Advice requested for a newbie on the capabilities of Mazda BT50 (2008-2011)
Agent86 said
06:36 PM Feb 15, 2021
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
-- Edited by Agent86 on Monday 15th of February 2021 09:50:31 PM
yobarr said
07:30 PM Feb 15, 2021
Agent86 wrote:
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 15th of February 2021 07:35:59 PM
Gundog said
10:23 PM Feb 15, 2021
Don I tow with the Ford variant.
First off you will get all the answers from your owners manual.
A couple of hints 250kg ball weight limit, because the same towbar is used across the entire range the manual can tow 3000kg where the auto is limited to 2500kg hence the 250kg limit as stated on the towbar compliance plate, If an after market towbar may have a 3000kg limit with a 300kg ball weight.
Yobarr consistantly opposes the use of a WDH, but as set out in my owners manual towing over 1800kg requires the use of one, and it is more likely that you would find when 250kg towball weight is applied too much weight would come off the front axle and your steering would become light, and you would most likely exceed your rear axle weight. With the correct installation and setup of the WDH that weight would be returned to the front axle and the rear axle weight would be under the max limit.
The other piece of horse hockey is the van should be 20% lighter than the BT50, its an opinion not a requirement. In my personal setup the Van at the last weighing was 100kg lighter than the Ranger. I tow a 2600kg GTM 25' van with my Ranger and I am 200kg under the GCM.
A common practice for the 5 speed manual is to tow in 4th gear which is the 1:1 gear, dont use the cruise control and travel between 2300 and 2400 RPM, you should get between 14 and 15.5 l/100k under normal conditions.
The only downside is reversing the caravan in high range you can slip the clutch a bit, try reversing in low 2wd.
The numbers from my manual is your GCM is 5500kg, the GVM is 3044kg front axle 1430kg and rear axle is 1850kg
As you are at 105,000k you are due for a timing belt change at 120,000k, I suggest to do it early.
-- Edited by Gundog on Monday 15th of February 2021 10:26:35 PM
Trevor 57 said
04:20 AM Feb 16, 2021
The autos aren't that good if they get hot, but yours is a manual so should be OK, I have heard they can have clutch issues
BTW, for anyone reading that owns an auto, they are limited to 2500kg towing weight (read the manual - I used to own one), the manuals only are 3000kg
Paul said
08:50 AM Feb 16, 2021
Hi Don, I have been towing a 2150kg Golf with a 2010 PK Ranger, 3lt manual, for about 8 yrs now and have found that the car handles it quite well, it does struggle a bit on some of the hilly areas but I just adjust my attitude to the conditions. The car has now done about 180k and I have just done a few minor things to the ball joints , idler arms and centre bearing, i am hoping that it will keep going with the new van of approx 2400kg without to many problems, as the manual states, a wdh must be used with a tbw over 180kg, I have never found that to be a problem, I did upgrade the rear springs but can't remember to what rating. It would be nice to buy a better vehicle but the finances restrict that. One of my better purchases was a Scangauge 11. PM if you would like a further chat, happy travels.
PS I'll have to change my avatar one day.
-- Edited by Paul on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 08:51:42 AM
Tones said
10:26 AM Feb 16, 2021
Hi Don,
We owned a similar one prior to our current Isuzu. In my opinion, it would capably handle the van that your wife is thinking about. As you say, as long as you can keep the weight "legal" all will be good. Our van has an ATM of 2400 and the Mazda did that easily at 16.1L / 100Km. (averaged across Australia twice). The only reason we got rid of it was that Mazda would not stand by their product just out of service by replacing a part with a well-known history of problems. We only managed to get 59K out of our Mazda from new and it never saw any off-road. By the sound of it, you are past the gremlin stage.
Go for the new van; you are only here once!
