Hilux versus Isuzu to tow caravan

Hilux will be at Max , better not load anything else in the van .

The Hilux can only tow 2.5 tonnes so you won't be able to put anything in or on the van.

http://www.toyota.com.au/hilux/specifications/sr5-4x4-extra-cab-pick-up-turbo-diesel-manual?WT.ac=VH_HiLux_RangeSpecs_SR54x4Extra-CabPick-upTurbo-DieselManual_Specs

If it is petrol then 2250 kg.

http://www.toyota.com.au/hilux/specifications/sr-4x2-extra-cab-pick-up-petrol-auto

Isuzu has 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

Di

Tend to agree with Jack here, there is not a lot of fudge in the towing capacity of both the dual cab options. Given the weight of the van I think a 3 ton towing capacity maybe the way to go or for consideration.
Depends also if you are doing a bit of off the tar road driving. Why a dual cab have you considered a 4x4 van such as a Pajero, Landrover discovery options?

Check towball weight and get a spreadsheet that allows you to check what happens to towball weight as you load van and fill gas and water. Learn how to check weigh the towball weight with bathroom scales and a lenght of pipe or timber on a block.

Also check limits on back axle of tug, maximum combined mass, payload of tug (and remember that towball weight is part of the load.

If you can't load van because of tow limit of tug, you'll probably end up breaching payload or back axle weight of tug instead.

I ended up doing a spreadsheet comparing power to combined weight (van + load + tug) of several vehicles using data from carsales.com.au (scroll down to specifications)

A Mitsubishi Challenger is about 10% less power to weight and torque to weight than many alternatives. It's about the same as a 100 series with turbo, but much less than a 200 series twin turbo. The challenger is not much less than a Workmate Wagon or late model Troopie.

Will you be under warranty for your trips over the next few years - if so, make sure you don't void it.

The 2011 PB Challenger 2.5 TD auto is:
-10 % Diff to Workmate Wagon Power to weight towing
-15 % Diff to Workmate Wagon 100*Torque to weight towing
90 % Diff to 100 non turbo diesel Power to weight towing
60 % Diff to 100 non turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing
-8 % Diff to Pajero turbo diesel Power to weight towing
-14 % Diff to Pajero turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing
12 % Diff to Troopie turbo diesel Power to weight towing
-4 % Diff to Troopie turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing
-23 % Diff to 200 turbo diesel Power to weight towing
-38 % Diff to 200 turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing
-4 % Diff to 100 turbo diesel Power to weight towing
-10 % Diff to 100 turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing
7 % Diff to Prado turbo diesel auto Power to weight towing
-12 % Diff to Prado turbo diesel auto 100*Torque to weight towing
-10 % Diff to Ranger turbo diesel Power to weight towing
-25 % Diff to Ranger turbo diesel 100*Torque to weight towing

A little more information might help. Are you talking about on or off road towing, 4wd or 2wd, dual cab or single? Whatever the answer is, it could be worth looking a little further into it.

As an example, I bought a Hilux nearly 10 years ago. The maximum towing capacity was 1800 kg with a maximum of 180 kg on the tow ball. All of its competitors were around 3000 kg. I emailed Toyota asking about off road towing. The reply said yes it will tow 1800 kg off road but don’t tow at all on soft dry sand.

I asked a few of the other manufacturers the same question and their replies were no it won’t tow its maximum capacity off road, it must be reduced considerably. Their maximum was for good sealed roads only. In other words their off road maximum capacity was in line with the Hilux.

That is not the end of the story though. The specification sheets at the dealers and on the company web site only gave a maximum carrying and towing capacity and nothing else. The owners handbook said a WDH must be used for any tow ball weight above 90 kg. That is no problem on good roads but a WDH can’t be used in rough conditions where the angle between the car and trailer could become too high in some conditions resulting in car or trailer damage. This means there are a few restrictions on what it can tow off road even if the weight is under the car’s maximum.

The same restrictions may apply to many other cars so look thoroughly into it first. There is a lot more to choosing a tow car than simply matching the van weight to the car’s towing capacity.

These two links could be useful

http://caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/caravan-dynamics/

http://caravanbuyersguide.com.au/tow-vehicle-caravan-weight/

Check this out, pretty good summary of the present models out there. http://autoexpert.com.au/buying-a-car/best-4wd-ute-review

HI
I have a 2012 dualcab diesel hilux and tow a 1500 kg trailer . Not enough power .
Better off waiting for the new hilux late 2015 .[expect the lux to be over priced ]
Had trouble with the tojam and Motorrama QLD selling dealer offered to fix for free !!!!Local regional dealer wanted to charge.
In saying the above my Pk ranger 3,0ltr is far far better power wise but the service is the worst I have ever found .
Suggest caution for all regional dealers having a high and mighty attitude and chasing your wallet ..

swampfox

We have a Sept 2012 Isuzu D.Max LST dual cab, 75K on the clock and not one problem. We have done the GRR and Gulf towing a 1350 Kg camper trailer, towed our 2.5 ton Jayco Outback 20K and about to do the GRR again. We average 16LP100 towing the van at 95KPH. The LST top of the range has leather sat nav, reversing camera etc etc and for a little under $50K there is no comparison.

Can you wait 6mnths
new hilux is coming out..
new engines..shape and towing would have to be in the 3t mark otherwise behind the rest.
No idea on price..
but if you wait a little, others could be upgrading their models as well..
cheers