Best work horse/tow ute

[sprungupcruiser]

G'day lads, In the not too distant future I will be looking to acquire a new ute for work (chippy-self employed/sole trader), it will also double as a touring vehicle and a tow vehicle to pull my work trailer and also my toy/comp rig. I have done some reasearch and I have narrowed it down the navara d40, bt50 and the d-max, all in single cab form with the 5 speed manual. Now I imagine that all 3 of those would be fine as a work ute, a tourer and to tow the work trailer, how would they all go towing 2500- 3000kg of cruiser and trailer. They are all legally rated to tow 3t , but how do they actually go in reality.

The navara has slighty more power and torque, then the d-max and bt50 are very close to being the same (according to their respective offical websites anyway). So should it be a matter of me just going for a test drive and seeing which is more comfortable for me to drive or is there one that is better than the other. I intend to purchase this on a lease agreement too so all maintence, fuel, rego and insurance will be covered in this, so those factors are not as important. If we could keep it to first hand experiences that would be great too.

Cheers

Rob

[DamTriton]

You would be starting with a vehicle weight (comp truck) of about 2200kg then adding at least 800kg for a decent vehicle trailer + all spares, tools and provisions for the trip too. All up 3000kg, allow 3500kg for safety. Check the GCM (total weight of combined vehicle + trailer) of the vehicles you've listed. One canary for being an unroadworthy combination will see you stranded at the side of the road.

None of the vehicles listed would cope for any length of time towing that lot. They are one tonne utes with ~2500kg towing ability, generally not concurrently.

An older 75 series or 4.2 GQ/GU would be a better option as they have the "cubes" behind them to provide the torque and the legal capacity to tow the rig with safety. All the vehicles you listed are not much chop off idle when it comes to torque, common with small capacity TD's (ie accelerating away from lights with a load).

These are just general comments....

[sprungupcruiser]

Yeah, I am aiming for under 2 ton for the cruiser, its a MWB, so a bit lighter than a full size rig. And i was going to build a trailer to be as light as possible aswell looking at other trailers and their weights I was hoping to build one at 600kg or under. I understand what your saying about the lack of low down torque though, but I won't be doing it everyday. So in saying that I am probably more concerned as to what they are like a freeway speeds mainly.

Rob

[oldmate]

Pretty much any 4 cylinder will bog down on a hill, dispite their claimed outputs. THere's no replacement for displacement, or even cylinders for that matter.

I think though so long as you're prepared to go slower on the hills any of those utes will do the job well in terms of level ground acceleration and handling.

[sprungupcruiser]

Yeah I'm willing to except it will be slow on hills. I'm upgrading from a 2.8 hilux, so you get used to it, at least I'll be a bit more comfortable.

[ledgend80]

depending on how much of the tray you need what about getting the space cab version so you have a bit of extra cab space always comes in handy. if it one of the 3 that you have set your sights on see what sort of power they are claiming for an aftermarket chip to give you a bit more power and torque. and also try some other dealers around the state as you will find they could be cheaper than in mackay

[sprungupcruiser]

Thanks mate good idea on the chip, hadn't crossed my mind. I'll need the single cab for work, and I'll definately be shopping around.

Rob

[ajsr]

I regularly tow a 3 tonne (atleast) cherry picker and trailer combo.
I had a courier/ranger manual and it was ok once moving but it was pretty easy to fry the clutch on a small hill start.
now I have an auto colorado and it two handles that weight ok but whatever you use in that range, trust me you WILL know its there.
Personally I dont belive any of the current td utes in that size should really be rated to three tonne.
mine is chipped and it still struggles like all the others will to try to pull 90 - 100 km up a decent hill you really need to back it off to say 80 km.
the auto is a lot better to use in terms of take off so i'd say go with one of these.
personally I'm getting a V8 td cruiser next time I change over you cant beat cubes.

[sprungupcruiser]

Thanks for that, if I can stretch the dollars to get the cruiser I will, but I don't see that happening, what do the workmates go for? I am fairly happy to go slow up hills where it needs to. Just looked at the dp chip site, the bt50 had the best gains to get to 136kw and 430nm, didn't say at what revs though.

[nerida67]

Firstly,
Good luck building a trailer of substance to do what u wish for around the 600 KG range
(Not saying it cant be done,but good luck)
Secondly,
I wouldnt touch any late model 1 tonne type ute to do what u need
3 tonne is alot of wieght to move especially up hills
I frequently pull similar loads (2-2.5t +)and use a 4.2 (petrol)patrol to do it
Never ever have any issue with keeping the speed limit up any hill,even loaded
AS said no replacement for displacement

[vanbox]

A patrol ute only has a towing capacity of 2500kg. I think new models were upgraded to 3T?

In a single cab ute I would definitely be looking for cubes and cylinders.

[ludacris]

If the Navara has the most output I would be grabbing it.

Cris

[sprungupcruiser]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll have a talk to the lease company and some dealerships I think. Having read the replies I will have to try an afford the cruiser ute or look at other options for financing an older vehicle. I knew from the start the cruiser would have been the best option, short of an f-truck, but would have like to do it with the smaller trucks to reduce the money spent.
cheers
Rob

[montana]

as the owner of a d40 my advise is - dont kid yourself thinking a 2.5 - 3 litre 4 cylinder is any good towing that sort of weight . i have towed 2 horsesover 20,000km in 12 months great on the flat but once in the bigger hills you know you have 2 tonne there. go for biggest cubes.

[nayto]

Landrover defender ute, 2.4 turbo will tow that load better than any of those.

