Best Car to tow with - Under 7k?

[Cam]

Hi All,

As the title suggests..

I'm heading off in the coming months for a trip around oz with my little boy. I'll be towing a van between 1000-1800kg..

I've been looking at I6 AU II/III wagons but was wondering what else out there in my price range fits the bill? I need something with some storage space (hence the wagon). If I get an AU it'll obviously be fitted with electric brake controller, as well as a trans cooler, possibly shiftkit, upgraded rear shocks etc..

I would love an I6 (or even a 5L) on gas but I have read so many threads with people who have dramas on gas it's scared me away from it!

I have considered a BA wagon, but I am not sure that a BA will really be a better tow car?

What else is out there for my money?

[cs123]

I use to float horses with my AU Fairmont. It did a good job.

[Bushbasher]

What is it about gas that has put you off? Both our vehicles are dual fuel and they've never given me any real trouble, you just have to stay on top of the maintenance of your ignition system.

Bushbasher

[BEN189]

A BA wagon is the same as an AU wagon, rear suspension wise so a BA will be a better tow car, especially with the more powerful engine.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Whats the total weight of the load including trailer op?

Can I ask what makes you think the BA is not a more capeable tower than the AU?

[sgt_doofey]

Been running LPG now for 13 years and never really had any problems. Get the odd backfire through the airbox every now and then, but that it.

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by FreddyDUZ747

Can I ask what makes you think the BA is not a more capeable tower than the AU?

Not putting words in OP's mouth but my feeling is that the AU is a much more simple, reliable and sorted unit and easier to work on than the BA. The only advantage BA has is extra power but AU has more than enough power to do the job anyway.


Bushbasher

[mike_nofx]

Can you put a Heavy Duty towbar on a factory LPG wagon, or are tanks in the way?

I tow a small caravan with mechanic overrider brakes, just over 1t with by BF egas with standard style towbar and have had no dramas. Though my trips are generally up to 4 hour trips down the coast, not around OZ like you.

I unknowingly bought a BF wagon with rear factory HD springs (extra leaf I believe) so that's a bonus. And I always tow with the gear lever in performance mode (you lose 4th gear, but don't want/need it anyway to tow). But AU performance mode works differently.

[Pis-ton broke]

If I was going around Australia I would use a petrol engine, 1,cause you can get petrol anywhere and 2, cause it keeps things simple if it brakes down and you could be stuck anywhere.

[Cam]

Originally Posted by FreddyDUZ747

Whats the total weight of the load including trailer op?

Can I ask what makes you think the BA is not a more capeable tower than the AU?

I dont have it yet, I am still looking, but considering my budget I dont think I'll be able to buy anything huge, so I would imagine it'll be under 2T

Exactly what bushbasher said.. Plus I know my way around a SOHC 6, and have more of an idea of things likely to fail..

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

Not putting words in OP's mouth but my feeling is that the AU is a much more simple, reliable and sorted unit and easier to work on than the BA. The only advantage BA has is extra power but AU has more than enough power to do the job anyway.


Bushbasher

Pretty much hit the nail on the head.. I can see the BA obviously has more power, and more torque, but I am not sure if it's worth it for what I am after..

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Can you put a Heavy Duty towbar on a factory LPG wagon, or are tanks in the way?

Good question! No idea..

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

If I was going around Australia I would use a petrol engine, 1,cause you can get petrol anywhere and 2, cause it keeps things simple if it brakes down and you could be stuck anywhere.

That is exactly my concerns with an LPG car, finding LPG specialists in the middle of nowhere may be easier said then done..

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by Cam

That is exactly my concerns with an LPG car, finding LPG specialists in the middle of nowhere may be easier said then done..

That's why you go with dual fuel, you get the best of both worlds plus if you get a factory dual fuel you get 2 full size fuel tanks. Our wagon has 68L petrol and 68L usable LPG which combined will give you up to 1400km+ unladen and towing will extend your range by half again of what you would get with petrol alone.


