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This guide displays specifications and information on commonly available vehicles suitable for towing 5th wheelers.
| Australian utes have redefined themselves in recent years. Most manufacturers now offer a ute version of their popular 4WD wagons and family cars resulting in very refined, well equipped, comfortable vehicles. Utes are now more a multi-purpose class of vehicle which can act as a family car and weekend warrior for all your recreational gear, rather than just a practical work vehicle. You will find all of these utes very easy to drive and comfortable to tour long distances. |
Vehicle
| Description
| Specifications
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Nissan Navara D40
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One of the most popular choices in dual cab 4WDs. Generally configured as an automatic diesel, it has a 2.5L common rail engine that produces the highest power and torque of its class. It has a spacious cabin with innovative rear seats that fold out of the way to give you a flat floor. A good comfortable ride due to softer suspension.
Diesel: 2.5L 126kW @ 4000rpm / 403Nm @ 2000rpm
Petrol: 4.0L 198kW @ 5600rpm / 385Nm @ 4000rpm
Series: Outlaw, ST-X, RX
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Towing: 3,000 kg
GCM: 5,805 kg
Cabs: Dual
Engine: Petrol/Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: 4WD
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Holden Colorado
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A great performer with plenty of power and torque. A well appointed cabin with all of the modern features. A full one-tonne suspension setup that is well suited to the pin weight of a 5th wheeler. Great value.
Diesel: 120kW @ 3600rpm / 360Nm @ 1800rpm
Series: LX, LT
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Towing: 3,000 kg
GCM: 5,900 kg
Cabs: Single, Extra, Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: RWD/4WD |
Isuzu D-Max
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The Isuzu D-Max and Holden Colorado are almost identical vehicles due to their shared development and production.
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Towing: 3,000 kg
GCM: 5,900 kg
Cabs: Single, Extra, Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: RWD/4WD |
Ford Ranger
(manual only) |
Physically smaller than the Navara resulting in a more confined cabin. 3.0L turbo diesel engine. Good power and torque. Large range of configurations available. Competitively priced
115kW @ 3200rpm / 380Nm @ 1800rpm
Series: XL, XLT
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Towing: 3000 (man), 2,500 kg (auto)
GCM: 5,500 (man), 4,875 kg (auto)
Cabs: Single,Extra,Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: RWD/4WD
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Mazda BT-50
(manual only) |
Mazda's badged version of the Ford Ranger. Almost identical vehicle – although has different configurations and specifications.
115kW @ 3200rpm / 380Nm @ 1800rpm
Series: DX (Single/Dual RWD Man), DX (Dual 4WD Man), SDX (Dual Auto/Man)
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Towing: 3000 (man), 2,500 kg (auto)
GCM: 5,500 (man), 4,875 kg (auto)
Cabs: Single,Extra,Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: RWD/4WD
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Mitsubishi Triton
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One of the best interior finishes with great towing capacity. Updated in 2009 with higher towing capacity and bigger tray.
Diesel: 2.5L 131kW @ 4000 rpm / 400Nm @ 2000rpm Series: GLX, GL-R, GLX-R (diesel) |
Towing: 2,700 kg
GCM: 5,400 kg
Cabs: Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive : 4WD
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Nissan Navara D22
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The older Nissan Navara model which is sold along side the new D40. Only available as a manual diesel dual cab, but still good for towing. Smaller overall than the new Navara, rougher on road, but well priced.
98kW @ 3600rpm / 304Nm @ 2000rpm-2000rpm
S eries: DX, ST-R |
Towing: 2,800 kg
GCM: 5,360 kg
Cabs: Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
Drive: 4WD |
| More traditional Aussie utes designed for the harsher conditions of rural applications. Less comfortable for long distance touring.
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Vehicle
| Description
| Specifications
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Toyota Landcruiser
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A big powerful 4.5L V8 diesel engine matched with a pretty basic 2-seat cabin and large flat tray. Not much can get in its way.
