Author Topic: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?  (Read 32539 times)

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Offline petrolburner

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #50 on: January 30, 2017, 04:27:13 PM »

Like any vehicle, whether IRS or live axle, if you plan to tow a lot or often a good idea is to invest in some heavier springs and airbags (particularly for the Pajero).

Have done this and I tow 2.5T regularly with my Paj, and don't get uneven tire wear.  A spring upgrade over the soft factory ones are a pretty common mod, so there's a good chance that most second hand Pajero's have had this done already....

I agree, IRS is fine for towing. My Y62 even with the stock suspension out towed my GU which had constant load OME lift as far as stability and security goes (I am talking 2700kg of boat and trailer) Now has heavier springs under it and it's even better.
I have not had any adverse tyre wear and I have towed heavy quite a lot.
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ScarpsD40

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Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #51 on: January 30, 2017, 04:39:23 PM »
Scarpsd40
Your recommending a car that jumps out of gear?!
My jeep has done similar  if not the same trips as your navara (high country, flinders) & I've never needed to use the handbrake for going downhill. As you'd know the jeep has hill descent control.
Also the fuel economy of the jeep will be one of the best with the same or similar power & weight figures.
If I recall correctly from your posts when you had the jeep, you only sold it cause you had doubts about its longevity. You never stated any probs with it. Yours was an impressive set up.
In saying all this, my next car will be a duel cab ute so i can have a better touring set up now that it's just the missus & me. Cause jerp don't make one, the navara will be one I'll be considering. ?
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PM sent

As others have said, every option is a compromise, just so glad I didn't buy the 2hungie having heard some of their issues
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 05:14:53 PM by ScarpsD40 »

ScarpsD40

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Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #52 on: January 30, 2017, 05:00:00 PM »
Interesting indeed. What are they like offroad?
PM sent re my Navara. By the way, I believe the Dmax and MUX are a good allrounder and their owners some of the nicest people I know
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 05:20:06 PM by ScarpsD40 »

Offline Bird

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #53 on: January 30, 2017, 06:30:16 PM »
also do a google search for dual cab bent chassis...
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Offline DropBearRacing

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #54 on: January 30, 2017, 06:45:55 PM »
PM sent re my Navara. By the way, I believe the Dmax and MUX are a good allrounder and their owners some of the nicest people I know

 :cheers: Scarps  ;D
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Offline oldmate

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #55 on: January 30, 2017, 07:17:19 PM »
We have recently gone from a gu to a colorado 7. We are happy so far. Tows the camper great.
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ScarpsD40

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Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #56 on: January 30, 2017, 07:24:39 PM »
We have recently gone from a gu to a colorado 7. We are happy so far. Tows the camper great.
Be honest, you've got DMUX envy
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 08:16:29 PM by ScarpsD40 »

Offline NewieCamper

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #57 on: January 30, 2017, 10:18:03 PM »
We're pretty happy with our 2011 R51 Pathfinder STL. Plenty of comfort on the inside, leather climate control, proximity key. Based on the D40 ute so it's pretty tough if you want too, proper 4wd. Towed the camper well, and after two trips is towing the hard-wall camper fine too at about 1400kg There are V6 models around if you want extra power (and toys on the inside), but I don't think it's needed - I didn't buy it for a race car.

Edit: we upgraded from a diesel Captiva when we found the Captiva was starting to play up. The Pathfinder seemed to have better interior space than a Prado which was also on the shortlist at the time.
« Last Edit: January 30, 2017, 10:30:20 PM by NewieCamper »

Offline Onion

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #58 on: January 31, 2017, 09:07:10 AM »
Have been looking at the TD V6 Navara's. They don't use this motor anymore (on new one's)? If not, what years were they sold with? Am guessing 2012 - 201?.
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ScarpsD40

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Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #59 on: January 31, 2017, 09:20:37 AM »
Have been looking at the TD V6 Navara's. They don't use this motor anymore (on new one's)? If not, what years were they sold with? Am guessing 2012 - 201?.
Emission controls & fuel economy etc have forced most supliers to downsize to 4cyl. It's good to see VW introduce a new V6 model this year and hopefully others will follow. The new Navara's have a gutsy twin turbo which seems to be getting a good wrap but only 4cyl.
The V6TD STX came out between 2011 and 2013. There is a STX550 model also with leather and quite a few should be starting to come off lease cycles at the moment. When I bought mine, I was told there were only 6 left in Aus not already registered and sold or as dealer demo's. As I'm sure you've read, some of the teething problems I had was a result of it sitting in storage for a prolonged period without starting or movement. Are you coming to the National meet? Happy to show you over mine and for you to take it for a drive.
If searching on car sales for one, in the search make sure you select STX diesel fuel and 6cyl
« Last Edit: January 31, 2017, 09:24:21 AM by ScarpsD40 »
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Offline Onion

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #60 on: January 31, 2017, 09:45:45 AM »
Thanks for the info. 2011 - 2013 seem's like it might fit with the budget requirements... Will keep an eye on them. If the MeetUp isn't in QLD or NSW, it's going to be too far away for us. I'm still annoyed we couldn't get to the QLD one a while back  :-[
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Offline GBC

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #61 on: January 31, 2017, 09:46:09 AM »
https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/chassis-repair-plate-spainish-models-21680

I wouldn't recommend any D40 for offroad towing. They have a woeful history of bending.

