Which pick up can tow 3.5t?

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Ok so it's sounding like a bad idea to get a European type pick-up to tow a 3.5t trailer.

I suspected this so I'm glad to get this kind of feedback.

 

I'd like to get an F150 or F250 type pickup but worry about running costs and repair/service hassles.

 

 

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Looks like a 70LC does actually fit the bill...

 

but I'd sooner be going down the route of a Toyota land cruiser..

 

I agree...

[difflock]

A trailer snaking or wriggling is most likely either loaded too heavy to the rear, or too high for the towbar, and taking most of the load on thr front trailer axle, therefore effectively too heavy to the rear.

Properly set up over-run brakes, which are NOT overloaded per manufacturers spec.

Are well capable of braking the towing vehicle as well as the trailer.

Bearing in mind the trailer brakes are activated by the nominal 50mm of telescopic travel of the hitch mechanism against the towball.

So if one SLAMS on the brakes, instanteanously the towing vehicle is attempting to stop both itself AND the full weight of the trailer.

Which WILL destabilize the towing vehicle.

BUT if one momentarily feathers the brake pedel for an absolute split second to bring the over-run brakes on (and one can feel this happening)

One can then NAIL the brake pedal quite safely and very effectively, especially now with ABS being standard fitment.

Without fuss drama or excitment.

marcus

[Jonny69]

I can only assume anyone who does not like the American pick ups has never driven one.

 

They are ugly, the interiors are cheap, they wallow around a bit on the road. But they are very good at what they were designed for.

 

Big heavy lumps and they tow very well, I only have experience of the small and big block V8, petrol autos and they tow effortlessly in comparison to almost anything on the UK market.

 

Though it depends on what you are towing, if you want to tow a little chipper it makes no difference.

 

If you are regularly at 3.5 ton and tow any kind of distance then they just make life so easy. You don't have to worry about being pushed about all the time not having to change gear is also a massive bonus.

 

Also the worries over fuel consumption are rubbish. Any vehicle with a heavy trailer on is doing 15mpg (Defender, Discovery, Shogun, L200, Patrol, Trooper all of which I have either owned or driven regularly). Of course if you take the trailer off a V8 you will still do 15mpg!

 

EDIT: There are loads of places that specialise in servicing them. They are pretty simple, very little electrics and from my experience very reliable unless they are running lpg

Edited October 1, 2013 by Jonny69
Forgot about servicing

[aspenarb]

A trailer snaking or wriggling is most likely either loaded too heavy to the rear, or too high for the towbar, and taking most of the load on thr front trailer axle, therefore effectively too heavy to the rear.

Properly set up over-run brakes, which are NOT overloaded per manufacturers spec.

Are well capable of braking the towing vehicle as well as the trailer.

Bearing in mind the trailer brakes are activated by the nominal 50mm of telescopic travel of the hitch mechanism against the towball.

So if one SLAMS on the brakes, instanteanously the towing vehicle is attempting to stop both itself AND the full weight of the trailer.

Which WILL destabilize the towing vehicle.

BUT if one momentarily feathers the brake pedel for an absolute split second to bring the over-run brakes on (and one can feel this happening)

One can then NAIL the brake pedal quite safely and very effectively, especially now with ABS being standard fitment.

Without fuss drama or excitment.

marcus

 

Unless you are stacking timber on a trailer its not often you can get the load positioned correctly, an example of this is picking up a three ton dumper on an plant trailer. All the weight ends up on the drawbar or if you spin it round it tries to pick up the back of the truck. Either are dangerous but you just do the best you can. For this reason alone we now use our ten ton beavertail to tow the heavier trailers, its far less critical on how its loaded.

 

I can only assume anyone who does not like the American pick ups has never driven one.

 

They are ugly, the interiors are cheap, they wallow around a bit on the road. But they are very good at what they were designed for.

 

Big heavy lumps and they tow very well, I only have experience of the small and big block V8, petrol autos and they tow effortlessly in comparison to almost anything on the UK market.

 

Though it depends on what you are towing, if you want to tow a little chipper it makes no difference.

 

If you are regularly at 3.5 ton and tow any kind of distance then they just make life so easy. You don't have to worry about being pushed about all the time not having to change gear is also a massive bonus.

 

Also the worries over fuel consumption are rubbish. Any vehicle with a heavy trailer on is doing 15mpg (Defender, Discovery, Shogun, L200, Patrol, Trooper all of which I have either owned or driven regularly). Of course if you take the trailer off a V8 you will still do 15mpg!

 

EDIT: There are loads of places that specialise in servicing them. They are pretty simple, very little electrics and from my experience very reliable unless they are running lpg

 

Exactly as above. My old Blazer 4x4 with its v8 6.2 diesel was a gem for towing and as work motor. No worse on squirt than any of the other 4X4`s we have but with a hell of a lot more grunt. Brake parts ,filters and general service items are all here in the uk and are lot cheaper than transit parts. On the odd occasion I have needed a part from the states a phone call and order 3pm our time which is 9am over there will have the parts on your doorstep at 8am the following day. I cant get stuff mainland uk that quickly.

 

Bob

[chrisgilltreesurgery]

Still would say a LR defender 130 Saluku from JE Engineering ticks all the boxes

 

 

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Or the Liberator! If only they had more room in the cab, and the driving position was more central to the steering wheel, and you could opperate the handbrake if you are lucky enough to have two legs, and not to have your leg wedged up against the window winder and steering wheel which stops you from openpning the window, and the ride quality, and and and..... Dont think ill be buying a defender anytime soon although that said they do look awsome!

 

Rant over think ill buy a RR Sport

[Old Mill Tree Care]

 

Rant over think ill buy a RR Sport

 

That's fine Chris but it doesn't fit ANY of the criteria I listed.

You HiLux without the rear can would be perfect.

 

 

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[chrisgilltreesurgery]

Do you have an angle grinder.....

 

 

Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor

[breffni]

Dunno much about these things but not a defender unless your a dwarf

 

 

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[Bren.]

Used to be very cramped in my defender. I fitted a smaller mountney steering wheel and it's made a huge difference.

[chrisgilltreesurgery]

Most pickups are rated now to tow 3 ton not 3.5

 

 

Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor