Hey Folks, I'm hopefully a a few days away from joining the Prado owners fraternity but am stuck in decision making and hopefully you can help.
Have been tossing up between a 100series cruiser and a Prado. Selling the curent vehicle as it will not tow our new Van around the country next year ... yep .... 4 kids, a wife, no cares, an off road van, tell work to shove it (temporarily at least). You get the picture.
I have settled on the Prado more because the good wife has decided she's more comfortable with the Prado than the cruiser when we return to normal life. My Questions are these
1. Will the V6 petrol just kill me in fuel economy stakes towing a van (loaded pushing up to the 2.3T). I know it will be rated as towing up to 2.5T but am weary of running it at the max capacity.
2. Secondly - once back in suburbia we put very few K's on our cars so cost of servicing of the diesel v diesel better fuel economy has me erring to the Petrol version. I would love to save the extra money on the petrol and spend it on the trip. Thoughts ?
3. Finally, back to towing capacity. Will an auto towing up near the limits of the car's towing capacity require mods (transmission) ? We are already carrying a bit of weight inside obviously as a family of 6.
We are probably looking at a 2003-2005 GXL at this stage as budget (kitted for trip) is around the $35k mark.
I'd be looking to option it up with Rack, Roof Bag, Compressor, Dual Battery, CB.
Thanks in advance guys.
Chris
Have been tossing up between a 100series cruiser and a Prado. Selling the curent vehicle as it will not tow our new Van around the country next year ... yep .... 4 kids, a wife, no cares, an off road van, tell work to shove it (temporarily at least). You get the picture.
I have settled on the Prado more because the good wife has decided she's more comfortable with the Prado than the cruiser when we return to normal life. My Questions are these
1. Will the V6 petrol just kill me in fuel economy stakes towing a van (loaded pushing up to the 2.3T). I know it will be rated as towing up to 2.5T but am weary of running it at the max capacity.
2. Secondly - once back in suburbia we put very few K's on our cars so cost of servicing of the diesel v diesel better fuel economy has me erring to the Petrol version. I would love to save the extra money on the petrol and spend it on the trip. Thoughts ?
3. Finally, back to towing capacity. Will an auto towing up near the limits of the car's towing capacity require mods (transmission) ? We are already carrying a bit of weight inside obviously as a family of 6.
We are probably looking at a 2003-2005 GXL at this stage as budget (kitted for trip) is around the $35k mark.
I'd be looking to option it up with Rack, Roof Bag, Compressor, Dual Battery, CB.
Thanks in advance guys.
Chris
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