Currently have an old 2000 model Mitsubishi Challenger that my wife drives a s a day ride and is used to hit the beach or tow our Cruise craft Reef Raider.
The boat with full kit goes 1800kg on towbar.
What do people suggest. Still looking to either a 6 cyl petrol or a small diesel.
mid size is the idea to allow my wfe to keep using it as her daily ride.
Cheers
Trev
if you've got the money mate the new prado's really are a nice set up, tow well and the ladies love em (although you won't catch me telling any of my mates this as i own a patrol). My in laws have an 08 model and tow a 6.5m plate boat comfortably and drive it just about anywhere.
CHARTER BOAT, WHAT CHARTER BOAT?
G'day,
If your wife likes to old Challenger, test drive a new one with the diesel. The trade in on like for like will probably be the best you get. The new Challenger with diesel will eat you 1.8 t towing load.
Regards,
White Pointer
As said, new prado or challenger .... but if budget is limited a 3 or 4 yr old prado might be the go. I'd go with the D4D diesel rather than the older one though (if going diesel). I guess a pajero will also do the job.
If Pajero or Prado are a bit big then you might struggle to find something smaller but still able to tow that 1800kg easily.
just a hint....if your looking at a new challenger....also have a look at the Kia Sorento in diesel...my uncle is doing the exact same excercise as we speak....his options were Paj, Pathfinder, Challenger....then he had a look at the sorento....and so far is winning on all counts....especially price. There tow rating is 2t for the auto and 2.5T for the manual. Can update you later in the week when the test drive is done (uncle wants me to go with him - though he has had 4wds all his life and has been towing boats and caravans all over australia with em for the last 40 years). My old G60 patrol used to tow my reef raider quite well, as did the MK patrol, and the VH commodore - and these had no where near the torque that the sorento has.
Greg
Are you upgrading because it has an issue with the load?
I am in a similar situation, I have a 2003 Challenger which I am considering upgrading as my rig is right on the limit of 2.3T.
I'm going with the prado as the patrol ute is a bit challenging for the mrs at the boat ramp at times, poor old clutch.
The v6 auto are so good on fuel and they will tow 1.8T beautifully, the mrs parents have one they tow there cruise craft 575 outsider with it and absolutely love it.
G'day,
I'll just through in a wobbly here.
The Prado and HiLux have the same under pinnings and pretty much the same engines and transmissions. The HiLux has a cart sprung rear end and will tolerate loads and towing better. It is also likely that the HiLux will hold resale better than the Prado and will have a lower entry cost.
The Triton is a better boat tractor than a Pajero or Challenger; for the same reasons that a HiLux is better than a Prado.
Quite frankly, if your boat is under 2 Tonne and it just has to serve as a boat tractor and family hack a 2 or 3 year old Falcon wagon with the right towing pack makes a lot of sense and leaves lots in the bank.
Regards,
White Pointer
As I said it is about 1800kg on water. However, through in a cpl of hundred kilos of camping gear + fresh water etc for a week away all of a sudden it hits 22 or 2300 kg very quickly.
i towed it previously to with a falcon wagon and killed the damn thing. Thats when I upgraded to the challenger. been happy as with this rig just 300,000 km on the petrol engine I figure it is time to look at upgrades before it goes big time.
I cant talk my wife into the ute/dual cab option. Prado Challenger or Cherokee is what she is telling me.
G'day,Originally Posted by Y-Not
If your towing load with all this gear on board is over 2 tonne you need an electrically braked trailer. You also need a new trailer with driven brakes. Otherwise you are illegal and therefore no insurance.
Therefore forget Challenger. It can't do it. Don't buy a Jeep. Chrysler/Jeep is on life support from the US government and Fiat. It has been on life support for nearly 50 years. It is a fundamentally inefficient maker of cars and it will probably be allowed to die soon.
That really narrows your choices. Prado or Pajero will do the job but they are not cheap and you still need a new trailer to cope with the load.
However a ute will carry all the camping and survival stuff and leave the BMT under 2-tonne and save lots of money on the changeover.
Time for your wife to start test driving and weighing the pros and cons of value for money, I think.
I have a Land Rover Discovery (2002) and a Holden Rodeo (2008). My wife drives both and has no issues with either of them as a commute. The Landie is great off road and the Rodeo is a much better boat tractor for my 6M plate boat at 2-tonne.
Regards,
White Pointer
G'day,
If your towing load with all this gear on board is over 2 tonne you need an electrically braked trailer. You also need a new trailer with driven brakes. Otherwise you are illegal and therefore no insurance.
Therefore forget Challenger. It can't do it. Don't buy a Jeep. Chrysler/Jeep is on life support from the US government and Fiat. It has been on life support for nearly 50 years. It is a fundamentally inefficient maker of cars and it will probably be allowed to die soon.
That really narrows your choices. Prado or Pajero will do the job but they are not cheap and you still need a new trailer to cope with the load.
However a ute will carry all the camping and survival stuff and leave the BMT under 2-tonne and save lots of money on the changeover.
Time for your wife to start test driving and weighing the pros and cons of value for money, I think.
I have a Land Rover Discovery (2002) and a Holden Rodeo (2008). My wife drives both and has no issues with either of them as a commute. The Landie is great off road and the Rodeo is a much better boat tractor for my 6M plate boat at 2-tonne.
Regards,
White Pointer
G'day,
If your towing load with all this gear on board is over 2 tonne you need an electrically braked trailer. You also need a new trailer with driven brakes. Otherwise you are illegal and therefore no insurance.
Therefore forget Challenger. It can't do it. Don't buy a Jeep. Chrysler/Jeep is on life support from the US government and Fiat. It has been on life support for nearly 50 years. It is a fundamentally inefficient maker of cars and it will probably be allowed to die soon.
That really narrows your choices. Prado or Pajero will do the job but they are not cheap and you still need a new trailer to cope with the load.
However a ute will carry all the camping and survival stuff and leave the BMT under 2-tonne and save lots of money on the changeover.
Time for your wife to start test driving and weighing the pros and cons of value for money, I think.
I have a Land Rover Discovery (2002) and a Holden Rodeo (2008). My wife drives both and has no issues with either of them as a commute. The Landie is great off road and the Rodeo is a much better boat tractor for my 6M plate boat at 2-tonne.
Regards,
White Pointer
I've got a 2003 Challenger on ebay. It's the LS model with all the extras, only 121000km, auto, has electronic brakes fitted (for towing). In great nick, only selling to buy a dual cab and roof topper (selling big boat as well). For $15k it's a great buy, and maybe something for you to think about.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....STRK:MESELX:IT
I have an AWD territory and it tows 2t very well, I was shocked. I am now looking at the challanger 2.5t, took it for a drive, drives nice felt good. I like the prado but an extra $15-20k.
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