Picking my third recommendation took quite a
bit of soul-searching. There are probably four
or five vehicles that could easily fit the bill as a
good alternative to a Cruiser or a Patrol.
The two that stuck out for me are the Toyota
Prado and the Mitsubishi Pajero, and choosing
one over the other is very difficult indeed. Both
offer small, reliable and fuel-efficient
turbodiesel engines or V6 petrol alternatives.
Both are extremely comfortable long-distance
tourers and both have reasonable, but
modest, towing capabilities.
The Prado edges out the Pajero in terms of
4WD capability and the factory-fitted 180L fuel
capacity is unsurpassed and perfect for remote
towing. But the Pajero is the more car-like to
drive and its turbodiesel engine is arguably
more reliable than the later Prado motors.
The Paj also has a higher towing capacity but
its towball restrictions even the playing field
to a degree. Pressed for an answer, I would
probably go with a Prado because it suites my
style of remote caravanning. That said, I
recently saw a 2013 top-spec auto diesel Paj
in immaculate condition with less than
150,000km on the clock for $28,000 from a
dealer. Tempting.
The Prado comes with a 180L
fuel tank from the factory.
FINAL WORD
There are plenty of vehicles on the secondhand
market that would make great tow vehicles for
anyone wanting to start small before
committing to caravanning in a major way.
Equally, there are some real duds that can
turn into a money pit for the unweary.
Whether you intend to purchase a vehicle
from a dealer or through a private sale,
always insist on having the vehicle inspected
by an independent source, such as your state
motor car club or a reputable mechanic.
Research the common faults and issues with
specific models and always anticipate that
you will have to spend some money bringing
the car up to your standard.
The Paj is more car-like to drive
than many of its competitors.
At the end of the day, owners don’t generally
sell the cars for no reason but with a bit of
research and being prepared to wait for the
right vehicle to come on the market, you will
be rewarded with an enjoyable first time
towing experience.