Tow vehicle

Dorry · Member

Tow vehicle

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to the forum Dorry/Dee.

Loved my Pajero but I upgraded to Patrols back in 1989, had three since then my latest a Y62 Series 5.

IMHO the Petrol Pajero would be a much better tow tug, more powerful, and nowadays the price of Diesel is almost prohibitive - If the Diesel Pajero has a common rail engine I'd run away - Both mileages you mention would mean they are both due or overdue major servicing - could be expensive.

Consider a brand new Great Wall Tank 300 (see review www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/gwm-tank-300-ultra-off-road-test-92240) it would run rings around the Mitsubishi and give you a massive new car warranty.

Dorry · Member

Thank you for your reply, Possum. However I am on a really tight budget. So the new tank, although I do like them is out of my range. I have to go for an older car that will hopefully last me. Can you offer any clues as to what the engines need as far as timing chains etc that should be replaced at certain mileage? Having been involved in the mechanical trade( years ago now) I do have some understanding of things that need to be done at certain times... but need good info to make right choices. I will be trading my haval h2 on the vehicle I buy so have to pick the right one. I have never had diesel and am not a fan to tell the truth. Even though the older car with more klm has the 6 cylinder petrol engine would it be the better buy? Servicing is cheaper, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I envisage living in my van for the next 5 years and driving, towing around mainly northern NSW. Cheers, Dee

Are We Lost · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
..... nowadays the price of Diesel is almost prohibitive .....

Currently slightly cheaper than Unleaded 95 (in my area anyway). Even unleaded 91 would be more expensive per kilometre than diesel due to diesel's better efficiency. Of course, taking maintenance into account, the overall cost per kilometre for a diesel powered vehicle is probably higher than a similar petrol vehicle.

Dorry, you say you wil will be towing mainly around northern NSW. Does that mean travelling small distances where fuel cost won't make a big difference to your overall living costs? Also, what will you be towing? Some vehicles have pretty tight restrictions on towball weight and what they can tow.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Monday 8th of July 2024 10:09:41 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Senior Member

Buy a motorhome and towing capacity is of no consequence.
One vehicle to insure and maintain instead of 2.
No reversing, no hitch & unhitch, park it at the shops.
Cheers,
Peter

Dorry · Member

That's right, Possum. I am not looking at doing the lap or going any further inland than Bingara and maybe up to Toowoomba. The plan is to live in the van permanently. With occasional visits to family when I can park the van at a friend's place.

Dorry · Member

I am looking to buy a jayco or similar approx 18' pop top van.

Dorry · Member

I am looking to buy a jayco or similar approx 18' pop top van.

Greg 1 · Guru

I have owned a Pajero petrol engine. Very good vehicle and a very good V6 but thirsty particularly when towing. The diesels were far better fuel wise and don't really give away that much in performance. For towing I would choose the diesel. Provided the vehicles were regularly serviced and looked after, you shouldn't have too much trouble with either. The diesel did have an issue with its upper timing chain tensioner from memory so check to see if that has been changed in recent times but other than that they give good service. The V6 petrol has a timing belt so the usual servicing requirements for that. I really liked my Pajero. Very good vehicle but my current van is outside the Pajero's tow capacity so had to swap it for a Ranger. As an old caravanner, if you are going to live in the van, personally I would not choose a pop top. Get a full height van. I have lived in caravans for extended periods plus done a lot of travel. Pop tops are great for touring and storing in a low carport or garage but have their issues for long term accommodation. I wouldn't want to live in one long term.

Dorry · Member

Thanks Greg. But finances get in the way.

Are We Lost · Guru

I was hoping someone with more Pajero knowledge would give some information. I am not sure what years or models have what limitations but some if not all, have reducing towball load limits as the van weights increase. This effectively means you have to be careful and check the specs of the particular model you plan to buy. Then, and more importantly, when looking at vans, know what the towball weight will be when laden. I believe an 18 foot van probably would be heavy enough to reach this restriction.

Anyone with earlier Pajero knowledge can help here?

Dorry · Member

Yes I am finding it really difficult to get a straight answer regarding examples of vehicles. Some say twin cabs are better, some say suv. I am super confused with the weights. So as long as my vehicle is heavier than the van I should be OK to tow? Cheers

Are We Lost · Guru

Unfortunately it's not as simple as that. The heavier a tow vehicle is in comparision to what it tows, the safer it is. But there is no rule that makes this mandatory.

