Best Dual Cab Utes for Towing in Australia (2026)
A 3,500kg towing claim can make several utes look identical. They are not. Some retain more useful payload, some offer better trailer technology, and some feel considerably more relaxed when a large caravan, boat, horse float or work trailer is attached.
Which Dual Cab Ute Is Best for Towing in 2026?
The Ford Ranger V6 is our highest-rated mainstream dual cab towing ute for 2026. Its 600Nm diesel V6, 3,500kg braked towing rating, available full-time four-wheel drive and unusually complete suite of trailer technology make it the strongest all-round towing package in this comparison.
The Volkswagen Amarok V6 is a close second because it shares the Ranger’s core 600Nm drivetrain and combines it with a refined touring cabin. The Toyota Hilux 2.8 diesel takes third through a mixture of proven support, resale confidence and nationwide familiarity - despite offering 100Nm less torque than the V6 pair.
The Ranger leads, but it is not perfect. It also performs strongly in our 2026 off-road rankings and Real World Tradie Score™. The most desirable V6 variants cost more, maximum towing still creates payload and GCM compromises, and the best towing technology is not standard across every grade.
Maximum Towing Capacity Is Only One Part of the Result
We assess how each vehicle performs as a complete tow vehicle, not how attractive one isolated number looks in advertising.
Torque can make towing feel easier, but it does not change the vehicle’s certified GVM, GCM, axle limits, towball rating or maximum braked towing capacity.
2026 Dual Cab Ute Towing Rankings
These rankings compare mainstream one-tonne dual cabs. Ford Ranger Super Duty and full-size American pickups offer higher limits, but they sit in a heavier, more expensive class with a different use case.
| Rank | Ute | Score | Peak Torque | Max Braked Tow | Strongest Towing Attribute | What Cost It Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Ranger V6 | 9.0 | 600Nm | 3,500kg | Best integrated towing package | Price and payload constraints |
| 2 | Volkswagen Amarok V6 | 8.7 | 600Nm | 3,500kg | Refined V6 touring performance | Premium price without beating Ranger |
| 3 | Toyota Hilux 2.8 Diesel | 8.1 | Up to 500Nm | Up to 3,500kg | Dealer support and proven ownership | Less torque and towing technology |
| 4 | Kia Tasman | 8.0 | 440Nm | 3,500kg | 6,200kg GCM and useful trailer equipment | Lower torque and unproven heavy-use history |
| 5 | Isuzu D-MAX 3.0 | 7.9 | 450Nm | 3,500kg | Dependable and familiar under load | Engine refinement and fewer advanced aids |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Triton | 7.8 | 470Nm | 3,500kg | Strong modern chassis and value | Less effortless than V6 leaders |
| 7 | Mazda BT-50 3.0 | 7.7 | 450Nm | 3,500kg | Solid Isuzu-based mechanical package | Few towing advantages over D-MAX |
| 8 | GWM Cannon Alpha | 7.4 | Variant dependent | Up to 3,500kg | Strong outputs and substantial equipment | High vehicle mass and less proven history |
| 9 | Nissan Navara | 7.2 | 470Nm | 3,500kg | Competitive new-generation fundamentals | Real-world record starts again |
| 10 | BYD Shark 6 1.5L PHEV | 6.0 | 650Nm combined | 2,500kg | Strong performance and urban refinement | 1,000kg lower rating than diesel leaders |
The Shark 6 score refers to the established Australian 1.5-litre PHEV towing proposition. Additional 2026 variants may use different certified ratings and should be assessed separately when final specifications are confirmed.
Buying a ute specifically for towing?
Tell us what you tow, its loaded weight, how often you tow and whether the vehicle is for business or personal use. We can help compare the right grade, vehicle price and finance structure.
Why the Top Three Finished Where They Did
Ford Ranger V6
The Ranger wins because Ford has treated towing as an entire system. The available 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel produces 184kW and 600Nm, giving it 100Nm more torque than the 500Nm Hilux automatic and 150Nm more than the 3.0-litre D-MAX.
Torque is only part of the story. The Ranger also offers a 10-speed automatic, available full-time four-wheel drive and, depending on grade and equipment, integrated trailer brake control, trailer profiles, trailer-aware blind-spot monitoring and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Those features do not increase the legal rating, but they can make a large trailer easier to manage.
The Ranger’s broad Australian dealer and accessory ecosystem also matters. Towbars, suspension upgrades, mirrors, brake controllers, canopies and touring accessories are widely understood and readily available.