Tones
montie said
11:54 AM Feb 16, 2021
yobarr wrote:
Agent86 wrote:
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 15th of February 2021 07:35:59 PM
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
Hi Montie...I'm not sure where you got those figures from,but all my records show that that year's BT50 4x4s had 3 litre motors and 3000kg towing capacity.There was a 2.5litre 4x2 with lower towing capacity,but I can find nothing about a 2.2litre model.Perhaps you could elaborate,as always I am happy to learn? Initially I was simply working off the figures supplied my Maxwell....sorry,Don.....and subsequent checks have confirmed those figures are correct. However,I did fail to check GCM,simply assuming that it would be the common 6000kg,but seems it is only 5500kg.This means that although Don still can tow 2800kg ATM,he would need to limit his weight on car wheels (GVM?) to 2950kg. This would still have the car heavier than the van, but he could carry more in his car if he cut back on the weight of the van.Cheers.
montie said
01:19 PM Feb 16, 2021
yobarr wrote:
montie wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Agent86 wrote:
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
Hi Montie...I'm not sure where you got those figures from,but all my records show that that year's BT50 4x4s had 3 litre motors and 3000kg towing capacity.There was a 2.5litre 4x2 with lower towing capacity,but I can find nothing about a 2.2litre model.Perhaps you could elaborate,as always I am happy to learn? Initially I was simply working off the figures supplied my Maxwell....sorry,Don.....and subsequent checks have confirmed those figures are correct. However,I did fail to check GCM,simply assuming that it would be the common 6000kg,but seems it is only 5500kg.This means that although Don still can tow 2800kg ATM,he would need to limit his weight on car wheels (GVM?) to 2950kg. This would still have the car heavier than the van, but he could carry more in his car if he cut back on the weight of the van.Cheers.
I did quote a 4x2 model only because the OP asked for 2008/2011 which did not have a 4x4 version. Below specs for 2011/2013 4x4 model but I'm not sure if that's the one he has got. 2011 4x2 model had a 2.2l motor but no reference to BT 50 prior to 2011. It's predecessor was the B 4000.
Source Australian Towing Mass Guide (Dealers Only)
-- Edited by montie on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 01:22:11 PM
yobarr said
02:03 PM Feb 16, 2021
montie wrote:
yobarr wrote:
montie wrote:
yobarr wrote:
Agent86 wrote:
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
Hi Montie...I'm not sure where you got those figures from,but all my records show that that year's BT50 4x4s had 3 litre motors and 3000kg towing capacity.There was a 2.5litre 4x2 with lower towing capacity,but I can find nothing about a 2.2litre model.Perhaps you could elaborate,as always I am happy to learn? Initially I was simply working off the figures supplied my Maxwell....sorry,Don.....and subsequent checks have confirmed those figures are correct. However,I did fail to check GCM,simply assuming that it would be the common 6000kg,but seems it is only 5500kg.This means that although Don still can tow 2800kg ATM,he would need to limit his weight on car wheels (GVM?) to 2950kg. This would still have the car heavier than the van, but he could carry more in his car if he cut back on the weight of the van.Cheers.
I did quote a 4x2 model only because the OP asked for 2008/2011 which did not have a 4x4 version. Below specs for 2011/2013 4x4 model but I'm not sure if that's the one he has got. 2011 4x2 model had a 2.2l motor but no reference to BT 50 prior to 2011. It's predecessor was the B 4000.
Source Australian Towing Mass Guide (Dealers Only)
No worries Montie....I have highlighted above the figures that I was working off.All is good! Cheers
Agent86 said
02:42 PM Feb 16, 2021
Thanks to all for the information and benefit of your experience.
Certainly is a lot to take into consideration.
Due to the different BT 50 models, body styles, transmission and engines there is confusion created over their capabilities.
So I have gone through the Mazda BT-50 Owners manual for my 2011 Model : B3ON5CLD4A.
(4x4 Boss, single cab tray back ute, 3L Diesel with 5 speed manual)
From the manual's "Vehicle loading and Towing section" comes the following information (most of which has been given in replies)
Curb weight - 1802 kg
Gross Vehicle weight - 3058 kg
Gross axle weight - FRONT 1430 kg, REAR 1850 kg.
Gross combination weight rating - 5500 kg.
Towed load limit - 3000 kg (with brakes)
Downward tow ball load must not exceed 10% of total load in tow or the maximum limit listed on ID plate on towbar (250 kg in this case)
When total towed weight exceeds 2250 kg, use of a Towing Industry recommended levelling device in combination with a Mazda approved tow bar.
An approved levelling device must be used when the downward load on the tow ball exceeds 75 kg.
