It may sound attractive to load up your belongings, hitch a van to a vehicle, and hit the open road, but there are many things to consider. Once you've made the hard-earned decision to buy a caravan, you need to think about how you're going to tow it. You must purchase a vehicle that can tow if your current vehicle isn't able to.
So, which do you buy first, the van or the car? Research is the key to solving this chicken-and-egg conundrum. With so many options available, deciding on the type of caravan you want might be difficult. You should also do some study on how you plan to use your van. After that, you can look for a car that can tow it.
Expense and fuel efficiency are important considerations when choosing a tow vehicle, but the following three are the most important:
These are critical details. You've wasted a lot of money if you purchase a luxury vehicle only to find that the towbar is inadequate or that the combined weight is too great. In Victoria, it's possible to get penalised for exceeding the limits, and doing so can also be quite risky and cause a crash.
The towball weight and gross combined mass may usually be found on the websites of the car manufacturers, but if not, contact your neighbourhood dealer to get this information.
Some individuals make the error of purchasing a vehicle with the appropriate towing capacity for their van, but adding extras like a bullbar, canopy, or tray drawers for a dual-cab ute, which increases the weight to surpass the gross combined mass.
After the Toyota HiLux, the Ranger is the second-most popular car in Australia, and it enjoys a good reputation. It's also one of numerous dual-cab utes available today that can tow cars. These days, dual-cab utes are regarded as a popular family vehicle and come with good safety features as well. The torquey engine of the Ranger makes it ideal for towing.
Engine: 147kW/470Nm 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2085kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 350kg
Gross combination mass: 6000kg
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Because they have genuine off-road credentials, the ability to tow, and the most of them are available with a third seating row, ute-based off-road wagons like the MU-X are popular. Although the MU-X is growing older, it still enjoys a devoted following among caravanners, and for good reason. It offers outstanding value for the money.
Engine: 130kW/430Nm 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2142kg
Towing capacity: 3000kg
Tow ball capacity: 300kg
Gross combination mass: 5750kg
Fuel consumption: 7.9L/100km
The large Jeep has a good track record for hauling and a very opulent interior. However, depending on how far up the range you go, a Grand Cherokee can cost quite a bit, so make an informed decision.
Engine: 184kW/570Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2281kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 350kg
Gross combination mass: 6099kg
Fuel consumption: 7.5L/100km
Because when searching to tow smaller vans, consumers should choose the Outlander. It is one of the larger options in the crowded medium-SUV sector and its diesel engine delivers respectable torque. It has value for the money on its side and comes with a third row of seats as standard.
Engine: 110kW/360Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 1620kg
Towing capacity: 2000kg
Tow ball capacity: 200kg
Gross combination mass: 4290kg
Fuel consumption: 6.2L/100km
Mitsubishi plans to retire the Pajero, one of the more seasoned models in the hauling lineup, but it still has plenty of power.
Engine: 141kW/441Nm 3.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2302kg
Towing capacity: 3000kg
Tow ball capacity: 180kg
Gross combination mass: 6030kg
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
The Patrol was upgraded by Nissan late last year with a striking new front-end look, but underneath it's still the same strong caravan-hauler. It's a huge, comfortable cruiser with a strong V8 petrol engine that gives excellent pulling power.
Engine: 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 petrol
Kerb weight: 2812kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 350kg
Gross combination mass: 7000kg
Fuel consumption: 14.4L/100km
Although the RAM 1500 is made in North America, it is converted to right-hand drive in Melbourne. It has acres of space and is a huge beast of a thing. With this behemoth, towing is not a problem, but it is not inexpensive.
Engine: 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre V8 petrol
Kerb weight: 2620kg
Towing capacity: 4500kg
Tow ball capacity: 450kg
Gross combination mass: 7237kg
Fuel consumption: 12.2L/100km
The Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series has a reputation for dependability and resilience that is unmatched by many other vehicles. When Toyota discontinued the V8 gasoline engine last year, the large off-roader is currently only offered with the V8 diesel engine. It is recognised as one of the best towing vehicles available and can go almost anyplace.
Engine: 200kW/650Nm 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2740kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 350kg
Gross combination mass: 6850kg
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
The 70 Series LandCruiser is as robust as they come, but it's big, heavy, and only has a manual gearbox. Just don't anticipate the LandCruiser 200 Series' luxuries.
Engine: 151kW/430Nm 4.5-litre V8 turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2265kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 350kg
Gross combination mass: 6560kg
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
The meaty V6 diesel in the Amarok makes it one of the greatest dual-cab utes available and undoubtedly the most car-like to drive. It also does a respectable job of towing.
Engine: 165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel
Kerb weight: 2104kg
Towing capacity: 3500kg
Tow ball capacity: 300kg
Gross combination mass: 6000kg
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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