Advice on tow cars under $15K

[LethalLeigh]

I've been trying to sort out a new car for the missus and we're in a bit of a bind as to find something suitable. We have a tight balance for criteria which makes things hard.

We need to trade in her BA XT and cop a bit of a loss on it as its had a hard life and needs too much work to sell privately. Budget for the new vehicle extends to $13K-15K. It needs to be capable of towing a double horse float and one horse on occassion which is the critical point. Aside from this desirables would be something light on fuel and decent running costs.

My leading thought was a T30 X-trail as these are rated to 2000kg but opinions vary as to how well they tow.

I'd be happy with a GQ Patrol or something similar too but they're getting harder to find in car yards in SA.

Any other suggestions would be fantastic.

[Reaper8]

my wife tows her horse and extended float with her Au 6 and go's good but hills it needs a bit of love but am also lookin as its not ideal. she cant drive a manual so my XR8 is out (thank god) so looking at explorer or terri, twin cab hilux or triton

[outback_ute]

Diesel Pajero or Jackaroo? Having said that if you don't to many km's a petrol one will be cheaper to buy & the fule saving will take a while to catch up.

[XT3VCruiser]

A GQ Patrol would be a great tow car if you can find one, failing that an 80 series cruiser or even a Pajero would be more than adequate for your needs.

For up to 15k I reckon you could find a nice GU Patrol. 4.5 or 4.8 petrol you would hardly notice the horse float. Just don't go the self grenading 3ltr turbo diesel

[xr6man366]

Go something with leaf spring rear end will cope better with the load..Falcon Wagon is a great choice on a budget for the occasional tow. Explorer is built to tow a horse float and 4WD is handy but expense of parts and availability is an issue. Territory is also a good workhorse but with independent rear end may be floaty with horses moving around. You would need heavier springs / air bags and a weight distribution hitch to do it right.

[stev3n]

Ride your horses where ever you need to go. Otherwise why have them?

[Pis-ton broke]

Hi mate, i,ve got horses to. I have brought a BA xr6 ute for the job. I can,t tell you how it goes towing cause my horsefloat isn,t finished yet. In your situation i would use a BA wagon, i would myself but i need a ute for tools. At 182killer wasps I thinking it will do the job good, maybe your other car is run down and or down on compression, etc. As you would know a good strong car, cheap to maintain, can get parts anywhere cheap etc. Diseils are good but running costs maybe higher for a 4x4.
In a BA make sure you have a transmission cooler and keep a eye on engine temp. maybe a larger radiator? you can put in airbags if needed.
my old man stretched a VK commadore at the back pillars years ago towing too horses with it, it was a company car, and they can do anything.
I had a '80 series diesil cruise to tow with, gutless as. A mate at work brought a nice BA wagon last year for 10k.

cheers mick

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by stev3n

Ride your horses where ever you need to go. Otherwise why have them?

its a hobby

[mik]

it`s as traded and it`s got a few k`s on it but maybe this F150 with a few dollars spent on it would be a decent tow vehicle, on gas as well = thumbs up.
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...ar&distance=25

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by LethalLeigh

I've been trying to sort out a new car for the missus and we're in a bit of a bind as to find something suitable. We have a tight balance for criteria which makes things hard.

We need to trade in her BA XT and cop a bit of a loss on it as its had a hard life and needs too much work to sell privately. Budget for the new vehicle extends to $13K-15K. It needs to be capable of towing a double horse float and one horse on occassion which is the critical point. Aside from this desirables would be something light on fuel and decent running costs.

My leading thought was a T30 X-trail as these are rated to 2000kg but opinions vary as to how well they tow.

I'd be happy with a GQ Patrol or something similar too but they're getting harder to find in car yards in SA.

Any other suggestions would be fantastic.

You say you'd like a GQ and also something light on fuel.

GQ's are pigs on juice, and don't touch a 3 litre diesel version as those engines are hand grenades.

A newer model Falcon with the 2300 kg towing pack and LPG would be perfect.

[pottery beige]

another late model Ford wagon in better nick???........

snap.. boss beat me to it....

[TUF_302]

What about a diesel triton or hilux?? Lots of pulling power and good on fuel

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

What about a diesel triton or hilux?? Lots of pulling power and good on fuel

For the money he wants to spend it would be a much older model, and they are mostly all gutless 4 cylinder petrols or diesels.

[janddbone]

GQ are fabulous to tow with, but if 'fuel consumption' even leaves your lips then don't even think of getting one! Lol. (I know, I just fill mine up when it says and don't look at the docket the bowser or listen to the bloke at the counter...)

Would recommend a Rodeo or a Jackaroo, depending on what suits your family best. 2wd or 4wd, manual or auto, petrol or diesel, Isuzu made them and they are fantastic! (If you are after something a little different and are mechanically minded, you wont regret getting an XJ Cherokee as a tow vehicle... Just need to know what to look out for.)

Otherwise go for the old faithful Falcon, ute, wagon, van... Fairlane... Lol.

[kruptor]

I have towed with a GQ i used to have one,not bad to tow with but too big,then i toed with my ED futura was ok,then upgraded to a AU futura towed way better but still under powered,then upgraded to a VY SS crewman,best tow machine,auto low kms and only paid $14,000 for it.Fitted a 2500kg towbar and tranny cooler and tows like it doesnt have anything behind it.I tow my car trailer with it its great.I've towed my XD on the trailer as well as my fiances VC commodore and her hz tonner and also my V8 escort.Is alittle heavy on fuel but thats the price you pay for power.