151kW @ 3400rpm / 430Nm @ 1200rpm-3200rpm |
Towing: 3,500 kg
GCM: 6,800 kg
Cabs: Single
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
Drive: 4WD
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Nissan Patrol
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Good competition for the LandCruiser – but lower capacities all round. 3.0L 4 cylinder diesel engine. Available with coil spring suspension that takes off the harsh edge off this type of vehicle.
118kW @ 3200rpm-3400rpm / 380Nm @ 2000rpm-2400rpm |
Towing: 3,200 kg
GCM: 6,200 kg
Cabs: Single
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Manual
Drive: 4WD
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| These vehicles are physically much larger than the utes above, but offer more spacious cabins, and larger trays – resulting in more storage overall. The longer wheel base allows for turning angles (relative to the 5th wheeler) up to 90 degrees, but this maneuverability is offset by the larger turning circle of vehicle itself. The comfort levels of these vehicles are quite good, but not on par with the smaller utes. The finishes inside the cabs are designed for the rougher conditions of a working vehicle. Certainly not performance vehicles, engine power output is generally considerably lower than the utes, but torque similar or better. On-road handling is relatively crude. Not as convenient for town use. |
Vehicle
| Description
| Specifications
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Ford F-250
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A light truck in respect to its size, weight and capacities, but better performance.
Petrol: 194 kW @ 4500 rpm / 475 kW @ 2500 rpm
Diesel: 175 kW @ 2600 rpm / 684 Nm @ 1800 rpm |
Towing: 4,500 kg
GCM: 9,071 kg
Cabs: Single, Extra, Dual
Engine: Petrol/Diesel
Transmission: Man/Auto
Drive: RWD/4WD |
Ford Transit
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2.4L diesel engine, manual only.
103kW @ 3500rpm / 375Nm @ 2000rpm-2000rpm |
Towing: 2,450 kg
GCM: 6,940 kg
Cabs: Single/Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Manual Drive: RWD |
VW Transporter
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Available as either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (recommended). Three engine sizes available – but only the 5 cylinder 2.5L 96 kW and 128 kW are worth considering.
96kW @ 3500rpm / 340Nm @ 2000rpm-2000rpm
128kW @ 3500rpm / 400Nm @ 2000rpm-2000rpm |
Towing: 2,500 kg
GCM: 5,500 kg
Cabs: Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man Drive: FWD / AWD |
Iveco Daily
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Almost in a class of its own, it is a much larger and heavier-duty vehicle than other light trucks as shown by its massive GCM and towing capacity. Really overkill for our 5th wheelers. Two engine configurations available. Auto only available in 130 kW.
107kW @ 3500rpm / 350Nm @ 1400-2600rpm
130kW @ 3500rpm / 400Nm @ 1250-3000rpm |
Towing: 3,500 kg
GCM: 9,800 kg
Cabs: Single,Dual
Engine: Diesel
Transmission: Auto/Man
Drive: RWD |
4-cylinder diesels - e.g. Nissan Navara, Isuzu D-Max, Holden Colorado
Generally achieve around 14-16L/100km average while touring with the 5th wheeler attached.
Not towing, they achieve around 9-10L/100km.
6-cylinder petrol engines - e.g. Nissan Navara
Generally achieve around 17-20 L/100km average while touring with the 5th wheeler attached.
Not towing, they achieve around 9-12L/100km
Noticeable Absentees
The following vehicles don't have enough towing capacity to be suitable:
Ford Falcon, Holden Ute, Holden Crewman, Some Rodeos, Hilux, Mercedes Sprinter
Disclaimer
This page contains details of popular vehicles for towing Venture fifth wheelers. It is intended as a guide only. We recommend that you contact us prior to making a purchase decision of your intended tow vehicle to discuss the specifics of the individual vehicle. This guide refers to the most recent models available.
Specifications of each vehicle vary throughout their range and configuration options. The specifications listed here are indicative only.
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