Why it leads
- Strong and relaxed 600Nm V6 diesel
- Best range of useful trailer technology
- Excellent accessory and dealer support
- Available full-time four-wheel drive
- Refined for long touring days
What stopped a higher score?
- V6 versions carry a price premium
- Luxury grades and accessories consume payload
- Not all towing features are standard everywhere
- Raptor’s rating falls to 2,500kg
- 3,500kg still demands careful GVM/GCM calculations
Volkswagen Amarok V6
The Amarok’s strength comes from the same fundamental platform and 600Nm V6 output that make the Ranger so convincing. Volkswagen publishes a 3,500kg braked towing capacity, GVM of up to 3,350kg and GCM of up to 6,400kg, depending on variant.
Its cabin presentation and highway refinement make it particularly appealing for buyers who spend long days towing a caravan between destinations. It is quieter and more premium-feeling than many traditional work utes.
The problem is value. The Amarok can cost more than a mechanically similar Ranger without providing a decisive towing advantage. Buyers are paying for presentation, specification and brand preference rather than substantially greater capacity.
Why it finished second
- Matches the Ranger V6’s 600Nm
- Excellent cabin for touring
- Strong GVM and GCM on suitable variants
- Stable and refined highway behaviour
- Good full-time 4x4 touring credentials
What cost it points?
- Premium purchase price
- Smaller Australian dealer footprint
- Does not clearly beat Ranger on towing value
- Variant choice changes engine and weight limits
- Premium equipment can reduce remaining payload
Toyota Hilux 2.8 Diesel
The new-generation Hilux continues with Toyota’s 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, producing 150kW and up to 500Nm with the six-speed automatic. Manual versions produce less torque, so buyers must compare the exact grade.
The Hilux cannot match the Ranger and Amarok V6s for outright torque, gearbox spread or trailer technology. It earns third place through its strong national dealer network, excellent resale demand, broad accessory support and long-established Australian towing familiarity.
That reputation should not become a free pass. The Hilux may feel busier with a large caravan, and buyers are often paying a premium for the badge rather than receiving the most advanced package.
Why it remains on the podium
- Excellent regional dealer coverage
- Strong used-vehicle demand
- Extensive towing and suspension aftermarket
- Proven ownership reputation
- Simple choice for remote touring support
What cost it points?
- 100Nm behind Ranger and Amarok V6
- Fewer advanced trailer systems
- Six-speed transmission is less flexible
- Reputation can inflate purchase price
- Must still be weighed and calculated carefully
Fourth to Eighth: Strong Utes With Clear Compromises
A strong specification that still needs time
The Tasman combines 3,500kg towing, a 350kg towball rating, up to one-tonne payload and a published 6,200kg GCM. It also offers an integrated trailer brake controller on relevant grades.
Its 440Nm diesel is well below the 600Nm V6 leaders, and the model has not yet built a long Australian heavy-towing history. It scores well on engineering intent, not assumed durability.
Dependable rather than dazzling
The 3.0-litre D-MAX produces 450Nm and tows up to 3,500kg. It lacks the outright performance and technology of the leaders, but its familiar diesel, practical dealer network and work-vehicle reputation make it easy to understand.
Buyers prioritising a proven, straightforward towing vehicle may prefer the D-MAX over a more complex or less established rival.
Better than the old budget reputation suggests
The Triton’s 150kW/470Nm bi-turbo diesel, 3,500kg rating and stronger new-generation chassis make it a credible caravan and work-trailer vehicle.
It does not have the effortless V6 performance or towing ecosystem of Ranger, but its pricing and ownership package can make it a more rational purchase for buyers who tow moderately rather than living permanently at the legal limit.
Solid fundamentals, limited differentiation
The BT-50 shares its 3.0-litre 450Nm mechanical base and 3,500kg towing capability with the D-MAX.
It remains a capable tow vehicle, but it offers little that clearly moves it ahead of the Isuzu. The best reason to choose it is a better deal, preferred styling or stronger local Mazda dealer relationship.
Big outputs meet big kerb weight
Cannon Alpha variants can offer 3,500kg towing and substantial diesel or plug-in hybrid performance. The cabin and equipment list also suit long-distance touring.
The vehicle’s high kerb weight can reduce payload efficiency, and the model has less long-term Australian heavy-towing evidence than the established Japanese and Ford-based alternatives.
The Bottom Two Towing Scores
A lower towing score does not make either vehicle a bad ute. It means the case is less convincing when heavy towing is the primary purchase reason.
A promising new-generation vehicle without the evidence yet
The all-new 2026 Navara moves to a 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel producing 150kW and 470Nm, with a 3,500kg braked towing rating.
