Used Manual Tow Vehicle?

Tay · Nov 16, 2017

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and in the market for a tow vehicle for a prospective van.

Have been looking around for the last 2 months and have narrowed down my choices to getting a 7 seater, petrol, SUV.

Petrol because I dont think I will tow that much. Prob 5-6 times a year (edited). And most of my driving will be short distances along the highway. 15-20 min total.

Also, I cannot get used to the rattle of diesels at this point in time. I have test driven the Everest and LC200 and must say that they are quiet but it's a 65K-90K issue. Have also tried the Isuzu, Trailblazer, and the Pajero and cannot get used to the diesel rattle in those (esp the Isuzu and the Pajero - although I must admit I love the classic look of the Paj and the seats). After all this, and reading that diesel emissions are more toxic to humans, I have more or less decided to settle on a petrol version.

Also having read about over-heating issues with auto transmission, and the controversy about whether to install aftermarket transmission coolers, I was thinking of gettting a manual.

Options currently are (all used and about 20-30K):
1. Nissan Patrol Petrol, manual
2. LC100, Petrol, manual

Any thoughts or comments? Is there any benefit to get manual and will there be other problems with having a manual gearbox when it comes to towing a heavy rig a handful of times a year?

Thanks in advance!

mfexpanda · Nov 17, 2017

Hi
I use to tow a 16 expanda with a v6 petrol ‘99 rodeo loved petrol and couldn’t use the air con on hot days .
Now tow a 21.6 Silverline behind my Colorado diesel and it’s like chalk and cheese.
Aircon on better fuel economy and easier towing .
Slower when not towing but I can live with that .

davemc · Nov 17, 2017

We had a petrol D3 and replaced it with a diesel D4 both autos.. On the flats it was ok on the hills it slowed as the 4.0 for V6 was struggling with the weight of van and car. Fuel wise the diesel around town 7-8 litres less and towing 6-7 so yes will take a while to pay back on fuel and the extra cost of servicing. Also extra cost of vehicle

Although you need the power to be comfortable to tow. V8's above should have some power although you need to look around at how well they tow. Although $20-$30k you be early 2000 model? You can get s/h C7 under $30k and just over a s/h Mux. Both still with warranty.

With the 7 seater how old are the kids or adults? Look at 3rd row some are for kids with no legs

We looked at the new Mux, C7/Trailblazer and Everest before we brought the D4.
Three car seats where a struggle in each and we where another 18 months away to go to two.
Even 2 as they are all non Australian designed cars the single split is also on the drivers side and two depending on seats stopped the single flipping.
So entering the rear was either via the boot or over the back seat. Not something an adult will do. Or if you need both 6-7 it could be a pain.
Everest has points so you can put carseats in the rear not something you want to do all the time with little ones and seat belts.
We where close to getting the MUX seats where a concern although the Disco its a few levels above the others we drove. More $ a month and payout though as $30k more new

Drover · Nov 17, 2017

Patrol or Cruiser petrol will tow quite well but will empty your wallet quicker than a diesel, petrol generally have a lower tow cap than diesel, as for using a manual or auto, either will give no problem if you know how to use them, they usually get hot and problematic when incorrectly used....The manual is quite okay you just need to work out the optimum times to change gears, this just takes a little time as it's something that can be is particular to your set up.

You don't really hear the diesel rattle once you get going, it's only when idling at the lights .

Most important though no matter what the engine, if you are then going to look for a van, get a tug which has a 3.5t towing capacity, that doesn't mean you need to get a heavy van but it does mean it will tow a 2t van with ease and be able to carry and tow a family around the place, a 2.5t tow capacity means you will more than likely be overloaded with a 2t van........some will choose to disagree but it's simple maths.