So from what I can gather from your experience and the tech specs for my BT 50 , if I go with a van which I can keep to or below 2500 kg ATM and using a suitable WDH, I should be good?
At 2500 kg ATM I would be at 83.3% of the BT 50's towing capacity.
Also if I go over 2500 kg thence increase ball weight to achieve 10% downward weight, I would need to upgrade my 250 kg max ball weight towbar to a 300 kg max bar.
Hi, we are looking to buy a new van to tow with my Mazda BT50.
Would like to hear from someone who has had experience towing with this model particularly as to what van weight would you recommend as a safe limit.
Its a 2011 model (last of the old version) manual 4x4 BT50 Boss tray back as in the avtar pic.
I have had it since new, its done 105,000 K's and tows my 5.5M (1,200 kg) boat with ease.
We have taken out an Adria hire van, single axle, probably 1750 kg max no problems.
The Mazda manual states 3000kg max towing capacity with 250 max tow ball load.
I have no visions of serious off road usage, just the odd dirt road or 2.
The other half has her eye on a Blue Sky Emerald van.
Its 19ft 6 , 2105kg Tare, 2705kg ATM, ball load 190 kg.
It may be a vain hope but I would like to think we could keep the van payload under 400 kg considering the use of the ute tray.
Would appreciate any feedback from your experience.
-- Edited by Agent86 on Monday 15th of February 2021 09:50:31 PM
Hi Don,and welcome to the forum.That model BT50 is a great choice for those who wish to tow up to about 2800kg,with the limiting factor being the 250kg maximum towball weight.It is generally accepted that towball weight should be around 10% of ATM,so 250kg is a bit light at only 9%,but if you were able to get your car up to around 3100kg weight on wheels (GVM if you like,but technically incorrect) you would have GTM (weight on van wheels) of 2550kg behind a car that weighs 3100kg.The car would then be around 20% heavier than the van.....good! You will have to be a bit careful with the weight on your car's rear axle,which is rated at only 1850kg,but that should be OK for what you propose.Remember that 250kg towball weight will put over 350kg onto your car's rear axle.....think 'levers'.Because your towball weight takes over 100kg OFF your car's front axle, and transfers it to the rear axle,it is unlikely that you'll ever reach your 3200kg GVM rating,but with careful loading it may be possible to get to,say, 3100kg.This figure,added to your 2550kg GTM (weight on van wheels),means you would have total weight (GCM) of 5650kg,all safe,all legal,and all insured! This combination would handle dirt roads etc easily and safely,but you must remember to get as much weight as possible over the van's axle group,rather than at each end. Further questions are welcome...the only silly question is one that isn't asked.Cheers.
P.S Buy the Mrs the Blue Sky Emerald van,and live happily ever after! The car will easily handle that van.
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 15th of February 2021 07:35:59 PM
Don I tow with the Ford variant.
First off you will get all the answers from your owners manual.
A couple of hints 250kg ball weight limit, because the same towbar is used across the entire range the manual can tow 3000kg where the auto is limited to 2500kg hence the 250kg limit as stated on the towbar compliance plate, If an after market towbar may have a 3000kg limit with a 300kg ball weight.
Yobarr consistantly opposes the use of a WDH, but as set out in my owners manual towing over 1800kg requires the use of one, and it is more likely that you would find when 250kg towball weight is applied too much weight would come off the front axle and your steering would become light, and you would most likely exceed your rear axle weight. With the correct installation and setup of the WDH that weight would be returned to the front axle and the rear axle weight would be under the max limit.
The other piece of horse hockey is the van should be 20% lighter than the BT50, its an opinion not a requirement. In my personal setup the Van at the last weighing was 100kg lighter than the Ranger. I tow a 2600kg GTM 25' van with my Ranger and I am 200kg under the GCM.
A common practice for the 5 speed manual is to tow in 4th gear which is the 1:1 gear, dont use the cruise control and travel between 2300 and 2400 RPM, you should get between 14 and 15.5 l/100k under normal conditions.
The only downside is reversing the caravan in high range you can slip the clutch a bit, try reversing in low 2wd.
The numbers from my manual is your GCM is 5500kg, the GVM is 3044kg front axle 1430kg and rear axle is 1850kg
As you are at 105,000k you are due for a timing belt change at 120,000k, I suggest to do it early.
