There have been a couple of similar threads, but with different budgets. I’m looking for a vehicle that can fit 3 car seats in the back with 2.5T towing capacity (to tow a caravan with tare 1.8T and ATM 2.2T). The best fit I’ve found is a used AWD diesel Ford Territory. Is there anything that would be better?
Combined Family and 2.5t Towing Vehicle under $20k
bobkin on 07/11/2020 - 06:30
Comments
No, Terrys are best in class. Craptivas are named appropriately.
How often do you caravan? Could you rent a towing vehicle if it's only like twice a year.
Renting a vehicle when one owns a caravan doesn't make sense.
Some people leave their caravan sitting there for years at a time. Buying a car just for such a caravan makes even less sense.
Owning a caravan doesn’t make sense. You could stay in hotel rooms for the rest of your life for the cost of a caravan, and you wouldn’t have to shit 0.5m from where you eat.
Objectively you are correct. They are certainly a lifestyle choice rather than a sensible financial decision
Owning a BMW doesn’t make sense either when you could have a Toyota.
Not many hotels in the middle of nowhere.
@brendanm: Why would you want to go to the middle of nowhere. If it's worth seeing, there's accommodation with a roof nearby.
@[Deactivated]: Not having to unload everything into a hotel, then repack the car at every stop has its advantages.
Also makes lunches on the road cheaper and easier when you can pull up and get stuff out of the fridge and put the kettle on wherever you want.
Especially with kids.
Caravans are an asset, paying for hotel rooms is dead money. Hahahahaha.
The plan is to use it every 6 weeks, but realistically might be a bit less. Regardless, the process will be a lot easier with our own vehicle
Ahhhh. Where have I heard that before… every 6 weeks… oh yeah, my dad.
“Why did you buy a caravan? You’ll never use it…”
“I’m going to take this away at least every 6 weeks…”Used the caravan once. Sat in a purpose built shed for two years and ended up selling it for less than half what he paid for it.
Caravans hold their value extremely well so he did something wrong!!
@pegaxs: Perhaps surprisingly, they do hold value pretty well. Selling for half after two years, someone got a fantastic deal. Normally they are like 80% of New Years afterwards.
@Euphemistic: Of all the people I have known who have had anything to do with caravans they all have horror stories of resale value. The father took a bath on his and took 18 months to get a buyer for it.
I got a few customers that bring their caravans in for work and they are the same, wish they never bought it. Can’t sell them or can only sell it for a small fraction of what they bought it for new.
Can’t sell them or can only sell it for a small fraction of what they bought it for new.
so buy a second hand caravan and then its a good idea :)
@SBOB: And do what everyone else does, use it once, maybe twice and then spend years trying to sell it.
Forgive me if I pass on that. :D
@pegaxs: I know plenty that use their vans every holiday. Sure it’s not every second weekend, but 4-5 times a year including a couple of week or more trips.
To each their own I guess.
It wont happen.
Subaru forester or XV
Towing capacity too low unfortunately
Also no way you'll fit 3 child seats in the back.
Towing with a CVT. Good luck with that.
Diesel AWD territory
Just went through the same thing for my mum, and they was the best option under 20k for her.Commodore/Falcon?
…….
Probably the only thing cheaper would be something like a ssangyong or a Chinese brand ute.
Neither are recommendations, but alternative options at least.R51 Pathfinder (old shape)? Solid vehicle. Not sure about 3 seats across the back though.
Prado or landcruiser, but will be older than competition.
Isuzu MUX, but might need to stretch the budget a little.
Didn’t the Pathfinder have diff problems when towing heavy or was that just one of those rumours that Toyota owners said because reasons?
Not aware of any diff issues. We own one, plenty of vanners use them. The early model 2.5 diesel do have a timing chain issue, but was rectified in later models (around 2010). Can also get a V6 diesel, but probably out of budget for OP.
I think it was supposedly the front but I’ve really only heard Toyota guys mentioning it in response to people claiming the pathy is nearly as good for substantially less.
Nope, they aren't exactly powerhouses though. I towed up to 3 tonne with mine, which was deleted and tuned, and it still wasn't exactly enjoyable.
Yeah. It’s not a rocket. Does have similar power specs to the terry diesel. We tow 1.6t comfortably.
Most annoying thing on the road, brand new car pulling a caravan but they still can't do the speed limit???
They take up the whole damn road!! Annoying
It’s not ‘can’t’ do the speed limit for most of them.
Trucks do the same.
Just use your indicators and overtake them.
I believe a territory and craptiva are in the same class, avoid……