Towing

I LIVE on a property with a long, steep driveway and I need to buy a late-model, second-hand car for towing a caravan. I am tossing up between a Ford Falcon and Subaru Outback. The caravan will be about 1300kg. I am concerned that the extra weight on the back of the car pulling the van up our driveway may cause mechanical problems. I am a Subaru fan and am on my second Liberty. Would the Outback be strong enough in the body to stand the extra forces? Would the 2.5-litre Liberty be powerful enough to tow the 'van in this situation, or should I look at the 3.0-litre version? The other option is that I forget about the Subaru and go for the cheaper, but stronger, Falcon.

WE HAVE a 4.9m poptop caravan that weighs 1200kg unloaded. Which type of car would best tow it? Not just pulling power, but comfortable towing as well. We would prefer the smallest possible car and have been debating diesel v petrol, and smaller 4WD v standard Falcon/Commodore. Cars mentioned in discussions are the Nissan X-Trail, Subaru Forester and some of the larger 4WDs.

HAVING bought the off-road campervan, it's time to upgrade the Commodore Acclaim. Was looking at a Kluger, but noted the X-Trail has a higher trailer tow-weight rating (1500kg v 2000kg). Not looking for serious off-road, but extensive dirt-road travel and remote camping sites that can become difficult when it rains. Would also appreciate your comments on front and rear-wheel-drive for towing if we decide not to buy a 4WD or AWD.

The silky smooth running Sooby drives like a luxury limo' with sporty car performance and handling and using it like a heavy duty 4WD battering ram in the boonies. Well.But Subaru was intent on demonstrating just how tough this good lookin' wagon is and we speared off into the scrub in convoy hooked up to a wagon train of Jayco campervans of various sizes.Must have looked a sight to the T/Os (traditional land owners) as we cruised out of The Alice.The medium size 3.0R is blessed with a powerful 180kW/297Nm six cylinder engine driving all wheels symmetrically through a five speed automatic trans- mission.It is a good powertrain for towing as gear changes are imperceptible and the transmission adapts almost immediately to towing mode with quick flicks between the gears to maintain any given pace.The sequential change system is also handy if you want a more hands-on style of driving.Subaru has engineered the 3.0R for towing with particular attention to cooling and component re- liability under extreme conditions.Though lighter than the previous Outback due to various aluminium chassis and body components, the 3.0R will comfortable tow a van weighing up to 1800kg. This will move up to 2.0 tonnes in the next model or possibly before as progressive changes are made on the production line.Subaru Australia, has raised the towing profile with Subaru Japan engineers and they are responding with improvements and necessary modifications.Very little towing is done in Japan but plenty of testing is done in Australia.Particular attention has been paid to cooling the rear differential and the transmission, spring rates, airflow through the car and the engine bay as well as bolstering other components to take the added pressure of towing.The 3.0R has an automatic suspension levelling system using hydraulics that pump up or down according to load. Towing campervans was like child's play for the 3.0R though the big one, about 5 metres long made it work hard. The smaller vans had minimal effect on performance, ride or fuel economy.We drove long distances over rough corrugated dirt roads at 100kmh with no problems, the ABS worked a treat in loose gravel and the cars stayed tight as a drum and easy to drive – with the aircon on full and everything else operating. It made me change my mind about going bush in such a suave vehicle.Certainly more comfy than rattling around in a Troopie.

I'M IN the market for a late-model, mid-sized 4WD in the low $20,000s, which I want to use for touring, perhaps even around Australia towing a 5m caravan. After comparing several possibilities, I keep coming up with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. How does it rate for reliability, build quality and all-round suitability for my use?

I have noted with interest your letters regarding the engine problems with the 3.0-litre turbo diesel Nissan Patrol. I specifically bought my vehicle to tow a caravan and tour Australia. I am concerned about the potential for failure in a remote location. Your response suggested Nissan had been contacted and will have an explanation of the models affected. More importantly, I would like to know what Nissan intends doing about the problem and when.