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Ute towing capacity 2022: how much weight can your new ute tow?

 
John Law
Contributor

Utes offer generous towing capacity and 3.5-tonnes is the gold standard, but which vehicles currently on-sale can haul the biggest loads?


How much can every ute in Australia tow? We compare the tow and payload ratings of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max and more so you don’t have to.

Australians bought 222,345 utes in 2021 and while a large chunk of those are fleet sales, more and more buyers are turning to up-spec light commercial vehicles due to their ability to lug heavy loads. 

Lighter utes generally offer greater towing and payload capacity than their SUV counterparts which means you might not have to look into GVM upgrades to take a dual cab touring, where you would for a Land Cruiser 300 Series.

LOOKING FOR SUVs? Find out how much every new SUV in Australia can tow here.

Isuzu D-Max outback bulldust
This is Chasing Cars guide to towing with a dual cab ute

A decade ago a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity was the preserve of the best-in-class, now it has become the standard for the established names while less well-known rivals still offer respectable figures around three-tonnes.

In order to be legal, it’s important to respect the gross combination mass of the vehicle and to not tow more than the braked towing capacity allows for.

To separate the utes in this list with greater nuance, we’ve done the legwork and included the range of payloads for the various trim levels available to give a better idea of how well suited each vehicle is to towing and touring. 

We’ve compiled a helpful list of all utes on sale in Australia in 2022 sorted by manufacturer from A-Z form. Here you’ll find the braked towing and payload capacity of every ute on the market.

Chevrolet ute towing and payload capacity

Chevrolet vehicles are imported and converted to right-hand-drive by GM Specialty Vehicles and although considered niche next to the usual turbo-diesel dual cabs, these beefy V8s offer outstanding four-tonne-plus towing capacity.

Chevrolet modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload

Silverado 1500 LTZ  4×4 auto
313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8
4500kg

712kg

Silverado 1500 Trail Boss 4×4 auto 

313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8
4260kg
752kg

Silverado 2500 HD 4×4 auto (WT, LTX, Midnight, Custom Sport)

332kW/1234Nm 6.6-litre turbo-diesel V8

4500kg or 5890kg with heavy-duty hitch

875-975kg

Ford ute towing and payload capacity

The Ranger is Australia’s best-selling 4×4 ute and offers 3.5-tonne towing capacity when equipped with the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel, or 3.2-litre five-cylinder. The flagship Raptor is an awesome off-roader, but is only rated to tow 2500kg.

Ford Ranger Raptor 2021-3
In Raptor guise, the Ford Ranger can only manage 2500kg
Ford modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Ranger XL low-rider 4×2 manual118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four2500kg1259kg
Ranger Raptor 4×4 auto2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four2500kg748kg
Ranger XL high-rider 4×2 auto118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1230-1476kg
Ranger 4×4 (XL, XLT, XLS, Wildtrak, Sport, FX4)147kW/420Nm 3.2-litre twin-turbo diesel five3500kg922*-1331kg
Ranger 4×4 (XL, XLT, Wildtrak, FX4, FX4 Max157kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four3500kg954-1304kg

* denotes the Wildtrak variant

GWM ute towing and payload capacity

GWM is a Chinese carmaker that is looking to break into the burgeoning light commercial segment with its new Ute Cannon range fitted with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and boasting a 3000kg braked towing capacity. 

GWM Cannon ute opposite lock drift
The GWM Cannon 4×4 X can tow 3000kg braked
GWM modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Ute Cannon 4×2120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kgNA
Ute Cannon 4×4 (L, X) 120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1050kg

Isuzu ute towing and payload capacity

Isuzu is all about reliable towing with its proven ‘4JJ3’ 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine and plenty of driver-assistance systems means nearly every D-Max can tow up to 3.5-tonnes, though at 700kg its unbraked rating is 50kg short of the standard.

Isuzu D-Max 2022 LS-U
Chances are you’ve seen an Isuzu D-Max with a trailer hitched up
Isuzu modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
D-Max SX 4×2 manual/auto 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four2800/3000kg1405/1380kg
D-Max 4×2 (SX, LS-U)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg985-1305kg
D-Max 4×4 (SX, LS-M, LS-U, X-Terrain)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg935*-1320kg

* denotes the X-Terrain variant

Jeep ute towing and payload capacity

Hailing from America, Jeep’s Gladiator is a lifestyle ute aimed at off-road capability and funky looks, though its 2721kg braked towing capacity is still respectable.

2020 Jeep Gladiator doors off
The Jeep Gladiator might not have a 3.5-tonne rating, but you can take the the doors off
Jeep modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Gladiator (Rubicon and Night Eagle)209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V62721kg693kg

LDV ute towing and payload capacity

The LDV T60’s twin-turbo diesel means this is the torquiest of the Chinese-built utes in the list, though its 3000kg braked towing capacity is the same as the GWM Ute Cannon.

