Planning to buy a small compact motorhome either the Sherwood suncamper built on hilux chassis or the sunliner built on ranger chassis ? both auto 4x4 diesel
ranger has the bigger motor but have read they have a few problems transmission being one of them . but smoother on the road .
For reliability I lean towards the hilux ... as no plans to tow anything ! but also a bit more ranger power would be handy !!
can anyone give me some advice ? as not sure which ? both around the same price . maybe someone has driven
both vehicles ?
thanks
Dougwe said
02:30 PM Jul 17, 2018
The only thing I would say is make sure there is not too bigger overhang to rear of rear axle Dave. There was one hire mob had a fleet of similar set ups and the vehicle's had a broken back.
Apart from that, both would be pretty reliable.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Bas + Eve said
03:53 PM Jul 17, 2018
Hilux!
littledick said
04:23 PM Jul 17, 2018
Ranger!!
Dick.
yobarr said
05:12 PM Jul 17, 2018
Dougwe wrote:
The only thing I would say is make sure there is not too bigger overhang to rear of rear axle Dave. There was one hire mob had a fleet of similar set ups and the vehicle's had a broken back.
Apart from that, both would be pretty reliable.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Hi Doug...I think that you are probably referring to Tritons,as I gave a photo of a least 5 Tritons with a 15 degree (?) bend in the chassis.Anyway,back to the question! The Ranger may be the better bet,as it is 135mm longer in the chassis than is the Hilux,but probably worthwhile measuring from back off cab to diff centre to see how much room you have ahead of that axle ....the more the merrier! Cheers
iana said
06:54 PM Jul 17, 2018
Have you considered an extra cab, Front seats that lean right back, comfort and a snooze, emergency seating in the rear, still 4 seater. But the load can be positioned a little bit further forward.
JBDUBBO said
07:51 PM Jul 17, 2018
Ford Rangers have had the gearbox problem rectified in the first model, no problems now.
Greg 1 said
12:48 AM Jul 18, 2018
I have a 2015 Ranger that has towed a 3 tonne van over a lot of territory with no issues. Ford have sold 10's of thousands of Rangers and as with all makes you will have a percentage of people who gets one that plays up. A friend of mine owned a transmission shop and told me the 6 speed auto in the Ranger was quite a good one patterned off the ZF box used in the Falcon which has a very good reputation.
I certainly have not had an issue with ours.
The Hilux has it's issue's as well. The DPF can play up and if you are out of warranty expect a $14,000 bill.
goldenyears said
03:57 AM Jul 18, 2018
Thanks greg god to hear from people that own a ranger or hilux .. I know there will always be bad reviews for either vehicle and unfortunately the more research one does the more confusing it gets !!
THE SHERWOOD has been around for years and won an award for best all round camper ... Then again the RANGER out sold the hilux in 2017 ?
Most reviews I have read say RANGER .. but mention a problem when changing the oil ... more than 10 min and theres an issue with the oil pump ! not being able to reprime itself if you take too long ?
goldenyears said
03:59 AM Jul 18, 2018
THANKS EVERYONE FOR FEED BACK DOES HELP .
swamp said
07:59 AM Jul 18, 2018
HI
FORD
The day after warranty ended Ford not interested . The list of items NOT FIXED is ENDLESS PAGES LONG LONG LONG Looooooooong
Yes the engine is more powerful than TOJAM
TOYOTA
Eighteen mths out of warranty [ not in recall for earlier models] cover by warranty for steering wheel control failure
NEVER AGAIN FORD NEVER
Bulariver said
08:20 AM Jul 18, 2018
We are very happy with our 4 year old Ranger - the engine is a beauty, and no problems with the transmission over the last 65000k. Ford have been very good with minor warranty issues - for example timing case seal oil leak. I think the Ranger is a better vehicle than the Hilux but I know the Hilux lovers won't agree with that! If it gets too hard, toss a coin - you have a 50 percent chance of getting it right! B
goldenyears said
09:16 AM Jul 18, 2018
Leaning more towards the ranger spoke to a few bt50 owners same motor and they swear buy it ... after owning hilux's for many years big difference in power and much more comfortable ride ...... thanks for your input .
Will be checking both out at sandown show in oct ...
Desert Dweller said
02:46 PM Jul 18, 2018
goldenyears wrote:
Leaning more towards the ranger spoke to a few bt50 owners same motor and they swear buy it ... after owning hilux's for many years big difference in power and much more comfortable ride ...... thanks for your input .
Will be checking both out at sandown show in oct ...
They all have their faults, none of them are bullet proof.
Hows this BT50 banana?
goldenyears said
04:32 PM Jul 18, 2018
wowwwwww bt50 banana for sure ... would love to know what happened there ha ha !!!!
Desert Dweller said
05:06 PM Jul 18, 2018
goldenyears wrote:
wowwwwww bt50 banana for sure ... would love to know what happened there ha ha !!!!
Notice that the bull bar has fallen off due to weak anchorage points, another BT50 fault. Lots of BT's limping home with their bull bars on their roof rack after doing some rough stuff.
goldenyears said
05:11 PM Jul 18, 2018
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:24:04 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:25:58 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:34:30 PM
Nice looking machine has it all diesel runs cooker shower hot water etc no need for any gas ...
iana said
07:32 PM Jul 18, 2018
A single cab ute puts the load where it should be, if you don't need to lean the seats back that's the way to go.
