Good Tow Cars?

[boxheadmr]

you can then also put a cat sticker on your car

[260DET]

Latest experiences towing 2000kg with the Santa Fe diesel? Problems?

Still can't make up my mind on what tow car

[MBS206]

Not an FG XR6T...

I think what we'll all find, is that Ford put the speed restriction on the Falcon as weight goes up, not because it's dangerous, more so to stop the gearbox ass ploding.

At 110KM/H, it likes to try and sit in 4th gear, on boost when climbing a hill. when things start to get a bit steep and you keep the foot in to keep it climbing... You can just tell the gearbox doesn't like it, but back it down to 80km/h, it'll slip back to 3rd gear, and it's happy as larry.

I had an R33 GTSt on the back of my FG last weekend, it towed it fine, bar the weight going up hill, and chewing over half a tank of premium to get from Dulwich Hill to Wollongong. (Far too much fuel IMO!) It would probably cost me $90 in premium to go to Wakefield, and then another $90 to come home again.

I actually had to stand on the anchors and she did pull up. (ABS got a work out, but she pulled up in a hurry, I was quite impressed actually at how well it pulled up)

[260DET]

So the FG XR6T would have a six speed auto I guess. R33 with trailer would weigh close to the 2300kg tow limit? The thing with Falcons is that they are cheap to buy compared with a lateish diesel SUV but I'm not sure which coon auto would be best for towing, 4, 5 or 6 speed.

[MBS206]

So the FG XR6T would have a six speed auto I guess. R33 with trailer would weigh close to the 2300kg tow limit? The thing with Falcons is that they are cheap to buy compared with a lateish diesel SUV but I'm not sure which coon auto would be best for towing, 4, 5 or 6 speed.

The 6 Speed is meant to be the best. And yep, I have the 6 Speed.

I just wouldn't do it.

Get a 4WD, and buy a cheap daily if fuel economy is your concern and you need this tow vehicle to get you around day to day.

[260DET]

Jeep Cherokee KJ turbo diesel around MY2005? Like this one http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/jeep-cherokee-2007-13187521?eapi=2&base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=26&page=3&find=diesel Few of then for sale under $20k so they are crap or just unloved?

Fallback position is a Falcon.

[Marlin]

Rich, they're not putrid, rancid crap, but they're far from a class leader, and quite awful to drive.

Maybe slip into one at a dealer and try before considering further.

[260DET]

KJ not good on a long distance drive Ben? Need something reasonably comfortable.

[Marlin]

Be not driven one any distance mate.

I can't help feel you'd be better served by a slightly older Tdi Pajero. Seats in those are good, and they're very adjustable to suit a tall guy like you.

[260DET]

Drove a Prado to Melbourne and back Ben, that was enough for me of driving a full size fourby. Plenty of room for me in a Santa Fe, will try a KJ for size like you suggest.

[JZP]

Drove a Prado to Melbourne and back Ben, that was enough for me of driving a full size fourby. Plenty of room for me in a Santa Fe, will try a KJ for size like you suggest.

I've seen a few where the transmissions don't cope. You might want to check the common faults section on Ausjeep before you go too far with the KJ.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Jeep tragic. I think there might be better options out there. Even if you look at at WG/J grand Cherokee that has had all the known bugs ironed out. They have a decent towing capacity.

[Marlin]

^^^ Good points.

Just steer well clear of any lifted live front axle (WG/WJ) Grand Cherokees. What happens to the geometry when they're even mildly lifted turns them into a widow maker. Many people love the diesels versions, however if memory serves the later versions of the VM are the best? As JZP says, HEAPS of info on AusJeepOffRoad forum to educate yourself. If you get a "good one", they are good. Too many mates have had a good run from them for the haterz to get any ground here.

[260DET]

Drove a KJ, 60k zone only but subject to a 100k speed tryout it's a proposition. Front seats are basic and probably not long distance friendly, auto compared with the ripper Falcon six speed is crude.

So, the diesel short list for me is - Santa Fe, borderline towing capacity; Cherokee KJ, maint costs; Kia Sorento, price. Plus a Falcon, awkward driver access/egress.

[Marlin]

Considered a Territory?

[PRO_32]

After towing my car to Wakefield and back to syd in a ve commo the auto box has started to make all kinds of weird noises on cold startup,it generally was not up to the task and i have decided not going to tow with it again.. So have been checking this thread a bit and have noticed no one really has or recommends vans? I was thinking a newish vw transporter.? There seems to be a lot of advantages a van could offer as far as space goes.. And theyre comfortable and roomy enough upfront on longer distances.. So I guess I'm wondering would it pull the two , two and a half ton confidently??

[Marlin]

Three people I know well have owned (near new) VW vans, and each swears they will never buy another VW product.

Russ (Giant) was a forman at Mercedes working on their vans for a long while, and told be some horror stories too.

Personally I think this Euro shit is ok under warranty, but you have to say bye bye before it runs out.

It's a personal opinion, fan boys need not retaliate

[MBS206]

The last VW van I drove could barely pull it's own weight up the snowy mountains. Wouldn't buy one. There are probably more powerful versions available, but not my cuppa.

[260DET]

Considered a Territory?

Wouldn't mind a Territory but too heavy on the petrol, apparently they are shockers when towing. Sort of decided that a Falcon is the only petrol vehicle I'll consider, they are not too bad on the juice. But I like driving a good turbo diesel, nice when you can get them working in the torque band.

[mad082]

Three people I know well have owned (near new) VW vans, and each swears they will never buy another VW product.

Russ (Giant) was a forman at Mercedes working on their vans for a long while, and told be some horror stories too.

Personally I think this Euro shit is ok under warranty, but you have to say bye bye before it runs out.

It's a personal opinion, fan boys need not retaliate

a mate had a mercedes van for his wholesaling business (used to cart a heap of stock around to shops). he had some issues with it and the cost of repairs was, well, what you'd expect for something having a merc badge on it. he did pull his boat with it though. it was a pretty decent sized boat (about the same size as the van). i don't know how it towed though, but he did it regularly. i think the fact that the van is somewhat big that the hole it punched in the air, as the drag on bigger boats is often the killer when it comes to towing them. having gone in the van though, power was not it's strong point. it was pretty gutless. i think with a car on the back it would be slow going

[boxheadmr]

Wouldn't mind a Territory but too heavy on the petrol, apparently they are shockers when towing. Sort of decided that a Falcon is the only petrol vehicle I'll consider, they are not too bad on the juice. But I like driving a good turbo diesel, nice when you can get them working in the torque band.

Territory diesel ?