Hilux vs Prado

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Been thinking about this one for a while now.

Have a Prado D4D Auto GXL with a few accessories. Great 4WD.

My only problem is that I have so much gear to take when I go fishing / camping, that the rear is full (behind Cargo Barrier), the 1.8m Roof basket gets loaded to its maximum (about 0.5 to 0.7m high) and the middle seats ends up full as well. I guess I really enjoy going 5 star camping.

Note: I haven't even bought my Engel fridge (60L) and Generator yet.

Basically, I'm really struggling for room. And invariably I only have room for me (driver) and able to take one other friend only. The rear (internal) is getting scratched to the shizen as well.


Benn thinking that the Prado can be the missus's full timer and I get a SR5 Auto D4D Hilux (Dual Cab) with Canopy as my full-time plaything. I'd say the rear would hold double, or close to it, compared to Prado, meaning I could seat 5 inside.

Other than the cost, $60'ish on road with Suspension Upgrade and a few bells and whistles, it is disappointing that the Hilux misses out on 40NM or so and Auto is only 4 speed.

What are other opinions on the Lux and did anyone seriously consider it over the Prado?

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

It would be a lot cheaper to just buy a trailer.

Leachy

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Yes

But then there's other issues.

I don't have a self enclosed garage and trailer can't be taken to the back yard.

Alot easier to get stuck / bogged on a beach with a trailer and then just about forget about digging your way out unless you get towed out.

Can't get reverse snatched.

[Guest Close Guest]

Storage issues aside, If you see some of the rigs (plate alloy 20ft+) boats that get towed up to Orchid Beach on Fraser, surely, a decent offroad trailer with wide tyres and lower pressure should'nt be much of an issue.

If a ute is what you want, then I guess the Hilux wouldnt be too bad, but I'd also be checking out the Mazda BT-50 to compare. I think they pump out about 115kw and 380nm as standard. I think the top spec Dual cab, fully optioned will see you part with around $50K... thats at RRP, you should be able to haggle a bit off that if you shop around. Leaves a bit more for kit. Or find a second hand 100 series conversion (wagon to dual cab) I'd say you could have yourself a really decent rig for the same as a new dual cab. Food for thought. Good luck with it.

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Yes

But then there's other issues.

I don't have a self enclosed garage and trailer can't be taken to the back yard.

Alot easier to get stuck / bogged on a beach with a trailer and then just about forget about digging your way out unless you get towed out.

Can't get reverse snatched.

Well,

Maybe a F250 Twin Cab would fit the bill ? Size, ability, the lot !!

Cheers,

Or........take less stuff :?

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

I looked @ a Hilux and a Navara before settling on the Prado. You've got to remember your buying a commericial\work vehicle, so you forgo a lot of what I considered essential (airbags and decent safety) and quite a few 'nice to haves' (extra power, climate control, lower road noise), not mention the on road handling.

I'd be investing a few grand in a decent trailer myself.

[Guest Close Guest]

Have both to drive here reguarly. SR% and Prado.

There is a lot of difference in power and ride quality in the Hilux (Less). Towing is also noticable with a car on a trailer in regards to power.

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

I think we are missing the point or up the creek should have posed his question a little different.

Yes it is more commericial but for what his talking about using it for he would get more equipment in with seats spare particularly if he got a roof rack on it as well.

At the end of the day its your money and if you can afford both it is the way to go. I would love a top of the range hilux as well as the prado for a play thing.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Have to agree with the comment on safety gear and ride quality not to mention rear seat access and egress.

For the few times you need the space a trailer is the way to go. I built this trailer about 13 years ago and apart from replacing the axle recently to suit the track on the 120 series it has given me no trouble. No problems on soft sand and it gives me 3 additional spares for the car. I have a frame and canvas canopy that fits on top and I have a clear space of 1+m high by 1.2m wide by 1.8m long. No need to go overboard with suspensions, leaf springs are fine just make sure you have shock absorbers.

[mototrim Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mototrim]

I had the SR5 D4D before i bought the Prado and would say it as capable off road as the Prado anyday,but thats where it stops.

On road comfort suffers a bit and the power started to drop off a lot earlier than the Prado and i feel for the $60,00 price tag it was a bit lean on the extras.
With a canopy you would definately increase your carrying load bit if it were me i would be looking at a trailor option first.

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

A friend of mine bought a D4D Hilux not long after they came out, we took it for a run to a local abandoned sand pit and after running around a bit opened the bonnet to have a look under the hood.

The sump guard seemed to act like a shovel filling up the engine bay with sand, which is something you really dont need a hand with if you live in WA.

Attached is a picture that gives you some idea of what was happening.

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Have to agree with the comment on safety gear and ride quality not to mention rear seat access and egress.

For the few times you need the space a trailer is the way to go. I built this trailer about 13 years ago and apart from replacing the axle recently to suit the track on the 120 series it has given me no trouble. No problems on soft sand and it gives me 3 additional spares for the car. I have a frame and canvas canopy that fits on top and I have a clear space of 1+m high by 1.2m wide by 1.8m long. No need to go overboard with suspensions, leaf springs are fine just make sure you have shock absorbers.

Damn thats a good idea!

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Re: Hilux vs Prado

Been thinking about this one for a while now.

Have a Prado D4D Auto GXL with a few accessories. Great 4WD.

My only problem is that I have so much gear to take when I go fishing / camping, that the rear is full (behind Cargo Barrier), the 1.8m Roof basket gets loaded to its maximum (about 0.5 to 0.7m high) and the middle seats ends up full as well. I guess I really enjoy going 5 star camping.

I had the same problem when I first started going camping and know about the scratches as well. There was a point where I barely fit a third person in the back how much crap we took along.

Thats when I started thinking "logically" about camping; I only took what I was going to use. In doing this I ended up fitting all that I needed in the boot and roof and brought along 4 people with me.

[lofty Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lofty]

Re: Hilux vs Prado

Been thinking about this one for a while now.

Have a Prado D4D Auto GXL with a few accessories. Great 4WD.

My only problem is that I have so much gear to take when I go fishing / camping, that the rear is full (behind Cargo Barrier), the 1.8m Roof basket gets loaded to its maximum (about 0.5 to 0.7m high) and the middle seats ends up full as well. I guess I really enjoy going 5 star camping.

I had the same problem when I first started going camping and know about the scratches as well. There was a point where I barely fit a third person in the back how much crap we took along.

Thats when I started thinking "logically" about camping; I only took what I was going to use. In doing this I ended up fitting all that I needed in the boot and roof and brought along 4 people with me.

Yep........take less stuff :shock: :!:

Less stuff = less time making and breaking camp, less crap to clean/wash/sort/re-stock/&pack away, less stress on the vehicle therefore less chance of breakdown/rollover etc and better fuel economy, less impact on the environment, less things to forget either when leaving home and or heading home.........................etc :!:

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

We had the same problem, some friends of ours advised us to make a list of everything we took camping. While you are away if you use it tick it off and take it again next time, if you don't out it goes.

We now take less stuff 8)