LDV T60 Max beach
The LDV T60 has a twin-turbo diesel with plenty of torque
LDV modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
T60 Max 4×4 auto (Pro, Max Luxe)160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four3000kg750*-935kg

* denotes the Max Luxe variant

Mazda ute towing and payload capacity

As the D-Max’s twin the Mazda BT-50 uses the same proven 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, though the two top-spec SP and Thunder models have low payload capacities.

The Mazda BT-50 2021 driving off road
Pitched as a lifestyle ute, the new BT-50 still has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity in most trims
Mazda modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
BT-50 XS 4×2110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1236kg
BT-50 4×2 (XT, XTR)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1055-1315kg
BT-50 4×4 (XT, XTR, GT, SP, Thunder)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg887*-1340kg

* denotes the Thunder variant

Mitsubishi ute towing and payload capacity

The Triton is one of the more affordable utes from the traditional set of competitors and rolls on a narrow track compared to its rivals. That said, the Triton’s upper-spec dual cab 4×4 variants can still haul 3100kg.

The Triton is capable given its vintage
Mitsubishi modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Triton GLX 4×2 single cab94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre petrol four1800kg1280kg
Triton GLX 4×2 single cab 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four2500kg948-1150kg
Triton 4×2 dual cab (GLX, GLX-R)133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg960-1125kg
Triton 4×4 single and club cab (GLX, GLX+)133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg900-1220kg
Triton 4×4 dual cab (GLX, GLX+, MR, GLX-R, GLS, GSR)133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3100kg900*-1120kg

* denotes the GSR variant

Nissan ute towing and payload capacity

The Nissan Navara might not have the most powerful engine, but is the only ute on sale in Australia that boasts a consistent 3500kg braked towing capacity no matter the variant.

Nissan Navara ST-X 2021 jumping
Following its 2020 update the Navara has a 3.5-tonne tow rating across the range and solid payloads
Nissan modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Navara SL 4×2 120kW/403Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1146-1282kg
Navara 4×2 (SL, ST, ST-X)140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four3500kg1027-1256kg
Navara 4×4 (SL, ST, ST-X, Pro-4X, Warrior)140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four3500kg876*-1126kg

* denotes the ST-X King Cab variant

RAM ute towing and payload capacity

Need to tow something really serious? You’ll probably want a RAM. The 1500s top out at 4500kg, but going for the 1152Nm 6.7-litre Cummins diesel-powered 2500 and 3500 means you can tow eight tonnes if you get the factory-fitted heavy-duty hitch and air-brakes.

RAM modelEngineTowing (braked)
1500 Crew Cab 4×4 (Express, Warlock, Laramie, Limited)291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre petrol V84500kg701*-833kg
2500 Laramie Crew Cab276kW/1152Nm 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline4500kg (8000kg with air-brakes fitted)835kg
3500 Laramie Crew Cab276kW/1152Nm 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline4500kg (8000kg with air-brakes fitted)1693kg

* denotes the Limited variant

Ssangyong ute towing and payload capacity

The Ssangyong Musso is the highest rated of the Chinese utes with a 3.5-tonne braked towing claim, and the long-wheelbase Musso XLV also has a respectable payload in base ELX trim.

Ssangyong Musso water crossing
The Ssangyong Musso is the only Chinese-built ute to come to Australia with a 3.5-tonne tow rating
Ssangyong modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Musso 4×4 (ELX, Ultimate)133kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four3500kg790-800kg
Musso XLV 4×4 (ELX, Ultimate)133kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four3500kg880*-1035kg


* denotes the XLV Ultimate variant

Toyota ute towing and payload capacity

Australia’s best-selling 4×2 ute, and one of the oldest vehicles on sale (the 70 Series) are proven, dependable towing machines, though be wary of the Hilux Rugged X’s poor payload.

Toyota modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Hilux Workmate 4×2  petrol122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre petrol four2500kg985-1205kg
Hilux 4×2 Hi-Rider diesel (Workmate, SR, SR5)110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four2800kg1005-1235kg
Hilux Workmate 4×4 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg940-1250kg
Hilux 4×4 manual (SR, SR5)150kW/420Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg940-1225kg
Hilux 4×4 auto (SR, SR5, Rogue, Rugged X)150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg734*-1225kg (SR S Cab)
Land Cruiser 70 Series cab chassis151kW/430Nm 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V83500kg1110-1235kg

* denotes the Rugged X variant

Volkswagen ute towing and payload capacity

The Amarok’s turbocharged 500+Nm turbo-diesel V6 is the pick for those who like to tow in a package that isn’t as wide as the American utes and has some European chic.

Volkswagen modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload
Amarok TDI 400 Core 4×4 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1033kg
Amarok TDI 420 Core 4×4 auto132kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1033kg
Amarok TDI 500 Core 4×4 manual165kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63000kg1004kg
Amarok TDI 550 4×4 auto (Core, Sportline)165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63500kg976-989kg
Amarok TDI 580 4×4 auto (Highline, Aventura, W580S)190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63500kg848*-933kg


* denotes the W580S variant

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