Mid-size 4×4 dual-cab utes are very fashionable decisions with those that tow as a result of most of them provide a 3500kg towing score, their comparatively lengthy wheelbases are good for stability when towing, and they’re extra reasonably priced than the massive 4×4 wagons that additionally provide that 3500kg capability like Land Cruisers, Patrols and Land Rovers.
ALERT! Get our full 2022 dual-cab ute comparability storyTowing is a large piece of any ute check, significantly as a think about serving to consumers resolve which mannequin will show most secure and most succesful for his or her wants. . No surprises, the towing part of our 2022 Twin-Cab Ute Comparability is a narrative in its personal proper – so to maintain that foremost piece somewhat simpler on the eyes and to avoid wasting your fingers from scrolling fatigue, we have damaged the tow check out into this huge story you are studying proper now. To learn the remainder of our comparability, hit the hyperlink under. |
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2022 Twin-Cab Ute Comparability: Tow Check
Australians are spoiled for alternative in terms of dual-cabs utes to tow with. As a few of the biggest-selling automobiles in Australia are on this class, producers are falling over themselves to get product into the market and to keen consumers.
This provides potential homeowners loads of decisions irrespective of their funds, from lower-priced single-cabs within the $30,000 vary proper as much as heavily-equipped sports activities utes just like the Ranger Raptor or Volkswagen Amarok W580.
Ford’s Ranger is the most recent mid-size 4×4 ute to hit the Australian market and it’s the first such automobile to essentially take towing severely.
Not solely does it provide the selection of the V6 diesel engine and a four-wheel-drive system that provides customers the flexibility and security of full-time four-wheel drive, however it’s loaded with intelligent tech options to make towing simpler and safer for all customers, be they freshmen or seasoned towing specialists
The 2022 Ford Ranger V6 4×4 can be sizzling property for individuals who tow heavy trailers, in order quickly as the prospect arose we hooked a Ranger Sport V6 and a Ranger XLT 4×4 (with the carried-over bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine) to see how they evaluate to different in style utes within the class.
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For this check, we borrowed a Jayco Journey Outback caravan from the crew at Web page Brothers Jayco RVs and Caravans in Moorabbin. This dual-axle off-road van is 6.1 metres lengthy and weighs in at 2100kg, with roughly 140kg down on the tow ball. It’s a reasonably typical instance of the scale and kind of caravan you see being hauled behind utes throughout Australia, so it suited our check completely.
All new Ford Rangers (besides the Raptor) have a 3500kg score for towing a trailer with brakes. The gross mixed mass (GCM) – the utmost allowed weight of the Ranger, gas, any cargo and equipment plus the burden of the trailer – varies relying on specification however for the Rangers examined right here it’s 6400kg for the Sport V6 and 6350kg for the Ranger XLT four-cylinder.
These vital figures are at or close to the highest of the mid-size ute class and are positive to entice consumers who need to haul a ship, horse float, caravan or race automobile.
Engine outputs of the Rangers are additionally spectacular. The three.0L V6 diesel produces 184kW of energy and 600Nm of torque, giving the V6 Ranger essentially the most grunt within the class. Even the bi-turbo four-cylinder isn’t missing on this regard with 154kW and 500Nm, making it one of many gruntiest four-cylinder 4×4 utes.
Each engines are backed by a 10-speed computerized transmission and solely the V6 will get the 4×4 system that gives full-time 4×4 in addition to rear-wheel drive, locked 4×4 excessive vary and locked 4×4 low vary modes.
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Tech loaded
The brand new Ford Ranger brings a degree of know-how particularly designed for towing that you simply received’t discover on every other ute on this phase.
From the place to begin of hooking up the trailer, the Ranger has towing in thoughts. When reversing as much as the trailer, the rear-view digicam not solely has directional traces displaying you the steering angle but in addition a centre line you possibly can comply with to line up the tow ball immediately below the tow hitch. This makes hooking up simpler if you’re solo and have nobody to information you again.
