Guys and gals ...just wondering if any of you have a 2015/16 D-Max 3lt TD auto ..Just wondering what advice you would give regarding towing say a 2.3t van on the flat and up hills regarding auto transmission.. Thinking seriously about getting one very soon.. Look forward to your replies both good and bad..
Lance
__________________
I love poor little defenceless animals, especially in gravy. Crazy Dog
I have a 2014 DMax qhich apparently hasn't changed motor wise to the lastest models.
We haul 3.5T of tandem 'van all around Aust and done some horrific hills (up and down).
Now has 62K on the clock and never been in for any warranty issues.
Just leave it in "D" (drive) and let it do the thinking. The great thing is it will auto change down gears if you brake going down a long or steep hill.
But like any other diesel, change the oil every 10K and I also change the oil filter then as well. Worth the extra expense and you'll get 500K plus out of the motor if you look after it. Be aware that Isuzu don't automatically change oil at every 10K - if you decide to do that - check each service page before it goes in for service and tell them you require an oil and/or oil and filter change.
I only get a Dealer to do the service at each major service - independants or the likes of Automasters do just as good a job and much cheaper. I always phone a few service places when the next service is due to get a price
__________________
Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Thanx Bruce..Looking very very likely a D-Max for me..EOFY sales here I come..top of the range ute for me-dual cab.. by the way Bruce..do u use a weight distribution hitch by any chance?
Lance
-- Edited by Crazy Dog on Friday 3rd of June 2016 07:39:46 PM
__________________
I love poor little defenceless animals, especially in gravy. Crazy Dog
Hi Crazy Dog. I drive a 2014 Colorado twin cab ute and even though not a Dmax they are similar. When my 2.6t van is hooked up I start of in Auto then take control myself by going into 'selective shift'. I then go back into Auto through towns and roadworks or similar. I find the Collie performs a little better.
Keep Safe on the roads.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Hi crazy dog. We bought a 2013 dmax spacecab. And tow a 3 ton van with ease , the dmax runs an asahi gearbox , (if it is auto same box as the v8 land cruiser.) Just make sure you change your oil often On the engine I do mine at 5000 km. I use she'll hx5. Which was on special at super cheap auto a few weeks ago $15 for 5 litres. Very happy with the dmax and its ability to tow. Just put in drive and let it figure out what it has to by itself, I came down with a spurious disease and would have bought a manual but had to go auto luck fell my way and i am happy with the auto. the only thing I did was add an oil cooler and scangauge , transmission temp sits around 80 degrees generally goes up a little on hills and cools off again after fairly quick. Would by another one tomorrow. Hope this helps. Chooknphil
__________________
Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store or under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends.
Just out of interest, do any of the owners posted above tow with the air con on?
Not here to start a debate or argument just curious thats all.
Hi Doug, we are looking at a Colorado and like the cummins motor and all around finish of the vehicle but also the DMax has the ever reliable Isuzue motor and good quality as well.
tough choice between these two.
Just out of interest, do any of the owners posted above tow with the air con on?
Not here to start a debate or argument just curious thats all.
Hi Doug, we are looking at a Colorado and like the cummins motor and all around finish of the vehicle but also the DMax has the ever reliable Isuzue motor and good quality as well. tough choice between these two.
Cheers Vind ce
Hi Vince. Read your post and I was lead to believe the motor for the Colarado was produced in Italy by company that GM is major share holder (I normally don't believe salespeople, I did not ask he told me which I throught had more weight behind his statement) no the motor is produced in a new plant in Thialand along side the vehicle plant.
The story I read says nothing about Cummins, Cummins owns a very impressive operation in China making small comercial diesel motors. The plant is a fully automatic robotic.
Google,,, where do Holden get there diesel motors from for the Colorado. Interesting.
We ended up buying a Nissan Navara V6 diesel, with out starting WW3 it is the most powerful 170kw, 550nm, 7 speed auto and very comfortable of all the crew cabs. The LC crew cab don't come in auto which was high on our list of needs. The Colorado was my next choice followed close by the Amarock, really worth alook.
Interesting time buying a new vehicle, I gave up my Toy, expensive toy, my 3rd hand Land Rover Discovery TD5 not because it broke down, I was adding to it performance wise, first thing I said to my Lady the ute will want to be good when she put pressure on me to part with the Disco. I am now not one bit regretting the change.
Yes, it on full time, don't want to wear out the switch. I do not know any better, been told the engine fan wil come on early, keeps the driver and passenger cooler and in a better farm of mind.
Hope in some small way this may help.
-- Edited by Radar on Friday 3rd of June 2016 11:14:25 PM
Another happy DMaxer here. I have a Manual 2013 LSU dual cab with BBar and canopy. Own a 8.8mtre tandem axle caravan weighing in on tour at 3.0T loaded with water in tanks.
Travelled 4000 km back across the Nullabor from picking up our new van in Melbourne, travelled 11000 north of Perth to Darwin and back and not had any issue with the vehicle. Had the oil changed in Darwin for the journey back to Perth. It performs really well under all conditions, including towing with aircon on in hot times with no noticeable change to the temp gauge and gets up to speed under load quickly.
I prefer towing with a manual, didn't have any temp concerns with the gearbox and while there is often comments about the DMax having the lower of torque figures (380 NM) you wouldn't know it. I always tow in fourth gear and there are only a few times that I need to change down a gear on steep inclines.
As there are now many good options out there I wish you well in your decision.
I have a 2014 DMax qhich apparently hasn't changed motor wise to the lastest models.
We haul 3.5T of tandem 'van all around Aust and done some horrific hills (up and down).
Have you weighed the car/van combo to see if you are legal? GCM for the D-max is 5950kg.
3.5t van only leaves 2450kg for the car which Tares at around 2000kg. That leaves less than 450kg for canopy, roo-bar??, roofrack??, fuel, passengers & all the goodies that go in the tub.
Just curious how you do it.
__________________
Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
Hi Lance. We started off without a WDH and it did have a slight (like about 1.5inches when measured under front and rear wheel arches) sag.
I checked with a few Dealers and they said that wasn't a problem, but while we were in Melbourne a guy bought a van and a new set of WDH's which he then decided he didn't want. Got them still in the box for $100 and use them, but not too tight. I spoke with one guy who lives full time and travels around Aust and he uses a bottle jack to lift the 'van A frame closer up so he can chain up his WDH's really tight. Amazing it hasn't damaged his tow vehicle or broken the WDH chains!!
We bought the base model SW on the recommendation of the Dealer salesman (a family friend - yep even car salesmen have friends lol). He said the rear suspension was stronger and stiffer and would be less likely to sag when towing, rubber matting rather than carpet that would get dirty, wet and smelly with nomading when wet (what ??? - it gets wet when you nomad !!!) and it was cheaper. We also bought it as an EOFY special and got about $8K off its usual retail as well as a $1000 debit card from Isuzu and a shock watch (which I still use lol)
__________________
Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Wow sounds gr8 Allan..I went into the dealer today here in Cairns to drool some more..Waiting on bank for the go ahead..Prob the all singing all dancing model or the one just below--dual cab with tub not tray 4x4... :)
Thanx for your comment.
__________________
I love poor little defenceless animals, especially in gravy. Crazy Dog
Hi Bruce--yup trying for an EOFY deal myself.. One here like you suggest with rubber matting and a light golden colour..That one I rather like.. Just need to find out how to get a lock for the tail gate... thanx for your reply.
Lance
__________________
I love poor little defenceless animals, especially in gravy. Crazy Dog
Thanks chooknphil I was hoping you can.
Thanks too Radar I stand corrected had another look on google found it interesting. My neighbour has a Colorado and that was my info source, I think he's gunna be disappointed when I tell him he hasn't got a Cummins motor.
Thanks chooknphil I was hoping you can. Thanks too Radar I stand corrected had another look on google found it interesting. My neighbour has a Colorado and that was my info source, I think he's gunna be disappointed when I tell him he hasn't got a Cummins motor.
Our Narava V6 diesel motor is souced though Renault France being part owner of Nissan, car is built in Spain, everything is marked Spain except tyres Germany. Spain is written everywhere and I mean everywhere.
Been told it's the same motor as this and that, can see the connection between Ford, Land Rover, BMW ańd even throw in a little bit of VW but not Renault.
The basic spec are similar 3 litre, the LR Disc was 2.7 then went into the Ford Territory, then LR went to the 3 litre about the same time as VW Tourags started using a V6 3000litre of similar spec. I was once told the motor is produced in Italy which has connection with GM, who do you trust.
I have googgled a few times trying to get answers but then some times you need to ask the right question of google to get the answers.
We tow our 3t van in 4th (auto) with our 2015 LST , 15 l/100km on this 20K trip ..... this prevents torque converter slip & subsequent heat = no problems
__________________
HAPPINESS is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need the money,
Sing like no-one is listening,
Love like you've never been hurt &
Dance like no one's watching
