Thread: 3.5 Tonne Towing 4x4

A raptor.

Originally Posted by Tentman

My Safari is still giving good service in my Fencing business (and hunting but don't tell IRD), but now I need to tow 3.5 tonnes (legally, Safari does it but in theory is limited to 2.5) - so I'm looking.

I'm aware of a few of the options (Ranger, BT-50 and D-Max) but what else is there and how capable are they off-road relative to others. I've been a lot underwhelmed by the Rangers I've sat in on rough/steep/slippery stuff, they seem to run out of suspension travel pretty quick (or is something else going on??).

My only other requirement besides the 3.5 towing is 33" tires.

You already have it. The Safari was rated to 4.5T towing capacity but I only opted for 3.5T for my towbar.

iveco daily 4x4 end off.

Hmmm - nothing conclusive coming to the fore is there. New or secondhand but I don't have a fortune or want to be bent over so a new Hilux/Landcruiser is out. A used Landcruiser is on the list but they are not infallible either, another Fencer here has one and its cost a fortune even with being under warranty.

The Safari is superb offroad, I've only been stuck once in 2 years of fencing in some reasonably knarly places (cockies coming out to see me have been embarrassed twice as I recall) but the older ones like mine are not certified for 3.5 tonnes - Gadget what year is yours and how did you get it certified?.

Iveco's and Landrovers do seem to have a bit of a record at leaving one in a difficult position with "no go" .

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hmmm - nothing conclusive coming to the fore is there. New or secondhand but I don't have a fortune or want to be bent over so a new Hilux/Landcruiser is out. A used Landcruiser is on the list but they are not infallible either, another Fencer here has one and its cost a fortune even with being under warranty.

The Safari is superb offroad, I've only been stuck once in 2 years of fencing in some reasonably knarly places (cockies coming out to see me have been embarrassed twice as I recall) but the older ones like mine are not certified for 3.5 tonnes - Gadget what year is yours and how did you get it certified?.

Iveco's and Landrovers do seem to have a bit of a record at leaving one in a difficult position with "no go" .

Mine was an '89. The engineering outfit looked up the specs on their towing capabilities and certified it. Mine certainly had no issues towing a massive covered car transporter/mobile workshop. This thing had electric brakes and was seriously HUGE! Used for collecting new pre-release vehicles under the cloak of darkness and scurried off for winter driving testing before hitting the market.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hmmm - nothing conclusive coming to the fore is there. New or secondhand but I don't have a fortune or want to be bent over so a new Hilux/Landcruiser is out. A used Landcruiser is on the list but they are not infallible either, another Fencer here has one and its cost a fortune even with being under warranty.

The Safari is superb offroad, I've only been stuck once in 2 years of fencing in some reasonably knarly places (cockies coming out to see me have been embarrassed twice as I recall) but the older ones like mine are not certified for 3.5 tonnes - Gadget what year is yours and how did you get it certified?.

Iveco's and Landrovers do seem to have a bit of a record at leaving one in a difficult position with "no go" .

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Mine was an '89. The engineering outfit looked up the specs on their towing capabilities and certified it. Mine certainly had no issues towing a massive covered car transporter/mobile workshop. This thing had electric brakes and was seriously HUGE! Used for collecting new pre-release vehicles under the cloak of darkness and scurried off for winter driving testing before hitting the market.

There is no certification required or applicable to warrant of fitness vehicles for tow-bars, your grandma can design and build one and tow 3.5 tonne braked on a ball,above that you get into mini ring-feeder/5th wheel territory and generally the vehicle will need a COF instead of a WOF due to the gross vehicle mass.
Once you get into COF vehicles then tow bars must be certified .

Tentman how do you get on braked vs non braked tow rating are all your trailers braked?

Yup - Braked on both axles, I'm towing a 2.5 T digger

GU patrol

3.5t tow weight constantly on any ute is near its maximum and you will wear things out rapidly, why not look at a small 4wd truck, Isuzu make them I think.

Get a VW Amorak 3.2 ton towing 2 ltr engine .

Originally Posted by Munsey

Get a VW Amorak 3.2 ton towing 2 ltr engine .

I think he's after something to tow with rather than something to tow.

I know my 3.2 2011 Pajero is rated to 3200kg, bu think they reduced the new model to 3000kg, 448Nm, 142Kw.

But realistically you're looking at commercial requirements, small 4wd truck, certainly looks the best option, or I guess big thirsty Yank Tank....

Ford territory awd are 2700 i think

New VW Amarok v6 turbo pulls like a teenage school boy!! I really want to test 1 out.
Hilux tow capacity is crap and they don't like towing much anyway.
Ranger tow well but the gearboxes shit out in next to no time.
Holden engines burn oil and are getting replaced all the time. Know of quite a few that have had 3 or more engines so far.
Mazda are now tied up with Isuzu instead of Ford, so there's an improvement straight away.
The Dmax pull well. I have used 1 to tow a race car from CHCH to Hampton Downs a few times. Bloody awesome. Much nicer than a Hilux that's for sure. And used heaps less fuel!! The hilux used almost as much as the V8 petrol Range Rover

Work has a manual 100 series cruiser on the yard at the mo. It is immaculate!! 185ks, 5spd, and factory rear diff locker. It's a real unicorn. They just want a small fortune for it or I'd be all over it