Looking for a truck to tow the new van (17-56.2 OB)

bigcol

bigcol

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with anchor points, the Nissan's have a 50/50 split rear seat, if you were getting a Nissan, there is a Bar that can be bolted from one side to the other to mount the anchor points.
but
you loose the 2 extra seats at the back (bar in the way - hard to access rear seats)
unless you put the oldest & largest on a Booster seat in the back, and use the side anchor points for the other 2...........

more thoughts

not sure about the 80 series Cruiser with seat design for the back
but the 60 series has a solid 3 seat back seat (and only the Sahara's had the split fold / 7 seat option)
 
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Smergen

Smergen

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Burnsy said:
Hi @Smergen, what ever your choice I'd go diesel, as mentioned they are better in fuel but after owning a petrol they don't compare for torque which comes in real handy for 2T plus up hills. (No offence to petrol owners)
Cheers.
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There's a few hills around where we are, and a few on the places we like to go (Otways, Grampians, etc) so diesels are definitely the front runners here.
 
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Smergen

Smergen

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bigcol said:
with anchor points, the Nissan's have a 50/50 split rear seat, if you were getting a Nissan, there is a Bar that can be bolted from one side to the other to mount the anchor points.
but
you loose the 2 extra seats at the back (bar in the way - hard to access rear seats)
unless you put the oldest & largest on a Booster seat in the back, and use the side anchor points for the other 2...........

more thoughts

not sure about the 80 series Cruiser with seat design for the back
but the 60 series has a solid 3 seat back seat (and only the Sahara's had the split fold / 7 seat option)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up.

When we'd be in 7 seater mode, the oldest kids would be in the back. When in 5 seat mode, the bar across wouldn't worry us too much as we wouldn't need the extra seats. It'll certainly be something that I'll keep an eye on, but I doubt the "bar" would restrict us.
 
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bigcol

bigcol

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Im not sure where or how they are mounted - I know of someone who had one fitted - but then sold the Patrol......., so I never actually looked at it
 
Dandy

Dandy

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Smergen said:
Thanks for the heads up.

When we'd be in 7 seater mode, the oldest kids would be in the back. When in 5 seat mode, the bar across wouldn't worry us too much as we wouldn't need the extra seats. It'll certainly be something that I'll keep an eye on, but I doubt the "bar" would restrict us.
Click to expand...

My nissans have both had factory anchor points for both sides of middle row and right side of third row (behind the wider door). I have used all of them at various times. Can't see any need for a bar unless you wanted to get three in the middle row at once.
 
Smergen

Smergen

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Dandy said:
My nissans have both had factory anchor points for both sides of middle row and right side of third row (behind the wider door). I have used all of them at various times. Can't see any need for a bar unless you wanted to get three in the middle row at once.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dandy, we probably would need three across the middle row when we're just rolling with the five of us. I'm sure we'll be able to work something out depending on what we can get.
 
Smergen

Smergen

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I've pretty much narrowed the search down to the cruisers and patrols. I want the security of a bigger rig in the front rather than say a Landrover and Pajero which might be a little light on when the van is fully loaded.

Will early model Prado's (~2000) have the guts? From what I've seen it's 2500kg...
 
Matty4

Matty4

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Smergen said:
I've pretty much narrowed the search down to the cruisers and patrols. I want the security of a bigger rig in the front rather than say a Landrover and Pajero which might be a little light on when the van is fully loaded.

Will early model Prado's (~2000) have the guts? From what I've seen it's 2500kg...
Click to expand...

An 80 series Land Cruiser weighs almost the same as an NM Pajero. The older GU Patrols are a couple of hundred KG's heavier, but they're all over the 2T mark in curb weight.

For mine, as a vehicle to use around town the Paj wins, I've driven all 3, the other 2 are far too cumbersome for my liking, but to each their own..
 
Smergen

Smergen

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Funny you say that @Matty4 , one of the dealers Mrs Smergs was at today was trying to steer her towards a used NP.

What are peoples thoughts on it towing a 17.56.2? I thought it was a little close to the bone for capacity. I suppose with any possible coin saved I might be able to beef up the suspension??

She was pretty happy with it as she tested it around town as a car to drive. It isn't intended to be a daily driver, but we might get a little more on trade in for her taxi as opposed to my taxi... :)
 
crackacoldie

crackacoldie

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BigSkiddy said:
What about a Hyundai Terracan CRD?

Here's a random add
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Hyundai-Terracan-2006/SSE-AD-2825931/?Cr=3&sdmvc=1

Tow test
http://m.motoring.com.au/reviews/2006/large-4x4/hyundai/terracan/hyundai-terracan-tow-test-3709

My brother has had a petrol one from new and had no dramas with it. Has spent most it's life towing a 2tonne mini digger.
Click to expand...
I had one of these and used to tow 2.4 t of caravan around, great car, we just out grew it and moved to the cruiser. Economical and great around town.
 
crackacoldie

crackacoldie

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The trek and tow pack was a rear suspension upgrade, you can now get it from ARB, didn't increase the capacity, only increased the ball load from 200-250kg.
 
Matty4

Matty4

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Smergen

Smergen

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Matty4 said:
@Smergen, I had an NP Pajero that I towed my 17.56-2 with, it's the one in my avatar on the left.
I had a petrol V6 though. Have a read through this thread about the trip we did with it.

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/3-5-months-in-an-expanda-finally.890/
My van has an ATM of 2349kg, and I reckon we had every last one of those on board at times. The Paj never missed a beat.
I rate them quite highly
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback mate, is exactly what I wanted to hear. If you had a chance (and realising you haven't had the diesel) do you reckon might have gone the oil burner over the petrol if you had the chance?
 
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