[sprungupcruiser]

God no!
How does that work though? everyone seems to be of the opinion the you need the larger capacity engine for the lower down torque and that the CRD 4cyl haven't got the goolies to do it. What makes the LR better?

Rob

[oldmate]

God no!
How does that work though? everyone seems to be of the opinion the you need the larger capacity engine for the lower down torque and that the CRD 4cyl haven't got the goolies to do it. What makes the LR better?

Rob

Paper think aluminium panels and absolutely no creature comforts!

[sierrajim]

We get lots of people in at work trying to tow 3,000 plus with D40's, Hilux's etc.

You need to keep in mind that you'll be WAY over weight and totally un insured towing your middy. Here's the figures:

3,000kg tow rating
less vehicle options XX kg (tow bar, steps, bull bar, floor mats, bed liner etc)
less trailer weight (600kg is light on - probably closer to 750kg)
less spares and tools 150kg
less the middy 2,000kg (winch cage etc all add up pretty quick
less the weight of your and your passenger 180kg

You're at 2,930kg and still haven't calculated vehicle extra's, filled up with fuel, loaded any luggage or food.

Maybe http://www.american.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In short, be very wary of manufacturer's advertised ratings, they ALL have fine print.

[Z()LTAN]

79 series rv (1hdt)

3t tow bar

trailer with 50-80mm axles and electric breakaway breaks all round.

Cant go past it

[nerida67]

Breakaways are for loads over 2.5t ( i think)
Single axle breaks upto 2 tonne ,
4 wheels breaks upto 2.5t
These are trailer loads (including the trailer)
Nothin to do with the car wieght

Always overbreak the trailers
(as in the more/better breaks on the trailer the better)

Landdrover 2.4 turbo out tow a 4.2 petrol patrol
WAHAHA WAHAHA

IF u can stretch the budget go the "F"truck
Even an old one (351 on gas) will pull a friggin house

[sprungupcruiser]

I'm definately looking for something new, I'm not sure how the lease works on a second hand vehicle. Because it wouldn't be under warranty anymore, which is another reason for the new vehicle. I don't need to be fixing up two old cruisers, one is plenty.

[TheOtherLeft]

I'm definately looking for something new, I'm not sure how the lease works on a second hand vehicle. Because it wouldn't be under warranty anymore, which is another reason for the new vehicle. I don't need to be fixing up two old cruisers, one is plenty.

Depends on how old the vehicle it is and the $$$. I've salary sacrificed a 2nd hand vehicle no problems as long as it was less then 5 (I think that was the cut off limit) years old and above $20k.

[Dirty]

I know of where a 75-series with a 6.5l Chev in it is up for grabs around the $10K mark, has all the usual 4WD trimmings but isn't new obviously.

Still waiting on the final details and will post up in the classifieds section when I have some pics and stuff. That will tow....

But a F-truck or maybe a small Isuzu truck might be a good place to look if you are only after a single cab anyway? When I was running some race cars a while back, it worked out cheaper to get a secondhand truck as opposed to various holden or ford utes that have considerable price tags.

- David.

[craz3d]

Landdrover 2.4 turbo out tow a 4.2 petrol patrol
WAHAHA WAHAHA

The 300tdi mightn't, but the 2.5L 5cyl TD5 most definitely will.

[SCANAS]

You can definately lease a second hand vehicle. Generally the vehicle should be no more than 8 years of age at the end of the term.

4 year old car = 4 year lease.

Leasing is very unpopular these days, a chattel mortage would give you better flexibility in case circumstances change, whilst retaining the same tax advantages a lease has.

You can always extend the new car warranty as well, generally they will put a claim limit on it. Don't worry about what people tell you about warranties on second hand cars give me a pm with the warranty and I will tell you if it's any good or not.

I'll put a vote in for a cruiser as well especially if leasing. About 60-63ish I think for a workmate. Sure they are a lot of money but It will cost you more to buy a 4cyl, realise it's not up to the job ,sell it loose heaps, then re-finance your negative on a cruiser.

Or get something 5 years old with a chattel mortage.

(flame suit on) you could also get a new patrol ute, give it heaps of stick when towing and make sure you've got a good extended warranty if keeping it longer than 3 years.

[nerida67]

With your situation with the leasing prob
get the one from your list , that you are comfortable with as in driving comfort,economy ,power ect ect
With the odd weekend towing a load ,just go a bit slower
Whats really the issue ???
Towing the odd load or making the vehicle last

If you were towing large loads say 2-3 times a week then thats different

[sprungupcruiser]

Thanks guys, all really good info so far. I wil eventually look at towing the 'cruiser from Mackay to Brisbane (2200km round trip), to do a few comps down there, but that would be 3-4 times a year maximum and towing it to and from the tracks up here maybe once a month if I'm lucky. The rest of the time it will be towing the 750kg trailer.

[vanbox]

http://www.american.com.au/vehicles_ava ... rentstock-(12" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).aspx

Wouldnt be much dearer than a cruiser, it would haul ass!

[nayto]

Landdrover 2.4 turbo out tow a 4.2 petrol patrol
WAHAHA WAHAHA

The 300tdi mightn't, but the 2.5L 5cyl TD5 most definitely will.

Totally agree with you craz3d, the new engine will do it just as well if not easier too, especially with the very low first gear for take offs means no clutch frying like other utes considered. Plus i dont remember a 4.2 petrol patrol even being mentioned, unless he was considering an old GQ petrol ute, which he isnt.... not sure what nerida67 is on about.

[sprungupcruiser]

Not sure what trucks you were looking at on that site, but there wasn't much there under 100k.