Five of the Best Cars for Towing a Caravan
Buying a caravan is only your first step into on-road success, and it’s vital you choose the right vehicle to tow it.
“Your tow vehicle should comfortably exceed the caravan’s loaded weight rather than simply meet the maximum towing capacity,” says Jayco product innovation and sales manager Scott Jones.
“Vehicles with higher towing capacity, longer wheelbases and stronger suspension set-ups generally provide greater stability. And diesel engines are often preferred for their strong low-end torque, which makes towing heavier caravans smoother.”
All that translates to SUVs and Utes being the obvious choices for Australian caravan owners.
Isuzu D-MAX BLADE
The latest release in the Isuzu D-MAX range has been designed for Australian conditions, plus it makes towing a dream. With a towing capacity of three-and-a-half tonnes, the BLADE makes light work of most caravans, thanks to a 3.0L turbo-diesel engine that produces 140kW of power and “an avalanche” of torque for exceptional take-off and acceleration. The D-MAX also includes a range of built-in safety measures – trailer sway control, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring system and reversing camera – to make towing your caravan even easier.
GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T
Not only is this luxury SUV ready to get adventurous, but it’s also a hybrid, with a 2.0L turbo-petrol engine and electric motor for 300kW/750Nm – a great choice for anyone looking to make a powerful, efficient choice for driving either in the city or more challenging terrains. It has a three-tonne towing capacity, which is a little less than many of its competitors. But for lighter caravans and general driving, it’s both powerful and comfortable at a lower price point than similar-sized SUVs.
Mitsubishi Triton
This popular Ute features a 2.4L 150kW Bi-Turbo diesel engine and, in its higher-priced models, like the GSR, excellent all-terrain performance thanks to its Super Select 4WD-II system that offers great stability and seven different drive modes. It has a maximum braked towing capacity of three-and-a-half tonnes, as well as Trailer Stability Assist to help prevent caravan sway while towing at speed.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2.0
The Ranger is one of Australia’s most popular cars, and the WildTrak is one of its much-loved permutations, with plenty of people choosing it for their family car or work vehicle. It comes standard with a 2.0L Bi-Turbo 10-speed automatic engine with part-time 4WD; there is, however, the option for 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel with full-time 4WD. Its tow package includes a factory-fitted towbar, integrated trailer brake controller, trailer light self-checking function, reversing camera with a towing-specific top-down tow hitch view, and customisable trailer profiles that can be stored in the infotainment system.
RAM 1500 Rebel Hurricane
Here’s an option for anyone towing a big family caravan. The Hurricane twin-turbo I6 engine has the get-up-and-go needed for hauling heavy loads, with this RAM offering a towing capacity of four-and-a-half tonnes on a 70mm towball. It also features large mirrors with convex sections, and a reversing camera that makes it easy to get hitched. It has live-axle, all-coil suspension, 25mm more ground clearance than other RAM 1500 models, and a new function called Selec-Speed, which provides low-speed progress without throttle or brake input from the driver – handy for technical off-road terrain. Oh, and the interior is luxe for those days when you’re driving in the city rather than the bush.
