HELP - Which 4WD for towing

[pbright]

Help. I have a 94 diesel Patrol used to tow 1.6 tonne of tandom caravan. Wife thinks the patrol is too "truck like" and wants something better. Our partol is very thirsy -20 to 24 litres per 100 towing. So what is better. Does anyone tow with the 3.2 Turbo Pajaro or 3 litre Jackaroo. Would a Prado do the trick or are these other cars TOO light for the job. Landcrusers are out of my price range. I personnally love my Patrol but it is thirsty and slow. The Parjaro produces a heck of a lot more kwts and Nm than the patrol 85kw and264 compared to 121kwt and 374Nm (Pajaro). Even the turbo 4.2 doesn't seem to rate that well 114Kw 330MN. How come. It seems to me that the BIG Nissan has a weaker motor than the pajaro, 3litre Patrol, Jackaroo or Prado. What is best. Most work is pulling the caravan but I do go off road - mainly sand dunes.

[Reefmaster]

Hey Pbright
It looks like your after diesel 4X4 but>
I happened to have a mid 98 model 100 series gxl landcruiser for sale.Its a 4.5 litre petrol and automatic.161,000 km Its like brand new and has alloys with near new tyres and rear Air bag suspension which is great for towing. Daul airbags, abs braking, and all the other bells and whistles. Have gotten 900 km out of 140 litres. Not the best on fuel but has a heap of balls to tow anything. If intrested let me know and i can email you pics. after a quick sale and only want $30,000

Cheers Greg

[jimbamb]

Mate,
Its a bit like how long is a bit of string!!!Everyone has their own ideas an recons their vehicle is the best.Only advise i'd give ya is to make sure the vehicle ya look at can LEGALLY tow ya van.Its gettin so that dmr people are checkin towball weights and towing capacity.I towed a 17.5 ft van around aus with a 2,8 hilux.It was underporered but done the job.I got between 14 and 18 mpgDepending on the wind/hills etc Late model 3l Turbo seem to get the job done fairly well.Talked to lots of people,most people with 3l turbo nissans recon they were gettin the best fuel resultsCruisers were very thirsty.Latest model ones with elect fuel inj were better.When ya payin up to 1.40 a litre fuel consumption is very important.Big fuel tanks can level it out a bit by filling up where its a little cheaper.
Hope this is of some help

[pbright]

Thanks Jim. That info helps. I too have heard some pretty good things about the 3l Nissan. So the next one is - manual verses automatic. I've ALAWYS towed with a manual. Is an auto as fuel efficient. I thought they were thirstier. Does an auto loose power? Do they tend to over heat more? The Nissan Auto only tows 2500kg where the manual is 3200kg. Does that mean the gear box is not as strong?

[Sportfish_5]

Got a 3.0lt TD manual Patrol and it goes well. First Nissan I have had after having mostly Tojos and a Pajero.

Good economy and I love the 4cyl rego costs

Cheers

Greg

[jimbamb]

Gday PB,
Never towed with a auto heard too many stories about cooking them .I know It is absolutely necessary to have a gear box oil cooler fitted if ya have an auto.Fuel cons will be higher with auto.as they change back when it siuts them.problems arise when they cant decide which gear they should be in so they overheat.On the other hand a lot of ppl go auto??Who knows???

[Big_Kev]

Most of the big manufacturers recomend an auto when towing the bigger weights.
But I would think that as long as you can handle a manual towing that weight I would go for manual. (a lot of Japs can't drive for shit and burn out clutches,that is my opinion of the recomendation).
I have heard reports that the 3 ltr Nissan patrols aren't good for returning high miles and the manuals have troubles in the 5th gear. (hear say but)
I would think that a 6cyl turbo diesel manual and a free flow exhaust, along with a later model electronic engine is what you would need to tow the van and get some improvement in the fuel department. But with a big van and the aerodynamics of a hippo you will just have to get use to pumping fuel.

[jimbamb]

Just remembered,Check out some of the large 4wds reccomend NOT using 5th gear for towing.Land cruisers in particular.Its in the owners Manual Worth Checkin out.

[blaze]

not towing in 5th
what tends to happen is the retaining system that retains 5th gear fails under extra thrust applied, not only big 4x4 either.
I preference is for manual gearbox for towing. an auto gearbox is a series of wet clutches and they do wear out also.
cheers
blaze

[Big_Kev]

Yeah 5th gear is the same for the smaller 4x4 as well only not as heavy duty as the bigger rigs.
Fourth gear connects the crank directly to the mainshaft of the transmission and directly to the output of the main trans, and (depending on the trans), through the transfer box to the tailshaft.
Good idea to drop out of overdrive when the load increases and when towing and not let the engine load up.
I have reread this post and I still think if you want to tow the big van then you will need the big 4X4 and your wife will just have to come to terms with the turck or come to terms with a smaller van. I know what my wifes reaction to that would be. LOL

[pbright]

Thnaks for all your help. We have just purchased a 2001 ST Patrol 3 litre turbo manual. It certainly has a heck of a lot more power than my old 4.2 straight Ford Maverick diesel- seems nearly double the power. Ended up paying $38000 with a $12000 trade in. Probably got doen BUT it is in mint condition and can with all the fruit - duel batteris, reece tow bar, bull bar, side steps etc etc.The new patrol has 30000kms on the clock. I'll tell you how it goes later. With a bit of luck I've have it next week when we take off to Gnarloo for a week. I can then report on the power and the emconomy.

Cheers and thanks for all your advice.
PS. The wife loves the car but it is still a bit big for her. We're buying some foam so she can see over the steering wheel.

[PinHead]

Ya should have just gone for the Ford F250...awesome machine.

[scott_b]

pb
I was talking to a bloke who has a 4.2 turbo Patrol tray back and a 3.0 turbo wagon .He draggs a horse float around with two horses with his 4.2 ute . Had to take the missus and kids somewhere with him and took the 3.0 wagon instead ,reacons the wagon had heaps more power and less fuel.
Hope the wagon does a good job for you.
wamjam

[Heath]

I tow a 2000kg boat with a petrol Jackaroo. 2002 model. Pulls it fine.

[pbright]

Thanks for all your relies and advice. I've just purchased a 2001 3 liter turbo manual Nisan Patrol with 30000kms on the clock for $38000. I got $14000 for my 4.2 diesel 1992 maverick. Wife is OK. We jsut need to raise the seat so she can see over the steering wheel. We take off the Gnarloo this Friday so I'll get back to you on power and fuel consumption. The deciding factor was a mate travelling around Australia with the 3l Nissan. He's getting 15 litres per hundred towing. I was getting 22 to 25 liters per hundred and NO power to overtake . - down to second up hills. I'll soon see if it was worth it. Back in 2 weeks. Thanks again for all your assistance. Peter