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

[Matty4]

@Smergen, I did look at a diesel Paj before we left. I was at a dealers looking at it near home and took it for a test drive.
At the time I had this van so hooked it up and took it for a short tow, it towed it really well.


I then went around to my in-laws as my FIL had the same model already fitted out but in the petrol. Whilst comparing them he offers to let me have his and he'll buy a new one, so I didn't have to pay for it, other than kit it out a bit more for the trip. Sold it when we got back and gave him the money...win, win.

If I was buying it, I would have bought the diesel, but the fact that the petrol one of my FIL already had an ARB bar, UHF, LRA aux tank fitted, meant I didn't have to spent any extra kitting out the diesel..........it was a no-brainer really.

 

[Smergen]

Awesome @Matty4 ... nice Territory by the way... I just took a diesel one for a drive... surprisingly spritely. It's due for a timing belt change though which isn't cheap. On top of that I think it had issues regarding the 3rd row of seats... I'm hopefully checking out a petrol one a little later this afternoon.

 

[Matty4]

Yeah my old Terri was a petrol turbo. It had been tuned to over 300kw and 600nm of torque!! Kept up with traffic no dramas.....even with the van on...lol.
Bit thirsty though, towing like that.
The Jeep uses half the amount of fuel.

I had 2 Terri's over the years and rate them really highly, especially if you don't need a 4wd.

 

[Matty4]

Just another thing to be mindful of. All Territories up to the current SZ had a max towing capacity of 2300kg, regardless of RWD or AWD.
The current SZ in AWD guise has a towing capacity of 2700kg and this is only available in the 2.7lt TD. No petrol has a 2700kg tow limit.

Seeing as though your van has an ATM of 2359kg, you're technically over its rated towing capacity if you buy a petrol one.
This was the main reason why I sold my last Terri, as my van is over 2300kg too.

 

[Smergen]

Thanks @Matty4 ... The suitable Terri's are a little out of our budget. Drove a couple of Pajero's today... a diesel and a petrol... pretty impressive machines I must say...

 

[ROnEM]

@Smergen,

Long post - but hope this helps!

A few things to consider when looking for a new or used tug for your van, based on my experience with our 2012 17.56-2 OB.
We ended up purchasing a Land Cruiser VX 200 series diesel, as we wanted 7 seats and needed to pull a horse float or caravan.

1. Think about what the weight of what you are going to carry from the vehicle perspective:

• Weight of the family members
• Weight of a full fuel tank (.84KG/Lt), oil & water/radiator capacity - this adds up quickly
• Weight of Accessories - bullbar, winch, driving lights, fridge, compressor, weight distribution hitch, UHF, water, shovel, jack, extra fuel, etc.
• Van's down ball weight (plan 210KG for 17.56-2 OB) - Can be higher based on options.
• Weight of the other "stuff" that ends up in the car
• Total this all up and this is the payload that needs to be added to the vehicle's kerd (dry) weight.

2. If the vehicle's GVM has been exceeded, you need to look at a vehicle with a higher payload capacity or look at a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrade.

3. Check the fine print of the vehicles towing capabilities. Manufacturers might say 2,500KG towing capacity, but only 180KG down ball. Have seen some vehicle's towing capacities also change dramatically based on the weight of the internal vehicle cargo payloads.

4. If the sum of the vehicle's kerb & payload weight does not exceed its GVM, then make sure that the vehicle's towing capacity, both down ball weight and total braked trailer/van weight is within limits. The Van's total weight was only 40KG less than the Prado's max towing capacity - not much room for error!

It is essential that you do not exceed the vehicle's GVM for a couple of reasons:

• Insurance, Insurance, Insurance!
• If you are unfortunate to have an accident, whether your fault or not, the insurance companies may weigh your vehicle and van, with their contents. If you are even 1KG over the vehicle's GVM or Van's gross weight, then you may/will have problems!
• While in Vic you may be lucky if there are 10 police officers who would know how to write you up if over weight, however, in NSW & QLD, the police can be deadly with their portable weigh bridge scales, etc.

Remember, the kerb, tare & payload weights published by vehicle manufacturers are nominal and will vary depending on options and tray/body type. Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the total permissible combined weight of the vehicle, including occupants, fuel, cargo and van's down ball weight.

Using our VX Land Cruiser 200 Series as an example:

Kerb Weight - 2,720KG (dry)
GVM - 3,350KG
Available Payload - 630KG​

• Van Downball Weight - 210KG
• 138lt Fuel - 115KG
• Oil & Water - 20KG
• Passengers - 350KG

Already at 695KG payload (60KG over GVM) before putting anything else in the Cruiser, so technically we are illegal - overloaded.

Add other things we are going to carry...

• Engel Fridge - 45KG
• "Stuff" in the car - 15KG
• Air Compressor - 5KG
• Bullbar, Winch, Lights - 100KG
• Drinking Water - 20KG

So as we were overweight before we even put in the extra stuff, we went and got a Lovels' GVM upgrade to 3,800KG, giving us a total payload capacity of 1,080KG

Pays to do your homework, especially before you buy new or used and register a vehicle as GVM is a major consideration.

