Which NEW Pick-Up for Towing

[Jamie Jones]

Which NEW Pick-Up for Towing.... 
If you going to get a  NEW Pick-Up for Towing a twin axle trailer (with a 2-3t Trailer and Load) which one would you get.
I current Have an Isuzu D-Max Utah 2.5 and can't wait to get out of it. As it has been a very unpleasant ownership experience, lacks power when pulling off with a load. I have had electrical issues. The Mid Wales Dealer is shockingly bad and it is a long way to another main dealer to get warranty work done, so I end up paying independent mechanics to do what should be warranty work. I won't deal with the Mid Wales Isuzu Dealer due to the lies, bad workmanship, shockingly bad customer service.

But every other option I look at, I seem to get advice from owners saying not to buy one. I do appreciate that with all the new EU restrictions they are imposing  is making this type of vehicle legislated of the road. (The current builders vans now struggle  to tow anything substantial).

 

New Ford Ranger 3.2l
- Various issues: Drive Train / Shaft, DPF, Very fuel thirsty 

 

New Nissan Navara 2.4l

- Coil springs on the rear not being as good a leaf springs (Chassis issues now sorted)
 

New Mitsubishi L200 2.4l
- The brand new one not yet been test buy owners yet, so no known faults at this stage. But reports of EGR or DPF dumping fuel in to the engine oil and raising the oil level damaging the engine
 

New Toyota Hilux 2.4l
- Injectors and very sluggesh when towing
 

New Isuzu D-Max 2l
- Under powered, Power drain issues, EGR dumping fuel in to the engine oil and raising the oil level damaging the engine. 

Edited September 5, 2019 by Jamie Jones
Extra info

[Big J]

No idea. All have undersized engines with the exception of the Ranger, but having test drove the Ranger, I thought it was massively underpowered. I have a 130bhp Berlingo which is markedly quicker than the Ranger.

 

V10 Touareg? Big American pickup? 79 series Landcruiser pickup? With the average customer never towing anything, the manufacturers are all chasing mpg and emissions. 

 

As regards new, probably a V6 Amarok, but you're at £40k plus VAT for that. 

[Stubby]

With regard to the Navara can you not get a V6 version anymore ? From your list of woes the Navara seems to come off best ( least woes ) .

Edited September 6, 2019 by Stubby

[nepia]

For a price there's a 2.3L twin turbo Navara with 8-speed auto box that I'm told is a joy to tow with.

But the price...

[Ferguson system]

My vote goes to the Ranger. But since you're going to be towing 2-3T, I would have looked at US Ford pickups. Ford F150 and F250. Stronger axles, frame, engine and transmission. Many of them has a tow/haul function that changes the gear and engine characteristics. Max torque and braking power.

[GA Groundcare]

Do you really need a pick up? How about a new 4x4 VW Transporter, I believe some models tow 2.8T and you could have it as a crew van? Modern vans are lovely to tow with, our transit custom L2H2 tows 2.6T (so we can tow a 6"-7" tracked chipper on a plant trailer) and I think it tows nicer than our 2.5T D-Max we just sold. Only downside is pulling away on steep hills and trying to reverse on any slight incline.

 

I had a brand new 2.5T D-Max in 2012 and covered a faultless 100k then had another one until July this year which again was faultless. I've had a great experience with the D-Max, completely different to yours by the sounds of it!

Pickups frustrate me though, on the surface they seem very practical for multiple things however in reality they don't carry 4 adults well, things get wet in the back, nothing is very safe either and if you wanted to say move furniture a Ford Focus estate with the seats folded down will take more.

 

Nothing will trump the D4 Disco for towing luxury though...  

Edited September 6, 2019 by GA Groundcare

[Vedhoggar]

The latest L200 (series 6) has a 2268 cc engine (all models), series 5 has a 2442 cc engine. We tow a 2T Ifor Williams trailer with a series 5 single cab 4life pickup fully loaded weight wise no problem plus often with gear/part load in pickup).  Series 6 come with tachometer (all models) the series 5 does not. Series 6 no single cab 4Life version. Series 5 single cab come with ladder rack and outer lashing hooks which is very useful.

[Ratman]

With regard to the Navara can you not get a V6 version anymore ? From your list of woes the Navara seems to come off best ( least woes ) .

Stopped em back end of 2015, thats what i’ll be looking at, possibly a 2014 if mileage is ultra low.

[IronMike]

I’m sure I saw an advert for the new L200 and in the small print at the bottom of the screen it’s said the 3.5t towing capacity was only when towing a triple axle trailer with brakes. Single or double and it was less (3.2t perhaps?)

[Tree Man Tom]

The new ranger is 2l bi-turbo coupled to a 10speed box, been reading up on the forums recently and seem to be getting good reviews. I've got the 3.2 at the moment which I love but might test drive the 2l myself and see what it's like.