.

The last point is that while there is a lot of anecdotal evidence of towing with AUs or E series just remember they were not 12 year old AUs or 20 year old E series. All things wear out......

Other than that have fun......there is a lot to see and do.....

[Elks]

F-Series or Bronco on Gas. you may struglle a little on price $10k is more he go but the extra weight makes a better tow car.

PS: What flappy said above is right too..

[Cam]

Great reply as always flappist, a bit of the below is a little off topic to the original post, but as it appears you've done this before I've given a detailed reply in hope that you might have some more pointers!

Originally Posted by flappist

You are going around Australia? Not just up and down the main highway along the east coast?

Once I get to Victoria I will decide whether I want to go to WA, to cut straight through the middle of OZ..

If you are actually going around Australia there is a bit more to consider.

1) Fuel. If you do not run either ULP or Diesel you may find yourself in situations where you have to wait to get fuel. PULP and LPG are a bit random despite what google, wikipedia and AFF experts who have never been outside the east coast except on QANTAS say. If LPG make sure it is dual fuel and works well on both. Also it can be a long way between servos especially with some of the headwinds you will strike so make sure you carry enough to cover at least 400km @ 20l/100++.

I will definitely not go for dedicated LPG for the exact reasons you've mentioned.
If I end up with a decently priced AU it will go in for a 91RON economy tune (probably take some more timing out to try get torque band a bit lower), hopefully this will ensure that even if it's ULP only I'll easily make 400km between tanks, even in the "worst case" conditions like you've mentioned..

2) Heat. It gets rather hot out west and your engine/trans will be heavily loaded. Oil coolers are a good idea as is a big water container for both the car and passengers. In extremely hot conditions you will use more fuel.

I have 2 trans coolers here, and plan on fitting a lower temp thermostat to try and keep operating temps down as much as possible. I have a brand spanker radiator here too.. Whatever van I get it will have at least a 40L tank before I leave, I do plan to do a bit of "free camping" so need to be self sufficient when required..
Do you suggest an engine oil cooler too?

3) Comms. UHF is a good idea and if you have young children an Iridium is also. Voda and Optus have almost no coverage outside the cities and even Telstra is scratchy once you leave the coast.

Working in IT around the mining sector I am certainly aware of this, to enable me the best chance of having reception I have a Sonicwall TZ210 with a PCMCIA telstra card, and a 4ft Yagi antenna that will be fitted to my van for data. It'll just be a bit of "fine tuning" when stopped to try and get "some" signal. When the time comes I'll look at a 4G option, for now it's not really justified, considering I already have the above.. I am still searching for a decent phone with an antenna connector..I will have a UHF for sure, and have considered a SAT phone but am still doing some research on the most cost effective option..

4) Spares. At least 2 spare tyres and 1 for the van. It would be a good idea if they had the same stud pattern so in an emergency they could be used on the "wrong" axle. Two sets of belts, bulbs, oil, trans fluid, diff oil, grease, a full set of spanners etc., plastic windscreen sheet etc. are all a very good idea. When you are at the corner of No and Where 200km from anything RACQ will NOT be there in 20 minutes with whatever you need to get you going. Also replace your battery before you start and if you can, take the old one along as a spare. Get a "big dummys guide" for your car from Repco or Supacheap, it may save you a lot of stress.

Agreed on all points, I hadn't considered a windscreen sheet, will add that to my list.. I also have things like coolant cap / overflow, thermostat, soldering iron, relays etc.. I am even considering going as far as a spare alternator.. Trying to cover all points of failure bar engine / trans / diff...

The car battery will be replaced before I go and I will also have a dry cell fitted to the boot with an isolator. As well as an anderson plug to the trailers battery (I need to look up if I can have 2 isolators "in line", anyway I digress..). So worst case if my alternator dies I'd imagine I'll still have sufficient juice in one of the batteries to see me on my way till the next town.. Still considering a larger alternator, but as yet undecided if I will really require it..

The last point is that while there is a lot of anecdotal evidence of towing with AUs or E series just remember they were not 12 year old AUs or 20 year old E series. All things wear out......

Other than that have fun......there is a lot to see and do.....