Bushbasher

[Cam]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

That's why you go with dual fuel, you get the best of both worlds plus if you get a factory dual fuel you get 2 full size fuel tanks. Our wagon has 68L petrol and 68L usable LPG which combined will give you up to 1400km+ unladen and towing will extend your range by half again of what you would get with petrol alone.


Bushbasher

Very good point, and one I had considered.

I guess it's a little bit of "fear of the unknown", having never had a LPG car, or even touched one..

I guess it's nothing a few hours of reading cant solve..

[BPXR6T]

Parents done half of Aus towing a 1000kg van in a EF wagon on gas and it was a great tow car. They've recently upgraded to a 4x4. Not for towing ability, but so they can off road without bashing off the exhaust. The EF sat really good and pretty level with the van on the back. Personally as others have said I'd look at an AU wagon and then spend the left over coin on mods. Trannie cooler, maybe a new radiator, etc...

[FG_Frodza]

Look up 589LOV on carsales, looks like something that may suit..

[Kevaclone]

Hmmm what problems are you expecting to have other than the simple hoses/ belts?
Only other spares you need carry are spark plugs for either and coil packs for the BA. whether you have an AU or BA any other engine problems you may(unlikely) encounter you wouldn't be able to fix yourself anyway.

I'd get a BA because it has significantly more power and would use less fuel which equals longer range and I think they are a nicer car inside, Au has way too much "oval" on the dash for my liking

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by FG_Frodza

Look up 589LOV on carsales, looks like something that may suit..

suit what exactly?

he wants to tow & travel long distances....... an AU windsor would be the worst choice unless he has shares in an oil refinery

[mike_nofx]

I don't think the stretch in budget from BA to BF is that great, but would be worth it for the comfier seats alone.

[Cam]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

Parents done half of Aus towing a 1000kg van in a EF wagon on gas and it was a great tow car. They've recently upgraded to a 4x4. Not for towing ability, but so they can off road without bashing off the exhaust. The EF sat really good and pretty level with the van on the back. Personally as others have said I'd look at an AU wagon and then spend the left over coin on mods. Trannie cooler, maybe a new radiator, etc...

I actually have low km EL's on my radar. The bonus of buying something an AU / EL is that I can afford some mods. They will include a tranny cooler, new radiator, shift kit, extractors and (a quiet) exhaust, and an economy tune

Originally Posted by FG_Frodza

Look up 589LOV on carsales, looks like something that may suit..

I would love a 5L, but despite fuel costs the rego, insurance and maintenance costs alone have ruled out a wheezor.. Especially when buying an unknown vehicle..

Originally Posted by Kevaclone

Hmmm what problems are you expecting to have other than the simple hoses/ belts?
Only other spares you need carry are spark plugs for either and coil packs for the BA. whether you have an AU or BA any other engine problems you may(unlikely) encounter you wouldn't be able to fix yourself anyway.

I'd get a BA because it has significantly more power and would use less fuel which equals longer range and I think they are a nicer car inside, Au has way too much "oval" on the dash for my liking

I will carry the basics, plugs, leads, hoses, belts, heater tap, fuses / relays, globes etc. I will be giving whatever I buy full service before I head off.. I guess my worry is that a BA auto is a lot more expensive to source second hand. The auto / cooling system is the part most likely to fail IMO, and parts for the AU seem a lot more readily available, and cheaper..

I might look up the weight of the BA vs AU, I would be interested to see what "real world" differences there are in economy..

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

I don't think the stretch in budget from BA to BF is that great, but would be worth it for the comfier seats alone.

A decent BA is a stretch on the budget, sure I might be able to pick up a neglected BF, but will that reaaaallly be a better option?

[Cam]

Just did a carsales search.. Can pick up a BF ex taxi for well under 5k.. Hrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Are the DOHC 6's as reliable as the SOHC with massive K's?

[pottery beige]

dont the BA's have a weaker trans than the AU's.. plasticy bits or something.. something i read somewhere on the forums...

[FreddyDUZ747]

I beleive its the pump area in the trans pottery,dont quote my swampy mouth but

[Crazy Dazz]

Mate, you were right the first time.
Bang for buck, Falcon wagons are the best tow car going around.
AU’s are cheap & Plentiful. AU I6 is practically bullet-proof, and in a worst case scenario you can buy a whole new engine for a few hundred.
DEFINITELY go LPG. They are NOT complicated at all. So-called horror stories are generally related to either poor engine (eg ignition or cooling) or a cheap conversion that hasn’t been serviced in 10 years.

