This section gives an overview of tow vehicle choices. It is our subjective opinion after having fitted and driven these vehicles, and received feedback from owners travelling with them. 

Popular Choices

Ford Falcon

Most auto Falcons can tow our fifth wheelers easily (2300 kg tow capacity) - stay away from the manuals. The 1-tonne models are preferred over the 3/4 tonners, but either is okay. You can get them in either a styleside, or trayback, and either 6 cylinder, V8 or LPG 6 cylinder. The V8's are more economic than the 6 cylinders on fuel while towing, but a bit more thirsty when not towing. The RTV (rough terrain vehicle) model has higher clearance, and comes with a lockable diff - which means you can get out of slippery situations easily. XR6 and XR8 models should be avoided for serious travelling as they have a lower GCM, very small payload, softer springs, and an engine that is tuned for high speed - not towing. The XLS models are also a bit soft in the rear. The Falcons are only available in single cabs, but there is a good bit of space behind the seats for storage.

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Ford F250/350

Overkill for our 5th wheelers but does the job nicely. Main thing to watch is tray size. Generally the stylesides can't fit under the gooseneck area of the 5th wheeler, therefore traybacks are required. The tray needs to be installed as low as possible.

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Ford Courier / Mazda Bravo

Towing capacities of only 1800 kgs really limit these vehicles. Not generally recommended for towing our 5th wheelers.

Refer to the new Ford Ranger and new Mazda BT-50 which are updated versions of these utes.

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Ford Ranger / Mazda BT-50

Released in early 2007 - this is a share venture between Ford and Mazda. Both brands have a similar range of offerings in 4x2 and 4x4 models. There are two engines available - a 2.5L and 3.0L, both 4 cylinder intercooled turbo diesels. Available in auto and manual, the towing capacity varies from 2,250 kgs for a 4x2 2.5L to 2,500 kgs for the 5 speed manual or auto 3.0L. The Ford Ranger has one additional option with a 3,000 kg towing capacity for the 5 speed manual 3.0L 4x4.

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Iveco Daily

Available in single and dual cabs. Plenty of capacity. Okay power, and great torque. You can get a good big dual cab, and plenty of tray space too. The trade-off is that it is designed as a commercial light-truck, and drives like one (when compared to vehicles such as the Navara and Hilux).

Holden Crewman

Available in V6 and V8 models. The V8's have a tow capacity of 2500 kgs where the V6's have a tow capacity of 2100 kgs. The V8 has very average fuel economy while towing (>25 L/100kms). The standard Crewman V6 passes all the tests, but the rest of them have low GVMs. If you are considering one of the others (S, SS, Cross 6, Cross 8 etc) I would recommend getting air bags in the rear springs to increase the GVM, and upgrading the wheels and tyres to higher capacities. Stay with the autos. The Crewman is one of the only two-wheel drive dual cabs available (others are Hilux, Rodeo, Ranger and BT-50), and is certainly the most comfortable - at least in the front seats as the back is fairly squashy.

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Holden Rodeo

A huge range of options 4x2 or 4x4, petrol or diesel, auto or manual, single, extra or dual cabins. Lower power than the Navara and Hilux. Go for the models with 2500 to 3000 kgs towing capacity - any of the 2007 V6 or 3.0L turbo diesel models. Some of the older Rodeo models are also suitable.

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Holden Ute and One-Tonner

The automatic V6 and V8 one-tonner utes are good choices having a towing capacity of 2100 kgs and 2500 kgs respectively. The standard Holden ute is disappointing - a limited towing capacity (1600 kgs) and low GCM make them unsuitable for towing our fifth wheelers.

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Mitsubishi Triton

New Triton 2006
The new Triton released in late 2006 has a 2300 kg towing capacity and is adequate for towing our fifth wheelers. Unfortunately, no automatic diesel option is available. The new Triton has a swept back cab which will result in reduced clearance between the nose of the 5th wheeler and the cab of the ute, thereby limiting manoeuvering, or forcing installation of the hitch behind the rear axle - neither being great outcomes.

Old Triton < 2006
A solid range of options in 4x2 or 4x4, petrol or diesel, auto or manual, single extra or dual cabins. Generally lower power and torque than others in its class. Stay away from the manual V6's as their towing capacity is too low.Go for the diesel manual or auto V6 models that have the 2200 or 2300 kgs tow capacity.

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Nissan Navara

Now available in two flavours - the older D22 (ST-R) model (available in single and dual cabs, but just one engine - a 3.0L turbo diesel with 2800 kgs of tow capacity) and the newer D40 (ST-X and RX) model (referred to as the Navara 2006 dual cab - and only available as a dual cab, with either V6 petrol or 2.5L turbo diesel power plants with 3000 kgs of tow capacity). Both are great choices. The Navara's have a much higher towing capacity than all of the other vehicles in its class. The D40 Navara has the highest power and torque of its class too. Overall the Navara is the biggest vehicle (dimensions, wheel base, wheel track etc). My pick is the auto ST-X D40 Navara - petrol or diesel. My only complaint is some of its exterior looks - no chrome on the dooor handles, and the only 2/3 of the back door windows roll down. The Navara D40 ST-X has been the most popular tow vehicle choice for our owners in the past 18 months - with most of them choosing deisel over petrol. The lower spec D40 RX model is a good choice too - it just doesn't have some of the options like powered windows, air bags, ABS etc.

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Nissan Patrol

Heaps of capacity for our fifth wheelers. 4.2L turbo diesel engine - manual transmission only. Much more of a work/farm ute over the Navara - ride is less comfortable, and less features in the cabin, but a great solid tow vehicle.

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Ssang Yong Musso

Good on towing capacity, but very low on GVM. The rear wheels intrude into the cab, so there is no way the hitch can be mounted over the rear axle. The vehicle is great to drive unloaded, but isn't highly recommended as a tow vehicle. If you're serious about one, it would almost definately need air bags in the rear.

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Toyota Hilux

A close contender with the Navara. Available in a huge range of 4x2 or 4x4, petrol or diesel, auto or manual, single, extra or dual cabins. A good towing capacity of 2,250 kgs with high power and torque. My pick is the auto SR5 Hilux - petrol or diesel.

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Toyota LandCruiser

New 2007 LandCruiser - 70 Series
Turbo diesel 4.5L V8 with 3500 kgs of towing capacity. Heaps of capacity, but still a rougher ride than most other utes.

Older Series
Heaps of capacity for our fifth wheelers. Available in 4.2L diesel - either naturally aspirated or turbo charged. Manual transmission only. Much more of a work/farm ute over the Hilux - ride is less comfortable, and less features in the cabin - but a great solid tow vehicle

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VW Transporter

Available in single and dual cabs. Plenty of capacity. Okay power, and great torque. You can get a good big dual cab, and plenty of tray space too. The trade-off is that it is designed as a commercial light-truck, and drives like one (when compared to vehicles such as the Navara and Hilux).

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While every effort is made to keep this information up to date, we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here, and recommend that you check the specifications of the vehicles yourself.