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #62 on: January 31, 2017, 10:25:41 AM »
https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/chassis-repair-plate-spainish-models-21680

I wouldn't recommend any D40 for offroad towing. They have a woeful history of bending.
Yep, check for this everytime I wash the Nav. Nothing to see so far, but do have on my list to include these if I replace the tub with a pod.

Offline Isuzumu

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #63 on: January 31, 2017, 10:38:21 AM »
The new/updated DMax MUX which should be on the floors end of Feb is going to be the vehicle to be in. As said before using the 4JJ1 3.0 lt motor they have upped the NM to 430, 6 speed boxs, rear diff lock and GPS even in the SX models.
Our 2012 D.Max, lastest shape, has done 120k towing our van which is near 3 ton. We cruise at 95 kph  averaging 16lp100.
Done the GRR twice and towed the van to the Cape and the only problem we have had is a blown high light bulb. It is fitted with a DP Chip and exhaust and produces 150 Kw and 450 Nm. The auto boxes used in the Isuzus are the same as in the Toyotas, the new 6 speed will be the same as in the lastest Pardo,  the one in ours is the 5 speed which was used in thev100 series and the older model Pardo.
Cheers Bruce
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Offline Bird

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #64 on: January 31, 2017, 10:39:35 AM »
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Offline RebsWA

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #65 on: January 31, 2017, 11:50:33 AM »
Dual cabs eh! A vigorous debate.
I am not sure who is trying to convince who that they have the ultimate machine.  >:D
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Offline Pete79

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #66 on: January 31, 2017, 12:04:48 PM »
https://goo.gl/un0zJa
I spy with my little eye......
Something bent from every brand... :)




Nissan, Toyota, Mitsi, Ford, etc. all doing their best banana impersonation.
Who would have thought ehh, put too much weight behind the rear axle and the chassis snaps.....

Offline GUEY

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #67 on: January 31, 2017, 12:16:11 PM »
We have recently gone from a gu to a colorado 7. We are happy so far. Tows the camper great.

Same same, and totally agree. Have been pretty surprised so far. Have not found it lacking for power when towing at all. (Patrol made nicer noises though  ;D )
The GU probably felt the camper less, but it was setup suspension wise to suit. The Col 7 is still bog stock suspension wise.
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ScarpsD40

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #68 on: January 31, 2017, 01:12:49 PM »
I spy with my little eye......
Something bent from every brand... :)




Nissan, Toyota, Mitsi, Ford, etc. all doing their best banana impersonation.
Who would have thought ehh, put too much weight behind the rear axle and the chassis snaps.....
Looks to me like the Navara's got it nailed

Offline DrewXT

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #69 on: January 31, 2017, 01:20:01 PM »
Navara and Triton if you talk to Dave Cox...

The only dual cab I'm not are of bending anywhere is the Amaroks, as they have a 7 rung chassis rather than 5

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Offline Pete79

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #70 on: January 31, 2017, 02:17:14 PM »
Looks to me like the Navara's got it nailed
Not exactly something I would like to be towing around the country, but yeah, at least the weight looks to be in the right place.

Offline Isuzumu

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #71 on: February 01, 2017, 07:43:34 AM »
Navara and Triton if you talk to Dave Cox...

The only dual cab I'm not are of bending anywhere is the Amaroks, as they have a 7 rung chassis rather than 5

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So does the D.Max, so the Collie would have to.
Cheers Bruce
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Offline DrewXT

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #72 on: February 01, 2017, 07:56:42 AM »
So does the D.Max, so the Collie would have to.
Yeah, apparently there's been a couple of bent Isuzu, but ones massively over gvm

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Offline Isuzumu

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #73 on: February 01, 2017, 08:01:51 AM »
Yeah, apparently there's been a couple of bent Isuzu, but ones massively over gvm

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Not heard of one on our Isuzu forums as yet.
Cheers Bruce
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Offline GBC

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Re: Tow car / 4x4 / comfort - possible to have it all?
« Reply #74 on: February 01, 2017, 11:00:29 AM »
Same with the px/px2 ranger/mazda. Apart from the grotesquely bent blue one on the net that looks like it was dropped from heaven. All of the current/new ones seem to be kicking goals in that department.