Each our Rangers have been fitted with the elective Touring Pack, which incorporates the 360-degree digicam and an built-in digital brake controller.
You want a brake controller to function the electrical brakes on heavy trailers just like the Jayco we now have right here, and prior to now you had to purchase an aftermarket unit. Ford has its personal controller and it integrates neatly on the decrease sprint. The tow bar and related wiring come customary on Rangers.
After you have the trailer electrics connected, the centre display screen will present you that it has detected a trailer and ask if you need to configure it. You possibly can configure your Ranger for a number of trailers of various sizes, for instance, when you personal a caravan, a field trailer and a ship.
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By inputting the size of your trailer when configuring it, the system will then calibrate techniques akin to blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to make sure they nonetheless work as they need to with the added size of the rig. There’s additionally a default trailer setting, which is what we used for this check.
As soon as you might be all connected and configured, the display screen can then take you thru a step-by-step towing guidelines to ensure you’ve connected all of the relative {hardware} and electrics wanted. There’s even a trailer gentle test mode that when activated, cycles the tail lamps so to test that each one your trailer lights are working as they need to with out the help of a spotter.
That is all actually intelligent however easy stuff that may make it safer and simpler for any driver to tow any sort of trailer
One final piece of tech obtainable on a lot of the new Ranger fashions is the assorted drive modes, which embody a ‘Tow-Haul’ setting that optimises the chassis and throttle calibrations for towing.
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Ranger Sport V6
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 6400kg
- Payload: 934kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 16.7L/100km
The earlier Ranger already had one of many longest wheelbases within the class, offering a secure platform for towing, however Ford has taken this additional with the brand new mannequin by including 50mm to the wheelbase for a complete of 3270mm, plus 50mm to the wheel tracks to additional enhance stability.
All of it gives the Ranger with a big ‘footprint’ on the street and this works with a really well-calibrated suspension set-up to ship clean journey over tough roads.
There may be little or no, if any, of the pitching and porpoising that you simply get in lots of automobiles when towing on the factory-fitted customary suspension. The chassis stays clean and balanced over the rougher terrain to present the driving force management and a sense of confidence within the Ranger’s skills.
The roads have been moist on the day of our check and pulling away from a standstill on a hill produced wheelspin with the Ranger in its rear-wheel-drive setting. Choosing 4A full-time four-wheel drive permits you to run in 4×4 on sealed roads and eliminated our downside of rear wheelspin within the moist.
Only a few 4×4 utes provide this full-time 4×4 setting; solely the Mitsubishi Triton and outgoing Volkswagen Amarok have been among the many in style fashions, so it is nice to now have it on the brand new Ford.
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2023 Ford Ranger Sport V6 towing
Ford’s V6 diesel engine pulls the 2100kg Jayco van with ease and has loads in reserve for overtaking and climbing hills. It’s comparatively quiet and refined in the best way it will get on with its job, once more making the job of the driving force simpler.
The ten-speed computerized transmission performs nicely when left to its personal gadgets and handbook shifting is finished utilizing buttons on the right-hand aspect of the gear selector knob. That is particularly helpful once you need to downshift to present a little bit of trailer braking when slowing down.
We did discover that the transmission was shifting by means of to increased ratios earlier than was ideally suited with the drive mode set to Regular however after switching it to the Tow-Haul mode, the transmission holds the gears longer and makes driving even simpler.
The Ranger’s chassis electronics embody trailer sway management, which works with the automobile’s digital stability management (ESC) system to detect if and when a trailer would possibly begin to sway or fishtail on the street. It did not occur on this drive with the Jayco however may happen with an incorrectly balanced or poorly arrange trailer.
Curiously, the Jayco Journey is supplied with its personal ESC system however when plugged into the Ford, it’s mechanically disabled and didn’t current any points on this drive.
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Ford Ranger XLT four-cylinder
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 6350kg
- Payload: 959kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 17.3L/100km
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak, Sport and XLT fashions are every obtainable with the selection of the V6 or four-cylinder diesel engines and the V6 is a $3000 possibility over the acquisition value of a four-cylinder.
