Occasional towing

jaapbond

Was just looking for advice or even recommendations ...
Have a nissan xtrail at the moment and quite happy with it as I do regular towing of about a ton or so ...
I have now bought a mini digger and was wondering about upgrading to a stronger car to tow about 3 ton but everything I look at seems to have a much worse mpg ... I would only need to move the digger 3 or 4 times a year so would I be better looking at alternative options ?
Will also need 4 seats ...
Is there anything out there that is capable of towing and reasonable mpg ?
Thanks very much for any replies ...

_Brian

3 or 4 times a year just pay someone to move it, what you'd be out upgrading and poor fuel economy would pay for it.

Jack the Stripper

I can't think of any car that could tow a 3 tonne machine plus trailor. You are talking close to 4 tonne there.

discodaveirl

Only machine you can legally tow behind a jeep etc weighs in at about 2.7 so it all comes under the 3.5 ton catagory

Jack the Stripper

Incorrect.

jaapbond

Thank you for the replies so far, I know it makes no economic sense and so far I have asked a friend to move it , but I don't like being depended on somebody if that makes sense, so was just looking at options.
I was not quite clear in opening post but what I meant was the whole package including trailer and digger coming in at under 3 ton.
Have been looking at hilux and landcruisers as I think they would be the right tool for the job but even old and high mileage ones seem to be making mad money.
Was looking at Ford ranger or mazda b2500/bt50 but was wondering if anybody had suggestions for something that had a reasonable fuel economy when not towing.

discodaveirl

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

Incorrect.

Care to eloborate

Jack the Stripper

Where did you pull this 2.7T figure from?

foxy farmer

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

Where did you pull this 2.7T figure from?

3.5tonne (max load permitted on ball hitch) -800kg (weight of trailer) = 2.7 tonne payload max allowed.

discodaveirl

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

Where did you pull this 2.7T figure from?

2.7t + trailer (approx 0.75-8t) = just around 3.5t

Testacalda

jaapbond wrote: »

T
Have been looking at hilux and landcruisers as I think they would be the right tool for the job

If you are amking a purcahse based on towing ability you would need to be sure of waht the vehicles rate tow capacity is. Regular Landcruisers have a surprisingly small tow capacity of just 2800kg. There aren't many jeeps around with the full 3500kg tow capicty anymore. The few that I can think of off hand would be:

Landrover Defender
Landrover Discovery
Range Rover
Isuzu Trooper
Landcrusier Amazon
Daihatsu Fourtrak
The new model Pajero

probably a few more

Lots of pickups are 3000kg or less

Its a theoretical tow capaicty really as manufacturers have been know to change the capicitys without modification to the vehcile. Its all fine until Mr. Traffic Corps pulls you over

shootermcgee

Buy a old tractor