Bluey · Nov 18, 2017

Depends what your towing how big is the van whats its weight

rags · Nov 18, 2017

Prado V6

4wdphil · Nov 19, 2017

Hi Tay.
Firstly welcome to the group.
Now in regards to your questions.
Firstly I would not be buying a manual unless you like replacing your clutch - $$$$$. Autos are so much easier to use especially when reversing your van - more so you have a large van and trying to back into a caravan park that is full.
Towing 5-6 times a month is a lot so I would be buying a diesel as they have significantly more torque than a petrol, usually they have a higher towing capacity. There is a reason truck have diesel motors instead of petrol.
For $20 - $30k you could get yourself a good turbo diesel 100 series LC that would do everything you are asking of it and more. other wise a 4.2l patrol would be my next option.
I have had both diesel and petrol 100 series LC's and the turbo diesel was by far the better car. The petrol was so expensive to tow the van. It would drink fuel like there was no tomorrow especially if there was any kind of hill. The petrol had to work a lot harder than the diesel.
I would be fairly confident if you did a poll on hear that most of the members would have diesel tugs.

Any way good luck with the search.
In the end you have to be happy with what you buy as you will be the one driving it.

Deanus · Nov 19, 2017

Tay said:
Hi everyone,

I'm new here and in the market for a tow vehicle for a prospective van.

Have been looking around for the last 2 months and have narrowed down my choices to getting a 7 seater, petrol, SUV.

Petrol because I dont think I will tow that much. Prob 5-6 times a month. And most of my driving will be short distances along the highway. 15-20 min total.

Also, I cannot get used to the rattle of diesels at this point in time. I have test driven the Everest and LC200 and must say that they are quiet but it's a 65K-90K issue. Have also tried the Isuzu, Trailblazer, and the Pajero and cannot get used to the diesel rattle in those (esp the Isuzu and the Pajero - although I must admit I love the classic look of the Paj and the seats). After all this, and reading that diesel emissions are more toxic to humans, I have more or less decided to settle on a petrol version.

Also having read about over-heating issues with auto transmission, and the controversy about whether to install aftermarket transmission coolers, I was thinking of gettting a manual.

Options currently are (all used and about 20-30K):
1. Nissan Patrol Petrol, manual
2. LC100, Petrol, manual

Any thoughts or comments? Is there any benefit to get manual and will there be other problems with having a manual gearbox when it comes to towing a heavy rig a handful of times a year?

Thanks in advance!

Deanus · Nov 19, 2017

Hello Tay,

Simply put, Petrol for cruising, Diesel hands down for towing. A mate had a 351ci Fairmont Ghia, power, but NO torque. Struggled badly around Tasmania. He came home and within a week had purchased an Everest and LOVES it to bits and tows FAR better than the petrol. Personally have only ever towed more than camper trailer with diesel. A Patrol and 2 Pajeros and now a BT50 for the 3.5 t capacity.
That's my 2 bobs worth.
Good luck.

Bluey · Nov 19, 2017

Navara v6 diesel also good heaps of power

bigcol · Nov 20, 2017

welcome to the forum @Tay
as you can see a wealth of information at your finger tips..... so to speak

as @4wdphil pointed out (unless it was a typo on your part) 5-6 times a month is alot.........

Tay said:
Petrol because I dont think I will tow that much. Prob 5-6 times a month. And most of my driving will be short distances along the highway. 15-20 min total.

4wdphil said:
Towing 5-6 times a month is a lot so I would be buying a diesel as they have significantly more torque than a petrol, usually they have a higher towing capacity. There is a reason truck have diesel motors instead of petrol.

even if it is towing 3 streets away, thats still a heck of alot of towing

as some have inferred - but not quite correct, about the towing limits of a Petrol V's Diesel
both the Patrol TB48 (6cyl petrol) and the 100 series 1FZ-FE (6cyl Petrol) & 2UZ-FE (v8 petrol) have 3.5T towing capacity
all 3 are available in Manual and Auto
all are pretty much of a muchness, all 180Kw and 400Nm
so its really horses for courses, what available and do you pay the "Toyota Tax" to buy a cruiser

the auto is easier to drive - but the clutches in both Patrol & Cruiser are good - your driving style is what will kill them
I know guys with both - and getting up to 500000kms and still not changed the clutch

