2021 RANGER 3.2 OR 2021 HILUX SR5

MQ3175 · Member

2021 RANGER 3.2 OR 2021 HILUX SR5

iana · Guru

Go for the Toyota, the ad's say they're unbreakable, but I've seen several Rangers on the side of the road, they were broken!

yobarr · Guru

MQ3175 wrote:
Just placed an order for a new caravan. Approx weight when loaded will be around 2.6T. Need to upgrade the car and tossing up between a new SR5 Hilux or Ranger maybe Wildtrak. Anyone have any experience with either. Any information or advice would be great. I like the looks of the Hilux more than the Ranger but have read Ranger is better for towing. Can't make up my mind

The Ranger is a far more capable vehicle for towing,able to SAFELY tow up to around 3100kg ATM,but the Hilux will cope well with only 2600kg ATM. For your application,I would choose the Hilux,mainly for its reputation and Toyota's back-up,but mainly because the Ranger's engine is known to be fragile,running with little tolerance for modifications.A well regarded engine tuner I know flatly refuses to touch a Ranger engine,saying that it is too highly stressed ex-factory.The Ranger has far greater towing abilities than does the Hilux,but you also may like to consider an Isuzu D-Max or a Colorado? Great cars.Cheers

PeterInSa · Guru

Hi yobarr from a Google search:
How much can a Ford Ranger Wildtrak tow?
For instance, here's the math for the Ranger Wildtrak and its towing capability. The Ranger can tow up to 3500kg but only with a genuine Ford towpack and with a 350kg towball download (more than the Amarok). The vehicle's kerb weight is 2246kg while the GVM is 3200kg and the GCM is 6000kg

Why I commented....a grand daughters boyfriend has a Black Ford Raptor... it looks a Beast/ Tough as, but he tells me can only tow 2500Kg from memory, not that he does much towing.

MQ3175 · Member

PeterinSa I believe the Raptor has a lower tow capacity due to different chassis and suspension set up.

-- Edited by MQ3175 on Tuesday 27th of April 2021 09:02:20 PM

Hylife · Guru

See my avatar.

Hilux wagon towing 2.8T van.

Freakin awesome.

Greg 1 · Guru

Have a 3.2 Ranger Wildtrak which has towed my 3 tonne van 4 times across the continent and back including a complete lap. Has also done shorter trips inside WA. Has been absolutely a terrific tow vehicle and extremely reliable. I have done quite a bit of off roading with it as well and it has proven to be a very capable off roader as well. The only issue I have had with it is that I have gone through 2 batteries in 6 years. The Ranger has consistently won every comparison test done by numerous auto magazines against all other dual cabs. I can highly recommend one and will buy another when I am ready to swap.

Greg 1 · Guru

By the way, the Raptor does have a reduced towing capacity of 2500kgs due to the coil spring rear axle in that vehicle The tow rating for the Wildtrak is 3500kgs but in a practical sense it can tow about 3100kgs.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Isuzu have good reliability records - the main reason we bought that brand.

From what I've gleaned the new 2L,10speed transmission in the Ford is not a good towing car - the 3.2L is still the preferred tug.

MQ3175 · Member

Have looked into the DMax but not available until late this year or early next year.

bgt · Guru

RAM. No seriously I own a Jeep. Great car. My point is that if I listened to every camp fire story I wouldn't own a Jeep. Look at the figures. Look at the dollars and buy what you like. Every manufacturer builds a lemon, Friday special, vehicle every now and again. But me? I would buy a RAM.

Kebbin · Guru

MQ, you could do worst than looking at these two youtube comparisons with people from various fields like transmission. suspension, brakes and diesel specialists. I'm never likely to use a new vehicle going mountain climbing, rough roads and state forests/national parks yes.
Now I'll let our resident specialists in everything pick the crap out of said videos, you never know it may also be constructive.

www.youtube.com/watch

www.youtube.com/watch

Stretch60 · Senior Member

V6 Amarok

Are We Lost · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Hi yobarr from a Google search:
How much can a Ford Ranger Wildtrak tow?
For instance, here's the math for the Ranger Wildtrak and its towing capability. The Ranger can tow up to 3500kg but only with a genuine Ford towpack and with a 350kg towball download (more than the Amarok). The vehicle's kerb weight is 2246kg while the GVM is 3200kg and the GCM is 6000kg

Why I commented....a grand daughters boyfriend has a Black Ford Raptor... it looks a Beast/ Tough as, but he tells me can only tow 2500Kg from memory, not that he does much towing.

The Wildtrak comes standard with factory towpack for 3500kg. However the towing capacity of 3500kg is unrealistic. With GCM of 6000kg the tow vehicle maximum weight would then be 2500kg. Add two people in the car and you are almost at that limit.

But worse, you don't want the van to be heavier than the tow vehicle. At 1000kg heavier it is a disaster waiting to happen.

Nevertheless the Ranger is the more capable tow vehicle and would be my choice over the potentially more reliable Hilux. Disclaimer: I have done 40,000 trouble free kilometres in my Ranger, more than half towing a heavier van than your purchase.

littledick · Senior Member

Our 2017 Ford Wildtrak tows our 23ft, 3.1T van no problem. Several negative comments on here regarding the Ranger I disregard. yawn

I would certainly buy another one. Guess which ute came out best on a comparison just recently. wink

Not long back from the Breakwall, Port Macquarie, never seen so many Rangers. Seems others like them as well!!