-- Edited by Gundog on Monday 15th of February 2021 10:26:35 PM
BTW, for anyone reading that owns an auto, they are limited to 2500kg towing weight (read the manual - I used to own one), the manuals only are 3000kg
Hi Don, I have been towing a 2150kg Golf with a 2010 PK Ranger, 3lt manual, for about 8 yrs now and have found that the car handles it quite well, it does struggle a bit on some of the hilly areas but I just adjust my attitude to the conditions. The car has now done about 180k and I have just done a few minor things to the ball joints , idler arms and centre bearing, i am hoping that it will keep going with the new van of approx 2400kg without to many problems, as the manual states, a wdh must be used with a tbw over 180kg, I have never found that to be a problem, I did upgrade the rear springs but can't remember to what rating. It would be nice to buy a better vehicle but the finances restrict that. One of my better purchases was a Scangauge 11. PM if you would like a further chat, happy travels.
PS I'll have to change my avatar one day.
-- Edited by Paul on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 08:51:42 AM
Hi Don,
We owned a similar one prior to our current Isuzu. In my opinion, it would capably handle the van that your wife is thinking about. As you say, as long as you can keep the weight "legal" all will be good. Our van has an ATM of 2400 and the Mazda did that easily at 16.1L / 100Km. (averaged across Australia twice). The only reason we got rid of it was that Mazda would not stand by their product just out of service by replacing a part with a well-known history of problems. We only managed to get 59K out of our Mazda from new and it never saw any off-road. By the sound of it, you are past the gremlin stage.
Go for the new van; you are only here once!
Tones
Mazda BT50 2.2l 2011.
6sp Manual
2500kg BTC
250kg Ball Rating
2925kg GVM
5275kg GCM
Ratings upgraded in 2013 but not retrospective.
Hi Montie...I'm not sure where you got those figures from,but all my records show that that year's BT50 4x4s had 3 litre motors and 3000kg towing capacity.There was a 2.5litre 4x2 with lower towing capacity,but I can find nothing about a 2.2litre model.Perhaps you could elaborate,as always I am happy to learn? Initially I was simply working off the figures supplied my Maxwell....sorry,Don.....and subsequent checks have confirmed those figures are correct. However,I did fail to check GCM,simply assuming that it would be the common 6000kg,but seems it is only 5500kg.This means that although Don still can tow 2800kg ATM,he would need to limit his weight on car wheels (GVM?) to 2950kg. This would still have the car heavier than the van, but he could carry more in his car if he cut back on the weight of the van.Cheers.
-- Edited by montie on Tuesday 16th of February 2021 01:22:11 PM
No worries Montie....I have highlighted above the figures that I was working off.All is good! Cheers
Thanks to all for the information and benefit of your experience.
Certainly is a lot to take into consideration.
Due to the different BT 50 models, body styles, transmission and engines there is confusion created over their capabilities.
So I have gone through the Mazda BT-50 Owners manual for my 2011 Model : B3ON5CLD4A.
(4x4 Boss, single cab tray back ute, 3L Diesel with 5 speed manual)
From the manual's "Vehicle loading and Towing section" comes the following information (most of which has been given in replies)
Curb weight - 1802 kg
Gross Vehicle weight - 3058 kg
Gross axle weight - FRONT 1430 kg, REAR 1850 kg.
Gross combination weight rating - 5500 kg.
Towed load limit - 3000 kg (with brakes)
Downward tow ball load must not exceed 10% of total load in tow or the maximum limit listed on ID plate on towbar (250 kg in this case)
When total towed weight exceeds 2250 kg, use of a Towing Industry recommended levelling device in combination with a Mazda approved tow bar.
An approved levelling device must be used when the downward load on the tow ball exceeds 75 kg.
So from what I can gather from your experience and the tech specs for my BT 50 , if I go with a van which I can keep to or below 2500 kg ATM and using a suitable WDH, I should be good?
At 2500 kg ATM I would be at 83.3% of the BT 50's towing capacity.
Also if I go over 2500 kg thence increase ball weight to achieve 10% downward weight, I would need to upgrade my 250 kg max ball weight towbar to a 300 kg max bar.