We had a 2.5 Litre diesel auto Pathfinder and was towing a 21ft6 caravan with ensuite around 2.6 tonne all up and it was very poor on performance always struggling on hills, head winds and the best I got out of it was 18l to the 100 doing about 85kmh with a tail wind.  Averaged around 20l /100 but could get as bad as 24l/100.  We updated to a Mazda BT50 3l auto diesel (towing capacity 3.4tonne) and i'ts awesome compared to the Pathfinder.  I can sit in "sports "mode and cruise at 85kms and get around 16l/100 as it is still new.  It hits the hills with ease and into head winds a breeze whereas the Pathfinder would be struggling in and out of 4th gear.   The new 3l Pathfinder would be better but I'd reckon hungary on the diesel.  We get around 9l/100 around town compared to 13 with the Pathfinder.  I reckon for the price it's the best on the market outside the Landcruiser (if your've got the cash to buy one).

Cheers,

Happy motoring.

-- Edited by KISS on Sunday 15th of July 2012 09:16:13 PM

-- Edited by KISS on Sunday 15th of July 2012 09:18:24 PM

Hi All,

Been awhile but looks like we may now have a buyer for our house and have been looking at what sort of towing vehicle to get. Anyone got any thoughts about the new Mitsh 2.5 GLX-R, also been looking at Nissan Pathfinders, and Toyota, our van will be 2865 kg loaded.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Uncle Wombat

The new Pajero has a legal tow limit of 3000 kg but at 2865 Kg does that include tanks full of water and all personal requirements as the weight you are talking about is close to legal tow limits for a lot of 4x4s for safety the best option may well be a Land Cruiser.

whiteman wrote:

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Suggest you check the Gross Vehicle Mass, meaning the total all up weight of both vehicles, this may help in making the correct legal choice....sad to say but it may well be the LC200...not just a question of whether the tug will pull the van, but how legal will you be with all the bells and whistles on board.

If you have the opportunity spend some time on checking weights of the van before you buy either tug or van, do the home work now as after the event can be very costly.

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Thank goodness.   Yes you are so right.   In Victoria at least, GVM is very important as you must weigh both vehicles fully loaded with luggage, fuel, passengers, cutlery, crockery; you name it.   As I have mentioned several times on this forum, VicRoads and Police can confiscate your vehicle if you exceed GVM.  There is a complicated formula but a more simple method (accurate within just a few kgs) is to check your tyre load ratings (manufactureres standard tyres, not upgrades or add ons) add them up (six or eight tyres depending on if your van is tandem or not) and this is your GVM.  I would also go with a few extra horses in the engine for the sake of longevity.   For what it's worth.