Not all vehicles can have a GVM upgrade.
GVM upgrades cost extra if done after registration - $600 for our inspection and engineering certificate, and engineering certificates are only good for the state they are modified in when you sell the vehicle.

Cheers,

Ro

 

[ROnEM]

Thanks @Matty4 ... The suitable Terri's are a little out of our budget. Drove a couple of Pajero's today... a diesel and a petrol... pretty impressive machines I must say...

The Paj is a nice machine...

With the Paj, you might want to check the amount of travel left at the rear of the vehicle's suspension when you have the van loaded with your gear and attached. You might have to invest in a weight distribution hitch and rear suspension airbags.

Cheers,

Ro

 

[Matty4]

Yep @ROnEM , I had a 2" lift with HD Lovells springs, Bilsteins and Polyair bags in mine, plus a WDH.
I guess though in @Smergen's case, as it isn't a daily driver and only a temporary tow vehicle they may get away without the upgrades initially. If they decide to keep it then I would recommend spending that money, but if they upgrade the tug, then it's wasted somewhat.

 

[Smergen]

Thanks for the awesome input @Matty4 and @ROnEM ... really valuable and important information.

From what I can see, in regards to the GVM on the NM Pajero Exceed, and load carrying capacity (GVM - kerb weight)

Auto Petrol: 2715-2085 = 630kgs
Man Diesel: 2720-2110 = 610kgs

Given the van ball weight is 218kg (max, 170kg empty), 220kg of people, fuel 72kg (90L tank), 20kg for oil/water we're looking at 530kg. So as long as the kids don't grown up, we'll be fine...

I assume there's no way to adjust GVM on Pajeros (from what I can see).

If I were getting one, and one whatever I do end up getting, it will have a full suspension check and probably throw airbags in just to ease the load on the tug. Our first year will largely be tarmac based, but might have a few light "dirt duties" depending on how brave we get!

Oh... and by the way... the van is here...sitting proudly (and snugly) in our backyard!

 

[Matty4]

Photos.............................stat!!

 

[Smergen]

Photos.............................stat!!

If I knew how... looking into it.

 

[Smergen]

Photo's over in my intro thread...

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/please-dont-pick-on-the-new-kid.5332/page-4#post-80464

 

[Dean81]

Isuzu, hino, mack and few others make trucks.

 

[Smergen]

Isuzu, hino, mack and few others make trucks.

 

[Smergen]

The search is over...

As expected from the discussion above... we've gone with a 2002 3.2L Turbo Diesel NM Pajero Exceed.

Compared to some of the brilliant tugs I see on this forum, she's an old girl, but I'm hoping will be serviceable and more than adequate for our immediate needs. First impressions are pretty positive, tracks really well in the high winds we're having in Melbourne at the moment. Going to try and hook it up to the van tomorrow and see how it sits loaded up. Then it'll be a full suspension check next week at somewhere like Pedders for a health check and price up some options for bags and springs. It mightn't need them but I'm not going to put the car under undue stress and compromise safety and driveability for a few dollars... Hell... I'm spending enough...

 

[Bank of Dad]

That'll tow it.

The good thing about proper 4WD is that they are light trucks with an independent chassis, not monocoque construction. It makes them a bit roly-poly, but strong. Keep the maintenance up to it and it will serve you well.

 

[Smergen]

That'll tow it.

The good thing about proper 4WD is that they are light trucks with an independent chassis, not monocoque construction. It makes them a bit roly-poly, but strong. Keep the maintenance up to it and it will serve you well.

Thanks @Bank of Dad ... I did a bit of research on it the truck once Mrs Smergs drove one and said she lied it. And whilst not quite the capacity of the cruisers and patrols, the 3.2L had a good history and plenty of people towing rigs our size with NMs and NPs.

At the end of the day, we're using this as an introduction to the caravanning world without dropping a complete bundle.

 

[Smergen]

Really want thank the forumites for the advice and thoughts whilst we were looking. Much appreciated...

 

[Billrw136]

The search is over...

As expected from the discussion above... we've gone with a 2002 3.2L Turbo Diesel NM Pajero Exceed.

Compared to some of the brilliant tugs I see on this forum, she's an old girl, but I'm hoping will be serviceable and more than adequate for our immediate needs. First impressions are pretty positive, tracks really well in the high winds we're having in Melbourne at the moment. Going to try and hook it up to the van tomorrow and see how it sits loaded up. Then it'll be a full suspension check next week at somewhere like Pedders for a health check and price up some options for bags and springs. It mightn't need them but I'm not going to put the car under undue stress and compromise safety and driveability for a few dollars... Hell... I'm spending enough...

I had the petrol equivalent - good vehicle - but the diesel would be better - I couldn't afford the diesel at the time, hence the petrol - I fitted air bags on the rear as it did seem a bit soft. We had an off-road camper at the time and it towed it really well, though thirsty!!
Anyway - congratulations!
Bill

 

[Smergen]

@Billrw136 ... I drove a petrol NP the other night... great truck... but I could tell I would just be going from petrol station to petrol station. Amazing amount of car for the dollars they were asking.

We were pretty strict on the diesel requirements after what I learnt here and on other forums. I'm pretty stoked with the service history and the price we got it. I'm pretty sure it's already got a HD bar and has the 12 pin socket that suits the van already which save a few dollars here and there.