Tow vehicle recommendations

[SteveoTheTiger]

second hand diesels need to have a good inspection prior. Specially injectors and DPF ..
I would like to update my tow vehicle to a diesel at some stage too. Im going to hate it but it's going to be a but better on the wallet if I tow regularly..

I got rid of my SSV Sportswagon late last year and got a 3.2lt Ranger XLT. So far i havent really towed with it other than a box trailer but i am sure it will be good. And no more spinning the tyres trying to get the boat out of the water at the ramp!

I do miss the performance of the 6.0lt V8 but i certainly dont miss the fuel bill. When i bought the wagon a couple of years ago i still had the 4.2m tinny which was fine. But now ive got the Haines Hunter and a Jayco Swan which i take bush camping so i decided i needed to get back into a 4x4 (my previous car was a Pajero). And being able to carry stuff in the back is great.

[skronkman]

Pretty sure your cheapest option is going to be a Ute. The turbo diesels are good but stay over 3 litres and avoid anything with a DPF. Common rail gives you the power but if an injector pump or injectors need replacing its gunna hurt your wallet. Keep the kms low if ya can find one ( I’m 240,000 kms and still fine but I think usually 200,000 is about normal for new injectors). You can look at anything with a solid rear axle, the suspension might need upgrading too. You’ll just have to look up towing capacity as 2.5T is common but getting over that starts to get less common (although newer cars re tending to have higher tow capacity). The older Holden and ford station wagons were good and cheap options for towing but I doubt they have 3.5t capacity either.

I’ve got a 3.0 turbo diesel common rail Isuzu dmax (actually a Holden Colorado but I don’t like to tell people). It tows well and drives ok, the fuel ecompnomy is about 8-12 litres per 100k depending on how heavy my foot is. It goes up to 13-16 litres when towing 2t boat. It’s not rated to tow 3.5t though. If the bt20 is then it’s an option for you, they seem like decent cars and I know a few tradies with them that have no complaints. The 75 series land cruisers won’t come into your budget I doubt.

I reckon an old 3t tray back truck with a 3-4 litre Diesel engine would be a ripper. Build your own camper on the back of it, be the envy of all ya mates! Oh, and a Kia Rio on club reg for normal driving! Haha.

[purple5ive]

you cannot daily drive a car on club rego..

[sandef]

Why would you pay double rego and insurance

[skronkman]

I was only joking about the Kia Rio. I just meant it may be impractical to drive a 3T truck as a daily driver.

[ducky]

Can’t you get club reg up to 100 days driving a year?

The logbook would prove to be a pita though

[purple5ive]

Can’t you get club reg up to 100 days driving a year?

The logbook would prove to be a pita though

yes, but logbook will **** you up royally and its a big fine if caught.
its only meant to be for travel to club events.

[Mattblack]

Can’t you get club reg up to 100 days driving a year?

The logbook would prove to be a pita though

yes, but logbook will **** you up royally and its a big fine if caught.
its only meant to be for travel to club events.

I have club plates on my bikes....you can go wherever you like, just have to fill the date into your logbook before you set off.
Ranger would be my pick out of all of them (same as the BT50 but better build, smoother ride and smaller turning circle)

[purple5ive]

Can’t you get club reg up to 100 days driving a year?

The logbook would prove to be a pita though

yes, but logbook will **** you up royally and its a big fine if caught.
its only meant to be for travel to club events.

I have club plates on my bikes....you can go wherever you like, just have to fill the date into your logbook before you set off.

its def changed then.
wasn't the case when i wanted to apply few years ago, which is why i didn't bother.

[frozenpod]

Thanks - looking to tow a glass boat up to 6.8M (Haven't yet chosen the boat). Will be enclosed. Engine 250 - 300hp

That will likely be right on 3500kg by the time you fill it with gear.
You can save some weight with an alloy trailer compared with gavanised steel but it will still be over 3000kg.

Your best best is a 200 series Cruiser or Y62 Patrol.

Patrol is cheaper to buy, cheaper to own and cheaper to run when towing.

Keep in mind as you will be up close to the legal limit you need to meet GVM, GCM as well as the tow capacity.

Most of the utes are realistically limited to 3000kg by the time you add fuel, bull bar, a people in the vehicle.

The only UTE (without looking at the big US utes) that can really legally tow 3500kg is the single cab BT-50 with a light alloy tray.