Selecting the bi-turbo four-cylinder engine means you don’t simply miss out on the efficiency and refinement of the V6 however a number of vital options as nicely. The largest omission is the full-time 4×4 functionality, which is unique to the V6 fashions and brings advantages on moist and various roads when towing. You additionally miss a few of the driving modes however the Tow-Haul setting continues to be there.
The digital towing aids and on-screen guides are additionally there when you’ve gotten the elective Touring Pack fitted as our blue Ranger did.
Head out of city within the four-cylinder Ranger XLT with the Jayco on the again and you continue to get all of the chassis advantages of the V6 Ranger. It’s secure and managed and once more actually provides the driving force confidence within the automobile’s skills.
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2023 Ford Ranger XLT 4-cylinder towing
You have to put your foot down a bit more durable to get essentially the most out of the smaller engine however with 500Nm obtainable, the XLT wasn’t left missing on our drive. It was solely on an extended hill climb that it was holding a decrease gear and we may hear and really feel the engine working more durable – however not as if it was being flogged.
An indicator of how a lot more durable the four-cylinder XLT Ranger labored than the V6 Ranger Sport was within the gas consumption. The smaller engine used 17.3L/100km of diesel over the identical street loop on which the V6 used 16.7L/100km. We’ve discovered related outcomes prior to now when asking a smaller engine to do the identical work in the identical automobiles over the identical route.
The brand new Rangers proved not solely to be competent and relaxed towing automobiles however with the brand new applied sciences and options included, they made towing simpler and safer.
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Mitsubishi Triton GSR
- Braked towing score: 3100kg
- GCM: 5885kg
- Payload: 901kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 17.8L/100km
The GSR is the highest mannequin within the Triton vary and its cabin brings a really feel of luxurious to this rugged little ute.
I say little as a result of it’s bodily smaller than lots of its opponents right here and for a lot of consumers, this can be a optimistic. However its measurement and comparatively brief wheelbase of 3000mm signifies that Mitsubishi conservatively charges the Triton’s towing restrict to 3100kg.
Nevertheless, it does make up for this shortcoming considerably with a beneficiant GCM that also permits you to carry a bit within the automobile if you’re towing on the most weight.
That brief wheelbase combines with a protracted overhang on the rear to present the Triton a bouncy really feel when towing the 2100kg Jayco caravan. There’s lots of leverage between the tow bar and the rear axle, leading to a porpoising when travelling over uneven street surfaces.
Because the upper-spec mannequin of the Triton line-up, the GSR is fitted with Mitsubishi’s Tremendous Choose four-wheel drive system, which provides you the choice of driving in full-time four-wheel drive on sealed roads.
The Ranger Sport V6 was the one different automobile within the group to supply this and as we discovered with the Ford, having full-time 4×4 proved helpful to lowering wheelspin on moist roads throughout our check. Having an unlocked 4×4 system can be very helpful when manoeuvring a trailer on some surfaces.
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2023 Mitsubishi Triton GSR towing
Additionally helpful on the Mitsubishi are the transmission paddleshifters mounted behind the steering wheel. Affixed to the steering column in order that they don’t transfer with the steering wheel, the shifters make it simple for tipping again a gear or two once you desire a little bit of engine braking. As the one automobile on this group to have them, the Triton was the simplest to function on this regard.
Mitsubishi’s single-turbo 2.4L engine makes simply 133kW of energy and 430Nm of torque, so is on the decrease finish of the outputs listing however it did an admirable job.
We may really feel it working more durable than the opposite engines over the identical loop and the transmission kicked proper again to second gear, holding the engine close to redline on the lengthy hill climb. The trouble required by the powertrain resulted in excessive gas use, with 17.8L/100km being the thirstiest on check.
As with a lot of the utes that wanted to have an aftermarket brake controller fitted for this check, the Triton was fitted with a unit from Australian producer Redarc. Mitsubishi and most different manufacturers match the Redarc unit as a supplier possibility.
