New Tow Tug ,What to Buy?

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

awd isuzu,spoke to the dealer who got me a bit worried about the awd apparently only works when the rear wheels lose traction so not sure how that would work in sand

the way an AWD in this fashion works is the rear wheels spin a little faster than the fronts
picture a cork screw for easy explanation then (there can be both electronic lock and mechanical lock set ups for this)
rears spin and fronts dont the cork screw can screw in and engage the front rotating it
rears drive and push the vehicle forwards keeping the fronts rotating faster than the cork screw so it cant wind in to engage
can be utilised for some of road work but not so suitable for sand
more useful on road or hard track where you cant bog but can slip so fronts start pulling whist rear slip a bit

[351LTD]

Just want to go down the beach for a fish so thought it may be ok for that but not so sure now ,will price up a 4x4 one and see !

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

That 6x6 conversion in the ad said pricing starts at $50k and that did not include the tray or anything else a bit rich for me ,hopefully can get away from work sometime and go and check out a awd isuzu,spoke to the dealer who got me a bit worried about the awd apparently only works when the rear wheels lose traction so not sure how that would work in sand,getting some pricing on a 4x4 option as well and the cost to get them to ride ok as well(super singles etc ) but gets up there real quick.The other option I am looking at is the pre 06 7.3l f250 but mostly high Kms and $s to match but at least it's got 8 cylinders and a ford badge .The Certain ltd is going to be parted out if it does sell shortly .

Be careful with 7.3L Powerstroke F250, has that HEUI injection system that uses engine oil to fire the fuel injectors, it's hard on engine oil and you will have fuel injector problems with the solenoids sticking if the service intervals go out too often, this is an issue with buying these things that are 15+ years old now.

The injector driver module is also in the wheel arch, it will get soaked if you take it through a creek.

If considering F250 could you go with the 5.4L 3V? They have their problems but at least the engine was common with BA/BF Falcon and it's probably easier to work on in that massive engine bay

There's a povvo spec 4.2L I6 TD but it's Thailand special numbers at 132KW/500NM except it's rare on the ground, MWM Sprint engine that was made for developing nations.

Supposed to be tolerant of crappy diesel and it's still mechanically injected.

Would also avoid unless you happen to be fluent in Portuguese

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

If considering F250 could you go with the 5.4L 3V? They have their problems but at least the engine was common with BA/BF Falcon and it's probably easier to work on in that massive engine bay

It was a different motor. The F250 had a two valve setup, and didn’t have the VCT. No need to worry about cam phasers. Not sure about the spark plug issue, but the 5.4 Triton 2V should be more reliable overall. I think Australia got the 3 valve VCT version In the Falcon before the US implemented it in the 2005 F-series. But the Aussie spec F250 didn’t get that motor.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Be careful with 7.3L Powerstroke F250, has that HEUI injection system that uses engine oil to fire the fuel injectors, it's hard on engine oil and you will have fuel injector problems with the solenoids sticking if the service intervals go out too often, this is an issue with buying these things that are 15+ years old now.

Too true, It was Caterpillar Technology used under License. Very problematic.

[351LTD]

have thought of the 5.4s f250 cheaper as well,not sure on fuel usage ,i had a ba 260 manual xr8 years ago and that had 180ks on the clock when i sold it including track time and it still went hard .Not sure on towing capacity of f150 with 5.4 either ?

[351LTD]

double post

[wodahs]

the terri is awd is a similar dog
and when i had mine i had it in some places further than expected but wouldnt like to try soft dry beach sand with it as the fronts dont lock unless the rears are slipping and well that can be all over with soft dry sand situations esp with a heavy vehicle

[janddbone]

Correct, the answer is get a smaller trailer or get a hotel! Ha ha.

[Pis-ton broke]

or transit tray back?
http://www.usedvansales.com.au/ford-...ock-89994.html

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

i don,t know why ford didn,t make a transit flat top/ tray back or even cab chassis. i would have thought that its a good market to get into. i seen iveco's with fifth wheel trailers.

Thought Ford do sell Transit C&C

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

i don,t know why ford didn,t make a transit flat top/ tray back or even cab chassis. i would have thought that its a good market to get into. i seen iveco's with fifth wheel trailers.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...HRM-AD-6128368

[351LTD]

never gave the transit a thought ,not sure the tow rate is very high,will check !!

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

never gave the transit a thought ,not sure the tow rate is very high,will check !!

About 2.5t with tray.Towing 3.5t GCM 7t

[ford_17]

or dont tow at all! just get this... https://www.ford.co.uk/vans-and-pick...-custom/nugget

[wodahs]

spotted something on the way to work this morn in maddington

how much are bolt cutters these days

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by wodahs

spotted something on the way to work this morn in maddington
image
how much are bolt cutters these days

Looks like a lot of rear overhang on a single axle, enough room for you to stack it full of heavy **** and create a monster on the highway

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Looks like a lot of rear overhang on a single axle, enough room for you to stack it full of heavy **** and create a monster on the highway

thats ok wasnt a serious comment as it wasnt for sale hence where it is (an auto detailers) and why i suggested the bolt cutters
that place had been empty every morn i go past ant that was in there this morn and i go past around 5am or just before usually
also its not always what you have but how its loaded too
that thing could be mid heavy due to the tanks n main living area and the bed up the back with a front mount engine

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by wodahs

thats ok wasnt a serious comment as it wasnt for sale hence where it is (an auto detailers) and why i suggested the bolt cutters
that place had been empty every morn i go past ant that was in there this morn and i go past around 5am or just before usually
also its not always what you have but how its loaded too
that thing could be mid heavy due to the tanks n main living area and the bed up the back with a front mount engine

Trailer for sale or rent, rooms to let, 50 cents, no phone, no pool, no pets, I aint got no cigarettes?

