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.
The Isuzu D-Max is a popular tow vehicle in Australia
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.
If you want a series towing vehicle, an American ute might be the ticket
Chevrolet modelEngineTowing (braked)Payload Silverado 1500 LTZ 4×4 auto313kW/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.
In Raptor guise, the Ford Ranger can only manage 2500kg
Ford modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadRanger XL low-rider 4×2 manual118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four2500kg1259kgRanger Raptor 4×4 auto2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four2500kg748kgRanger XL high-rider 4×2 auto118kW/385Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1230-1476kgRanger 4×4 (XL, XLT, XLS, Wildtrak, Sport, FX4)147kW/420Nm 3.2-litre twin-turbo diesel five3500kg922*-1331kgRanger 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.
The GWM Cannon is able to tow three-tonnes
GWM modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadUte Cannon 4×2120kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kgNAUte 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.
Chances are you’ve seen an Isuzu D-Max with a trailer hitched up
Isuzu modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadD-Max SX 4×2 manual/auto 110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four2800/3000kg1405/1380kgD-Max 4×2 (SX, LS-U)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg985-1305kgD-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.
The Jeep Gladiator might not have a 3.5-tonne rating, but you can take the the doors off
Jeep modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadGladiator (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.
The LDV T60 has a twin-turbo diesel with plenty of torque
LDV modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadT60 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.
Pitched as a lifestyle ute, the new BT-50 still has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity in most trims
Mazda modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadBT-50 XS 4×2110kW/350Nm 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1236kgBT-50 4×2 (XT, XTR)140kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1055-1315kgBT-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)PayloadTriton GLX 4×2 single cab94kW/194Nm 2.4-litre petrol four1800kg1280kgTriton GLX 4×2 single cab 133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four2500kg948-1150kgTriton 4×2 dual cab (GLX, GLX-R)133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg960-1125kgTriton 4×4 single and club cab (GLX, GLX+)133kW/420Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg900-1220kgTriton 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.
Following its 2020 update the Navara has a 3.5-tonne tow rating across the range and solid payloads
Nissan modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadNavara SL 4×2 120kW/403Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg1146-1282kgNavara 4×2 (SL, ST, ST-X)140kW/450Nm 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel four3500kg1027-1256kgNavara 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.
If you’ve got an eight-tonne load to haul there’s only really one choice
RAM modelEngineTowing (braked)1500 Crew Cab 4×4 (Express, Warlock, Laramie, Limited)291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre petrol V84500kg701*-833kg2500 Laramie Crew Cab276kW/1152Nm 6.7-litre turbo-diesel inline4500kg (8000kg with air-brakes fitted)835kg3500 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.
The Ssangyong Musso is the only Chinese-built ute to come to Australia with a 3.5-tonne tow rating
Ssangyong modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadMusso 4×4 (ELX, Ultimate)133kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel four3500kg790-800kgMusso 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.
It’s hard to go wrong with a Hilux – all 4×4 variants are capable of dragging 3.5-tonnes
Toyota modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadHilux Workmate 4×2 petrol122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre petrol four2500kg985-1205kgHilux 4×2 Hi-Rider diesel (Workmate, SR, SR5)110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four2800kg1005-1235kgHilux Workmate 4×4 110kW/400Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg940-1250kgHilux 4×4 manual (SR, SR5)150kW/420Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four3500kg940-1225kgHilux 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.
Of all the non-American utes, the Amarok’s V6 should make it the best to tow with
Volkswagen modelEngineTowing (braked)PayloadAmarok TDI 400 Core 4×4 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1033kgAmarok TDI 420 Core 4×4 auto132kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four3000kg1033kgAmarok TDI 500 Core 4×4 manual165kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63000kg1004kgAmarok TDI 550 4×4 auto (Core, Sportline)165kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63500kg976-989kgAmarok TDI 580 4×4 auto (Highline, Aventura, W580S)190kW/580Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V63500kg848*-933kg
* denotes the W580S variant
Keyword: Ute towing capacity 2022: how much weight can your new ute tow?