The lower-spec Triton didn’t have the brake controller fitted so it didn’t get examined with the Jayco. Given it has the identical powertrain, chassis and wheelbase, we’d must anticipate that its efficiency would replicate that of the GSR.
A few issues the GXL+ misses out on are two of the positives of the GSR; the Tremendous Choose 4×4 system and paddleshifters. Each are solely fitted to the highest two Triton grades, GLS and GSR.
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2023 Mazda BT-50 GT towing
Mazda BT-50 GT
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 6000kg
- Payload: 1065kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 15.5L/100km
The BT-50 GT is one other high-spec mannequin and as such has a really feel of sophistication and luxurious to its inside.
Since 2020, Mazda’s ute has come from a collaboration with Isuzu so what you get is mainly a reskinned D-Max with a little bit of Mazda character and elegance.
As such, the BT will get Isuzu’s trusted 4JJ diesel engine and Aisin six-speed computerized transmission backed by a part-time four-wheel-drive system, identical to within the D-Max. It makes a modest 140kw of energy and 450Nm of torque so it’s feeling the pinch in opposition to a few of the newer and extra subtle engines.
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The BT-50’s chassis has a 3125mm wheelbase and Mazda has differentiated it from the D-Max with its personal suspension tune, which is softer in the best way it rides and controls a load. In consequence, it pulled the Jayco caravan with composure however was a bit bouncy over the undulations. The BT-50 felt like it will actually profit from an aftermarket suspension improve to make it a greater towing ute and many house owners could be happening this route anyway.
Its Isuzu engine does an admirable job of pulling the 2100kg trailer contemplating its outputs however it does work exhausting on the hills. It additionally proved to be essentially the most economical of all of the utes we towed with, in each the Mazda and the Isuzu.
The transmission likes to shift by means of to the upper gears shortly, which helps with gas financial system however shouldn’t be ideally suited once you need some engine braking. Fortunately the transmission shifter simply faucets throughout towards the driving force for handbook gear choice and to carry the ratios you need.
The one time the transmission did sit back a number of ratios was on the lengthy hill climb the place the engine was working its hardest.
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2023 Isuzu D-Max LS-U towing
Isuzu D-Max LS-U
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 6000kg
- Payload: 995kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 15.3L/100km
With its underpinnings and powertrain shared with the Mazda BT-50, the D-Max has very related specs relating to its towing capacities however it’s attention-grabbing that Isuzu cites a decrease payload of 995kg whereas matching the Mazda’s 6000kg GCM.
The true mechanical distinction between the 2 shared platforms is within the suspension tune.
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The D-Max is firmer in its suspension, which gives a extra managed composure when towing however is much less snug when there isn’t a load on the automobile.
Its powertrain was the identical because the BT-50, so modest efficiency, noisy on the hill climb and the transmission shifting by means of to increased gears quickly.
The D-Max has the identical gear selector because the Mazda, so holding gears manually was easy (and wanted). The D-Max marginally bettered the BT in gas consumption, recording the bottom determine of all of the utes examined.
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2023 SsangYong Musso towing
SsangYong Musso XLV Final
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 6130kg
- Payload: 880kg
- Gasoline consumption on check loop: 16.8L/100km
The Musso XLV Final was the one one of many extra reasonably priced utes to be delivered to us with a towing package on it. The Musso would possibly fall into the cheaper bracket however on this trim degree it doesn’t miss out on something. It’s the one ute on this check that has entrance seats which are each heated and ventilated and it even has a sunroof!
What you most respect once you get contained in the Musso is the area it gives, with the widest cabin within the class and it’s loaded with options.
Towing-wise, the XLV advantages from a protracted 3210mm wheelbase, which is barely outdone by the Ranger’s 3270mm between the axles. A much bigger level of distinction is that the Musso Final XLV has coil spring rear suspension that gives higher trip and dealing with than a lot of the leaf-sprung utes.
This specific Musso was geared up with the elective heavy-duty suspension package deal that was regionally developed in Australia in affiliation with Ironman 4×4, so this package ought to have improved the chassis for towing duties.
