Will this setup bring us around Australia or not?

Jack Lucy & Josh said:

OK, I completely fell in love with that car.
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mortdale/cars-vans-utes/nissan-navara-ute-d40-2011/1195664275

Are 128KW enough to tow a 17.56.2 around Ozzy?

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This seems you are buying with your heart and not your head!
Do your numbers.
Decide on the van that suits, then, buy the truck that fits, numbers wise.
An awful lot of people buy a truck then find they cannot find a van to suit what they want because of mass limits.
@Drover has some very wise words above.

While others can argue the merits of the Navara have a look at this link as it may explain the weight problem far better than any of us ..... http://www.withoutahitch.com.au/caravan/ask-expert-navigate-tow-vehicle-limits/#

Basically I use a rule of thumb that whatever the specifications say for GCM if you take away 500kg then once in the real world you should be okay, information on caravan compliance plates and spec sheets should not be taken as correct, they often aren't, many people are fixated with the tare weight of vehicles, don't take much notice of them as once the vehicle, car or van leaves the plant it's tare weight has changed, it's a mythical weight which will bear no relevance once you sit in the vehicle, bits added after the build, solar panels, awning, jack, gas and water etc all these go to change the figures, the usual 400kg is often eaten up just by the basic add on, an extra battery will take 30kgs , water another 80kg minimum and if your pulled over to be weighed ( a rare thing to happen no matter how much the media say it's happening) the Transport fellas have no interest in tare weight at all.......most 2nd hand vans will have extras added so don't be too pedantic about weights just as I said if you allow 500kg lee way from the GCM then you should be good, besides you don't want to be towing on your max limits just makes the whole thing harder, look at vehicles with a 3.5ton tow limit and you have some room............

Don't be too concerned about the hand wringers going on about getting weighed by Transport, it's not a regular thing, rarely happens unless you obviously look to be an accident waiting to happen, they hardly have the manpower to check the Truckies let alone vanners, Police cannot do weights and measures, they can pull you over for something that looks dodgy but weighing and mechanicals is the domain of State Transport Inspectors and they do work together......

I would check the legalities of International licences if towing and for insurance as well for such a long period.


A truck sideways down an icy road even with chains cured me of wanting to do it regularly.........was okay when loaded it was empty that was the scary bit.

Jack Lucy & Josh said:

I was offered an entire setup (Car + Expanda) from a family (he is an automotive engineer) that has recently done the "big lap". Would be great not to spend too much time looking for a towing vehicle, a van and all the accessories. Hitting the road almost from day #1 of our arrival. Too tempting ;-)

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK A THE ATTACHED PDF. Cheers!
It's beyond our budget but maybe it is worth negotiating … can I ask you and give me your thoughts about it?
(@Drover, @Bluey, @Smergen, @Hylux, @Crusty181, @2slow … you already know my history of questions and what I am looking for my tribe ;-)

• Something essential missing?
• too expensive? fair? bargain?
• what to look when purchasing it?
• …

You are the best!
Cheers!

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In my humble opinion, the van seems reasonable, the Prado would need to be in good condition for 18, and the fridge, generator etc are overpriced.

Jack Lucy & Josh said:

I was offered an entire setup (Car + Expanda) from a family (he is an automotive engineer) that has recently done the "big lap". Would be great not to spend too much time looking for a towing vehicle, a van and all the accessories. Hitting the road almost from day #1 of our arrival. Too tempting ;-)

PLEASE HAVE A LOOK A THE ATTACHED PDF. Cheers!
It's beyond our budget but maybe it is worth negotiating … can I ask you and give me your thoughts about it?
you already know my history of questions and what I am looking for my tribe ;-)

• Something essential missing?
• too expensive? fair? bargain?
• what to look when purchasing it?
• …

You are the best!
Cheers!

Click to expand...

Been following the search, We were looking for similar vans! I already have a prado (2014 3.0d) and while I like the jtech it’s heavy especially behind a prado not a lot of free board.
My prado specs not going to be that different to the 120
Kerb weight (kg) 2315
- Gross vehicle mass (kg) 2990
- Gross combination mass (kg) 5370
- Tare weight (kg) 2235
- Gross trailer weight braked (kg) 2500

I ended up choosing a factory spring over van around the 2200kg mark loaded.
prado has arb front bar (heavier than Toyota one even if they are welded in the same shop) set of decent Light Truck tyres, twin batteries, roof rack and family of 5 plus some tow ball weight fast approaching GVM of the car so 2900 + 2200=5100kg.
My personal response to the combination is it’s not enough car to pull the van

