IronMike

Funny you should mention Shogun as been checking them out this afternoon. Very impressed.

Not really mate. I think I'm possibly making a mountain out of a mole hill here. I know that the tow vehicle is a critical part of the business, and the only part I'm not buying brand new. But I like to think I'm a good, competent, safe and capable driver who understands the importance of mechanical sympathy! I would also like to think I'm going to be able to dodge a proper turkey of a truck too. Also, my intention is not to be driving long distances for long periods of time, an hour and a half max. With that in mind I think I can be happy enough knowing I can call for back up fairly easily should anything go wrong with the truck. I think I need to get out there and see some of the vehicles I have earmarked. Might rope my old lad into going for a day riding about the North looking at stuff. Landcruiser is most favoured choice, but I'll gladly look at Shoguns and Patrols etc. Be daft not too.

I can only go secondhand unfortunately.... Poor choices made in the past mean no bank or finance company will tocuh me with regards to credit. I've only made a few bad decisions with vehicles over the years. So I'm hoping the tow truck I pick will be a good one. Still edging towards a Landcruiser for the most part, but looking at Shoguns etc too now as you get a lot of truck for your money.

Looking at these two for examples of the two extremes. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811172509721 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201901143933941

It's a bloody awkward situation really. Spend more on a Landcruiser, and hopefully reap the rewards. Or go less on something else, and take the risks.

Just been checking out some Nissan Patrols. Seems the auto can't tow as much as the manual according to one website. Does anyone have a link to a decent resource for checking a vehicles tow capacity?

Any tips or wise words of wisdom on what box to go for? The vast majority are automatic but there is a manual that's not too far away from me that would be worth a wee look at as I reckon I could get the price down a little with paying cash.

Yes the choice has grown a little now, thanks to all for the input thus far.

I am blaming me looking at Range Rovers/Discos etc on the anesthetic still being in my system! Still edging towards Land Cruiser, but Jeep looks interesting and hellish good spec and age for the money.....

Or Disco 2’s..... ?

I keep looking at Range Rovers...... ?

Good knowledge, thanks both. I’m going to be towing a fair weight to be honest, tri axle trailer and mini forwarder gonna be 3 tonne minimum I’d estimate. I have heard they are definitely a thirsty old girl! I’m planning (hopefully) to not be travelling too far with it. Ive been looking at some without a tow bar, working on the logic that they’ve had a fairly easy life. Some beauties around 15k. What alternatives could I realistically consider?

Edit: I think I can stretch my budget actually, as there is no point in me keeping my estate car as well as having a Land Cruiser! So that should free up another 4K or thereabouts.

Morning all. I’ll be placing my Logbullet order very soon, and subsequently I’ll need a tow vehicle for it. After speaking to a few folk and doing a bit of research myself, ive decided that a Land Cruiser Amazon is the best option for me. Nice big V8 diesel, comfy to ride about in whilst towing, and Toyota reliability. My budget is around 10k, and I’ve got a fair few examples saved on my Autotrader, eBay and Gumtree accounts that I like to perv over on a regular basis. I was wondering if there are any Land Cruiser owners out there (past and present) who could share any tips/experiences when buying and owning one of these beasts? Service history, timing belt change, overall condition are obvious ones to check. But is there anything else I should be looking for? Thanks in advance.

Congolese!

And this one, whilst not a face, is truly the best one I’ve ever found. No photoshop involved here, I swear to God it is 100% genuine.

Here a few of mine from over the years.....

I had similar one day. Fueling the 660 up and looked to my left to see this little fella taking 5 minutes to check I was doing it right!

Need to remind him top handles aren’t for use on the ground ?

Due to an unforeseen change in circumstance, I’m available for work Thursday and Friday this week (10th and 11th) and Monday and Tuesday next week (14th and 15th). I have CS30/31 tickets, but lots of experience under my belt in all things arb, felling, rigging, chipping, pruning, saw use and maintenance, I’d hope some well known members of this site would vouch for me if needed. As expected I have my own saw and PPE including Sena comm. I fetch my own bait and a good sense of humour. I like to think I know when to use a ratchet strap and when not too. And I know when to stop someone doing something stupid. I can drive a tractor and an Avant if needed (not simultaneously) Experience using many different stump grinders also, mewps too. The unforeseen circumstances that have meant I am free..... I was supposed to be having an operation on my shoulder on Friday. But it’s been postponed. So to be honest, I am not able to do some elements of the work I usually do. The main one being hedge cutting. But anything that involves using my left arm a lot is out the question. I can just about drag brash all day, but cutting is fine. Based in Richmond North Yorkshire. Contact is 07772655759. Cheers, Mike

That's some proper p0rn there Eddie!

Remote control ?

Ah, the joys of dealing with wind blown trees. One of few places you get to experience first hand, the strange phenomenon I like to call.... Comtension!

I can only echo the words of others, but I certainly find working as part of a team motivational. I work between two different firms on the whole, and the crack is different at both, but in a good way. Variety does make life interesting. Personally, I enjoy seeing other people succeed too, and take a lot of inspiration from it, an “if they can do it, I can do it” approach. I’m about to embark on a whole new chapter of work, and have really enjoyed seeing the likes of Big J, LGP Eddie etc getting stuck into new ventures. Inspirational stuff. Id also add about not being afraid to ask for help or advice if you need it. You’ve done well by starting this thread to be fair, but there is nothing wrong with chatting to folk for ideas.

Steering drawbar is an absolute must. Even my very limited experience knows that.