As we’ve discovered when driving the Musso with this elective suspension prior to now, it does ship a agency trip when unladen though it’s by no means harsh or uncomfortable. It carries the 140kg obtain on the tow ball with barely any noticeable sag and that composure continues out on the street and over the undulations. It is a very secure platform that proved well-suited to towing this caravan.
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The place the Musso does fall behind is within the efficiency of its engine. The two.2-litre single-turbo mill makes simply 133kW of energy and 420Nm of torque, and actually felt the load of the van behind it. It was significantly gradual heading up the steep incline and its workload was mirrored in a 16.8L/100km gas consumption consequence.
The Musso can’t get the 144kW/441Nm engine tune and eight-speed transmission from the Rexton wagon quickly sufficient – we imagine that SsangYong Australia is working to make that occur.
For its half, the Musso’s present six-speed transmission gave nothing to complain about on this drive. Manually deciding on gears is finished utilizing a toggle change on the aspect of the gear shifter, operated by the driving force’s thumb. It’s comparatively easy in operation and simpler to make use of than the Ford’s buttons in the identical location.
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What in regards to the automobiles we could not tow check?
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Toyota HiLux SR5
- Braked towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 5850kg
- Payload: 995kg
On account of the 2020 upgrades to the HiLux powertrain, all 4×4 fashions now have a class-standard 3500kg braked towing score and the dual-cab has a 5850kg GCM.
Whereas our check automobile was fitted with a tow bar it didn’t have a brake controller for the electrical brakes on the trailer, so we have been unable to pattern its towing capability on this event.
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Navara Professional-4X
- Braked Towing score: 3500kg
- GCM: 5910kg
- Payload: 1004kg
The highest-spec Navara Professional-4X is the muscle truck of the vary.
Nissan’s 2.3-litre diesel engine makes 140kW of energy and 450Nm of torque however these numbers don’t inform the complete story. The engine’s twin-turbo association delivers the torque in a linear method, with no peaks in the best way the Navara accelerates.
Contemplating its capability and intelligent pressured induction set-up, the output figures are very modest when you think about that smaller bi-turbo engines within the LDV and Ford are producing 500Nm of grunt.
The Navara has a seven-speed computerized transmission and part-time, dual-range four-wheel-drive system.
Kudos to Nissan for giving this high-spec mannequin a 5910kg GCM and a couple of tonne of payload. Sadly, the automobile equipped for this check didn’t have a brake controller fitted so it couldn’t be used to tow the caravan.
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LDV T60 Max
- Braked towing score: 3000kg
- GCM: 5900kg
- Payload: 750kg
With a touted 160kW of energy and 500Nm of torque on faucet, the LDV T60 Max is essentially the most highly effective four-cylinder ute within the mid-size class. Even so, it is just rated to tow 3000kg however with a decent 5900kg GCM.
Judging from its very agency suspension, we’d hazard to guess that the sharp-looking LDV ought to tow moderately nicely however the check automobile wasn’t fitted with a tow bar or every other towing equipment so it couldn’t be used on the towing loop.
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GWM Cannon-X
- Braked towing score: 3000kg
- GCM: 5555kg
- Payload: 1050kg
The Nice Wall Cannon has been attracting loads of curiosity for its huge burly appears and comparatively reasonably priced pricing. However its 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre engine is low on energy and refinement. A shining gentle is the ZF-sourced eight-speed computerized transmission, whereas a 3230mm wheelbase has the potential to present a strong secure towing platform.
Its 3000kg tow score is low for the category, as is the 5555kg GCM, indicative of the engine outputs, however we didn’t get to hook the van as much as it on this check because it wasn’t fitted with a brake controller.
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To learn the remainder of our comparability, hit the hyperlink under.
Particular thanks
An enormous thanks to the crew from Web page Brothers RV – Jayco in Moorabbin, Victoria for the mortgage of the Jayco Journey Outback Caravan.
Get in contact with them for all of your RV and Jayco caravan wants at pagebrosrv.com.au.
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