Good Tow Cars?

[MBS206]

I was wondering why they only have a towing capacity of 3T compared to other cars with less NM that have 3.5T... We looked at an ST550 and it didnt look all that exciting! Would be nice to tow a nissan with a nissan though

Because they like a couple of other manufacturers realised that as you push towing capacity super high, you stress the hell out of things, and end up with chassis' cracking and other items breaking.

[34GeeTeeTee]

I have a silver d40 nav towing my silver r33, pretty cool, now nust have too black out the chrome and wheels to match the 33 for looks...

New smf clutch to go in and all should be sweet...

Haha yeah we had the cruiser and skyline theme sorted but now with the addition of the Ranger we have some work to do...

Only mods coming at this stage is a 76mm nudge bar and light bar and ARB canopy... Should be all fitted by the end of the month hopefully!

It tows so well in comparison to the cruiser i nearly forgot the trailer was there

[gtr jet]

Just a little bit jelly. Should look good once she's all kitted up.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Just a little bit jelly. Should look good once she's all kitted up.

Oh and window tint too!

We wanted to get black wheels and a bullbar etc but all of the bars stick out too far and the wheels just look cheap and nasty.... We decided just to keep them stock until we find something and until the bank account recovers lol

[gtr jet]

Oh and window tint too!

We wanted to get black wheels and a bullbar etc but all of the bars stick out too far and the wheels just look cheap and nasty.... We decided just to keep them stock until we find something and until the bank account recovers lol

Sunraysias? They're cheap as shit.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Sunraysias? They're cheap as shit.

Yeah but they look cheap as shit on late model cars too They looked awesome on the cruiser but just wouldn't have the same look on the ranger imo!

Anyway, got to put the money towards the nugget 34 anyway...

[Strik3r]

Thread bump :>

Long story cut short I am in the market for a part time tow vehicle / full time daily that can handle towing my 33 GTR. With a ~700kg trailer, that will take total tow weight to around 2100kg. Looking at a dual axle trailer with electronic braking.

As I said, this will be my daily driver to get to work and stuff, so a big tanky landcruiser or patrol is not ideal (not to mention the petrol costs). I would estimate towing the GTR ~10 times a year or less for 45 minutes each way (race track and back), but would like the capacity to handle an annual trip down to Sydney for WTAC. In reality this is 8 parts daily and 2 parts tow.

Budget is.. well I originally said $15k, but have been considering things priced around $20k if they are a good solution. I do like my creature comforts, so comfy seats and a nice stereo is a big plus.

Current ideas (and examples):

Mitsubishi Pajero (2 door version): http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Mitsubishi-Pajero-2009/SSE-AD-2787154/

Kia Sorento: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Kia-Sorento-2007/SSE-AD-2854481/

VW Toureg: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Volkswagen-Touareg-2007/SSE-AD-2913717/

Anyone have thoughts/opinions/other options ?

[GeeDog]

Strik3r,

After considering various SUV type cars earlier this year, including VW, Porsche, BMW etc, I bought an FG G6E Turbo with a 2300 kg towbar for this job - cost just over $20K. We've got an R33 GTST, and like you will probably tow it 10 - 12 times a year for relatively short distances.

The FG is my daily, and is quiet & comfortable, with reasonable economy and a shit-load of power & torque. The trailer is being built now, and I know we'll have to play with car position to get the ball weight right.

I recently towed the car on a hire trailer and realised I may need some torsion bars to level the combo, but the car's power made the job very easy. The FG is no more reliable than a used Euro or Korean SUV, but parts are cheap & readily available. It wasn't my initial first choice - son talked me into it - but pretty happy so far.

[MBS206]

Strik3r,

After considering various SUV type cars earlier this year, including VW, Porsche, BMW etc, I bought an FG G6E Turbo with a 2300 kg towbar for this job - cost just over $20K. We've got an R33 GTST, and like you will probably tow it 10 - 12 times a year for relatively short distances.

The FG is my daily, and is quiet & comfortable, with reasonable economy and a shit-load of power & torque. The trailer is being built now, and I know we'll have to play with car position to get the ball weight right.

