best tow vehicle for a 80 series

[tuff_89zook]

hey i have a 80 series that maybe soon be comp only if i cant get it engineered and was wondering any thoughts about a tow vechicle was looking at dynas would that be able to handle the weight

[JOHNZ]

hey i have a 80 series that maybe soon be comp only if i cant get it engineered and was wondering any thoughts about a tow vechicle was looking at dynas would that be able to handle the weight

Some people will say Nissans

[stumpyGU]

Whats your budget? Will you need to take spares etc all the time? Passengers?

[chunderlicious]

F250 xtra cab.... with a few mods to the motor etc. or a new chevy with a duramax.... again with a few performance mods.

[Matt_85Lux]

a new chevy with a duramax.... again with a few performance mods.

They don't need any mods. they'll tow 4.5tonne easily. we have one for a tow vehicle at work and it handles 4.5tonne vans no problems. Have seen a few that customers have towing 5-5.5 tonne with no mods

but a cheaper option would be an Isuzu or Hino light truck, about half the price when new

[Hardcorr]

Seen a pretty good flat bed truck that was rated to 5t somewhere near Bundy when travelling the other day. Caught my eye as it was only 15k. Coulda done with a clean up, but that'll be what I'll be looking for I reckon when we finished touring and head back to CQ and give the comp scene a shot with our other 80.

Cheers
Corry

[stilivn]

turbo diesel 80 series and then if you break anything an cant get parts you have spares

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

turbo diesel 80 series and then if you break anything an cant get parts you have spares

thats what i was going to suggest.

actually i was going to suggest if your truck isnt shit keep it as a tow rig, and go buy a beat up 80 series for $3000 and use it.

I run alot of 80 series gear in my truck, and i tow it with an 80. just helps to know theres some parts there.
but if you had 2 80s near identical that would be handy and look shit hot!

[tuff_89zook]

my budget isnt very big as im only an apprentice looking at dyna and canter tow trucks around 5k - 10k mark but as i said this is only if it doesnt pass engineers hopefully it will

[the_king]

75 series with a 1hz. Bit slugish, but as long as it has a decent clutch, it will tow anything anywhere. Plently of room on the tray for the spares as well.

[evanstaniland]

turbo diesel 80 series and then if you break anything an cant get parts you have spares

thats what i was going to suggest.

actually i was going to suggest if your truck isnt shit keep it as a tow rig, and go buy a beat up 80 series for $3000 and use it.

I run alot of 80 series gear in my truck, and i tow it with an 80. just helps to know theres some parts there.
but if you had 2 80s near identical that would be handy and look shit hot!

You have to be careful with using an 80s for a tow vehicle as they are only rated to 2500kg braked towing capacity.
An 80s alone would be close to 2.5T and thats not including trailer weight and other shit that gets thrown on the trailer. (you'll need a proper rated trailer too)
if you do use a vehicle that is under rated and you have an accident you wont be covered by insurance and can be fined .

100series have a 3500kg braked towing capacity and petrol models can be had for around 12-15K

Evan

[badger]

late 95 and later 80's have the 3500kg towing capacity.
That said if your planning to tow long distances with that weight id get a truck. The 80 will do it well but your on the limit of the cars handeling etc, if it was just a few local comps a year go for it, but id never try towing my GU 10 hours to a comp with my 80 it would wear you out too much to want to compete.

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Its late 96 on when the 80s towing rating changed to 3500kg.
However the vehicle is exactly the same and the actual towbars from hayman reece etc are exactly the same.
But legally it is an uncool situation.

[TheBigBoy]

Its late 96 on when the 80s towing rating changed to 3500kg.
However the vehicle is exactly the same and the actual towbars from hayman reece etc are exactly the same.
But legally it is an uncool situation.

Whats the difference then??? Brakes are the same. Suspension is the same. Is it just the engine?? Why can a late 96 tow 3.5tonne over a post 93 model

[DavidM]

You have to be careful with using an 80s for a tow vehicle as they are only rated to 2500kg braked towing capacity.
An 80s alone would be close to 2.5T and thats not including trailer weight and other shit that gets thrown on the trailer. (you'll need a proper rated trailer too)
if you do use a vehicle that is under rated and you have an accident you wont be covered by insurance and can be fined .