EL’s were good, especially those with the “hybrid” EL/AU engine, but still had problems with front wheel camber, and the EF/EL aircons leaked like an Italian Cruise-Liner. Plus parts for AU’s are more plentiful.
One thing you absolutely should do (unless recently done) is replace the coilpack and leads (or better yet throw it out and fit a dizzy.) Especially if you go gas.
Air-shocks can also help handle the van.

For your budget forget about BA’s there’s still a big step up in price, and remember its not the obvious things, but all the peripheral items that wear out when a car has been flogged.

Check out the following example of a nice series III AU:
http://www.carsales.com.au/Gallery.a...5&TabId=304736

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by FreddyDUZ747

I beleive its the pump area in the trans pottery,dont quote my swampy mouth but

yea nothing to scare you off them.. just if you do reco trans use some AU bits...

[DoreSlamR]

No mention of a diesel ute/wagon yet?

Something like THIS

[XP6]

Honestly I think the ideal tow car for you considering you only need two seats is a 4~5Ltr AU ute, a full chassis good amount of touque and Kw plenty of storage space and good resale value when your finished with it.
Make sure any car you buy has a decent trans cooler...

Some thing like this

[revcore]

The E Series Falcons make excellent tow vehicles, Especially the wagons due to their leaf suspension in the rear. They are cheap and parts are readily available and majority of the work can be done by the basic home mechanic with the aid of a workshop manual. Be sure that the cooling system is in top condition and you should be good to go.

[wang]

What about a gq patrol like this
basic 6cyl good for towing and a tough as nails driveline
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...api=2&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963846 4294963358 1216&silo=Stock&Range=Price:2500,7500~0.5&sort=def ault

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by revcore

The E Series Falcons make excellent tow vehicles, Especially the wagons due to their leaf suspension in the rear. They are cheap and parts are readily available and majority of the work can be done by the basic home mechanic with the aid of a workshop manual. Be sure that the cooling system is in top condition and you should be good to go.

All of which applies to the AU wagons, plus the engines are MUCH better, and parts are more readily available.

Originally Posted by XP6

Honestly I think the ideal tow car for you considering you only need two seats is a 4~5Ltr AU ute

Not enough weight in the rear.

Originally Posted by DoreSlamR

No mention of a diesel ute/wagon yet?

Be serious, for under $7k he can get a very reasonable AU. For that price any diesel is going to be a POS and insanely expensive to repair.

[BA-XT]

Originally Posted by wang

What about a gq patrol like this
basic 6cyl good for towing and a tough as nails driveline
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...api=2&__N=1246 1247 1252 1282 4294963846 4294963358 1216&silo=Stock&Range=Price:2500,7500~0.5&sort=def ault

The fuel consumtion on these things are scary. 18L/100km around town is the norm. Add 30% for gas before you start towing.

I've always been a dirty diesel fan for towing.

[Mechan1k]

Having owned both BF and AU.

For economy with load on .... AU is better ... just.
It's a little less power than the BF ... but torque is still there though.

I can say the utes can feel a little uneasy when unloaded in the tray ... and towing something though .... you need to add some load in the rear for a much more solid towing experience.

If you can pick up a wagon ... go for it.

Dual Fuel would be the best bet .... an injected system of some sort would be best too if you want to retain most of the power on LPG .... and better economy figures as well.

If going wagon ... try and pick up some ute leaves as they are a stronger item and better suited for your application.

DEFINITELY run an external cooler and bypass the radiator ... get a thicker core rad as well.

For long distance driving comfort ... can't beat the AU auto.
If you can budget it in ... whatever vehicle you get .... it may be worth getting the transmission reconditioned/strengthened. I did it in my AUII work ute ... and it was actually a pleasure to drive afterwards with a BTR that actually shifted when I wanted it to .... with a nice firm positive shift (not harsh though).