New Tow Tug ,What to Buy?

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

if i wasnt a car guy it would be easier but driving a small truck without any go forward is not going to do it for me without a back up v8 toy as well.

You were thinking Ram weren’t you?No reason you couldn’t toss the tub and put a flat tray and turntable on that.

[351LTD]

the 5th wheel options are limited either the big US ones with the door on the wrong side or a very limited range of AU ones ,in which i have not seen one i liked ,have already picked the caravan we like so just need something to tow it !

[Yellow_Festiva]

What bout older Land Rover stuff?

They have a tow rating of 4t.

Those, Hummers or the American pick-ups.

They all have towing ratings over 3500kg.

If your new van is around 3.5t you have no wiggle room.

Possibly a light truck is better? Then buy something really small and cheap to get around.

[351LTD]

Heading towards a Awd isuzu truck at the moment ,independant front suspension and maybe ok ride and still have sand capabilty (maybe) and still tow 3.5t with a load on the back (unlike the ram 1500)then keep my ltd or get another toy to.play with.lots of maybes !!!

[Franco Cozzo]

Keen to hear your experience with the Isuzu truck if you drive one on a test run, my only experience is with one of them that was converted to an EV, we had 3750kg of concrete in the back, myself and 2 other fat bastards up front in the cabin putting us over legal payload and it was like being on a pogo stick over some of the rough roads around Melbourne, probably didn't have the IRS front though.

It was one of those box truck things, might have been an NPR.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Keen to hear your experience with the Isuzu truck if you drive one on a test run, my only experience is with one of them that was converted to an EV, we had 3750kg of concrete in the back, myself and 2 other fat bastards up front in the cabin putting us over legal payload and it was like being on a pogo stick over some of the rough roads around Melbourne, probably didn't have the IRS front though.

It was one of those box truck things, might have been an NPR.

haa thats typical Melbin, WA no worries.

[hayseed]

Find a pre DPF 200 series & do this to It...

https://dmwindustries.com.au/landcru...es-dual-cab-2/

Or this

https://creativeconversions.com.au/o...s-tray-option/


You get a GVM &GCM upgrade plus you'll have the twin Turbo V8 Auto & a very capable 4X4
Appears to be the best Compromise you can get to Me..!

[351LTD]

GCM upgrades are no longer allowed .

[EGOG6ET]

For the cost of a new tow rig plus the cost of a van I would be looking at buying a bus / coach and converting it to a camper. You can then tow an old Sierra or something like that for your 4x4 and getting around town.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

GCM upgrades are no longer allowed .

Since when exactly

[351LTD]

GCM upgrades Got the chop some time back so not much point doing a GVM if you are going to tow something heavy,Crossed off the Bus idea a while back as unless you spend some real money its all a bit of a gamble buying a old bus.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

GCM upgrades Got the chop some time back so not much point doing a GVM if you are going to tow something heavy

I'm not so sure about that..

https://dmwindustries.com.au/dmw-200...n-gvm-upgrade/

But happy to be corrected..

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by hayseed

I'm not so sure about that..

https://dmwindustries.com.au/dmw-200...n-gvm-upgrade/

But happy to be corrected..

Wonder what the 2 upgrades cost?

[dunga]

Originally Posted by hayseed

I'm not so sure about that..

https://dmwindustries.com.au/dmw-200...n-gvm-upgrade/

But happy to be corrected..

That company don't do gcm upgrades only gvm you would legally tow less with that upgrade if loaded to gvm

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by dunga

That company don't do gcm upgrades only gvm you would legally tow less with that upgrade if loaded to gvm

These Blokes Do. (8200kg GCM)


https://creativeconversions.com.au/

[prydey]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

GCM upgrades Got the chop some time back so not much point doing a GVM if you are going to tow something heavy,

Well done. Always good to see someone do their homework before spending a lot of money. So many discussions go down the angry path because people spend big dollars on upgrades and don't like to be told they are illegal.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by dunga

Since when exactly

GCM upgrades, if still allowed in your state, have to be done pre registration to new vehicles only and have to be done by a company with second stage manufacturer accreditation, like lovells etc.

I don't know the exact ins and outs but they started clamping down on gcm and gvm upgrades a year or so back.