100series have a 3500kg braked towing capacity and petrol models can be had for around 12-15K

Evan

I'm with Evan. All 80's have a 2.5 tonne tow rating.

[Tazz]

I dont think thats the case - later 80s were rated at 3500kg i believe but i'm not sure what year the change was...


Edit.... Just found this on another aussie forum re the timing of the changes to towing capacity..

Called Toyota technical department yesterday arvo, spoke with Terry there, he informed me that 80 series built after October 96 were uprated to a braked capacity of 3500kg with the correct towpack fitted. My cruiser is 11/96 build and the VIN number matches to the uprated version, toyota is sending me a letter that explains this and verifies that my vehicle has a towing Capacity of 3500kg. All I now need to do is fit a 3500kg tow pack and all is good for both insurance and transport dept. A letter from the vehicle manufacturer stating the towing capacity is the only real way to be safe as Toyota does not state an exact towing capacity in its standard specs. I suggest that if anyone is having trouble determening their Toyota towing capacity they should call Toyota technical dept. on 1800 816 673. These guys were a great help and I now have the correct info.

Seams late 96 could be were the change was made...

[evanstaniland]

Its late 96 on when the 80s towing rating changed to 3500kg.
However the vehicle is exactly the same and the actual towbars from hayman reece etc are exactly the same.
But legally it is an uncool situation.

Whats the difference then??? Brakes are the same. Suspension is the same. Is it just the engine?? Why can a late 96 tow 3.5tonne over a post 93 model

isnt the chassis upgraded??

Evan

[ferog]

turbo diesel 80 series and then if you break anything an cant get parts you have spares

Yes!

I have memories of Cartz towing my wagon in his petrol 80 series along putty road after I busted a wheel bearing on the way home from Nissan Trials. I'm sure he now has claw marks in the back seat from where I was sitting. It did good though. What a champ!

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Its late 96 on when the 80s towing rating changed to 3500kg.
However the vehicle is exactly the same and the actual towbars from hayman reece etc are exactly the same.
But legally it is an uncool situation.

Whats the difference then??? Brakes are the same. Suspension is the same. Is it just the engine?? Why can a late 96 tow 3.5tonne over a post 93 model

isnt the chassis upgraded??

Evan

nah the chassis is the same. motor changed to multi valve in TD but no real change.
all that changed was landrover upped there rating to 3500kg and toyota wanted to keep up.
I did some researching a while ago and the response i got from hayman reese:
Hello Anthony,
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the towing capacity of the 80 Series landcruiser. The towbar to suit the 80 series is the same towbar, part number R1508, whether it is the 2500kg or the 3500kg rated vehicle. The rating’s applicable are given to us by Toyota themselves we have no control over it.
I have been asked by many people over the years what is the difference and I have never been able to find out. The main thing to consider is that, even though the towbar will be stamped at 2500kg and 3500kg, your month and year of vehicle manufacture is only rated at 2500kg. if you exceed this and then are involved in an accident, insurance may become an issue. Just something for you to consider.
Hope this information has been useful and if I can assist you any further please feel free to contact me.

[oldmate]

Just some food for thought using a flat bed truck to tow. If your 80 series is 6 inches of lift and 38's it will have a very high centre of gravity. Putting that on a flat bed truck, which will be over a meter off the ground, likely, will cause handling issues for the truck, and possibly over height and width issues.

My suggestion would be a ford f truck and trailer. If your 80 isn't a daily driver, then the f truck could also be a practical replacement for that.

[howsie]

Just some food for thought using a flat bed truck to tow. If your 80 series is 6 inches of lift and 38's it will have a very high centre of gravity. Putting that on a flat bed truck, which will be over a meter off the ground, likely, will cause handling issues for the truck, and possibly over height and width issues.

My suggestion would be a ford f truck and trailer. If your 80 isn't a daily driver, then the f truck could also be a practical replacement for that.

now im a die hard ford fan (they just dont make a decent 4x4). And im sorry but there is no way a f250 is a "practical replacement" for a daily driver. Those things are huge. Definatly not a lets go for a spin to the shops kind of car.

i saw one try to park at a servo one day, my 80 fits perfectly in the space provided, the f truck on the other hand was half a metre over at the front and about a metre out behind as well. Unless your living in a country town these are purely and simply a tow vehicle. Not to mention they use about 30l / 100.