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by wodahs

thats ok wasnt a serious comment as it wasnt for sale hence where it is (an auto detailers) and why i suggested the bolt cutters
that place had been empty every morn i go past ant that was in there this morn and i go past around 5am or just before usually
also its not always what you have but how its loaded too
that thing could be mid heavy due to the tanks n main living area and the bed up the back with a front mount engine

Have friends who have something like that,with bed in one rear corner and shower and toilet in the other corner,so when travelling hardly any weight behind the rear axle.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Looks like a lot of rear overhang on a single axle, enough room for you to stack it full of heavy **** and create a monster on the highway

Looks like overhang is less than 60% than wheelbase perfectly legal and on a dual rear axle.
Water, tanks, house batteries, galley and storage is usually built midships in those.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Looks like overhang is less than 60% than wheelbase perfectly legal and on a dual rear axle.
Water, tanks, house batteries, galley and storage is usually built midships in those.

Indeed, then the owner comes along and puts heaps of **** in the back that they don't need and hits the freeway with dog on lino handling characteristics

[wodahs]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Indeed, then the owner comes along and puts heaps of **** in the back that they don't need and hits the freeway with dog on lino handling characteristics

so nothing is viable as the owner comes along and loads the rear and only the rear with tons of crap
and in this instance be it the bed/toilet n shower , some one must have quiet the collection of sex toys

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Indeed, then the owner comes along and puts heaps of **** in the back that they don't need

Doubt it. The thing is designed for it on a dual wheeled rear axle. Light truck GVM would be around 6 ton. The rear island bed probably has limited storage under it unless they are storing bricks.

[351LTD]

After spending a few days beach fishing over Christmas with more to come in the new year I have gone full circle and the need to be able to drive on the sand to go fishing is the winner over Payload so back to looking at 4x4s with the v8 Patrol (yes petrol) at the top of the list.Going back and forth between Petrol and Diesel so we shall see.

[Crazy Dazz]

I've read through this thread with interest, and unfortunately I have to say that the fundamental precept is flawed. There simply is no-such vehicle that can do all 3 things.

The best Tow-Vehicles ever sold in this country, within reason, were Falcon Wagons.
And they are a passable, if large, town-car.
Unfortunately their beach ability is sorely lacking (I know from embarrassing personal experience) and their (comparatively) modest weight limits the size of the van.

I've towed overweight loads, and its not something I would recommend over long distances, high speeds, or country roads. Last I checked, the law would allow (subject to OEM ratings) you to tow 150% with electric brakes.
And yeah, like many things, that works fine, in a straight line, on a good road. Personally I would stick to 100%, but that's just me. Plenty of old farts tow 3t vans with 2t cars, and not all of them have died.
(Oh, and towing above 100% with a ute with no weight at the back? Easier just to use a gun.)

Also, not sure what you mean by "special" in the context of a tow barge? Yes, you could buy a RAM. But there's a doctor in America who does an op with a silicone mesh, and its probably cheaper.

Your best bet is to simply choose the most practical 4x4 wagon for your requirements (with an eye on GCM), and size your van accordingly.
(My personal favourite remains the GU, with the big TD, but they are getting on a bit and I've no idea on GCM.)
That will give you the best bang-for-buck Tow-Pig, a very good off-roader, and something you can live with around town.

[351LTD]

F250 or similar,Iveco daily 4x4,Isuzu or similar jap 4x4 small truck will all do the 3 things but the cost gets up there very quickly especially when you add all the extras that you would need long term,the 4x4 is the killer when it comes to cost!

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by 351LTD

F250 or similar,Iveco daily 4x4,Isuzu or similar jap 4x4 small truck will all do the 3 things

You must have a very liberal view of what constitutes a Daly Driver; because none of those could really be considered in that category. If they’re acceptable to you; that’s great (this is your thread about your requirements) but it essentially means that you’re really only constrained by two requirements; the towing and 4x4.

On that; many vehicles have been fitted with AWD. Most of the Asian vans sold here have (or had) 4wd versions back home for the snow and ice. L would imagine that makes them a better all-road proposition; but a beach vehicle it does not.

With the direction you’re heading; and the budget you’re apparently contemplating, you may want to consider a 5th-wheeler.
I’ll stress that I don’t know the laws specifically. Whether they count as articulated, and/or whether it depends on the coupling.
But in theory, if it qualifies as HC rig, you could tow a very heavy van, with a comparatively light (but powerful) tractor. So you could conceivably use something like a 70 series as the tractor, leaving you with a decent ute for around town and the beach.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

You must have a very liberal view of what constitutes a Daly Driver; because none of those could really be considered in that category. If they’re acceptable to you; that’s great (this is your thread about your requirements) but it essentially means that you’re really only constrained by two requirements; the towing and 4x4.

Don't know where you live but my daily is a 89 3 ton Jap truck.
Trucks in this class are driven around and between most towns and cities all day doing deliveries. They might not be the most comfortable vehicles around (unloaded) but they get the job done and are ultra reliable.

351 looking at the Iveco 2 tonner van like a good proposition to me.

[351LTD]

64 so not of the bells and whistles era ,happy for it to start and get me there and back, was heading the isuzu small truck way as i have had a mighty run out of the mighty d max but found the iveco van and as i have had a similar sized transit which i loved are heading that way instead of a truck then having to put a canopy on to it .we shall see !