Ram1500 Express. There is two towing capacities, one is about 2700kg, the other about 3500kg. They have different rear axle ratios. But new one will cost you about $75-76k driveaway.
But if you want an older, cheaper one, it depends on what you want to tow.
If you need 2500kg a VZ Cross8 or auto VZ Crewman will do it easily..
A VZ V8 auto one tonner will do 2250kg.
The FGII-FX Falcon utes were good for 2300kg but from memory only the last few years, the earlier FG when a V8 was available were lower at 1600kg. Same as a V8 VF.
Other than that you have to look back to WB era, but there is no published towing capacity for that old stuff. I can tell you a HQ-WB with an EFI VN-VS and 4L60/4L60E conversion is a decent tow car, but they are very light and aren't really suitable for towing much more than 2 tonne. In NSW they do tell you 1.5 x the kerb (or Curb) mass, which equates to about 2200kg or so. But hard to find if this still applies.
I've been through this countless times in the last few years, short of buying a Ram1500 there is nothing newer I can buy to replace my 2012 supercharged V6 Hilux, short of a 2016 V6 auto Hilux (last year they offered a V6), and then fitting a Supercharger, but it has to be a belt driven turbo type as the Eaton screw type (that develops more torque) won't fit these. There are far older vehicles out there that are affordable, like mid 2000's RHD F250, a 2WB extra cab one of these with a 5.4L V8 can be had for under $40k in good condition. GMH complianced the GMC Ambulances from the late 90's, lots of these still out there and they are a decent diesel (6.5L), not this modern common rail garbage with DPF's and EGR etc. Plus imports, but they are way too expensive or way too old.
There are cars (under ATO FBT definition) that I can buy if I wanted to pay FBT for all use, been through this with a mate over the last few weeks as he wants a good engine vehicle to tow with that won't be a slug on highways, but doesn't have a fortune to spend. If I was in his position, I'd buy a new Y62 Ti Patrol. These come up as runouts sometimes for $65k driveaway. Too dear for him though. 100 series V8 4.7L 'cruisers (and Lexus LX470) are cheap, and tow well (short between rear axle and towball). But engine is a bit too small for such a heavy car, they don't actually go as well as a standard V6 Hilux and have the same gearbox. You can supercharge them but you are up for about $12k to do it. The early 200 series have the same engine, later 200 series change to a 4.6L V8 which has significantly more power and torque, but it is really the "253" option. The "308" version of this engine is the 5.7L found in Australia only in Lexus LX570 (and imported Tundra). Problem with these (besides being ugly as a hatfull), they have that stupid self levelling suspension like a 100 series Sahara, they go into limp home mode when you try to tow anything decent. Best to avoid a Sahara or an LX570, unless you want to spend $4000 changing the suspension.
My mate is deciding between a low kM 2009 TRD Hilux (supercharged V6) or a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. If you buy a Jeep avoid the SRT8 although they are a bargain, these can only tow 2268kg. The better car is the SRT, which is 7/2013 onwards. These have the same 344kW 6.4L engine but have a better 8spd auto and are rated for just under 3tonne. A really good one of these can be had for under $40k, SRT8's are about $25-$30k. But being a Jeep they do have a reputation, often perpetuated by idiots though, hard to sort out the facts from the Trolls. There is also an Overland version of the Grand Chrokee with a 260kW 5.7L V8 that is rated for 3500kg. These are quite cheap for 3-4 year old cars.
Holden did sell a Suburban in the late 90's. The 2500HD version of these had the GM 6.5L V8 diesel and 4L80E auto (4spd TH400). A good one of these is under $20k. They did a 1500 version too with a GM Powertrain Vortec 5.7L V8 and 4L60E auto (same engine design as the old small block Chev from 1955 to the late 80's). The diesel is the better tow car with the 4L80E but there was less than 300 sold. And don't expect much better than 20L/100 out of either of them.
One other Ute that might fit the bill is not a V8 but still goes as hard as any VZ-VF 6.0L. That is an FGII or FX turbo auto XR6. Can tow up to 2300kg total trailer weight, but you’d want to fit a really big transmission cooler and change the auto fluid to a really good fluid like Lubegard complete. The only catch with these is the turbo only came in an XR6, thus the payload and hence the GCM is lower than the 1 tonne or 3/4 tonne varieties. The GCM is 4425kg, and the Kerb is 1837kg. So with a 2300kg trailer on the back you are limited to 288kg in the car. By the time you take into account the kg in a towbar and two people you are really close to the limit. You certainly would not be able to fit a canopy, tools etc in the car. Note that the 2300kg is basically a 2 tonne trailer (single axle braking) with 10% (200kg) on the towbar plus the weight of the towbar, hitch and load levellers (which are mandatory with a Falcon Ute towing 2300kg).
Edited by user Friday, 15 November 2019 10:43:32 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
