Tow vehicle

Hi guys

After a bit of advice.

Can you recommend tow vehicle for a 5.8m boat, total tow weight approx 1.8 - 2 tonnes?

I know the big 4WD's are the best for towing, but wondering other options that cost less and more fuel economical/better for normal day to day driving.

PS Ute's not option.

Cheers! 


Posts: 4576

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What's the budget? Prado

Fri, 2013-02-22 11:41

What's the budget? Prado would be my choice. Not pushing a big car round during the week. Economical to run and comfortable ride.
Tow 2 ton easily.

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 Budget $40-50K, so would be

Fri, 2013-02-22 11:42

 Budget $40-50K, so would be looking at used if went Prado.....

 

slosh30's picture

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Anything you Lille

Fri, 2013-02-22 11:45

 Hey mate, I don't know of many 4wd's that can't pull that much. The Nissan x-trail I think has 550nm of torque in the v6 model that's heaps! Or just look at anything that actually takes your fancy. My jeep tows pretty much anything I throw at it.  What sort of price range you looking at? Toyota fj? 

Luke

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Xtrail with 550nm ????Better

Sat, 2013-02-23 21:44

Xtrail with 550nm ????

Better check those specs mate - that's some serious torque (we're talking REAL 4wd torque) and around 200nm above their max on the T-diesel. (Only 360Nm)

I'd have to chip my new BT-50 to get that torque, and it's already 110nm above the xtrail in stock form.

The Navara STX does a monster 550nm from 3.0L V6 - but that's obviously a very different vehicle.

i think the Pathfinder TI 550 has the same engine, but again it's a miles better vehicle than the xtrail.

slosh30's picture

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40-50k

Fri, 2013-02-22 11:46

 Go fj cruiser, great all rounder

Vinesh87's picture

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 The new jeep grand cherokee

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:06

 The new jeep grand cherokee nearly fits that in a diesel , best 4wd and luxury for the price. Won't even feel 2t.I wouldn't go fj for many reasons mainly its only petrol.

Brilliant fuel economy!

Browndog's picture

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+1

Fri, 2013-02-22 20:53

+1 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but get the diesel not the 5.7V8 (unless you own BP) The V8 goes like a rocket and could tow tasmania, but loves a drink. I hear the new diesel ones are quicker 0-100 than the petrol V8's. Could be time to trade in soon....

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Toyota's Kluger is rated to

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:32

Toyota's Kluger is rated to 2T. Depends how far you have to tow it i spose.

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 Anyone had a Nissan

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:34

 Anyone had a Nissan Pathfinder, opinions?

 

collin g wood's picture

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Pathy

Sat, 2013-02-23 08:39

 Got the 93 model Nissan pathy, only prob I've had in240000 is was water pump gave out, absolutely brilliant car

Swompa's picture

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Nissan Pathfinder have the

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:40

Nissan Pathfinder have the same engine as the Navara i think.

Get an auto.....

 

 

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Pajero

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:44

You could just about get a new Paj diesel for that in auto, my boat and trailer are 2.2tonnes. 147KW 440nm I think.

Paul H's picture

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I'm assuming you may want a

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:46

I'm assuming you may want a 4wd of some sort but just remember up to 2 tonne your not only restricted to 4wd's - My VZ V8 Commodore has a tow capacity of 2100kg (and V6 model is 2200kg).  VE commies are similar (manual is around 1600kg but auto 2100kg) 

Has the plus side of being easy to drive around the city as well which is what it spends most of its time doing. 

Tows the boat excellent on long trips with plenty of overtaking power. 

Only down side is beach launches are out but a carton of beer gets me by on the odd occasion where there's no ramp (plus keeps my car out of the salt).

 

Cheers

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Brand new Pajero is under

Fri, 2013-02-22 12:58

Brand new Pajero is under $60,000

 

Tows 3 tonne and has a five year warranty.

 

Prado only has 2.5 tonne towing

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 +1 for the Pajero The GLX-R

Fri, 2013-02-22 13:06

 +1 for the Pajero

 

The GLX-R 3.2 DiD is $54,990 driveaway.

www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au/shopping-tools/special-offers/pajero-glx-r-automatic

 

I have an earler Gen 3 and it's a great tow pig, and easy to live with for commutes.

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Patrol

Fri, 2013-02-22 13:38

 My Patrol is in the for sale section if you are interested in one. 