I prefer a manual to tow
my father used to swear by an Auto to tow - meh - again - horses for courses

if looking at diesel in both the Patrol and Cruiser - the last of the Patrol TD42 (6 cyl Diesel) was 2006 and the Cruiser 1HD-FTE was dropped when the 200 came out
both were dropped because of Euro 4/5 compliance - or lack of

now, the other Patrol (that people wrongly call a grenade) the ZD30 was swapped out for the CRD around 2005
it has a lower towing capacity - 2800kg for Manual and 2500kgs for Auto

like others, I would suggest Diesel for towing hands down
the petrol's have good power, but - are thirsty little buggers when towing

I average 12L/100 empty in my diesel and 16L/100 when towing my Van
my V8 petrol Landcruiser is around 14L/100 empty and 22L/100 towing same Van

BUT

expect to pay top dollar for a Patrol TD42 or a Cruiser 1HD-FTE - about $8-$10K more for a good one not flogged
thats about 2.5 to 3 years worth of petrol on average

I hope this helps

Tay · Nov 20, 2017

Thanks guys! Yes it is a typo! I edited it to 5-6 times a year. Sorry!

Looks like most people would recommend a diesel auto versus petrol. Even the car dealer tell me 100% to go diesel. But on the other hand, there was a mechanic that suggested petrol as he said current diesels are "messier".

davemc · Nov 20, 2017

I assumed its 5-6 times a year.. depends how far you go fuel might not be a issue
6 litres more a 100 and you travel 500k is only 30 litres more each way

If your only going to Ballarat then 150ks each way

I am looking around myself at older 4WD vs something newer.
You see many Patrols/Cruisers/Discos up in the 300's and still going strong. Or Defenders for me

Although it can be chook lotto when buying your getting one thats been looked after and $20-$30k on a ten year old plus car

bigcol · Nov 22, 2017

Tay said:
Thanks guys! Yes it is a typo! I edited it to 5-6 times a year. Sorry!

Looks like most people would recommend a diesel auto versus petrol. Even the car dealer tell me 100% to go diesel. But on the other hand, there was a mechanic that suggested petrol as he said current diesels are "messier".

you will find that they are not "messier" as such, just that with the pressure that the Diesel is being pumped at with the newer generation of diesels, most Mechanics are not great fans of them

now, before you get too "sorted" on which vehicle

which Van are you going to get...............?

no point in buying a nice D4D Prado or DiD Pajero(both diesel), and then find that the Van you want is heavier than the 2.5T towing capacity (calm down Pajero Fans, I know you can go up to 3T if you lower the ball weight - but WHY would you lower the Ball weight? - the old rule of thumb - ball weight 10% of Towed Mass.....much safer.....)

although, you really cannot go wrong with either the Landcruiser (a real one not a Playdoh) or an older Patrol with the TD42 diesel engine (slow as a wet week, but will tow the Queen Mary out of the water - eventually)

your final budget and driving habits will also determine what you buy

bigcol · Nov 22, 2017

in so saying that......

I've just driven home from Hoffmans to Swan Valley

my TD42 is slow off the mark at lights (beat most trucks though - but not as quick as a dunnydoor or falcoon) but once in 5th at 100k/h doing 2200rpm
its as happy as a pig in "you know what" - and cruised all the way home..........

Boots in Action · Nov 25, 2017

mfexpanda said:
Hi
I use to tow a 16 expanda with a v6 petrol ‘99 rodeo loved petrol and couldn’t use the air con on hot days .
Now tow a 21.6 Silverline behind my Colorado diesel and it’s like chalk and cheese.
Aircon on better fuel economy and easier towing .
Slower when not towing but I can live with that .

Diesel power every time for good towing and better fuel economy.

Used Manual Tow Vehicle?

Tay

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mfexpanda

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davemc

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Drover

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Bluey

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rags

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4wdphil

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Deanus

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Deanus

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Bluey

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bigcol

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Tay

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davemc

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bigcol

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bigcol

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Boots in Action

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