Having said all that, i still want one

[fortyman]

I bought 97 series 1 v8 disco for towing my comp truck. They can be found cheap enough and have 3500 kg tow rating. So far very happy with mine

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

I bought 97 series 1 v8 disco for towing my comp truck. They can be found cheap enough and have 3500 kg tow rating. So far very happy with mine

yeah but then there is always the issue of when you get to the event.
you have to park and sneak out of the disco without being seen.

[oldmate]

I bought 97 series 1 v8 disco for towing my comp truck. They can be found cheap enough and have 3500 kg tow rating. So far very happy with mine

yeah but then there is always the issue of when you get to the event.
you have to park and sneak out of the disco without being seen.

That and the fact no matter which engine you choose, 3.5 tonne will slow it to a snails pace. I'm sure the old jap and euro trucks are only 3.5 tonne rated to be more competitive in the us market.

[evanstaniland]

I bought 97 series 1 v8 disco for towing my comp truck. They can be found cheap enough and have 3500 kg tow rating. So far very happy with mine

yeah but then there is always the issue of when you get to the event.
you have to park and sneak out of the disco without being seen.

That and the fact no matter which engine you choose, 3.5 tonne will slow it to a snails pace. I'm sure the old jap and euro trucks are only 3.5 tonne rated to be more competitive in the us market.

i have a petrol gas 100 series, i tow my comp bundy (1750kg) a second set of tires (at guess 200kg) half doors, jerry cans, sometimes camping gear inside. so over 2T plus trailer weight and it tows pretty good, it doenst like hills but not many tow rigs will (unless you got the Chev, Ftruck option etc) its pretty thursty but the lpg does keep that cost slightly down. i traveled with Twon before. Ill hopefully put a cruiser Diesel V8 in it later on down the path. main point is its practical i drive it to work, can go camping and park at the shops with it.

Evan

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

I will admit going to Toerpi im plodding alot at about 85, and evan goes past at light speed.
You dont tow the bundy, the poor thing just hangs on by its fingertips as you bounce along at a buck 20.
For the record the 100 petrol leaves my 80 for dead towing.

But i do enjoy the diesel experience everyother day of the week, and once im intercooled i should keep up alot better.

[KiwiBacon]

I bought 97 series 1 v8 disco for towing my comp truck. They can be found cheap enough and have 3500 kg tow rating. So far very happy with mine

yeah but then there is always the issue of when you get to the event.
you have to park and sneak out of the disco without being seen.

That and the fact no matter which engine you choose, 3.5 tonne will slow it to a snails pace. I'm sure the old jap and euro trucks are only 3.5 tonne rated to be more competitive in the us market.

The rangerover classics sold in the US have a pathetic tow rating, possibly due to the towbar receiver being welded into the chassis where the rest of the world got bolt on towbars. I'd expect the disco series 1 to be the same.

A disco towing an 80 series will be just as slow as a canter, npr or daihatsu delta with the same weight on the back. Commercial trucks don't have a lot of power.

[stilivn]

Just food for thought, if your an apprentice and cant afford anything expensive how will you go in the comp scene. Might be an idea to talk to some of the people on here regarding this as i think you'll find its more expensive than you think.

[evanstaniland]

Just food for thought, if your an apprentice and cant afford anything expensive how will you go in the comp scene. Might be an idea to talk to some of the people on here regarding this as i think you'll find its more expensive than you think.

Very tru, you have to budget in travel costs, parts, entry fees, and breakages every comp adds up.

Evan

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Just food for thought, if your an apprentice and cant afford anything expensive how will you go in the comp scene. Might be an idea to talk to some of the people on here regarding this as i think you'll find its more expensive than you think.

Very tru, you have to budget in travel costs, parts, entry fees, and breakages every comp adds up.

Evan

yeah what they said.
If you dont own a car trailer and go to an event like Toperi challenge.
If you havent spent $1k on the weekend you didnt go.
but often with trailer hire, fuel, entry, time off work and buying spares its alot more then you think $$ wise.