 

Stu

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Mulie

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Prado KDJ120 series or a

Fri, 2013-02-22 15:24

Prado KDJ120 series or a Pajero ,chose is yours.I have an 08 Prado and a mate as a 2010 Pajero both autos,wifes fling them around town like shopping trolleys.Prado has 2 90lt tanks Pajero has about 90 only

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Wesley

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 I tow 2T in the 09 pajero -

Fri, 2013-02-22 15:52

 I tow 2T in the 09 pajero - does it easy.

is a big car day to day but doesnt bother me. Went it over the 150 series prado based on cost. Did consider the 120 series prado grande - but it is slim pickings with the uprated diesel that came out late 07/early 08

Justo82's picture

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 Holden Colorado.  $40k and

Fri, 2013-02-22 16:05

 Holden Colorado.  $40k and 3.5T towing.  Same as a 200 cruiser and less than half the price.   Uses around 9L per 100km for daily driving.  

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 Huge call comparing a

Fri, 2013-02-22 18:24

 Huge call comparing a Colorado to a 200 series. 

He said he didn't want a ute either....

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allrounder's picture

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I think he was referring to the 3.5 ton tow rating Dodgy

Fri, 2013-02-22 19:12

 They also do a new colorado 7 thats a wagon style. I wont still rather the 200

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Justo82's picture

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 Obviously no comparison to a

Sun, 2013-02-24 21:58

 Obviously no comparison to a 200.  But towing capacity is up there. 

shonky's picture

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Pathfinder

Fri, 2013-02-22 18:33

 Mate, t

The pathfinder has the same donk as The navara,good for 3 tons. I pull a 23 footer with mine no worries and that's the 2.5 lL model.but like swompa says get an auto.bit heavy on the juice when towing though.

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JoRn's picture

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i have to agree...took my new

Fri, 2013-02-22 19:33

i have to agree...took my new boat up to jurien today...

 

23l/100km

hurts! tank there and tank back...sure did hurt the pocket.

 

 

really wish i didnt cancel my jeep order

Vinesh87's picture

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 Yeh mate jeep 15l/100 to

Fri, 2013-02-22 20:09

 Yeh mate jeep 15l/100 to jurien and back and not slowly i might add, trophy loaded!!1 tank.

jng's picture

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 +1 for the jeep, plenty of

Sat, 2013-02-23 08:12

 +1 for the jeep, plenty of power

 

JoRn's picture

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 jealous!!!

Fri, 2013-02-22 21:17

 jealous!!!

opsrey's picture

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Need to keep perspective on towing.

Fri, 2013-02-22 21:29

 There is a bit to the subject, but a lot of discussion forgets we only tow now and again. Towing fuel consumption is not too big of a problem, we don't tow that many kms each year. Normal use fuel consumption is a proper issue, we probably do 15000km normal commute.

 

driving around town picking kids up in the F350 isn't much fun, but it might make a good tow rig. The Pajero gets the kis easily and tows Ok.

 

Up to 6 m boats the tow vehicle isn't too important. The big boats need the high end Cruisers and bigger. Someone of the biggest traile boats need small trucks.

 

Good luck on the choice.

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Towing versus retrieving

Fri, 2013-02-22 21:50

 I hace a5.8 Genesis and tow it with a Hilux 3D, towing is not an issue, the thing you need to look at is the weight of the vehicel versus boat on the ramp, I find my Hilux struggles to hold on the ramp when retrieving the boat, hand brake is adjusted to the max and it still slips.

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 Skull

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At ramps with my Hilux and

Sat, 2013-02-23 10:02

At ramps with my Hilux and 5.8m Ally i never rely on the handbrake.

I actaully lock the front hubs in and once reversed down actually pop it into 4wd, leave it in 1st gear then shut the car off(on really steep/slippery ramps i actually shove a brick behind the wheel. Same with driving up the steep ramp with the boat i actaully drive out in L4 then when the car and boat get onto the flat stop and pop it back into 2H.

Vinesh87's picture

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Interesting, i was at the

Sat, 2013-02-23 11:13

Interesting, i was at the ramp with a hilux the other day and same deal + slipping clutch. Seems like a problem for the lux's ?