Dick.

yobarr · Guru

Are We Lost wrote:
PeterInSa wrote:
Hi yobarr from a Google search:
How much can a Ford Ranger Wildtrak tow?
For instance, here's the math for the Ranger Wildtrak and its towing capability. The Ranger can tow up to 3500kg but only with a genuine Ford towpack and with a 350kg towball download (more than the Amarok). The vehicle's kerb weight is 2246kg while the GVM is 3200kg and the GCM is 6000kg

Why I commented....a grand daughters boyfriend has a Black Ford Raptor... it looks a Beast/ Tough as, but he tells me can only tow 2500Kg from memory, not that he does much towing.
The Wildtrak comes standard with factory towpack for 3500kg. However the towing capacity of 3500kg is unrealistic. It is more than unrealistic...it is impossible with a PIG trailer. With GCM of 6000kg the tow vehicle maximum weight would then be 2500kg. Add two people in the car and you are almost at that limit. You'll never reach that figure either,because,with the generally accepted 10% (350kg) towball weight,you will take at least 140kg OFF the front axle.That weight can never be returned.
But worse, you don't want the van to be heavier than the tow vehicle. At 1000kg heavier it is a disaster waiting to happen. ."...a disaster waiting to happen" Great comment.I couldn't have put it better myself.
Nevertheless the Ranger is the more capable tow vehicle and would be my choice over the potentially more reliable Hilux. Disclaimer: I have done 40,000 trouble free kilometres in my Ranger, more than half towing a heavier van than your purchase. As you suggest,the Ranger is a better tow vehicle.However,there perhaps is better support "in the bush" for the Hilux? As for the DMax's waiting period,I wonder why this is? Cheers

boab · Senior Member

if you intend to use it as an every day drive a ranger is much more comfortable ride than a hilux

Greg 1 · Guru

That is very true Boab. I drove a number of dual cabs when I bought mine and one of the very reasons I went for the Ranger was the comfort levels both seating and ride comfort. I have a bad back so comfort was a major consideration. I actually would have bought a DMax as we ran a fleet of Isuzu trucks at work which were very reliable, but could not get comfortable in the seat no matter what I did, and I knew I wouldn't last 100ks in it.

MQ3175 · Member

Thanks for all the input everyone. Now off to the Toyota or Ford Dealer I go.......

Dick0 · Guru

I believe there is a new Ranger release later this year with a 3lt V6 and VW will use the 3.2lt 5cyl.

Mariner30 · Senior Member

iana wrote:
Go for the Toyota, the ad's say they're unbreakable, but I've seen several Rangers on the side of the road, they were broken!

You're recommending a vehicle coz you've SEEN some others broken down...

Golly.

The OP. is asking about 2021 models.

Where the broken down models 2021?

What was wrong with them anyway?

iana · Guru

I have seen at least four Rangers around the country stopped with crook transmissions, the Toyota ad says it all!

Greg 1 · Guru

Well my cousin bought a new Landcruiser and the transmission failed within 10000ks. Does that mean that all 200 series cruisers are crap? My Ranger has been faultless and there are a great many out there towing large van's. All makes will get an odd handful that are not so good regardless what they are. Considering the number sold, the Ranger has a very good track record. And I won't go into the massive DPF issues the Toyota's had particularly the Hilux that caused people no end of headaches.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Stopped and talked to many mechanical shops on our journey. ALL brands have (transmission) issues !! Especially if not driven correctly ! Auto or manual !! That could be driving like Miss daisy too ! Seems to me overheating is the big cause . We are using 4 cyl ( smaller) engines now !! If its a concern ? I would not purchase any of them. The larger Fuso, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Mazda, Hino etc are more designed for purpose! Just change a little for access , comfort etc . We spend a fortune on them to get them carry the load !! How about going the other way . Adjusting, modifying vehicle to suit ..

Greg 1 · Guru

You are right there. A mate owned a transmission shop and every time I visited, there was always a large cross section of makes and models in there with major issues. No one make stood out as being better or worse than the others.

swamp · Senior Member

hi
Hilux auto same as Dmax or Isuzu apparently .
Always fit an auto with aux cooler .

SEPT 2020 ---onwards
The Hilux has 3.5 t towing
/500nm torque 2.8 auto
/ upgraded cooling system on 500nm 2.8

Upgrades have been done over all 3 face lifts

Local Ford dealer is hopeless .

Ford transmissions not reliable

-- Edited by swamp on Sunday 2nd of May 2021 12:53:36 AM

bgt · Guru

Of course breakdowns have nothing to do with how they are driven.

Greg 1 · Guru

So swamp, on what basis do you make the statement that Ford transmissions are unreliable? As a long time Ford owner that has done hundreds of thousands of kilometres with my Fords, all of which have been utterly reliable, I find that statement to be bs.

MQ3175 · Member

Ok just an update. After weighing up all options and some careful stressful thinking I put a deposit on a hilux.thanks again for everyone's input. Now have to wait until late August. Again they all have their pros and cons. My research showed the ranger was the better pick for towing however I went for the hilux due to Toyotas reputation and I preferred the look of the hilux over the ranger.

yobarr · Guru

MQ3175 wrote:
Ok just an update. After weighing up all options and some careful stressful thinking I put a deposit on a hilux.thanks again for everyone's input. Now have to wait until late August. Again they all have their pros and cons. My research showed the ranger was the better pick for towing however I went for the hilux due to Toyotas reputation and I preferred the look of the hilux over the ranger.

Interesting! Great to see that you have made your choice,coincidentally using the same points that I made earlier.,but unfortunately I can't agree that the Hilux looks better! In my opinion,the Ranger is the best looking twin-cab available at present. Great choice by you,though,and I wish you many years of safe and reliable service from your Toyota.Oh,what a feeling! Cheers

P.S And could I thank you very much for having the decency of coming back to let us know of your decision? Many do not.

-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 3rd of May 2021 08:01:12 PM