New Tug

RUSSELL-5458 · Veteran Member

New Tug

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Firstly, welcome to the forum Russell ...

Welcome 01.jpg

I have no specific opinion on either of those vehicles. However, perhaps if I could ask a couple of questions ...

Have you driven either of the vehicles?
Did you form any opinion of each/either from that drive?
Apart from towing a 2,800Kg van, what will be your likely usage of a vehicle?
What qualities are you looking for in a vehicle, apart from towing a 2,800Kg van?

Cheers - and good luck in your search - John

Gus1949 · Senior Member

We had Pajero's for 15 years and loved them, never had an ounce of trouble. Bought a heavier van the Paj could not legally tow it so looked at Ranger, Maz BT50 (basically the same vehicle), Isuzu and VW. Bought the Ranger and never been happier five trips later. Handles a 3000kg tow easily with or without weight distribution bars.

Rowan.

RUSSELL-5458 · Veteran Member

Thank you for the feedback.

Did you go 4 x 4 and if so how often would you use it?

Russell

Phil C · Guru

Hi Russell and welcome to the forum.

We have a Ford Ranger XL (2.2L CR turbo diesel) dual cab ute. Its towing capacity is 3.35T.

We tow our caravan ATM 2650KGs all over the place with a returned economy of 13.9L per 100KMs

As far as I am concerned we have invested well. the ute is easy to drive, safe and comfortable.

Our home base is in the country so we do up to 25KMs going into town to shop. That usage returns 8.6L per 100KMs

Enjoy whatever you decide to buy.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Don't rule out the Colorado Russell, best car I have ever had. Worth a look anyway.

Don't believe anything Phil C tells you about the Collie.

Nomes · Senior Member

Well since you said it Doug, I'm going to say mine.

Don't rule out the Isuzu DMax, I'm loving mine! She's looking quite pretty now with the few bits and bobs I have added.

Cheers,
Naomi

JackoFJR · Senior Member

I have a Isuzu Dmax , you want to tow 2.8T , plus what ever you chuck in the Tow Vehicle , just buy the one with the most grunt .

You need to be careful what you tow and where you tow , with a Dual Cab , a mate has just broken his 11000k old Triton in half .

Kiwi-as · Guru

JackoFJR wrote:
I have a Isuzu Dmax , you want to tow 2.8T , plus what ever you chuck in the Tow Vehicle , just buy the one with the most grunt .

You need to be careful what you tow and where you tow , with a Dual Cab , a mate has just broken his 11000k old Triton in half .

I would 2nd what Jacko just posted. I have seen two utes with broken backs in our travels. Don't load the wells up too much, and don't put air bag over load springs in the back. And watch your speed, so if you hit a bit of rough stuff you can handle it.

Nomes · Senior Member

I have a lock down lid instead of a canopy so I'm not tempted to load it up with might need that gear.

Can I ask what is meant by - 'and don't put air bag over load springs in the back'?

JackoFJR · Senior Member

He means Air Bags , on the rear axle , you add air pressure to level the vehicle when loaded , they are really good for helping to break the chassis when used incorrectly . The mate that broke his Triton didn't have air bags .

Phil C · Guru

Oh dear, we are getting parochial again dougwe...

Nah, hold ons don't cut the mustard IMHO.. lol

GO FORD!!!!!

RUSSELL-5458 · Veteran Member

Thank you all for the input but still no info on the Navara NP300

And i do like the Fords

Russell

-- Edited by RUSSELL-5458 on Sunday 12th of July 2015 08:38:42 PM

Kiwi-as · Guru

Putting air bags on a leaf sprung axle, you place all the weight and stress in one place. The leaf springs on the other hand spread the weight and stress over the two mounting points either end. Load the back up, go over a big bump, and all that stress goes onto the chassis, where the air bag is mounted. They don't make the chassis like they do on the cruisers, patrols and the such like with 3.5 tone tow rating. All these utes now with a 3.5 ton tow rating and I wonder if everything else has been increased in line.

l Just my thought.

-- Edited by Kiwi-as on Sunday 12th of July 2015 09:19:41 PM

Gus1949 · Senior Member

Have only used 4x4 in slippery (wet) caravan parks and at home on steep wet driveway, probably not absolutely necessary but I can envisage situations like these where it would be towing a bit of weight. It's very comforting to know 4x4 is there just in case.

We get 13.9km (3.2 motor) on average towing 3000kg and keeping speed to around 90km/hr. We have a lid on the tub and don't load it up with unnecessary stuff.

Rowan

Nomes · Senior Member

Thanks for the air bag lesson, too technical for me to even think about using.

Nomes

delatite · Veteran Member

There recently was a comparison test done between the new navara, triton, and isuzu I think. Some of the comments were not surprising given previous comments, but the overall assessment I really wouldn't have thought it would go that way, but it was logical.
I don't have the link but was it was in a 4x4 mag. I am sure you find it by a search.
You can then read it and draw your own conclusions as to the various performance and value of the vehicles.
I had a quick look and found this one, and is similar to another I read.

www.drive.com.au/new-car-comparison/ute-wars-mitsubishi-triton-v-nissan-navara-v-mazda-bt50-20150702-gi1tve.html