Buz's picture

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Dont know about the newer

Sat, 2013-02-23 16:02

Dont know about the newer Hilux's, mines a 2002 3.0L TD. I just find it doesnt have the power to pull my boat up from take off at a steep ramp say like Mindarie. Just alot of riding the clutch then stalling so hence going to 4L till back on the flat then back to 2H. Fine for take offs at the lights and at not so steep ramps. Bit like in said mainly its also to ensure my car doesnt roll back into the water at the ramp if the handbrake fails. See it happen twice at Mindarie with other boats and cars that kept there car running and just had the handbrake on. Always leave in gear and turn car off i say! Never trust a handbrake.

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Prado boys!

Sat, 2013-02-23 03:20

 Prado is great, plenty of power and very stable. I have the same size boat...... About 2t all up, Not sure where some of you are getting your stats from, extrail with 550 nm of torque that's BS.....tie it to the back of a Prado or a pajero and they will pull it backwards!

Would also consider weight of tow vs boat as mentioned by skull, also true when on the road.... Just because a vehicle can pull it or claims it has 3.5 t capacity the true test is when you need to slam on the brakes and it sways or knifes you. If you want to tow heavy buy a heavy tow vehicle

Vinesh87's picture

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 I assume they are mixed up

Sat, 2013-02-23 09:16

 I assume they are mixed up with pathfinder which is 550nm.

jighead's picture

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This ones great for beach launches

Sat, 2013-02-23 05:44
elliotbirch's picture

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 Hey mate, we have a 3T boat

Sat, 2013-02-23 08:50

 Hey mate, we have a 3T boat when fully loaded with fuel, gear etc. and we tow it with a 2004 petrol Toyota Prado, although it has a 2.5T capacity it does it with relative ease but is heavy on the fuel (about 20l/100k). I also have a diesel jeep grand Cherokee which has a 3.5T towing capacity and we tow our other boat with that which is a little lighter but it takes it like an absolute breeze! So really +1 for both the jeep and the Prado....coincidentally the jeep is actually for sale right now if your interested!

Vinesh87's picture

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 Don't crash, illegally

Sat, 2013-02-23 09:09

 Don't crash, illegally towing with your prado will see your insurance void.

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Check out Jeep

Sat, 2013-02-23 15:17

Have A Jeep Grand Cherrokee Larado T.Diesil and find it great to run around town in (the wife's car) and really tows well. Tows our 25 Ft Jayco Sterling caravan (2.3tonne unloaded weight) with ease. We get approx 14-15lt/100kms when towing the van. Find it a great vehicle and well within your budget.

 

Cheers OX

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Yeh that jeep has got good

Sat, 2013-02-23 16:27

Yeh that jeep has got good reviews, anyone else have the jeep?
My only concern is reliabilty / cost of parts etc compared to the Asian brands.
Cheers

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Date Joined: 01/02/10

 Nah. The jeeps newer jeeps

Sat, 2013-02-23 16:46

 Nah. The jeeps newer jeeps aren't as bad as they used to be. They are now only the 4th least reliable car on the market. In front of landrover, dodge and some other....

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Vinesh87's picture

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 Compared to a 200 series its

Sat, 2013-02-23 17:23

 Compared to a 200 series its $40k worth of parts extra if you are worried about 'jeep'.

Here is a review  i did a while back, now have 10, 000 on the clock and still stoked.

http://fishwrecked.com/forum/jeep-grand-cherokee-2012

 

joe amato's picture

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lots of options sugested

Sat, 2013-02-23 17:27

 for more info on towing capacity,specs etc look on redbook,this will cover just about anything you want to know about any v ehicles

 

Lavs's picture

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I tow my  1.8T fibreglass 655

Mon, 2013-02-25 21:30

I tow my  1.8T fibreglass 655 with a Landrover freelander 2.  Its got one of the biggest towing capacities in it's class (2T).  Mine is the petrol 6Cyl but the diesel is even better (more torque.)

Did Perth to Mandurah and back on about 25L of fuel which i thought was pretty good.

Never had any issues with slipping/wheel spin on ramps - the 4WD system is unbelievable.

Olliej's picture

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 Thats a light 655 or ally

Tue, 2013-02-26 06:25

 Thats a light 655 or ally trailer?

 

freelander is a nice drive though. 

Lavs's picture

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Well that was calculated

Tue, 2013-02-26 21:17

Well that was calculated using the T&A off the trailor...  and the trailor has a max weight of 2T.

Wouldnt include gear or fuel.   Bit of a guestimate though :)

Handles it very well except when its bloody windy - anything over 90Kmh in strong wind it feels a bit light in the bum.