A ute is usually a more capable tow vehicle than an SUV shape. The design criteria for a ute puts more emphasis on load carrying while with an SUV it is more on carrying passengers. So typically a ute will have a stronger rear axle and suspension. Accordingly, most utes have higher rear axle load limits compared to SUVs. So as people choose larger and heavier vans, the weights on the towball increase. Usually the rear axle load limit is the primary limiting factor to what vans can be towed.

The rated tow capacity of 2500kg, 3000kg or 3500kg for many vehicles can never be achieved in practice. Some other rating will get in the way first.

I suggest you spend some time reading the forum section on Weights and Measures (within the Technical section). Here is a recent discussion from there on Pajero towing capability. There have been others as well.

Pajero towing capability

An 18 foot van is probably OK for an early Pajero but not a lot of leeway. You really need to know the limitations. When looking at vans, the plated towball weight (if it is there) is pretty meaningless as that was when it left the factory. When laden it will almost always be a fair bit more.

If possible it's better to buy the van first, find out the actual weights when laden, and then choose a tow vehicle. Otherwise, choose a tow vehicle that has capacity greater than what you think you will need so you can be more flexible in van choice.

-- Edited by Are We Lost on Friday 12th of July 2024 11:44:53 AM

Greg 1 · Guru

The large Pajero, not the Sport, in its later body style that are the ones most commonly seen these days, are restricted by towball down load. So upto a caravan ATM weight of 2500kgs, the maximum ball weight is 250kgs. Over 2500kgs ATM, the ball weight cannot exceed 180kgs. This is not rated in a linear way it drops off the cliff at 2501kgs, so you cannot legally presume to do some math and say that you are allowed a ball load somewhere between if the van isn't 3000kgs but heavier than 2500kgs Theoretically the Pajero can tow 3000kgs but in any sort of practical sense it really cannot because of the ball weight restriction. 2500kgs is really it's limit. Mitsubishi also state that a WDH should be used when towing a van with a Pajero. I cannot remember what weight the WDH cuts in but 1600kgs comes to mind. Remember that ball weight must be measured as fully laden. ATM is the fully laden van sitting on its jockey wheel. An 18' single axle van will usually have a higher ball weight than one on dual axles, so that is something to consider in your van purchase.

Dorry · Member

Thank you Greg

Dorry · Member

So on another note.. parking up a pop top under a roof for permanent living. Is this an option compared to a hard top.

Possum3 · Guru

Dorry wrote:
So on another note.. parking up a pop top under a roof for permanent living. Is this an option compared to a hard top.

Pop-top vinyl bellows are not very good insulation wise - I had a Jayco Discovery (2013) I thought it would be more economical to tow - but it wasn't, it was heavier than the similar full-size Discovery.

The bellows are also prone to mould with the condensation. There is no way I would have one for permanent living, even if it was berthed in a shed.

msg · Guru

Dorry,

I am single female and would recommend that you consider perhaps something like a Hi-ace. Go anywhere. Fits in Carparks. Fitouts can be as simple or a lux as you desire.

I suggest a Hi-ace as they seem to never die. I have a Ford Transit Van, but they are few and far between. It has served me well. I have owned my van since 2008 and travelled over 100K and its still going strong.

Who knows you may decide to do the big lap. I was going to Brisbane to stay with friends. Pulled into an overnight stop, met some other friends who invited me along with them. So I tagged along all around Aus.

Like "Peter n Margaret" said
Buy a motorhome and towing capacity is of no consequence.
One vehicle to insure and maintain instead of 2.
No reversing, no hitch & unhitch, park it at the shops.

Personal security is better.

I would also advise, getting some sort of toilet/shower. Having to visit shower blocks can become tedious over time and the trip to the Dump Point becomes not as bad as it once was.

Personal security is better.
There is a real advantage of being able to pull up and not have to get out of the van to have a rest or a meal, and you can drive away a lot more easily if you are not sure about the safety of the stop.

I think personal safety is a bigger issue these days than it was in previous years.

Life and mobility is much easier with a motor home.

msg · Guru

Just a second thought. I get 10ks/per litre. Sometimes better. Maybe an important consideration these days.

Dorry · Member

Thank you for all the replies. I have solved my issues by having a change of plans. For now. So happy travels all. Checers, Dorry.