Nifty150 said
09:39 PM Jul 18, 2018
We have lusted after the Sherwoods for many years, but the price was out of our range (about $100,000 ten years ago if I remember). You will certainly enjoy running a smaller go-anywhere rig you can park in town, camp anywhere, and travel economically in, regardless of the vehicle manufacturer. Our ex-hire unit is a single cab Hilux which I have been happily modifying, and I reckon the best additions have been the diesel heater and the long range fuel tank, so consider those. Wed probably swap for a Sherwood but have seen nothing else that would suit us better than what we have.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:04 PM Jul 18, 2018
All the light utes / trucks have limits weight wise . We went into local RV site to check new & second hand vans & motorhomes . I think we still have the better equipment .
Rusty W said
04:36 PM Jul 19, 2018
Hi golden years, long time reader of the forum, but not a member, that is till I saw your post. I have just joined so I could tell you
about my good friend /neighbour. He has a Sherwood on a hilux 3litre. Nothing wrong with the Toyota, but the Sherwood is a disaster
with no help from suncamper.They just don't care. He has documented over 100 defects from weights to water leaks to non supply of replacement
parts etc the list goes on and on. If you private message me your phone No. he is only too happy to talk to you.
regards Russell
ZORDO said
07:03 PM Jul 19, 2018
Also be aware that you have to fix the standard rubbish suspension when fitting a heavy camper.
Cheers
goldenyears said
05:07 AM Jul 20, 2018
goldenyears wrote:
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:24:04 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:25:58 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:34:30 PM
rusty realy appreciate the info and having read good and bad reviews about the Sherwood namely once they get your money they don't care !! their vehicles are not exactly cheap same with the sunliner ! I read a few comments on the Sherwood about shower leaks and poor workmanship ... but I'm sure there are just as many happy customers .... decisions decisions ? as mentioned in post will probably go with the sunliner ... we live in Victoria so a long way to travel when things go wrong !!
AaLF said
08:48 AM Jun 20, 2020
Hey goldenYears. how's that Sunliner doing? Especially what's your fav. now you've had that diesel stove for a while. Gas or diesel wins?
Planning to buy a small compact motorhome either the Sherwood suncamper built on hilux chassis or the sunliner built on ranger chassis ? both auto 4x4 diesel
ranger has the bigger motor but have read they have a few problems transmission being one of them . but smoother on the road .
For reliability I lean towards the hilux ... as no plans to tow anything ! but also a bit more ranger power would be handy !!
can anyone give me some advice ? as not sure which ? both around the same price . maybe someone has driven
both vehicles ?
thanks
Apart from that, both would be pretty reliable.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Ranger!!
Dick.
Hi Doug...I think that you are probably referring to Tritons,as I gave a photo of a least 5 Tritons with a 15 degree (?) bend in the chassis.Anyway,back to the question! The Ranger may be the better bet,as it is 135mm longer in the chassis than is the Hilux,but probably worthwhile measuring from back off cab to diff centre to see how much room you have ahead of that axle ....the more the merrier! Cheers
Ford Rangers have had the gearbox problem rectified in the first model, no problems now.
Thanks greg god to hear from people that own a ranger or hilux .. I know there will always be bad reviews for either vehicle and unfortunately the more research one does the more confusing it gets !!
THE SHERWOOD has been around for years and won an award for best all round camper ... Then again the RANGER out sold the hilux in 2017 ?
Most reviews I have read say RANGER .. but mention a problem when changing the oil ... more than 10 min and theres an issue with the oil pump ! not being able to reprime itself if you take too long ?
THANKS EVERYONE FOR FEED BACK DOES HELP .
FORD
The day after warranty ended Ford not interested . The list of items NOT FIXED is ENDLESS PAGES LONG LONG LONG Looooooooong
Yes the engine is more powerful than TOJAM
TOYOTA
Eighteen mths out of warranty [ not in recall for earlier models] cover by warranty for steering wheel control failure
NEVER AGAIN FORD NEVER
Leaning more towards the ranger spoke to a few bt50 owners same motor and they swear buy it ... after owning hilux's for many years big difference in power and much more comfortable ride ...... thanks for your input .
Will be checking both out at sandown show in oct ...
They all have their faults, none of them are bullet proof.
Hows this BT50 banana?
wowwwwww bt50 banana for sure ... would love to know what happened there ha ha !!!!
Notice that the bull bar has fallen off due to weak anchorage points, another BT50 fault. Lots of BT's limping home with their bull bars on their roof rack after doing some rough stuff.
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:24:04 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:25:58 PM
-- Edited by goldenyears on Wednesday 18th of July 2018 05:34:30 PM
Nice looking machine has it all diesel runs cooker shower hot water etc no need for any gas ...
Hi golden years, long time reader of the forum, but not a member, that is till I saw your post. I have just joined so I could tell you
about my good friend /neighbour. He has a Sherwood on a hilux 3litre. Nothing wrong with the Toyota, but the Sherwood is a disaster
with no help from suncamper.They just don't care. He has documented over 100 defects from weights to water leaks to non supply of replacement
parts etc the list goes on and on. If you private message me your phone No. he is only too happy to talk to you.
regards Russell
Cheers
rusty realy appreciate the info and having read good and bad reviews about the Sherwood namely once they get your money they don't care !! their vehicles are not exactly cheap same with the sunliner ! I read a few comments on the Sherwood about shower leaks and poor workmanship ... but I'm sure there are just as many happy customers .... decisions decisions ? as mentioned in post will probably go with the sunliner ... we live in Victoria so a long way to travel when things go wrong !!