by tigger384 on Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:04 pm
Hi Mike
I was in almost exactly the same position as you about 18 months ago, I ended up buying a new Triton GlS and 5 months later a off road camper trailer. Here are my thoughts in hindsight,
a) I bought brand new, the options added were tow bar, soft tub cover, sports bar and nudge bar. If I was doing it all again I probably would not have gone for those options if I could have negotiated a better price but as the vehicle was on runout I think most of it came with it. But the sports bar and soft cover was ditched because I put a canopy on it, the nudge bar is show only recon if I hit a swarm of flies it would bend and the factory tow bar hangs very low reducing the departure angle even more. I would have been better off if I could have saved that money and bought a complete after market replacement tow bar/ rear protection which would have several benefits over the standard one. Selling these bits off is difficult without losing heaps on the transaction.
b) Having the factory rear diff lock is a no brainer, can go after market but almost 3 x the price.
c) 4 wheel driving is not cheap, change one thing and that leads to a host of other changes required usually expensive. So buying a secondhand vehicle that has been loved and cared for which has some of the fruit fitted (properly) all ready can save you heaps, bull bars, canopies etc
d) Standard vehicle is still very capable , driver skill and knowledge counts more than massive wheels and tyres. Consider not just your first years usage but what will you expect to do in the future it costs a LOT of money to change stuff once you put it on.
e) I tow a 1.5 ton camper trailer fuel consumption rises a lot towing I go from 8.5 lphk to 12 lphk and that's just on the highway. Don't get drawn in to the 3.1 towing capacity, its a maximum under prefect driving conditions.
f) I have to used mine as my daily driver and find the Triton excellent in this role, coming from only driving cars very impressed how it drives, its not a car but its way better than the tank like vehicle I thought Utes were.
These are just a few thoughts , happy to answer any questions
Good hunting
Steve