Tow Vehicle, on the cheap..

Danny · Postby **Danny** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:27 am

I have a manual, diesel Delica for towing duties. Been interstate often, taken back seats out to sleep in, had all up weights approaching 4 tons and usually get around 12l/100k's when towing and staying around 100kph.

They're in your price range and being based on the Pajero not difficult with parts despite being a grey import.

Danny · Postby **Danny** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:35 am

Ignore, I fixed my last post.

greenMachine · Postby **greenMachine** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 12:58 pm

Yeah, another Falcon ute here, auto 6 on petrol. Loves it's petrol too, but gets little use beyond racecar duty and I just wear it - towing the racecar it is around 18-19 on the 'slow up the hills, fast down them' style and around 100kph on the flat bits, maybe 11 around town unless I push it. Fuel is just another item in the race budget :roll:

If you go the Falcon route, auto is the go, LPG or dual fuel preferably, and an lsd. I have a canopy on mine for increased security at motels etc. Head gaskets can be an issue around 200k, give or take, best to ask about that unless you are going for a low kms one.

:mrgreen:

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 1:28 pm

I've got a BF MkII LPG auto Falcon ute with the 1 tonne tow/suspension pack. Simply a great towing setup but the reliability of the Falcon really lets it down. Running costs over the past 3 years are about 3 times higher than manga_scarlet's M class Mercedes, As you said there's just a never-ending stream of issues with diff, wheel bearings, trannies, LPG fittings, engine electricals and all the disintegrating interior fittings.

LPG is not such a good choice in NSW as it is in Vic. It's typically about 50% dearer up here which means that it is only marginally cheaper than diesel to run but that's offset by servicing requirements.

Actually the 270CDI M class is not a bad option. It tows and drives very well and it's luxurious. Early models up to 2004 were poorly built by Chrysler and they earned a bad reputation. Mercedes stepped in and fixed those so that the 2004-2005 W163s were rock solid but the price is held down by that earlier reputation. Parts for it are much cheaper than the Falcon - as well as being needed far less frequently.

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 3:29 pm

Or up the budget a little, and pick up this little beauty! Includes towing pack, and tows 3.5 tonne, and when the MX5 breaks down, you could use this on the track too!! It's a win-win!!

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... 7171/?Cr=0

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:09 pm

I would not park a trailer on the street, no matter how many chains/locks you use. It will get stolen.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:36 pm

Dweezle wrote:I've seen plenty of Kia Sorrentos towing and spoke to one guy about his and he said the 3.5L auto is a dream compared to his AU Falcon.

They tow OK... But they break.

Electrics are the big problem according to the boys down at our depot, but they had other issues too.

lightyear · Postby **lightyear** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 8:38 pm

My neighbour has falcon cabs. He said nothing really goes wrong with them. He just retired one as it has hit the age cut off. Could pick it up for next to nothing. Would need paint, as it's yellow and green.

MattR · Postby **MattR** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:26 pm

For the last 20 years I have used Falcon utes to tow my race cars around with no dramas other than normal maintenance.

The utes have ranged from an old XD that got converted from a 6 to a 302 and then to a 351, a AU XR6, BFII XR8 and now a FGII XR6 turbo.

All were dríven hard and towerd near their capacities with no issues. Fuel was worse in the XD, but a carbied V8 will drink no matter what fuel you use and how you drive it. The AU was an awesome ute and got great economy around town for a 4 litre motor and a XR6 AUII or III would be my pick as the best daily tow vehicle, still comfortable inside with some niceties and will tow effortlessly.

david_syd_au · Postby **david_syd_au** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:30 pm

manga_blue wrote:Actually the 270CDI M class is not a bad option. It tows and drives very well and it's luxurious. Early models up to 2004 were poorly built by Chrysler and they earned a bad reputation. Mercedes stepped in and fixed those so that the 2004-2005 W163s were rock solid but the price is held down by that earlier reputation. Parts for it are much cheaper than the Falcon - as well as being needed far less frequently.

The W163 petrol models were built in the USA, but the diesel models were built in Austria.
I have a 2004 ML270 CDI and it has been a great car, and good for towing race cars and caravans.
As you say, the price is held down by the reputation of the earlier versions, but it still isn't cheap.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 9:55 pm

Off topic but I thought they were all built in Alabama, except that the diesel engines came from Austria.

In any case there are a fair few MX5s being towed to track days behind ML270CDIs. Look around the paddock and it's mostly a mix of Falcon utes, Toyota Hiluxes/Prados and MLs. It really helps to have weight in the tow car. The Falcon, at around 1800Kg, is about as light as I'd like to go but then I've got to pull the car up Clyde Mountain and more importantly down it each time I go to a meeting.

Vat · Postby **Vat** » Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:22 pm

david_syd_au wrote:
manga_blue wrote:Actually the 270CDI M class is not a bad option. It tows and drives very well and it's luxurious. Early models up to 2004 were poorly built by Chrysler and they earned a bad reputation. Mercedes stepped in and fixed those so that the 2004-2005 W163s were rock solid but the price is held down by that earlier reputation. Parts for it are much cheaper than the Falcon - as well as being needed far less frequently.

The W163 petrol models were built in the USA, but the diesel models were built in Austria.
I have a 2004 ML270 CDI and it has been a great car, and good for towing race cars and caravans.
As you say, the price is held down by the reputation of the earlier versions, but it still isn't cheap.

You would really need access to a good Benz specialist independent for that to be viable.

Dweezle · Postby **Dweezle** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:43 am

Thanks everyone.
This is all incredible info to help me figure this out.

Sorry for the delayed response.
Got a little busy yesterday.

A falcon Wagon would not be too bad as I can load up tools, wheels etc in the back I just really did not want to drive a falcon daily.
The mechanical issues bother me too.
I wanted a soft roader as it would be a nice daily and the Girl would be happier with that.

in my area there are a bunch of boat trailers on the street which don't seem to get pinched but maybe a car trailer is a high risk item?

I live in an apartment building with a double tandem garage.
2 cars, one in front of the other.
Also getting a trailer up the curved underground driveway may or may not be an issue??
I will have to get someone who's towed to see if it will work.
If it does maybe I can get a small custom trailer (10x6) that Will fit in the garage with the car on it?

Otherwise maybe wheel clamps , hitch locks, C4, angry dogs, snipers may be enough of a deterrent?

Ughh. There must be a way !!

I really hope I can figure out a way to make this work.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 7:51 am

I used a 5.7l Commodore VX Berlina to tow my historic racer all up weight 1000kg inc trailer. That would average 13l/100km for the Sydney to Winton run, and cruise all day at 110kmh. Best tow car ever in my book, never missed a beat, pleasant and comfortable. I always smiled at my Falcon and SUV towing friends as I passed them on the hills and at the petrol stations.

yertimer · Postby **yertimer** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 11:02 am

I agree with others - For the money you can't go wrong with a falcon wagon pref from BA on. They don't need suspension mods and they are huge inside to cart gear around. You can buy a heavy duty tow pack to tow 2300kgs and a transmission cooler - for under $1k if it doesn't already have one - many do. Regular maintenance and they go forever - well almost. And so many cheap ones around you can pick your k's and colour. Otherwise I think you end up in the land of 4wd like twin cab Utes, and Toyotas and Mitsubishis which are much more $$$ to buy. I have a landcruiser turbo diesel - fantastic but not a city car and much more $ to buy. I often contemplate getting a falcon wagon and keeping the change. My brother tows cars and rolling shells with Falcons regularly - and from WA to East Coast and back and swears by them. My 2c. Hope it all works out for you - sounds like a good plan to me.