Those numbers are competitive, but the new platform has not yet accumulated the same Australian towing history, accessory depth or ownership evidence as Ranger, Hilux and D-MAX. The score can rise once the market has real experience with heavily loaded examples.
We refuse to give a new vehicle extra points simply because it is new. The Navara must earn its long-term reputation.
Strong performance does not equal heavy towing leadership
The established 1.5-litre Shark 6 produces a combined 650Nm, but its 2,500kg braked towing limit is 1,000kg below the mainstream diesel leaders.
It can be a very good urban ute and a sensible tow vehicle for lighter boats, campers and trailers. It is not the right answer for a buyer shopping specifically for a large 3.5-tonne caravan or heavy machinery trailer.
Newer Shark 6 variants may improve the certified towing story, but each version must be assessed on its own official Australian limits.
Understanding GVM, GCM, Axle Limits and Towball Weight
A maximum towing figure is not permission to attach a 3.5-tonne trailer while also carrying five adults, a bullbar, canopy, drawers, tools, a full fuel tank and 300kg of towball download.
Four separate limits need to work together, and exceeding any one of them can make the combination illegal or unsafe.
Maximum legal weight of the loaded ute, including passengers, fuel, accessories, cargo and towball download.
Maximum legal combined weight of the loaded ute and loaded trailer.
The front and rear axles each have their own maximum certified load.
Downward trailer load applied to the ute, consuming payload and rear-axle capacity.
A simple loaded-caravan example
Assume a dual cab begins with a nominal payload of 900kg. A loaded caravan places 300kg on the towball. The ute now has 600kg of theoretical payload remaining.
Add a 70kg bullbar, 100kg canopy and drawers, 40kg fridge and battery system, 180kg of passengers and 100kg of tools and luggage. The remaining margin has effectively disappeared - before checking the rear axle or GCM.
This is why payload and axle calculations can matter more than an extra 20 or 30Nm of torque.
Weigh the ute and trailer in their actual travel condition, including passengers, fuel, water, gas, batteries, luggage, tools, accessories and food.
Best Towing Ute for Every Use
Large Caravan
Our pick: Ford Ranger V6The Ranger’s 600Nm V6, 10-speed automatic and trailer assistance make it our most confidence-inspiring mainstream choice. Amarok V6 is the premium alternative. Neither should be purchased without a full loaded-weight calculation for a van approaching 3.5 tonnes.
Horse Float
Our pick: Ranger or Amarok V6A horse float carries a load that can move independently. Smooth power delivery, stable highway behaviour and effective trailer assistance matter. Confirm the loaded float mass rather than relying on its empty specification.
Boat and Regional Travel
Our pick: Hilux or D-MAXBoth combine broad support, familiar four-wheel-drive systems and strong accessory availability. Ranger remains the better choice for the heaviest boats, but Toyota and Isuzu are easy to support away from metropolitan centres.
Plant and Machinery
Our pick: Ranger V6 - or move up a classFor occasional machinery towing, Ranger V6 leads the mainstream group. Businesses repeatedly operating near 3.5 tonnes should consider whether Ranger Super Duty, a full-size pickup or a light truck offers more legal headroom.
Tools in the Ute and Trailer Behind
Our pick: payload-first work gradeA premium flagship is not automatically best. Work-focused D-MAX, Hilux, Triton and Tasman variants may retain more payload after canopies, drawers and towball download are counted.
Light Trailer and Mostly Urban Driving
Our pick: BYD Shark 6For buyers staying comfortably below its certified limit, the Shark can provide quiet commuting, strong acceleration and plug-in hybrid flexibility. It loses only when heavy towing is the central need.
Common Towing Mistakes Australian Ute Buyers Make
Shopping only by the 3,500kg figure
Several utes advertise the same maximum, but their torque, GCM, payload, axle limits and towing technology are very different.
Using the trailer’s empty weight
Water, gas, batteries, luggage, food, accessories and equipment can add hundreds of kilograms.
Forgetting towball download counts against the ute
Towball load consumes vehicle payload and can push the rear axle beyond its legal rating before the GVM is reached.
Buying the flagship without checking payload
Larger wheels, powered seats, luxury equipment and accessories add kerb weight. A lower grade may be legally more useful.
Assuming torque solves every problem
More torque can improve effort and acceleration, but it does not increase certified weights or improve a poorly loaded trailer.
Ignoring rear-axle capacity
A combination can remain below GVM while exceeding the rear axle because of towball download and cargo location.
Financing first and checking suitability later
Confirm the vehicle can legally and practically perform the job before committing to a purchase and finance structure.
