Which twin cab ute?

Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 14:49
ThreadID: 103639 Views:3340 Replies:5 FollowUps:11
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G'day folks,


We are coming to the end of our 4 month road trip and due to heading South it's now getting a tad cooler (bugger).

When we return we are having a look at a smaller fifth wheeler with a view to purchase which brings me to the reason for my question.

If we wanted to purchase a new (or near new) twincab diesel powered ute with auto transmission . . . . . which one is the best for the job? During our travels we've seen plenty of all of the brands (Toyota, Nissan, Misubishi, Isuzu and Great Wall) leaving us confused.

Your help and comments are appreciated.






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Reply By: Thinkin - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 15:44

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 15:44
"Seen plenty Great Wall", thats interesting, you should have seen more Colorado's.

If you are looking at a small 5th wheeler, the Great Wall has the lowest braked towing capacity 2000kgs, might be the first to scrub off your list.
Alpero
AnswerID: 516005

Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 15:51

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 15:51
Strike one! Consider it gone Alpero.

On second thought, it seems I omitted a few others I should have maybe mentioned like Holden, Ford and Mazda
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 16:33

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 16:33
It's personal preference. The newer rigs like the Ford Ranger have plenty of bells and whistles, big towing capacities compared to the Nissan and Toyota Hilux. The Hilux is the most popular in this category to date with massive sales. I personally don't think you can compare the Great Wall with the others. The Dmax is also a choice but popularity remains with the others above. The Amarok is winning sales with car like driving habits. Get out and do some inspections and test drives. The new Hilux is due next year.
AnswerID: 516009

Follow Up By: KeithinTassie - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 16:46

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 16:46
All good comments thanks Terra and exactly what I had hoped for from informed members.

My suspicion was that the Amarok was having transmission problems?

Thanks again
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Reply By: The Bantam - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 17:54

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 17:54
Serioulsy if you are looking for something properly capable, have a look at the IVECO turbo daily.

YEP its a proper little truck, it will carry 2 tonnes in the tray and has a rear hitch towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes.

Available in 2wd or 4wd...its when you look at it as a 4wd that it realy starts to look competitive.

As well as making every station waggon 4wd and most utes look pretty sad, you get a heap of things that cost serious $$$ and require modifications in almost every passenger derived 4wd on the market.

Start with huge wheels and great ground clearance, front and rear diff locks, climate controll air conditioning air suspended drivers seat and all for around the price of a land cruser.

AND you can drive it on a passenger car licence.

Some of the other manufacturers also have similar competitive vehicles.

OH as a dual cab..it seats 4 adults in the back with comfort, unllike many of the dual cabs which will not seat any adults appart from dwarves and pigmies in comfort.

check it.

cheers

AnswerID: 516012

Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 21:06

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 21:06
He wanted an auto which would rule the Iveco out. Also, max speed is only 90 kph.
I loved the look of it otherwise!
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 22:29

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 22:29
Mate the turbo daily is available with a six speed auto in the 2wd version.

No auto on the 4wd...but you do get a tripple reduction transfer case giving 18 forward gears........crawler gears standard.

AND its full time 4wd.

As for only doing 90kmh......yeh don't think that is quite right.

The 4wd version speed IS limited to 100Kph with the 255/100R16 tyres fitted.

I'm sure a 200Kw motor and a 6 speed transmission ( manual or auto) should manage 100kmh with no problem

Check the specs

OH the 2wd version you get the option of the much more powerfull 200KW engine and electronic stability control.

AND the 2wd version has a much higher payload......

Carefull the higher payload may bump it up out of the pasenger car licence bracket..unless you have it "derated"

cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - TheFox3305 - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 07:16

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 07:16
125kw on the web, but I agree should do 100 km/ hr. 400nm torque is good.
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 08:07

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 08:07
I got the 90kph from the specs:
http://web.iveco.com/uk/collections/technical_sheets/Documents/ECODaily_4x4_Euro_5_EEV/55S17W_Chassis_Cab_Euro_5_EEV.pdf
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 08:19

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 08:19
Interesting read on the Iveco....Thanks
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 22:34

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 22:34
Phill mate, Start by looking at the Australian Iveco web site.

As for the 200KW...yeh mixing the KW and the HP figures...but the 2wd 70C17 is availabe with 2 motors the 125Kw and the 150Kw

the 4wd you only get one choice of motor.

cheers
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Reply By: pop2jocem - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 19:30

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 19:30
G'day Keith,

I'd go along with Bantam on this one, have a good look at the Iveco range.
I saw a dual cab ute the other day with a 5th wheel hitch in the tub. From memory it was a Nissan Navara but I think the fact that the hitch sat well behind the rear axle would apply to just about all the brands of dual cab. The hitch also sat up pretty high. Not sure how good that would carry the front of a 5th wheeler as I think they put a lot more of their weight on the towing vehicle which together with the rear wheels being well back probably accounts for their good stability.
If I was looking at a 5th I would go for a vehicle that allowed the tow hitch to sit over or slightly in front of the rear axle.

Cheers
Pop
AnswerID: 516020

Follow Up By: The Bantam - Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 22:11

Tuesday, Aug 06, 2013 at 22:11
The advantage of the fifth wheel or articulated combination IS that it is so much more stable than a pig trailer.

The hitch is idealy located directly over the rear axle of the tow vehicle, this makes them a hell of a lot better to reverse and there is not the inherant instability introduced when you have a conventional tow bar which is in essence a big lever.


There is a very good reason that pig trailers are discouraged in heavy transport.......because a dog trailer or a semi trailer is a hell of a lot more stable.

cheers
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Reply By: Member - evaredy - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 14:17

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 14:17
Well for what it's worth, we have a 2012 Dmax and love it.

This is our first 4x4 and it had to tick a few box's. The rear seats had to comfortable for long days travelling, it had to have good towing and carrying capacities, it had to have the best warranty period, it had to have good off road capabilities and it had to have a proven motor.

The Dmax ticked all the box's for us, we bought it mainly for towing, at the time we didn't know which way we would go, van or camper trailer. In the end we bought a camper trailer.
But it can tow 3,000 kg and still carry 1000 kg. the rear seats are nice and comfy with plenty of room for our adult son who travels with us.
It has a 5 year warranty with 5 year roadside assist, it goes really well off road and by all accounts, it has one of the most reliable motors out there.

AnswerID: 516044

Follow Up By: Member - Coldee - Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 19:18

Wednesday, Aug 07, 2013 at 19:18
The 2 tonne truck engine and the Dmax engine are pretty much the same Izuzu unit I was told.
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Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Aug 08, 2013 at 08:04

Thursday, Aug 08, 2013 at 08:04
We have just finished a 15 week, 17000 K trip to the Kimberley GRR and back via theSavannah Way Roper Bar Borroloola and Burke Town. The d.Max performed brilliantly and could not recommend them more highly. Also Isuzu Ute Australia IUA are great to deal with.
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FollowupID: 795365

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