[351LTD]

trying to do my homework but some people just seem to be in denial over this whole towing thing,i live in a caravan park and see it
(overloaded vechiles)first hand everday ,i use to speak to people about there towing setup but now give the subject a miss .The more you look into it the harder it gets once the caravan gets to 2 8t and over.I suspect the law and the insurance companies will get into the act shortly as the accident numbers increase by the day .

[Swordie]

Another suggestion is talk to people who sell caravans to see what they recommend as far as tow rigs.

It seems once you get beyond 3500kg the options are more limited and costly.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

trying to do my homework but some people just seem to be in denial over this whole towing thing,i live in a caravan park and see it
(overloaded vechiles)first hand everday ,i use to speak to people about there towing setup but now give the subject a miss .The more you look into it the harder it gets once the caravan gets to 2 8t and over.I suspect the law and the insurance companies will get into the act shortly as the accident numbers increase by the day .

Pretty sure there is an ongoing court battle in NSW or QLD where the driver is facing very serious charges over a fatal crash involving an overweight caravan and or a tow vehicle too light.

[351LTD]

caravan salesmen i have spoken to do not seem to know the rules and really are there only to sell caravans,its not even over 3.5t where the issue is but anything around 3t and above.

[wodahs]

well im currently more than happy with my 2018 grand cherokee trailhawk
it weights in at 2340
max braked tow cap id 3500
gvm 2949 (thats 609kgs in the vehicle so at least a little more than just me )
but only a gcm 6099 cutting the gvm back to 259 with tow maxed out to 3500 so no more donuts for me whilst greynomading

always an interesting read
https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car...kg-tow-rating/

[Swordie]

Below is a link to some technical articles from Caravan Council of Australia. This may help give more background info.

https://www.caravancouncil.com.au/technical-articles

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

trying to do my homework but some people just seem to be in denial over this whole towing thing,i live in a caravan park and see it
(overloaded vechiles)first hand everday ,i use to speak to people about there towing setup but now give the subject a miss .The more you look into it the harder it gets once the caravan gets to 2 8t and over.I suspect the law and the insurance companies will get into the act shortly as the accident numbers increase by the day .

It's a bit off topic but what's it like living in a caravan park and how many grey nomads make up your neighbours

I find the oldies love a chat

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

It's a bit off topic but what's it like living in a caravan park and how many grey nomads make up your neighbours

I find the oldies love a chat

Franco, lived in many along with marina's.
Marina's the way to go, buy a cheap yacht and set it up as a liveaboard, great lifestyle.

Nomads......
As long as they don't want to chat when you are busy setting up or after work when I want to relax.
I always get the usual questions like oh are you a ............ oh you must be single............. oh I didn't know you could buy sometime like that...........do you like working on the road..........Oh you must come and join us for happy hour...........or a sing song............Oh you might be able to get my grand (son/ daughter) a job......

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Franco, lived in many along with marina's.
Marina's the way to go, buy a cheap yacht and set it up as a liveaboard, great lifestyle.

Nomads......
As long as they don't want to chat when you are busy setting up or after work when I want to relax.
I always get the usual questions like oh are you a ............ you still single............. oh I didn't know you could buy sometime like that...........do you like working on the road..........Oh you must come and join us for happy hour...........or a sing song............Oh you might be able to get my friends (son/ daughter) a job......

i didnt know nomads were my mother

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by wodahs

i didnt know nomads were my mother

fill in, where the dotted lines are. They are everyone's mother

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

fill in, where the dotted lines are. They are everyone's mother

I've turned at a van park up stinking after five or six days, free camping and doing all sort of sweaty stuff & all the old dears turn up to tell me about the single gels back home or who are there in the park.
Seems regardless of age, every generation of wimen can't abide seeing a single man enjoying himself.

[hayseed]

maybe this..... maybe??
https://www.drive.com.au/new-car-rev...trackLink=SMH1

[prydey]

Originally Posted by hayseed

maybe this..... maybe??
https://www.drive.com.au/new-car-rev...trackLink=SMH1

GCM is 6t, so with a kerb weight of 2281 and 3500 van, it leaves 219kg for driver, fuel and whatever else you might want to carry.

GCM is the sticking point for most car based (not truck) vehicles.