4X4 - Advice for towing a boat.

[MoNk]

First of all I have 0 knowledge when it comes to ATV/4x4's.
I have only ever ridden one once on a trek in the Nelson region (heaps of fun).

The main reason we need it is for is to tow a boat (12-13 footer I think, 90hp Mercury outboard) on a trailer up and down a driveway that is - at a guess - 30 degrees angle, gravel (kinda slippery when dry) for about 6-8m. The rest of the drive to the water is tarmac, and launching the boat is done on a nice sealed launch ramp. So the only issue is the driveway.
It will be left at our bach and used every fortnight maximum.

It might be used by my dad/uncle for fishing and hunting as well, so maybe a bit of storage could be needed, as well of fuel capacity.

Anybody got some suggestions for some forums or websites with advice on this topic? Not having much luck searching through google and trademe.
Some trademe examples would be nice
I think i'll be buying secondhand, and sub 4k, hopefully.

If I don't get a 4x4 I might end up with a tractor Which can't be much fun.

edit: When I say ATV/4x4 I mean farm bike type things.

[JimO]

i use a 05 4x4 hilux and a 96 prado both of which are slighty more than 4k

[Disco Dan]

You may find it better to have a 4x4 that has 'dif lock' - meaning you can lock the hubs (either manually or electronically) so that all four wheels turn at the same time. ..just dont try and turn with it on, its a bitch! even with power steering! (used to own 96' landrover discovery)

[MoNk]

Oh, should have mentioned.
Has to fit in a double garage with the boat, a dinghy, and lots of tools and other sh1t. So a full-on car/ute/truck isn't an option.

Thanks for the suggestion though We have an old Isuzu Bighorn here in Chch that we could use. But it couldn't make it over there if we tried. :>

edit: When I say ATV/4x4 I mean farm bike type things.

[desmo dave]

Oh, should have mentioned.
Has to fit in a double garage with the boat, a dinghy, and lots of tools and other sh1t. So a full-on car/ute/truck isn't an option.

Thanks for the suggestion though We have an old Isuzu Bighorn here in Chch that we could use. But it couldn't make it over there if we tried. :>

edit: When I say ATV/4x4 I mean farm bike type things.

will be the challange . should be ok on the flat , but if all dosent go well on the ramp you may be following it in the drink.Plenty of cheap toymota 4x4s out there.

[soundbeltfarm]

you could get a cheap little massey tractor for towing boat up drive then just put a bucket over muffler of it and leave it outside.

[Zukin]

Well as a 4wd tour operator, you would have to look closely at the Mitsi Pajero.
For what you want it would best suit your requirements.
It has one of the best tow ratings of any 4wd, can go anywhere if you need to, and are reasonably price and bullet proof

In regards to the specific models, I would suggest a 93+, either in SWB (short wheel base) or LWB (long wheel base), the LWB has better towing than the SWB.
In regards to the motors, dont even look at the 2.5, only go for the 2.8 (engine 4M40 is the diesel) these are great, in fact they used the same motor in their diesel utes up until last year.
The 2.5 is a lemon, engine is dodgy and the trans is not very good either

The 2.8 comes in auto and manual gearbox, and both are good, but for what I used mine for I chose the auto. It is great for real 4wding, on both ascents and desents, and good in the mud if you know how to drive it properly.
Here is an example of one.

Just my thoughts, and if you want to see a war, ask for is the best 4x4 on a 4x4 website!!

Cheers Scott

[kevfromcoro]

4x4s are great for towing..i use a diahatsu rocky. for towing my 13ft tinny..low range on the ramp..gets u out of anywhere..if u are towing something heavy..look at a hi-lux..or something a bit more substaciale..crusier or mitsy..BTW the rocky only cost $3000

[barty5]

some dude down in greenhithe uses a suzuki LT250 to drive his boat back and forth to the boat ramp about a 12 ft tinnie has quit a steep hill to get up rather slow but it gets there and back ok so a bigger heavyer fram bikewith 4wd might do pending on your boat (any pics of it)

[MoNk]

This is the only picture I could find on my computer. It seems pretty light weight as far as I know. My dad can pull it into the garage by himself and he's not very big.

We have 2 4x4 trucks in the family but if I ever want to go out wakeboarding I'd have to borrow their cars, so this would be a great solution. The bach is at Lake Kanarie near Hokitika.

[Buddha#81:Me]

Get a wee tractor for $2000ish. I've got a LTF300 quad with diff lock and Low ratio 4WD, I'm sure that it wouldn't tow a boat up a steep gravel driveway even if it did going down would be a trip of a lifetime.

[JimO]

so what boat are we talking the glass one looks like a bayliner or similar mercan so it will be heavy so i doubt you will pull it out of the water with a quad the inflatible should be okay

[T.W.R]

It might be used by my dad/uncle for fishing and hunting as well, so maybe a bit of storage could be needed, as well of fuel capacity.


I think i'll be buying secondhand, and sub 4k, hopefully.

If I don't get a 4x4 I might end up with a tractor Which can't be much fun.

edit: When I say ATV/4x4 I mean farm bike type things.

4x4 farmbikes in the sub $4g, you'd have to look at either a Kawasaki KLF300 or Yamaha Timberwolf/Big Bear etc if you wanted something cheapish, robust, and easy on fuel.
Honda TRXs etc are OK if you can find a good one cheaply, but their diff/rear axle is weak and the engines breath heavily when getting tired (filling the airbox with engine oil).
Suzuki LTFs etc are cheap but they're shits of things to work on & the trans linkages are a nightmare & the engine is fairly brittle.

[scott411]

the LT-F300 will tow beter than anything as they haev a superlow range and a front diff locker,

at the end of the day youare trying to tow something that ways over a ton with something that ways 350kg with you sitting on it, it does not work that well, i would by an old tractor or 4x4, it iwll be safer

[Jimmy B]

the LT-F300 will tow beter than anything as they haev a superlow range and a front diff locker,

at the end of the day youare trying to tow something that ways over a ton with something that ways 350kg with you sitting on it, it does not work that well, i would by an old tractor or 4x4, it iwll be safer

What he said, Ive a 5.5M surtees with a 90hp on the back. No way in hell that I would ever consider towing that with a quad. 2 litre car or bigger; pref 4 litre.