D max vs Triton vs Ranger

orid · Senior Member

D max vs Triton vs Ranger

Greg 1 · Guru

I have a 2015 Ranger Wildtrak 3.2 which has been excellent. The Ranger has won pretty much every comparison test against it's rivals since the T6 platform was released. Mine has done many miles with my 3 tonne van behind. I can recommend them.

yobarr · Guru

orid wrote:
I'm thinking of purchasing a new tow vehicle,
My short list .
Ford Ranger 3.0 litre.
D max latest model
Triton gls premium ,
Anyone have these , comments appreciated .
Regards Orid

Hi Peter.....Both the Ranger and the DMax are fine vehicles for safely towing up to about 3100kg. With the right amount of abuse,almost any chassis can be bent,but if you research "Triton bent chassis" (or similar) you may well reject that car? Good luck with your search.Cheers.

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 9th of September 2020 12:58:25 AM

Mike Harding · Guru

Don't forget the Holden Trailblazer - I've owned one for six months and tow a caravan around 2.8T. Should be some very good deals available on them currently.

bgt · Guru

New Dmax looks promising.

Izabarack · Guru

My seriously biased opinion is for the DMax with an auto box. I tow up to 2.4 tonne and have had zero problems all around Australia. Bit hard to give an opinion on the other options mentioned as I have no experience of them.

Iza

littledick · Senior Member

As previously mentioned. The Ranger outclassed other utes for sometime according to passed reports.

My personal opinion is they have a more stylist look than the others.

I purchased a 2017 Ranger Wildtrak and tow a 3.1T van. No problem.

Strange that the Ford service people didn't know how to operate the sliding rear cover without lowering the tailgate,I had to show them. confuse

Dick.

orid · Senior Member

yobarr wrote:

orid wrote:
I'm thinking of purchasing a new tow vehicle,
My short list .
Ford Ranger 3.0 litre.
D max latest model
Triton gls premium ,
Anyone have these , comments appreciated .
Regards Orid
Hi Peter.....Both the Ranger and the DMax are fine vehicles for safely towing up to about 3100kg. With the right amount of abuse,almost any chassis can be bent,but if you research "Triton bent chassis" (or similar) you may well reject that car? Good luck with your search.Cheers.
Thats a Bad look ,articulated for easy loading maybe. lol
Orid

-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 9th of September 2020 12:58:25 AM

Gumpo · Veteran Member

D Max if you want a cant kill it engine

Kebbin · Guru

Just my thoughts as I'm looking myself, the new Dmax has some impressive updates that are estimated to take it from the bottom of the pack re sales to near the top.

1. Rear diff lock..

2. More power & Torque albeit slightly.

3. Update infotainment with Apple Play & Android Auto.

4. Small truck motor that is not only tough but they get a long life.

5. Some variants have remote engine start ( now that would have been great in some of the places I worked and lived).

6. Increased wading depth from 600mm to 800mm that's a big change.

7. Larger front disc brakes from 300mm to 320mm.

iana · Guru

Was that a Ranger 3 lt (older model), or 3.2 lt.

Gundog · Guru

Kebbin wrote:
Just my thoughts as I'm looking myself, the new Dmax has some impressive updates that are estimated to take it from the bottom of the pack re sales to near the top.

1. Rear diff lock..

2. More power & Torque albeit slightly.

3. Update infotainment with Apple Play & Android Auto.

4. Small truck motor that is not only tough but they get a long life.

5. Some variants have remote engine start ( now that would have been great in some of the places I worked and lived).

6. Increased wading depth from 600mm to 800mm that's a big change.

7. Larger front disc brakes from 300mm to 320mm.

1 through to 6 mean bugger all to me, I cannot fault my 10 year old 3.0 TDI Ranger with 230,000k on the clock averaging 14.5l/100k when towing a 2.6t 25' van, its climed every hill I have wanted to go up, I wont be changing it unless it ****s itself.

If I was to buy a new replacement I only have 2 requirements, first it has a manual gearbox and the second is an exhaust brake, I dont even need 4WD, because I have no interest in offroad or dirt tracking, strictly a blacktop traveller, Single or extracab prefered.

yobarr · Guru

orid wrote:
yobarr wrote:

orid wrote:

I'm thinking of purchasing a new tow vehicle,

My short list .

Ford Ranger 3.0 litre.

D max latest model

Triton gls premium ,

Anyone have these , comments appreciated .

Regards Orid

Hi Peter.....Both the Ranger and the DMax are fine vehicles for safely towing up to about 3100kg. With the right amount of abuse,almost any chassis can be bent,but if you research "Triton bent chassis" (or similar) you may well reject that car? Good luck with your search.Cheers.
Thats a Bad look ,articulated for easy loading maybe. lol
Orid

A couple more...but there's pages of them!

Bryan · Guru

Don't forget to google Ford Ranger bent chassis as well. If you research bent chassis you will note that its a result of overloading or loading incorrectly. Personally I am a fan of Isuzu D-Max.

Granty · Senior Member

The main reason for the bent chassis is putting Airbags in the utes with leaf springs and then putting big weights on behind. Their chassis arent designed to have that pressure point at the top of the arch.

iana · Guru

Why not the new model Mazda BT50, you get an Isuzu in disguise.

yobarr · Guru

Granty wrote:
The main reason for the bent chassis is putting Airbags in the utes with leaf springs and then putting big weights on behind. Their chassis arent designed to have that pressure point at the top of the arch.

