Mitsubishi Shogun LWB vs Jeep Commander

[RJC]

Hi all

I am thinking about changing my Chrysler Voyager which as an MPV obviously has 7 seats. We don't use all 7 seats often but they are handy to have. I fancy a 4x4 this time and the two mentioned above have the 7 seat option.

I have not test driven either yet but I was passing a Mitsubishi dealership the other say and went in for a look at one. The only problem I could see was the spare wheel on the back door. I have an Al-ko stabiliser and obviously the handle has to be upright when hitching and I could envisage this not being possible because of the spare wheel. I have read that some other cars have this problem and the way around this is to open the door when hitching and closing it when hitched - but when I opened the rear door it looked as though there would not be enough room to do this as the front of the caravan would not fit past the rear door.

Does anyone tow with the Mitsubishi Shogun (or any other 4x4 with the spare wheel on the back door) and if so is there a way around this.

Also does anyone tow with a Jeep Commander and if so what is it like.

Many thanks

Richard

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Hi Richard.

I have a 2001 3.2 did LWB Shogun which I bought for the same reasons as you. The door mounted spare wheel has not proved a problem when hitching up my van which has a Winterhoff stabiliser fitted. I did however buy a tow hitch which has a slightly longer neck.

As for towing my Shogun pulls my Crusader Superstorm like it's not there. reliability is beyond reproach and there are some deals to be had as a new (face lifted) Shogun is due soon.

Regards

Steve

 

[RJC]

Hi Richard.

I have a 2001 3.2 did LWB Shogun which I bought for the same reasons as you. The door mounted spare wheel has not proved a problem when hitching up my van which has a Winterhoff stabiliser fitted. I did however buy a tow hitch which has a slightly longer neck.

As for towing my Shogun pulls my Crusader Superstorm like it's not there. reliability is beyond reproach and there are some deals to be had as a new (face lifted) Shogun is due soon.

Regards

Steve

Hi Steve - thanks for the quick response.

Does your stabiliser work the same as the Al-ko? As I said with the Al-ko you have to lift the lever to vertical before hitching to the tow ball and I am sure that the spare wheel would prevent me doing this (even if I had a longer neck on the tow bar).

Note what you say about the suitability and reliability though and the one in the dealer was discounted by about

 

[cris_408518]

I've used the same 3.2 hired Shoguns towing large Ifor Williams trailers as have some of my associates. Trouble free at all times, superb reliabilty!

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Hi Richard,

The Winterhoff stabiliser is similar in operation to the Al-ko system but the operating handle may be of a different length.

I've hitched up the van about 6 times but can only remember opening the door once (the first time). It's no hardship though just simply back into position open the door (just enough to clear the handle), raise the handle and then lower the van onto the hitch.

As I said it's that easy I can't even remember doing it everytime (though I probably did).

Even if you have to open the rear door it's a small penalty to pay for having such a good vehicle. As for

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Hi Richard,

PS. you will find the fuel consumption of the Shogun a lot better than that of the Voyager. The vehicle is normally driven in 2 wheel drive which makes it very economical for it's size.

 

[chumba1]

a spacer sorted this for me on a terrano !!!

 

[BigAl1]

There is a modified handle to fit to your Alko which will clear the spare wheel.

 

[RJC]

Thanks all for your replies.

I work in Dublin through the week but I will be looking at/ test driving the cars at the weekend.

 

[Stephen_5122599]

Thanks all for your replies.

I work in Dublin through the week but I will be looking at/ test driving the cars at the weekend.

Let us know how you get on.

regards

Steve

 

[Mike_5041144]

Hi Richard

3 years ago I tried both these 4x4's plus many others before trying and buying a 'used' Toyota Landcruiser D4-D 3.0 Diesel [Automatic]. Last year I traded it for a new LC3 Landcruiser Diesel [Auto]. So far neither vehicle has had a single fault after 30k of trouble free motoring. Solo 30+mpg towing 26/7mpg. 7 Seats too. Definitely worth a drive if you have a Toyota dealer nearby or can find a used vehicle [fairly rare].

HTH

Mike

 

[Mike_5041144]

Hi Richard

3 years ago I tried both these 4x4's plus many others before trying and buying a 'used' Toyota Landcruiser D4-D 3.0 Diesel [Automatic]. Last year I traded it for a new LC3 Landcruiser Diesel [Auto]. So far neither vehicle has had a single fault after 30k of trouble free motoring. Solo 30+mpg towing 26/7mpg. 7 Seats too. Definitely worth a drive if you have a Toyota dealer nearby or can find a used vehicle [fairly rare].

HTH

Mike

Forgot to mention - no hitch-up problem with my Alko. There is a shorter Alko handle available should you have a problem.

Mike

 

[Colin_5111401]

hi Richard I have a Jeep Commander it is my first 4x4 before i selected this 4x4 after i test drove the shogun land cruiser pathfinder touraeg and discovery. the Commander by far came out on top for spec,comfort,looks,and by far it was the best drive. it is quieter, smoother and the most responsive on acseleration compared to the shogun. it is the best drive of the 2 and i am sure you will agree. the shogun sounds like a tractor a slow one at that. as far as towing it is a dream

Happy Testing

Colin

 

[woodsieboy]

Hi Richard

We have LWB Shogun 3.2 manual,it has been very reliable and a lot less expensive than previous Discovery and RangeRover,ours is on 02 plate and tows Bailey Senator, as regards hitching up I took off the red ALKO handle, you just undo 1 screw, then drilled through the two parts and bolted them together, you can then hitch up without fouling on the spare wheel, and then use the red handle to lock the stabiliser head in place, then replace the red handle in the boot until you need to unhitch, or you could pay ALKO

 

[dandiesel]

hi richard i have just done the opposite got rid of a shogun for a voyager

how did you find the voyager was towing i have just got a 2.5 td on a s reg

 

[RJC]

Hi dandiesel

The model I have is the 3.3 petrol LX auto Grand Voyager (sorry I missed out the "Grand" in my original post). Anyway I found that towing with it was a breeze (although not as good as my wife's Kia Sorrento which we now mainly use for towing as the max towing weight for the Grand Voyager is set very low at 1600 kgs). While our caravan (Bailey Senator Wyoming) has an MPTLM of 1773 kgs (I think) it is only my wife and myself that goes away in it and we used to put very little in the caravan with most things in the car so that we would not be over the 1600 kgs. I think the car would tow much more but you cannot exceed the manufcturers towing limit. We don't have that problem however with the Kia (nor will we with the new one).

I can't comment on the diesel voyager but I should imagine it would be ok.

As a matter of interest why did you get rid of the shogun? Did you have problesm with it?

I have arranged a test drive in a Jeep Commander for early February (they have a deal at the moment whereby you can have one for a 48 hour test drive so I should get a good feel for it). Had a look at one on Saturday and I am well impressed with it and as long as I am happy with it on the test I will probably go for that as inn terms of reliability my Voyager (obviously part of the same group as Jeep) has been excellent.

Hope you enjoy your Voyager.

Cheers

Richard

 

[MichaelofKent]

hi Richard I have a Jeep Commander it is my first 4x4 before i selected this 4x4 after i test drove the shogun land cruiser pathfinder touraeg and discovery. the Commander by far came out on top for spec,comfort,looks,and by far it was the best drive. it is quieter, smoother and the most responsive on acseleration compared to the shogun. it is the best drive of the 2 and i am sure you will agree. the shogun sounds like a tractor a slow one at that. as far as towing it is a dream

Happy Testing

Colin

Hi Colin,

What do you tow with your Commander and what sort of mpg are getting?

Michael