Asset Finance Avenue Can Help With the Vehicle and the Finance
Tell us what you intend to tow, how often you will tow it and what else the ute needs to carry. Our car brokerage service can help source and negotiate the vehicle, while our finance team can compare options for eligible personal and business buyers.
We can also help compare two or three shortlisted utes before you commit, so the purchase decision is based on the job rather than the loudest dealership sales pitch.
Finance is subject to lender assessment, eligibility, terms and conditions. Vehicle availability and negotiated pricing vary by model, dealer stock, location and timing.
Dual Cab Ute Towing FAQs
What is the best dual cab ute for towing a caravan in Australia?
Our highest-rated mainstream choice is the Ford Ranger V6, followed by the Volkswagen Amarok V6. Both combine 600Nm diesel torque with 3,500kg braked towing and refined long-distance performance. The correct vehicle still depends on the caravan’s loaded mass, towball download and the ute’s complete payload.
Can a dual cab ute legally tow 3,500kg?
Many can, but only when the exact vehicle, tow equipment and loaded combination remain within towing capacity, GVM, GCM, towball and axle limits. A nominal 3,500kg rating does not mean every passenger, accessory and cargo combination is legal.
Does the Ford Ranger have more torque than the Toyota Hilux?
Yes. The Ranger’s 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel produces 600Nm, compared with up to 500Nm from the automatic 2.8-litre Hilux diesel. Four-cylinder Ranger versions produce less, so the exact variant matters.
Is the Amarok better than the Ranger for towing?
Their V6 towing fundamentals are very close. We rank Ranger slightly higher because of its broader towing ecosystem, dealer coverage, variant choice and Ford-specific trailer technology. Amarok may suit the buyer who values a more premium cabin.
Is the Kia Tasman suitable for a 3.5-tonne caravan?
Kia certifies the Tasman for up to 3,500kg braked towing and a 350kg towball mass, with published GCM of 6,200kg. Suitability still depends on the exact grade, loaded caravan, passengers, accessories, payload and axle loads.
Is the BYD Shark 6 suitable for towing?
It can be suitable for lighter caravans, boats and trailers within the certified limits of the exact variant. The established 1.5-litre Australian model has a 2,500kg braked rating, which is lower than most diesel rivals in this comparison.
What is the difference between GVM and GCM?
GVM is the maximum legal weight of the loaded ute. GCM is the maximum legal combined weight of the loaded ute and loaded trailer. Both limits must be observed simultaneously.
Does towball weight count as payload?
Yes. Towball download applies weight to the tow vehicle and forms part of its loaded mass. It reduces the payload available for passengers, accessories, luggage and tools.
Which ute is best for towing and carrying tools?
The best answer is usually a work-focused grade with useful payload rather than the heaviest luxury model. Calculate canopy, drawers, bullbar, passengers, tools, fuel and towball download before selecting the exact variant.
Should I buy Ranger Super Duty instead?
Ranger Super Duty offers up to 4,500kg braked towing and sits above the mainstream Ranger range. It may suit repeated heavy commercial towing, but purchase price, ride, dimensions, licence and regulatory considerations can differ. It should be compared with other heavy-duty pickups and light trucks, not only one-tonne utes.
Do I need a brake controller?
Heavy braked trailers generally require compliant braking control, although the precise obligations depend on trailer mass and jurisdiction. Confirm the requirements and ensure the equipment is professionally installed and correctly adjusted.
Should I finance the tow vehicle and trailer together?
The appropriate structure depends on whether the assets are for business or personal use, the purchaser, deposit, cash flow and lender policy. Confirm vehicle suitability first, then compare finance structures rather than choosing only by repayment.
Sources and Important Notes
Specifications were checked against Australian manufacturer material available for the 2026 market. Figures can vary by model grade, drivetrain, body configuration, options and towing equipment.
- Ford Australia - Ranger towing guide
- Ford Australia - Ranger Super Duty
- Volkswagen Australia - Amarok specifications
- Toyota Australia - 2026 Hilux specifications
- Kia Australia - Tasman towing and payload
- Kia Australia - Tasman payload calculator
- Isuzu UTE Australia - D-MAX towing
- Mitsubishi Motors Australia - Triton
- Mazda Australia - BT-50
- Nissan Australia - 2026 Navara
- BYD Automotive Australia - Shark 6
This report is general vehicle-comparison information. It is not a towing-compliance certificate, engineering advice or a substitute for the vehicle owner’s manual, compliance plates, weighbridge results or professional advice about a specific vehicle and trailer combination.
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