Yeah I've considered the commodore/falcon route. Sure its probably the smartest option but I just don't think I could bring myself to drive one. I've got mates with VN's VS's and EL's etc and they're just shitboxes. Noisy, rattly and uncomfortable. Something I'd expect of a thrashed out 20 year old corolla but not a 10 year old family car.

For the budget and towing capacity you're looking for I don't think you could expect much more than noisy, rattly and uncomfortable... I mean, at the end of the day it comes down to this: You need a reasonably large car with a reasonably large engine, for not much money...

You'll probably find wagons to be in better condition than sedans for some odd reason. Mine was a good unit and only had 140k on the clock. Good ones are out there, as always, you get what you pay for.

 

Irokin, all Commodores from VN onwards have factory trans coolers, although it is wise to fit a second one, as recommended by Holden if you're doing a lot of towing.

I went through this exact dilemma early this year. I decided to get a tow car when I was driving home in a really hot, nearly broken rally car with no radio, ear plugs AND ear muffs with a MASSIVE hang over. Not nice.

 

I purchased a 1993 Holden Jackaroo for $12K but with a few kms on the clock. I have never ever regretted this decision.

 

Sure, it's slow up hills but it's been worth it in a million different ways. I can chuck tyres, whole engines, bicycles, dogs (!) - virtually anything in the back and I don't care.

 

Motorsport (rallying especially) requires bringing tonnes of spares and the Jackaroo still has acres of space for camping gear. It's not so great around town and the fuel economy isn't the best (opt for diesel if you get the chance), but for the price I was looking at, it's been the best option.

 

As for trailers, I have been borrowing my partners but that gig will be up soon when he starts rallying again. I have been looking at second hand ones. My friend just got the bargain of the century - apparently there is a guy at Beenleigh that sells nearly new trailers for $1500 and they're really light. Rob's right, you really need to focus on how heavy your trailer is + the weight of the car you're towing and then see what is available.

 

It's complicated huh?

Edited November 8, 200421 yr by datgirl

Commodore/falcoon are probably your best bet. If your worried about turning into a bogan put a sticker on the windscreen "id rather be drifting my 86". Theyre cheap as hell.

I would assume with all the weight reduction on the sprinter it would be on the low side of 900 if not less than 900kgs. Then add in the trailer which I assume is around 5 - 600 mark. Plus extra tires, axles/spare parts and a tool box.

I'd bank on at least 950kg for the Sprinter, think also of fuel as well. I work on 1000 kg for the blue car, and I know for a fact, Dwarf is 865kg, and it's a lot smaller than a Sprinter.... but you've got the idea anyway. Wagons are the best way to go, be it Falcodore or 4x4. A light trailer is 550-600kgs although hire trailers you can get up to 900kgs.

 

Happy hunting, PM me and I'll send you a contact number if you want to talk about options.

 

R

how about something like an old holden 1 tonner?

 

you should be able to find one converted to gas pretty easy. heaps of room in the back. one with a canopy would be a bonus as you could secure everything. with a little suspension work they handle quite well.

 

as they are getting old, just look carefully for rust.

Edited November 8, 200421 yr by Felix

well if you go a commodore why not go for a lexen i can see i will probably get flamed for this ohh well.

I had a tonner, it was great as a tow car, but a little agricultural around town.

 

Lexcens actually tended to be a better build quality than a Commodore, something about it being a customer car.....

Lexcens actually tended to be a better build quality than a Commodore, something about it being a customer car.....

what do you mean by customer car?

power steering is a good mod for a tonner.

 

add a 1uz-fe.....powered by toyota :thumbsup: (haha stick it up the bogans) easy to get modded as they have a full chassis and some came with 308's standard. guys put 350's (and larger) in them all the time.

Edited November 8, 200421 yr by Felix

Holden made the car for a customer, i.e Toyota. Usually in a deal like that, Toyota would ask for as good if not better quality control as what Holden would have. Being a customer you can reject items you don't like or aren't up to standard, whereas Holden (and I'm not saying they do) may let things through that Toyota wouldn't. Therefore, the theory goes that the Lexcen's should be off better build quality.

heres a story that comes to mind when reading that rob...

 

As most of you know, I'm at toyota on fridays.

 

The guy i work with use to work at Ford. We got talking one day about water pumps. A heap of the models before the AU (or around that, can't remember) had an electrosis problem with the water pumps - they were coroding them selves out.

 

To cut a story short, Ford australia sent out all these big charts saying what the corosion looks like, what is acceptiable and whats not. The guy i worked with was so use to just dodgie-fixing up / turning a blind eye to these pumps, that when he came to toyota, he was utterly shocked at the muchhh higher standard -> If a toyota has got even the slightest mark of corosion / bearing damage on the waterpump (which the mechanic spotted during any service), the customer is told asap and they highly recomend either replacing it, or if its benificial to the customer, try and fix (if possible).

 

Another thing which proves toyotas reliabilities, is the amount of rocket cover bolts on the new toyotas, and how regularly the rockers are adjusted -> go to ford and its a HOLE new world.

 

Dodgie fords!

 

Found On a Rubbish Dump (get it :thumbsup:)

Lexcens actually tended to be a better build quality than a Commodore, something about it being a customer car.....

what do you mean by customer car?

Lexcen = Commodore = Holden

 

Felix: I don't think thats the aim here :thumbsup: