Hey all. Im looking at buying a 4x4 Ute for some travel and for some farm work next year. Theres lots of mixed reviews out there but was potentially leaning towards a DMax or BT50. Thoughts on either or any other car that will be reliable and not give me too much of a headache with frequently known issues. Make, model, transmission type- looking at any info at all!
Whenarewethere said
05:49 PM Nov 1, 2023
Welcome to the forum.
The search function brings up topics here one of them:
Welcome to the forum, Kirsty. Those two cars are virtually identical except for different clothes after Mazda and Ford had a lovers' tiff, after which Mazda took their bat and ball and went home!
Excellent cars and as good as any of the lightweight twin-cabs, certainly better than at least one.
Just be aware that, like all the lightweight twin-cabs, there is no way that either can safely tow more than about 3000kg ATM (total weight of trailer/caravan) despite all the hype. Good luck in your search, but I reckon the DMax is 'nicer'! Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 1st of November 2023 06:31:46 PM
My brother in law bought a DMax for his farm near Crookwell.
I spotted a new manual six gear DMax diesel ute at the local dealer and snapped it up for towing my little Roadstar.
Single cab, twin turbo.
Couldn't be happier, has ute suspension but I knew that was coming.
Looked at Toyota Workmates for about two years or so, but in the end "Toyota Tax" beat me.
Also fuel usage on the Toyota is high.
Still studying options for a tradies canopy on the back for my Engel, fishing gear, camp kitchen etc.
Love my new DMax.
rmoor said
10:35 AM Nov 2, 2023
I have been getting 10.3 KM per litre towing my little Roadstar on four hour or so trips.......
yobarr said
10:45 AM Nov 2, 2023
rmoor wrote:
I have been getting 10.3 KM per litre towing my little Roadstar on four hour or so trips.......
Digital gauge? The ONLY way to calculate fuel consumption is to start with a FULL tank, drive the car until a refill is necessary, FILL tank, take mikeage travelled and do calculations. Relying on digital figures is LaLa Land stuff. Cheers.
Eaglemax said
12:19 PM Nov 2, 2023
rmoor wrote:
I have been getting 10.3 KM per litre towing my little Roadstar on four hour or so trips.......
Must admit I like the Isuzu's. My cousin bought one to tow his (about) 26ft van. He's impressed. As he spent over 50 years as an interstate truckie thats a good recommendation.
Tony
KlB12 said
06:09 PM Nov 2, 2023
Thanks all! Really appreciate the info! What at the DMAXs like with a roof top tent ? Able to carry the weight okay?
yobarr said
06:26 PM Nov 2, 2023
KlB12 wrote:
Thanks all! Really appreciate the info! What at the DMAXs like with a roof top tent ? Able to carry the weight okay?
Not sure about that, and I don't know how you'd mount it, although the black bars on the roof must have a use?
A canopy, or even a lightweight (aluminium?) frame certainly would do the job. Good luck with your project. Cheers
Eaglemax said
10:15 PM Nov 3, 2023
Rooftop tent?
Not good for that
Google- "The Offroad Animal 'Scout' Isuzu Dmax roof rack is rated to 100kg on-road and 66kg off-road, minus the 22kg rack weight. This means you can have up to 78kg on-road and 44kg off-road on top of this rack when mounted to your Isuzu Dmax."
rmoor said
10:53 PM Nov 3, 2023
yobarr
I am old fashioned and a retired accountant.
I did my calculations manually as well as rely on the DMax "B" trip screen.
Fill up as I leave, fill up at home and do the calculation manually and work off the fuel dockets for litres purchased as I also keep a log book. Habit.
They come up about the same. 10.3 on trips towing my one tonne old Roadstar at about 1/3 of the DMax towing capacity.
Once I fill a tradie canopy on the back when finally installed, the mileage will alter then, in fact be interesting to see what effect it has.
I am really happy with the DMax and glad I opted for it over the Toyota and other brands.
Hey all. Im looking at buying a 4x4 Ute for some travel and for some farm work next year. Theres lots of mixed reviews out there but was potentially leaning towards a DMax or BT50. Thoughts on either or any other car that will be reliable and not give me too much of a headache with frequently known issues. Make, model, transmission type- looking at any info at all!
Welcome to the forum.
The search function brings up topics here one of them:
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67069250/new-dmax-and-mazda-bt50/
Thank you! still new to how this forum works!
Welcome to the forum, Kirsty. Those two cars are virtually identical except for different clothes after Mazda and Ford had a lovers' tiff, after which Mazda took their bat and ball and went home!
Excellent cars and as good as any of the lightweight twin-cabs, certainly better than at least one.
Just be aware that, like all the lightweight twin-cabs, there is no way that either can safely tow more than about 3000kg ATM (total weight of trailer/caravan) despite all the hype. Good luck in your search, but I reckon the DMax is 'nicer'! Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 1st of November 2023 06:31:46 PM
I spotted a new manual six gear DMax diesel ute at the local dealer and snapped it up for towing my little Roadstar.
Single cab, twin turbo.
Couldn't be happier, has ute suspension but I knew that was coming.
Looked at Toyota Workmates for about two years or so, but in the end "Toyota Tax" beat me.
Also fuel usage on the Toyota is high.
Still studying options for a tradies canopy on the back for my Engel, fishing gear, camp kitchen etc.
Love my new DMax.
Digital gauge? The ONLY way to calculate fuel consumption is to start with a FULL tank, drive the car until a refill is necessary, FILL tank, take mikeage travelled and do calculations. Relying on digital figures is LaLa Land stuff. Cheers.
Must admit I like the Isuzu's. My cousin bought one to tow his (about) 26ft van. He's impressed. As he spent over 50 years as an interstate truckie thats a good recommendation.
Tony
Not sure about that, and I don't know how you'd mount it, although the black bars on the roof must have a use?
A canopy, or even a lightweight (aluminium?) frame certainly would do the job. Good luck with your project. Cheers
I am old fashioned and a retired accountant.
I did my calculations manually as well as rely on the DMax "B" trip screen.
Fill up as I leave, fill up at home and do the calculation manually and work off the fuel dockets for litres purchased as I also keep a log book. Habit.
They come up about the same. 10.3 on trips towing my one tonne old Roadstar at about 1/3 of the DMax towing capacity.
Once I fill a tradie canopy on the back when finally installed, the mileage will alter then, in fact be interesting to see what effect it has.
I am really happy with the DMax and glad I opted for it over the Toyota and other brands.