Toyota Emina / Estima 4x4 automatic

Does anyone have experience of running one of these as a caravan tug?

Fuel consumption, ease of obtaining spares, and maintenance of 4wd system
come to mind.

TIA
Budgie

I have had some 2.2TD 4x4's before and I don't rate them. We also had some
big garage bills as well. Also for the size of the vehicle there are many
other vehicles the same size with far more room inside. The Hiace super
custom is same length as is the Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda. I have had around
7/8 Lucidas and remember them for what we spent on them. We have sold more
than 200 Bongos and 50 Hiaces in the last 2 years and they are far better
than the Lucida. In fact our mechanic jokes that Renault made the Lucida !

Yes the Lucida looks more "like a car" but people buying these types of
multi purpose vehicle tend to want more practability than looks. On the
issue of spares our local Toyota garage was really good and MPG is quite
good however the 2.2 TD engine is not that powerful so have a good long test
drive first. I had a 1500 twin axle caravan on the back of a Bongo last week
and it set off on a 1 in 4 without a problem.

There should be an owners club site for the Lucida there is for the Mazda
Bongo, www.bongofury.co.uk


"Budgie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does anyone have experience of running one of these as a caravan tug?
>
> Fuel consumption, ease of obtaining spares, and maintenance of 4wd system
> come to mind.
>
> TIA
> Budgie
>
>

"Chap." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have had some 2.2TD 4x4's before and I don't rate them.

Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

Budgie

In message <[email protected]>, Budgie <[email protected]>
writes

>Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
>need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
>the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
>for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

I have a Ford Galaxy Ghia 115ps (pd) Automatic with the tiptronic box
and tow A Bailey Ranger 510.4 which is 1250kgs all up. I get around the
26-28 when towing, 30-35 urban solo and a very good 45-52!!! Solo on
long runs depending on my right foot. It tows absolutely brilliantly
with no complaints (even with front wheel drive) and I've been towing
vans for 33yrs. I do find however that using the cruise control when
towing uses more fuel!

--
Regards
Graham Jones

Budgie <[email protected]> wrote:

> Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
> need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
> the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
> for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

American SUVs may also fit the bill. The Chevvy Blazer and Ford Explorer
both have full auto and are suitable for disabled conversion. The
Explorer has room for a wheelchair with the rear seats up. Not sure
about the Blazer that always struck me as a bit cramped. OTOH the sheer
height of these vehicles will make disabled access difficult.

--
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"Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1gfzngn.sd4rog200h7N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> American SUVs may also fit the bill. The Chevvy Blazer and Ford Explorer
> both have full auto and are suitable for disabled conversion. The
> Explorer has room for a wheelchair with the rear seats up. Not sure
> about the Blazer that always struck me as a bit cramped.

I think the fuel might also prove to be an expensive hobby

> OTOH the sheer
> height of these vehicles will make disabled access difficult.

Yes, the step up is awkward - we currently run a Mitsubishi Pinin which is
about the right height.

Thanks for the suggestions

Budgie

I have had some 2.2TD 4x4's before and I don't rate them. We also had some
big garage bills as well. Also for the size of the vehicle there are many
other vehicles the same size with far more room inside. The Hiace super
custom is same length as is the Mazda Bongo/Ford Freda. I have had around
7/8 Lucidas and remember them for what we spent on them. We have sold more
than 200 Bongos and 50 Hiaces in the last 2 years and they are far better
than the Lucida. In fact our mechanic jokes that Renault made the Lucida !

Yes the Lucida looks more "like a car" but people buying these types of
multi purpose vehicle tend to want more practability than looks. On the
issue of spares our local Toyota garage was really good and MPG is quite
good however the 2.2 TD engine is not that powerful so have a good long test
drive first. I had a 1500 twin axle caravan on the back of a Bongo last week
and it set off on a 1 in 4 without a problem.

There should be an owners club site for the Lucida there is for the Mazda
Bongo, www.bongofury.co.uk


"Budgie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Does anyone have experience of running one of these as a caravan tug?
>
> Fuel consumption, ease of obtaining spares, and maintenance of 4wd system
> come to mind.
>
> TIA
> Budgie
>
>

"Chap." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have had some 2.2TD 4x4's before and I don't rate them.

Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

Budgie

In message <[email protected]>, Budgie <[email protected]>
writes

>Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
>need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
>the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
>for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

I have a Ford Galaxy Ghia 115ps (pd) Automatic with the tiptronic box
and tow A Bailey Ranger 510.4 which is 1250kgs all up. I get around the
26-28 when towing, 30-35 urban solo and a very good 45-52!!! Solo on
long runs depending on my right foot. It tows absolutely brilliantly
with no complaints (even with front wheel drive) and I've been towing
vans for 33yrs. I do find however that using the cruise control when
towing uses more fuel!

--
Regards
Graham Jones

Budgie <[email protected]> wrote:

> Thanks for the opinion. We tow a 1100kg caravan (hence 4wd is nice) but also
> need space in the back for a wheelchair - the Lucida range seems to be about
> the largest if the rearmost seats are removed. Full automatic is required
> for hand-control conversion, so the choices become more limited.

American SUVs may also fit the bill. The Chevvy Blazer and Ford Explorer
both have full auto and are suitable for disabled conversion. The
Explorer has room for a wheelchair with the rear seats up. Not sure
about the Blazer that always struck me as a bit cramped. OTOH the sheer
height of these vehicles will make disabled access difficult.

--
Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
friendly advice in a flame-free environment.

"Steve Firth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1gfzngn.sd4rog200h7N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> American SUVs may also fit the bill. The Chevvy Blazer and Ford Explorer
> both have full auto and are suitable for disabled conversion. The
> Explorer has room for a wheelchair with the rear seats up. Not sure
> about the Blazer that always struck me as a bit cramped.

I think the fuel might also prove to be an expensive hobby

> OTOH the sheer
> height of these vehicles will make disabled access difficult.

Yes, the step up is awkward - we currently run a Mitsubishi Pinin which is
about the right height.

Thanks for the suggestions

Budgie