Hi everyone, Jeff & Sharon from Adelaide.
We are fairly new to caravaning, we purchased a 99 Traveller p/top about 10 months ago.
So far we have done quite a few short holidays a few days at a time just to get used to it all.
There really is a lot to learn -not too many horror stories (except the damaged awning )
We are really enjoying our new toy and plan on going on longer trips away and eventually the "big one" when we retire.
At the moment we are towing with a 02 Commodore V6 which does a great job, but I would like to update to a medium sized 4wd. Our van weighs 1400kg fully loaded with full water tank.
I am going nuts at the moment deciding what to buy, We don't want a big truck and would like better fuel economy than our Commodore (18 L per 100km) while towing.
I can get 25% off a new Holden Captiva but not sure if I like them or not?
We would prefer an automatic
Our Budget is around $20,000 plus the Commodore - Any suggestions?

G'day and welcome to the forum from another crow eater,
we had a VS commodore on LPG and now have a Mitsy Challenger, there is about 4 lt per 100 difference between the 2 and you wont find a 4WD better on fuel than a 2WD, our vn is an oldie but 1340kg fully loaded

Frank

Hi Jeff and Sharon, and a big welcome and yes we are crow eaters as well. Regards Diwayne.

Hi Jeff and Sharon,
Welcome to the forum. We sold our Mitubishi Challenger for a Holden captiva Maxx, and what a mistake. Sorry but as far as I am concerned what a horrible car. Very uncomfortable, fuel economey crap, very small tank hence low range. Should have kept the challenger, great car. Back traded the captiva for a ford territory, and once again a great car, very happy with it but probably about the same Km/l as your commodore. With the weight of your van the X Trail may be worht a look, great reports.
Good luck Robin

Thanks for the welcome, everyone.
This site is great.
Was the Captiva a diesel or petrol Robin ?

Sorry for late reply, captiva was petrol, don't make the maxx in diesel. With the other models petrol tow weight is 2 tonne but diesel is 1750 I think.
Robin

Hi Jeff and Sharon .We bought a Kia Sorento diesel and pull a coromel 511 poptop We find it an excellent tow vehicle. Sadly however Kia changed to a smaller petrol model this year .The 08 diesel 3.2ltr is great,Shame they changed it.Good luck with your search Evie

Hi Jeff and Sharon. Welcome to this great forum from yet another Sth Aussie.

Cheers,
Codes

Hi Jeff & Sharon,

We had a Captiva - what a mistake! Was very happy to see the back end of that car. We have a 2009 NT Pajero diesal now which we are extremely happy with. Maybe a tad thirsty when towing but not enough to stress about.
Vicki & Neil

G'day JSK
Check out the Hyundai Santa Fe. Diesel constant 4WD Auto. Courier Mail did test run Sydney - Melb. towing a 1.3 tonne Jayco pop-top with an A/c pod on top and Gale-force headwinds. They sat on 90KPH and averaged an incredible 10.3 litres per 100 kms...They reckon that it would have been even better if they hadn't struck the head winds..... You should be able to pick up a demo or slightlu used one within your budget.
Good luck and happy travels,
Jock