I recently towed the car on a hire trailer and realised I may need some torsion bars to level the combo, but the car's power made the job very easy. The FG is no more reliable than a used Euro or Korean SUV, but parts are cheap & readily available. It wasn't my initial first choice - son talked me into it - but pretty happy so far.

Keep that ZF6 gearbox VERY well serviced, be prepared to use 3rd on the freeway and let speed drop (Don't force it to hold speed up hills) or you WILL be up for a very expensive gearbox rebuild.

Also keep a check on diff and blade bushes to keep the rear end in check. Oh, and have fun with fuel usage...

[gtr jet]

If he only has to tow for 45 minutes the an FG turbo wouldn't be so bad. If you're really worried about economy, get one with injected gas.

I've always towed with Falcon's including a couple of turbo's and they're awesome to tow with. The only thing they lack is weight to make towing a big load a little more stable but I've never had an issue with my wagon.

The mrs on the other hand opted for a Territory to tow her horse float as it's a bit more comfortable on the freeway.

[GeeDog]

For me it's about 40 minutes each way on a fairly flat road to either Collingrove hillclimb or Mallala track, so the FG should be fine.

[boxheadmr]

I have done a fair bit of towing with my FG g6eturbo.

Trip to Phillip Island and back I got about 14ltrs per 100. I would say that the falcon is a very good option and never had an issue with the gearbox which has done 115k so far.

Most of my trips have been about 3hours one way to Wakefield with the exception of winton and Phillip island which I think was 10hours one way.

[hrd-hr30]

I've always towed with Falcon's including a couple of turbo's and they're awesome to tow with. The only thing they lack is weight to make towing a big load a little more stable...

yeah, awesome.

farking falcons again! lol

[gtr jet]

If I had 100 g's I'd be towing with a new land cruiser or patrol but I don't so the Falcon's do it for me.

At the moment I'm in a 5.0L AU wagon on gas so it usually costs me about $30 to get to Winton from Melbourne towing my GTR on a 500kg+ trailer.

[34GeeTeeTee]

Ranger is still towing awesome! Done around 8500kms in the 2.5mths we have owned it and about 3000 of that has been towing lol...

Fuel economy is great, power is great and comfort is spot on! Best upgrade from the old 80!

[MBS206]

I'm sorry but the falcon is a shit option.

it has a performance cars gearbox in it that hates being loaded up extensively (like when pulling up a hill)

i did a trip with empty car trailer from Wollongong to Sydney, loaded a 33GTST on, then back to Wollongong. With the trailer and car on it wont hold over 80kmh uphills (on the freeway) and it will want to boil the atf. That trip i averaged 25L/100km. And remember, half of it the trailer was empty!

its definitely different on the flat, itll get up and cruise along, but the slightest hill and youre gone and i don't know that many freeways in aus that are perfectly flat.

oh and 115k kms isn't many kays on an FG.

[noone]

Would a manual falcon be a better option? looking at a BA turbo with a built 6-speed mostly a daily but occasional towing work, redbook claims 2300kg towing still

[gtr jet]

Never towed with a manual before so no idea what it would be like but I highly doubt you'd do any damage to the 6 speed.

2300kg is braked so you'd need to install a controller.

[fatz]

4wd all the way

if your trailers and car are close to your tow limit just add fuel and tools and your well over

not worth the risk

[boxheadmr]

I'm sorry but the falcon is a shit option.

it has a performance cars gearbox in it that hates being loaded up extensively (like when pulling up a hill)

i did a trip with empty car trailer from Wollongong to Sydney, loaded a 33GTST on, then back to Wollongong. With the trailer and car on it wont hold over 80kmh uphills (on the freeway) and it will want to boil the atf. That trip i averaged 25L/100km. And remember, half of it the trailer was empty!

its definitely different on the flat, itll get up and cruise along, but the slightest hill and youre gone and i don't know that many freeways in aus that are perfectly flat.

oh and 115k kms isn't many kays on an FG.

Yeah I would have to say that heading up the big hill coming out of the gong is a struggle for any car.

Up mooney mooney I can sit on 100 if I really want to but I usually do about 80 to 90 up the hill.

got to love the falcon