Very true, I am stuck in a viscous cycle of age vs km vs price vs "apparent" repairs / rebuilds done..Hell I am considering buying a very cheap AU and rebuilding the engine and trans..I have time on my side so I have no reason to rush into this, and if the right car or van pops up then the cash is there ready to go...

Thanks again for the detailed reply!

[poppa smurf]

Originally Posted by ILLaViTaR

GQ patrol, better tower and unlike the AU it won't depreciate anymore.

2 for this ^^^^

[smoo]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Your bank account certainly will depreciate tho.

You won't get a diesel for under $7k, so it's a petrol 4.2l you would get, and if it's auto, expect above 20L/100km for any sort of towing.

I owned a GQ petrol and it was great, but shocking on fuel.

Not only the petrols but the 4.2 diesels have shocking fuel economy especially under load and you'll need to take twice the amount of time off work as they are bloody slow.
Can't go wrong with an AU or BA. Put a grand and a weekend aside before you leave and do the cooling system, waterpump, radiator, all hoses etc as well as the belt and I'd be replacing the pulleys too. The parts are cheap enough.

[Uncle Niceguy]

patrols uneconomical in what way my dads patrol gets from brissy to penrith on just one tank and the trip is exactly 1000km and he tows a van.....

[Bushbasher]

Just on economy of a dual fuel AUII-III. I can tell you our wagon has pulled some pretty good weights in the past, the 2 most notable; 1) An off road camper packed to the hilt inside plus the wagon loaded up to the roof plus 2 adults, 2 kids, 2 DVD players, (stopped arguments), assorted kids entertainment etc. and munchies and drinks cooler all in the cabin travelling from central west NSW to SA and back across the Hay Plain and the wagon averaged about 350-370km(best was 420km) to a tank on LPG @ 110kph and most of the time I forgot the camper was there. 2) pulling my 7x5 gated and tarped trailer back from NSW across the Barrier Highway chocka block with basically my entire mans shed contents shoehorned in it plus half the missus utility closet, easily well over a ton, plus the wagon chocka blocked as well with the usual travelling show as described above,(we were moving back to SA) and although I knew the weight was there when slowing down, it towed quite happily and averaged about 330-350km per tank on LPG, (but that was after I fitted an Airod variable mixer that gained me power but cost me about 15% in economy). Both these examples were done without a tune of any kind. I only ever carried 1/2 a tank of petrol because I didn't need all that fuel but a full tank of petrol under the conditions described should be good for at least another 450-500km.

As an aside, I have upgraded the wagons brakes to slotted and drilled discs and it makes a BIG difference to the stopping power and if you can afford it, go find some BA calipers from the wreckers and buy some new slotted BA discs and fit them to your AU wagon. I have BA slotted brakes on my Fairlane and it pulls up even better than the wagon. I did the whole job for under $200.


Bushbasher

[poppa smurf]

work out what it is you wish to see......I've been "around the block" 4 times now and each time done it differently

do you wish to see chambers pillar, the painted desert, kakadu, strezlecki track, the tanami, kimberley, gibb river road,......I've done all of these and will do so again....... a 2wd may not cut it

what size van are you going to pull, a reasonable van will weigh in around the 2,000 kilo mark, do you wish to be up around your max at all times.....I dont think so

are you going all bituman or a mix....free camping or caravan parks, are you setting your van up for self sufficiency

I strongly suggest you visit a forum dedicated to travellers.....I can suggest a few but wont do so openly as I guess it is against forum policy

if you want a lot more info then PM me and I will give you my Email and pass on over 30 years of travelling advice and forums that are a wealth of information regarding travelling, free camping and self sufficiency

[futura97]

I'd seriously consider the 4wd diesel option if I was you. Not only because diesel is a "better" tow vehicle, but because the lifestyle of a 4wd is completely different. Just think of the extra tracks into the bush you can check out, or the beaches you can drive along. You will be able to see so much more of aus with a 4wd...

And all these comments about diesels being slow, yes they are. But take an extra year to go around? C'mon.... 100kmh in a petrol is the same as a 100kmh in a diesel. Who cares if it takes a little bit longer to get there! After all you are going on a trip to see australia, not to see australia go by.

[Brazen]

Another benefit of dedicated LPG on the wagons is that the tank is huge I think around 100litres.

For the money you wont get better than a Falcon wagon for towing.