The Triton appears to have a greater TBO (towball overhang,or distance frim rear axle to hitch point) than others,and the chassis is built from very lightweight 'steel',I believe.Not at home presently,so don't have exact specs.Later I will see if I can find them.As previously stated,with the right amount of abuse,ANY chassis can be bent,but Tritons seem to be prime candidates.I know people who have Tritons,and they all love them as family cars.....that's it. Cheers

yobarr · Guru

Granty wrote:
The main reason for the bent chassis is putting Airbags in the utes with leaf springs and then putting big weights on behind. Their chassis arent designed to have that pressure point at the top of the arch.

What you say about airbags is absolutely true,but TBO is the major contributer to bent chassis.Cheers

yobarr · Guru

iana wrote:
Why not the new model Mazda BT50, you get an Isuzu in disguise.

Hi Ian...You may well be correct,but I always thought that the BT50 was the blood brother of a Ranger? The Isuzu is from a different family,is it not?.Cheers

iana · Guru

No Ford and Mazda had a hissy fit, now the new Mazda is a re badged Dmax.

yobarr · Guru

iana wrote:
No Ford and Mazda had a hissy fit, now the new Mazda is a re badged Dmax.

Interesting....thanks Bruce.Reminds me of the early '90s,when Ford and Nissan were bedmates.Whether the vehicle is badged 'Mazda' or 'Isuzu',is of little consequence.....it still is streets ahead of the Triton.Cheers

dogbox · Guru

iana wrote:

No Ford and Mazda had a hissy fit, now the new Mazda is a re badged Dmax.

my current tug is a BT50 everything stamped ford when i bought it MAZDA was keen to talk price , FORD was not interested (take it or leave it attitude) due to be replaced soon will be looking at D-MAX or the rebadged MAZDA version

oldbloke · Guru

Hey, hey I own a 2014 Triton. I'm offended. Lol
I think to be fair just about every pic I've seen of a triton with a busted back its been obviously over loaded. I'm not saying it isnt a potential problem but if treated with respect they seem to be OK. There are after all **** loads of them out there going OK.

Spoke to a transport expert about this just last week. Apparently one of the issues is poorly designed after market tow bars and the bars bolts working loose over time. I have a few more questions for him next week.

Anyway, off topic

orid · Senior Member

I road test a Dmax ,LS-M (latest model today) and a Ranger Wildtrack 3.2, dont know about the reliability, but the Wildtrack seemed a lot nicer smoother drive , and feels a lot more solid on road than the D max,
Also the interior of the Ranger Wildtrack is really nice . and the electronic tray cover is sweet ,
The Dmax was not the top range spec though , the X terrain may be a lot nicer.
Regards Orid

Kebbin · Guru

orid wrote:
I road test a Dmax ,LS-M (latest model today) and a Ranger Wildtrack 3.2, dont know about the reliability, but the Wildtrack seemed a lot nicer smoother drive , and feels a lot more solid on road than the D max,
Also the interior of the Ranger Wildtrack is really nice . and the electronic tray cover is sweet ,
The Dmax was not the top range spec though , the X terrain may be a lot nicer.
Regards Orid

So the Wildtrak has a really nice interior and also the electronic tray cover is sweet, $12-15,000 more for a nice sweet treat, I suggest a good quality icecream is a bit cheaper. I give up.

iana · Guru

You don't say if its a family or just a couple traveling, But I can tell you this. I have a Mazda BT50 extra cab, cab/chassis. On the back I have a good quality canopy fitted, with side doors only. I have traveled dusty roads, and have yet to get dust in the rear canopy. With the extra cab, the load is moved a little forward, so more sharing on the front suspension. It has two dicky seats in the rear of the cab, not that comfortable, and adults can only travel short short distances. Its good to get into when shopping. The canopy is great to gain access from the sides. And I would buy another setup like this again, although I would check all the makes on the market before buying.

-- Edited by iana on Thursday 10th of September 2020 10:07:15 AM

littledick · Senior Member

Kebbin wrote:
orid wrote:
I road test a Dmax ,LS-M (latest model today) and a Ranger Wildtrack 3.2, dont know about the reliability, but the Wildtrack seemed a lot nicer smoother drive , and feels a lot more solid on road than the D max,
Also the interior of the Ranger Wildtrack is really nice . and the electronic tray cover is sweet ,
The Dmax was not the top range spec though , the X terrain may be a lot nicer.
Regards Orid
So the Wildtrak has a really nice interior and also the electronic tray cover is sweet, $12-15,000 more for a nice sweet treat, I suggest a good quality icecream is a bit cheaper. I give up.

Very helpful comment!! yawn

Dick.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Be aware of new models ? Or Atleast the first batch . They ALL seem to have recalls ! Bent cassis is more driver error being STUPPID ! I think they have all strengthened chassis rails in newer models ? Or said they have ? Salesman said so ! So must be true . One engine is a 5 cylinder if that means anything .

Hendo · Guru

I have a D-Max 2012 model and have no problems pulling a 2t van.

Recently I had it re-mapped and love the results, more power and better fuel consumption. While paying the bill I asked if they did all 4wd's, the answer was "all types except Ford Rangers, the motor cant handle the upgrade".

Stay safe
Hendo

yobarr · Guru

Hendo wrote:
I have a D-Max 2012 model and have no problems pulling a 2t van.

Recently I had it re-mapped and love the results, more power and better fuel consumption. While paying the bill I asked if they did all 4wd's, the answer was "all types except Ford Rangers, the motor cant handle the upgrade".
Stay safe
Hendo

That's an interesting observation Martin,as that is exactly what was explained to me by the highly qualified chap who did my car.He easily achieved 25% more power,and 45% more torque,saying that the old V8 easily could handle that increase,but he specifically mentioned the Ranger engine as being way too stressed to do anything with,even its standard form. The Ranger is indeed a great looking car,and drives very well,but it seems that the engine may be a weak point? Cheers