You’d have to be driving around with your eyes wide shut not to see that 4×4 dual cab utes dominate the Aussie roadscape these days. This surging popularity is largely driven by dual purpose versatility, as their dual cab configuration allows them to serve as a family car and/or work vehicle during the week and a load-lugging escape machine on the weekend.
As a result, many of these vehicles end up towing things and they’re pretty good at it. A typical 4×4 ute weighs between 2.0-2.5 tonnes with a wheelbase of around 3000+mm, which provides the rock-solid anchorage and straight line stability needed in front of the tow-ball.
Add to that the abundant torque and fuel efficiency of a modern turbo-diesel engine and an ‘intelligent’ automatic transmission with sequential manual shifting when required.
It all adds up to a competent and comfortable vehicle for towing, be it a small single-axle recreational trailer or a big multi-axle caravan, boat/car trailer or horse float weighing up to three tonnes or more.
Based on our experience, utes with larger capacity engines provide a less stressed and more relaxed towing experience than smaller ones, simply because they don’t need to work as hard.
Electronic stability control (ESC) is a given in quality utes these days but if it includes trailer sway control on the menu then it’s even better.
We also look for the shortest distance between the rear axle and tow-ball to minimise yaw movement for greater towing stability. And a reversing camera with guidelines can also make light work of lining up your tow-ball and trailer with great accuracy.
We haven’t towed with every dual cab auto ute in the country, but in no particular order here’s our pick of five of the best we’ve trailer-tested so far:
Keyword: Best five utes for towing