23 replies to this topic

[NASI]

What should i be looking for when searching for a tow car?

[marinetowing]

Towball?...sorry could not help myself

[DOUGMO]

towing capacity/performance

fuel consumption

the biggest killer that most dont worry about is maintenence costs.

any diesel will cost heaps to repair/maintain especially engine internals.


another thing is how high it is and what type of trailer you will require

[marinetowing]

Height is a big factor, also try to have a trailer with as low of bed height as possible, my trailer is fairly low but I can't get the car up the ramps with the front lip on-even if the trailer is parked on a downhill angle.
I put swellso's evo 4 on there once and we nearly tore the front bar off trying to get it off.

A lot of guys use commodores or falcons as tow vehicles, they would tow ok but no doubt be rather thirsty to run.

[Evo-00x]

If its a car then good stiff suspension and a little bit lower centre of gravity will help. A 4WD is best as they are higher and their suspension is pretty heavy duty anyway. You dont want to be driving down the road at 80kmh with the trailer and car in float, then have a semi trailer overtake you and making you end up in speed wobbles all over the place :roll: I've had it happen to me in a 100kmh zone and damn scared the fuk outta me and the passenger as you struggle to hold onto the steering wheel and keep on the road.

[CLuTZ]

Really does depend on what you're towing.......

[NASI]

Well

i will be towing the evo 6 most of the time but other cars will go on it

i have been using my dads 4runner as a tow car, but i belive it lacks power and so does he

I have been looking into a holden or ford V8

What ever car i look into getting will be getting new struts, spings, LSD, Trans cooler as i want a auto and a bigger fuel tank and a heavy duty tow bar what ever i can get the max towing out of

not sure how these are on fuel but parts and work on them is cheap insurence is cheap and you can pick them up cheap

but then the next question comes do you get a wagon, sedan, panel van, ute?

[marinetowing]

I would steer clear of a ute unless its 4x4, too light even with good trailer brakes it would get slippery, I have an alloy tray on my triton and disc brakes on my trailer which work really well, but the ute is light as and feels like it could step out easily with all that weight pushing it.

[WindeX]

Falcon I6, cheap, reliable, common, efficent(for its size) and can get LPG ones everywhere.

[NASI]

yeah i was also thinking that but does a I6 have the balls to tow

my Dads 4runner uses less fuel then his old XF and that is a big 4wd and still i dont think it has the power

i was also thinking maybe a r31 skyline

[WindeX]

The falcon would be a much better choice than the R31. The I6 has oodles of torque, 357Nm from EF-AU. Most mid sized four wheelers, Paj, Prado, Surf, Hilux are far more gutless than the falcon. I have owned a Paj and a EF, the ef was better for towing and just general driving.

My vote would definitly be for the I6 falcon.

[NASI]

Cool that is somthing i did not know i will look into a EF I6 now as there alot cheaper then the V8 EF i was looking at

[CLuTZ]

I'f you dont wanna spend much- get a VN SS or something:

[DOUGMO]

fords are better than holdens, i also have an el
and it has plenty of grunt to tow. but the paj will do it still
just slowly

most holdens only have a 1600kg max tow capacity

[WindeX]

I guess the main benefit of the I6 ford is there are thousands of them for sale, shoot you could probably get a nice BA for under 10k thesedays, not the nicest looking things but a solid car, and plenty powerful. If I were to buy a daily driver I would have one.

The VN SS.... ah well if fuel wasnt an issue, or safety or comfort... strangly enought they have similar power outputs.

http://www.redbookas...=69097&id=57263

The fords torque is lower in the rpm band too.

[WindeX]

but the paj will do it still just slowly

Mate, I can imagine that, my Paj has the v6 and its still a slug.... does need a freshen up.

[nk]

buy a second evo.

[SIVART]

get a Verada wagon with a VRX body kit , theres tons for sale and cheap to plus gas is cheap to get fitted

the ford wagons are high rated for towing though

[Ross Cox]

IMHO
I have a VR4 Rally car.
I tow it with a Mazda BT50 ute with a 2.5 litre Diesel engine.
I have a load leveller Hayman Reece towbar
My trailer has electric drum brakes.
I have towed the VR4 from Brisbane to Rockhampton for a rally.
Cruised at 100-105kph. Achieved 8 litres/100klms.
First and reverse a bit high for take off on hills but with alloy tray loaded with toolbox tyres and fuel, we had no dramas at all with semitrailers, crosswinds or hills. Needs a limited slip though. Perhaps the Mazda Freestyle with the 3 litre and LSD would be better.
Changed down to third twice on the highway for hills.
Have been to Monto in Central Queensland, country roads and gravel roads, again sensible driving- no dramsa.
Cheers,
Ross

[iluszn]

I think with Tow cars you have to ensure that the car weighs more than what is being towed or close to. cant two the evo 6 with a mini LOL.

If you want a tow car your going to be paying more on fuel and maintenance due to stress you place on the tow vehicle for the extra weight.

Why not look for an old Ford or Holden. like a VK with 308 in it. maybe a calais. Parts would be cheap and you put it on gas.. NO PROBS!!

or find an XD with a 351 in it, same deal . But all these cars are getting a little long in the tooth.

Perhaps the other option is a VN/VR/VS 5.0 auto. Parts would still be cheap and a little more comfortable than the older cars.. If i were looking at a tow car i would look at a VS SS. but again, how much do you want to spend?