Mitsubishi L200 barbarian (et al)

[saint-spoon]

Anyone have first hand experience of towing with a Mitsubishi L200?

Just looking for inspiration for my next tug and first hand experience.

 

[Martin24]

Not had an L200 but before we got our Isuzu D-Max in 2013 we did a lot of research into pick-ups'.

Our van comes in with MTPLM of 1800kg. Our findings at the time were that we both felt the L200 was rather on the light side as far as kerb weight went and didn't quite have the grunt we were looking at. Ford had removed from sale the automatic Ranger, it's essential for us to have automatic. The Navara had no centre rear headrest. At the time we were carting 3 children most of the time. The Hi-Lux was dismissed for only having a centre rear lap belt.

The D-Max had a reasonable kerb weight, more than enough grunt, 3500kg max towing limit (fairly irrelevant to caravan towing but indication of what it can do). We had it for 4 years and it never put a foot wrong towing or solo. We did have to watch the speed a bit. Okay so it's not the plushest of pick ups but our Utah Vision was well equipped. Plenty of space for my hoist, dog crate, spare manual and electric wheelchairs etc. The negative and there's only one, and it applies to all pick-ups', is getting things out of the far reaches of the load space involves a bit of knee work. We put a layer of the click together rubber awning flooring down to make things easier.

 

[yorkykev]

I am now on my second Isuzu D-Max Utah ( manual ) having just changed to a 2017 model with the newer 1.9 engine and it does what it says on the current tv advert

It will pull any caravan / trailer, I have done a few !!! with ease, you just have to be careful of your speed as its easy to forget your towing something.

I can get dogs in pick-up, seat 5 people and pull our caravan whilst getting a decent return on mpg, it is not always the most comfortable ride when solo driving but like all towcars there is a compromise

It has most, if not all, the usual gadgets - cruise control, sat-nav, bluetooth , camera etc.

The only issue with any pick-up is that you will pay the dreaded VAT on it , which adds a significant extra on to the purchase price however, if looking in second hand market there are some on which no vat is payable.

I can't comment on similar vehicles as once I had driven the Isuzu it was a no brainer

 

[ProfJohnL]

A point that you want to consider is that most caravan manufacturers will restrict their warranty if the caravan is towed behind a commercial vehicle, How they would know I'm not sure, but if it came to light. you might find your self with an unexpected repair bill.

The other point to bear in mind, is the pick ups in question are commercial vehicles and are designed for carry substantive payloads. This means the especially the rear suspension is considerably firmer than a normal domestic car which some rear seat passengers my find more uncomfortable, and also the intensity and nature of the vibration at the tow ball is more vigorous and may be more readily transmitted back through the tow coupling to the trailer. Don't under estimate the damage this type of vibration can do.

 

[otherclive]

A point that you want to consider is that most caravan manufacturers will restrict their warranty if the caravan is towed behind a commercial vehicle, How they would know I'm not sure, but if it came to light. you might find your self with an unexpected repair bill.

The other point to bear in mind, is the pick ups in question are commercial vehicles and are designed for carry substantive payloads. This means the especially the rear suspension is considerably firmer than a normal domestic car which some rear seat passengers my find more uncomfortable, and also the intensity and nature of the vibration at the tow ball is more vigorous and may be more readily transmitted back through the tow coupling to the trailer. Don't under estimate the damage this type of vibration can do.

Whilst I see your point of view not all pickups are bad riding. A neighbour recently had his 2014 Navarra stolen off of the drive. He’s replaced it with a brand new one and he says the difference is remarkable. In that it is larger but “now just drives like a large car, and is so much more comfortable’

 

[Martin24]

A point that you want to consider is that most caravan manufacturers will restrict their warranty if the caravan is towed behind a commercial vehicle, How they would know I'm not sure, but if it came to light. you might find your self with an unexpected repair bill.

The other point to bear in mind, is the pick ups in question are commercial vehicles and are designed for carry substantive payloads. This means the especially the rear suspension is considerably firmer than a normal domestic car which some rear seat passengers my find more uncomfortable, and also the intensity and nature of the vibration at the tow ball is more vigorous and may be more readily transmitted back through the tow coupling to the trailer. Don't under estimate the damage this type of vibration can do.

Before purchasing my 110 Defender and D-MAx I communicated directly with Coachman to ensure all was well with the tow car choice. They had no issue with this. Although my DFW WAV is registered as an MPV it is based on a commercial vehicle. Prior to purchase I communicated my intentions to Bailey and they had no problem with it either.

 

[saint-spoon]

Took a 2015 L200 out for a test drive. Drove like a big car to be fair, I think that it is the way ahead for me. Unfortunately the underside of the vehicle was rotting away, it had quite obviously been driven through a lot of salt water.
Anyway I think that I might like one.