Hi All,
I'm looking into getting a second SUV for towing a 1 ton caravan and to take me tk train station and back. Any recommendations?
I've been looking at Territory, Captiva, Outlook, what is most reliable and cheapest for servicing?
SUV under $10k for Towing One Ton Caravan
silkysmooth on 26/12/2020 - 22:50
Last edited 27/12/2020 - 09:45 by 1 other user
Last edited 27/12/2020 - 09:45 by 1 other user
Comments
Thanks mate, I'll. Keep looking, 200 k to much?
Subarus are awful for towing, at least the older ones that fit within budget. The boxer has little torque down low so they need to a fair few revs just to move themselves let alone throw another tonne on the back. Maybe the 6 cylinder Outback, I've never driven one of those, but I suspect it won't be too different.
Territory would certainly be a good option and yes, Captiva would be the worst possible choice.
OP does it need to be an SUV? Large sedan/wagon would tow 1t
Subarus are awful for towing, at least the older ones that fit within budget. The boxer has little torque down low so they need to a fair few revs just to move themselves let alone throw another tonne on the back. Maybe the 6 cylinder Outback, I've never driven one of those, but I suspect it won't be too different.
The H6 Outback is an awesome motor and has a cult following amongst Subaru fans for the exact reasons you discuss here - it doesn't do any of the bad things the 2.5 does and it hardly uses any more fuel. Pretty reliable too.
1T caravan? You sure? I've seen popup campers that weigh around 1.2T…
But if it is that light, just buy a Commodore. No need for an SUV
Jayco finch 900 kg
Ok, yep that's tare weight, allow around 1.2T for gross weight
But still, no need to look for an SUV. Again, any V6 car could tow it. SUV will be older, higher kms and likely already been off-road or used as a tow vehicle. Or mums taxi.
toyota prado would be my bet, although during covid prices have gone insane.
would stay away from the captiva, ford's ok but cheap on the inside.
Outlook? as in outlander? they seem to be alright, popular with ubers.Maybe consider a kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe?
Thanks mate, our main car is santa fe 2015 and have multiple issues just got new tramission put in it. I think I might stay away from them.
I was also looking subaru outback, but they seem to have high km.
I just want a backup car to be able to tow, and that is pretty reliable and parts and servicing is cheap. I was leaning towards the
Ford Territory but do you have a recommendation what year to go for? I heard first series had multiple issuesAlso should I go for the AWD and 6 speed auto?
Prado for under 1.5T towed is ridiculously overkill
@spackbace and @euphemistic
I wouldn't say overkill
A landcruiser 200 series is overkill, a prado is still classed as a medium suv.Only difference between this and a territory is the ability to go off road, both weigh the same, use the same amount of fuel, a toyota is far more reliable though.
And far more expensive.
Prado is a massive overkill for a 1t van. Let alone finding one for $10k without a million km on it.
GQ Patrol
A Mazda 3 would probably tow 1t.
Do you want to go off road? If not, get a commodore wagon. Plenty of tow capacity, rear wheel drive, lots ofbnapace for extra luggage etc, simple and cheap to maintain.
If you want to get off the beaten path you’ll pay more in running costs, but a pathfinder or challenger might work.
I was not sure about commodore as they stopped making them, about parts etc. I'm looking at them atm
I think for Commodore/Falcon you're going to be OK for a several years but I wouldn't look at other Holdens. Ford is at least still here to provide parts and support.
Thanks mate, are the Territorys cheap to maintain?
@silkysmooth: Never had one so no idea. They're basically a Falcon so wouldn't be that different I would think. I knew someone that had 3 of them, still has the latest I believe, and they swore by them.
@brendanm: Yep, for towing the AWD doesn't help and just increases GVM. If getting an old Territory be aware you are going to have the traditional Ford RWD problem of worn rear bushes (they seem to still be making them from cardboard). Towing is only going to worsen that.
They're not too expensive to replace though and the car is otherwise pretty reliable, if thirsty.
They've stopped making the territory and craptiva yet you're still looking at them?
Got told they good for towing and cheap
@silkysmooth: Captiva is not good for anything. Commodore is light years better than Captiva for towing. Territory would be fine as well. H6 outback would also tow that fine.
When you are looking at a $10k budget you aren’t going to get anything new, hence the vehicle may be no longer made.
@Euphemistic: Yeah I know, that's why I don't know why op is worried about the commodore no longer being made.
A Mazda 3 could tow a one ton caravan, trouble is you might not find much Mazda 3 left after that.
The caravan in question here is a Jayco finch at 900kg. Basically a loaded box trailer. I looked recently and found a Mazda 3 tow capacity of 1200kg so should cause no problems.
You might be surprised to find that Europeans often tow with what we consider ‘small hatchbacks’ like the Mazda 3 or Golf.
I do this all the time with my mother in law in the back seat.
Get an Aurion or Camry V6 or ES300, all within budget and many on carsales already with a towbar. No need SUV, it's a common misinformation that SUVs are more powerful because they are "bigger". You can easily get much more powerful sedan as opposed to an SUV as sedans are not in fashion right now.
Do consider FALCON and Commodore as they are very cheap and easy to maintain (so long you're ready to do some maintenance yourself).
Thanks mate, I'll have a look
Mate what's your thoughts on VE wagon, I've been reading the have timing chain issues
VZ was the last one I locked around with. They had a few known manufacturing issues with cosmetic stuff (Roof liner glue going bad, exterior handle and glove box falling, bad paint coat) plus suspension and struts usually prematurely fail and needed looking after. Other than that the engines were as simple as they get, some of early after market gas conversions were dodgy af. But again nothing too major I can think of.
Beauty of these commodores is they are cheap as cheaper, buy one drive until fall apart and pick another lolI went to look at a few VE and most stating they change there timing chain. Is there any with no chain issue. I apparently to fix this 3 k
Territory or outback/forester
Do not even consider craptiva