[T3man]

An AU wagon on dual fuel and 3.7 diff gears will leave all the vehicles you mentioned way way behind on running costs and road speed and behaviour. I know because I have done exactly what you are doing and I used an EF to do it - later upgraded to the AU. You could even go to a B-Series if you wanted to put in the extra dollars but IMO the AU is the better vehicle.

If you feel you need 4WD then look to a straight gas F100 or Bronco. Literally unbreakable, and compared to "Toyomitissans", cheap as chips to run for the power, space, and durability.

[The Yeti]

Territory

Tow well plenty of space ticks all the boxes

[xisled]

Get a GQ and get it converted to gas.

[Windsor220]

NM diesel Pajero. The 3.2 is pretty grunty. Shouldnt be too bad on fuel.

[2011G6E]

GU Patrol, 80 Series Landcruiser. Diesel at least, turbo diesel if you can find one. My niece used to tow a double steel horsefloat with a '95 Land Rover TD5 and got rediculous economy with it on the highway and the Landy barely knew the float was there.

They're all OK on the fuel, but with anything once you hook a double horse float on the back, you should really just ignore the fuel bills...as with a big caravan or boat, once you slap that much weight on the back of anything, you've usually buggered your economy so stop worrying about the bowser and just drive.

Whatever you choose to do the job properly isn't going to be a fireball, but then again towing a double horse float you're not going to be concerned with 0-100 or quarter mile times.

If you could track one down, a Jackaroo "Monteray" would be good, in turbo diesel. They were sort of the luxury model of the lineup in the 1990's, Very underrated and quite a pleasant and comfy drive for a family, with off road ability when needed and decent towing capacity. My uncle had one and couldn't fault it.

[Uncle Niceguy]

i'd say try and find a series 2 or 3 GU Patrol in the turbo diesel in contrary to what others are saying its a bomb like any car if its one with a good maintenance record like the one we recently sold(sold in half a day for our asking price) go for it and the gas conversion is the way to go if you desire more economy but with two full tanks of petrol (main & sub tank) we would comprehensively do a 1000km trip (highway driving mind you) with ease no worries at all but i am biased on this model car but as i said if its got good history go for it!!!

here is what u need to look out for this guy says its never been off-road but i'd say thats bs cause he has the B/B and Snorkel but its a great deal non the less:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...ar&distance=25

[Ben73]

I have always liked the explorer. If I ever get a boat Ill get an explorer to tow it. The 02- 05 Explorer.

[TUF_302]

What about a BA RTV??

[Reaper8]

hey lethalleigh what do's your wife do with her horse and were do's she keep it. My wife has her's at globe derby, they have probebly bumped heads at shows

[302 XC]

I use a 4.2 petrol GQ for any towing duties here
Regaularly pulls 2.5T and with ease
Stable at speeds,can pull up any hill ,at and from 100Ks,but economy , no consumption well it is a near 3 tonne lump with aerodynamics of a brick what would i expect
4.2 petrol GQ youll expect around the 20+ L per 100Ks
The diesel GQs on the other hand,have a massive demand base and that is unfortunately pushing prices skyward
Depending on boost ,youll get mid to high teens per 100Ks

[Mechan1k]

I will advise ... AWD/4WD vehicle if you can ... RWD is OK ... when on the roads ONLY.

When at events ... and have I been to many ... especially if prior weather has been poor ... there is no way that you will get through to some of the paddock parking with a RWD sedan/wagon/ute (RTV you may be able to get away with due to locking diff and some ground clearance though) with a basic float with one horse on. Seen it many times were people try this and either:

1) get stuck/bogged/etc
2) damage their tow vehicle just trying to negotiate these paddocks.

I use a Territory ... my wife's family used to have a 4WD Rodeo dual cab ute ... and other family friends use later model Pajeros (later D-iD models are a dog to float with as well .... I hate them) and Tritons.

We show pure bred Arabians ... when we get the time though.

[Mayzie]

I wouldnt be looking at an XTrail thats for sure.... it might be rated to 2000kgs but at that capacity I believe the ball weight is only 150kgs, I wouldnt feel comfortable towing a heavier weight than the car, dont get me wrong they are probs the best little 4X4 going around....

what about one of these?
http://www.drive.com.au/used-cars/hy...pg=1&pp=14&d=0

I know its not the best looking car but very comfortable parts readily available pretty much a Pajero and good value.

waiting to be flamed as its a Hyundai,

[Gobes32]

Mechan1k has hit the nail on the head, if you will be driving in paddocks then a Falcon is right out of the question, my vote goes for the Nissan Patrol.

[Brazen]

Do you have towing issues with the BA? They are supposed to be great.

A Falcon wagon or Territory is ideal. People rave about the Territories as a horse float tow vehicle. I had a AU Fairmont with LSD and never had an issue.

I now tow a horsefloat with a SIDI SV6 Sportwagon with LSD. Best tow car Ive had. Ive got a EcoLPI Falcon ute with LSD on order which will take over towing duties, I have no doubt it will be great.

My thoughts keep the BA, or get a ute, wagon or Territory. Personally every tow car ive had will have a LSD. If you cant find a car with one you can have one fitted for about $700 (I think...)

[Mr Hardware]

BF on gas with towpack