Package deal may be tempting but the in this case the Prado has a lot of km's, is very old and is way overpriced. With an older car all the accessories in the world doesn't make it worth more. With that list of accessories Id guess it would be overloaded when packed up and towing that van. Im very confident that van would be over the Prado's rated tow limit as well. The Fridge price is almost new retail price, the batwing awning would be almost new price and the Honda generator is more than new price; of course that is only the extras but that all indicates this guys unrealistically high expectations as to values. I met a guy up north that dragged one of these vans to Kalumburu (look it up), and then dragged it along the beach at Honeymoon Bay. You never know the history of what your buying so before you buy anything have it thoroughly examined by a reputable expert; there are a number of auto industry companies in Australia that will send out a mechanic and do a comprehensive inspection and test of any car your looking at. For the money this guy is asking I don't think it would be too much to asked for an independent report of both the var and the van to even consider it. A caravan repairer or Jayco dealer will also inspect the van for peace of mind. Whats your best case budget

A company called Standed Roads do the best checks on a car money can bye not cheap but at least you will know all about it as much as they can and they will tell you to bye it or not they are in every state good luck

My prado is a 2007 vx 180 thousand ks very good nick if i sold it maybe 18 to 20 if i was lucky all his extras are his stuff hes brought and wants to get rid of he shouldnt jack up price because of this stuff it only tells me its done the hard yards i would rather bye a car with nothing no bull bar maybe just roof rack then you know its not been through hard stuff ??????? Im upgrading the car soon as like crusty said my car tows it well but dont weigh me i know im over by enough to get in trouble if something goes pear shaped police is easy to pay a fine or they make you tow van away on a truck but insurance is not so easy to avoid .......and i dont have all that stuff very hard decision for you tuff times ahead good luck

I have to agree with @Crusty181 , @Bluey & @BaxnRach , for while the van seems the ants pants albeit a little pricy in my books, I think the Prado fits Crusties description they can be easily overloaded.................an independant vehicle check is a must.

Jack Lucy & Josh said:

Once again, it is definitely worth asking you guys!!
Would you say it's just overpriced or not worth a thought because of weight / age / issues?
What if I say "I take it for 60K if if you throw in all the accessoires" (apart from the generator). Still over the top?

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Its too heavy, not legal, and the car is very old and tired.

I concur with the above...

And without wanting to jump in with a sales pitch... if you are looking at vans like that in that price range... ours is on the market. It's not an Jayco, but that's not a bad thing I've found... It's only marginally more expensive than what you are asking and after owning both vans, I know which one I prefer. It's also a proven van, doing exactly what you are planning on doing, without fault.

It's not Prado friendly (empty it is, but full it's only for the new Prado (2.8t) but hell for the right price I'd even consider throwing in our truck that pulled it all the way...

PM if you're interested otherwise I'll leave the sales pitch here...

It looks good in the pictures, it looks like its been looked after, so in real life if the external looks cared for, run everything, fridge on all 3 supplies, stove burners, water pump, toilet flush, TV etc make sure tyres don't have any cracks or bits missiing and tread is worn evenly, no stains on the internal walls around door, windows and bed ends and don't forget to look at the floor underneath and if it smells nice then you might be on a winner.....Best of luck.

I would agree with @Drover's comments. If it looks clean and well care for, that 80% of any van. Any genuine issues will be visible, so if you inspect everything, inside cabinets, under the couch, under the van etc and its all clean and intact youve probably found your van. Water damage is the single biggest issue with caravans, but luckily its also very difficult to cover up or hide. My only poo poo is the fridge is small so youd probably need an Engel or Waeco to compensate. Exciting times for you Jack, welcome back and have a great trip and keep us posted

Not bad at all but yes as @Crusty181 said small fridge i just brought a spare one from anakonda 400 or somthing 40 litre i think...... its a good help but its either a fridge or freezer it carnt do both unless you get a huge one very expensive...... it sits at 2 to 3 deg drinks in it and helping our van fridge with some stuff....... we are in Nsw too we may drive past each other ..... the next one for you a tow car.... rock on ..
Welcome to oz and happy new year to you im sure it will be a good one for you

Way to go for sure, flyscreen no drama, just stitch it by hand or can stick another bit of flyscreen over hole, 2 bits of flyscreen to cover the tear, cover each piece with some aquadhere and hold the bits down with sticky tape until its dry, glue dries clear and while it may not look all that great close up it will hold for ages so long as it doesn't get too wet, cutting the patches as circles makes them hold better..........................small holes a dob of silastic smoothed over with a wet finger, hardly noticable......or get a new one made for about $300 smackers.

Now for a vehicle hope your luck holds for a great find.