I'm in the same boat. About to retire the Nissan, 380,000 ks, and have looked at the Mazda 50, Colarado, Mitz, and have decided that the D-Max is the best for what I want.
Cousin has one and pulls a 22 foot Jayco without any drama.
Having said all that, if the Nissan still had their old type motors, unbreakable, I would go the nissan.
For other opinions use the "search" button.
Hendo
Must be 'that time' as it appears quite a lot of us are looking at changing our tow vehicles - we too have been discussing changing from our Patrol to something else, and it has been interesting reading all the comments from everyone.
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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
We bought our DMax LSU in Sep 12 and towed the 5th wheeler for a bit over 14,000 km so far without any problems. I am not sure what other makers offer but the DMax now has a 5 year/130,000 km warranty (we only got the 3 year/100,000 km warranty when we bought ours). Very happy with the Dmax.
we have a 4 week old SX Dmax and pull a 23 foot 2.4 tonne van. We choose the bottom of the range SX because it has stiffer rear suspension and all terrain tyres for off road work (just missing some of the fizzy stuff inside and has rubber flooring (an advantage in dirty feet and footwear. It pulls the van easily and the fuel consumption is good compared to other 3 lt turbos.
We are very happy with our ute
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
The new more modern designed vehicles like the Colorado, Ranger/BT50 have a lot more torque, 6 speed box's and offer improved road holding over the older D-max with its low torque and 5 speed box, they can't as yet match its many years of bullet proof performance. Certainly a tug that should be included on any bodies shopping list. Ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
we have had a 2009 dmax from new auto 4 x 2 we also put a dp chip in it best thing we ever done pulls like a train empty we get 8.5lt -8.9lt to the 100km, towing our old dual axel 18ft Windsor 1600kg we get 12.5lt to 13,5lt to the 100km in 3rd gear Isuzu have been making engines for some 70 years plus
If you buy a D-Max with the factory fitted Clarion radio in it, allow to have it replaced. The Clarion is only fit for fishing sinkers as it goes off station all around metro areas. When I inquired with the Service Manager of the Dealer I bought my 2014 D-Max from, he said it was because the tuner (radio) is a cheap piece of s***. You can buy and get fitted through Isuzu a good radio which includes a reversing camera (already fitted to the top end of the D_max range) but it retails for $1899. You can get an aftermarket one fitted that is of good quality for about $700.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I know it's a bit late.
But all opinions and experiences are worth hearing.
I had 3 ltr Patrol fro mar '02 till last yr. Towing a 6.5mtr offroader.
Around 13 yrs, never missed a beat a lot more reliable,
and definitely more economical than equiv Toyota.
Pulling same van and similar, over that period of time
Side by side
Now have a 2010 D'Max Auto with 18ft Tandem Coromal.
Same thing.
They have proven reliability and seems economical too.
With Patrol though, I'd call it's MAX comfortable tow weight around 3 ton.
Bit less if you persistently in hills. (Being honest).
Although I seem to remember Tojo that model was 2.5 t.
On flat country though, Patrol is the better of the two.
And both better/safer than most of others on road Specially safety wise.
The Toyota model to mine (02) is the 80 ser. and mine is 200% better in all regards.
Comfort. towing. economy and reliability than that model.
You have to go to latest model 100ser 4 valver, to get equal all round.
I wouldn't be pulling any trailer over around 2.5/6 ton max. with ANY ute
Unless it has fully loaded tray.
Power in engine. Plenty.
Grip on road with zilch or near in tray. They slide well believe me. And trailers can control them easily.
Forward. Sideway. and on side way.
No matter how much power you got in donk.
Just remember you're in a UTE. Not a full size 4wd.
