Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50

[KingBilly]

Just read in today's Cars Guide that the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 4x4's have had their towing capacity increased to 3500kg and their max towball download increased to 350kg.  Apparently achieved by way of chassis strengthening.  Also applies to Ford's TDC rear wheel drive Hi-Rider.  Not the same article but the same news:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/213763/mazda-bt-50-towing-capacity-boosted/

But if that isn't enough, in the same edition there is Dodge's announcement of a Ram pick that can tow more 13,600kg.  The next generation model may be available in Australia.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/

KB

[rodsswag]

I saw a Ford Ranger Hi-Rider yesterday and altho it's a Ford didn't look to bad...
 

Rod....

[Murray]

Hi KingBilly,
Beware of Mazda claims about load carrying. I bought two BT50 Freestyle HiRiders for work on the claims of their superior load carrying ability. Both had beefed up rear springs added within a fortnight of taking delivery. They come standard with a 4 leaf rear spring and inverted after 900kg was added to the tray - well short of the 1400kg in their advertising. The utes now have 6 leaf.

The 5 cyl diesel is a ripper. Good economy and tons of power.

If Mazda claim the utes can take 350kg on the towball, then this will be with no other weight in the tray. The motor will pull the weight no probs.

Murray

[crackacoldie]

Just be careful of 3.5t on the back with no weight in the tray.  The back end will walk all over the road.

  Cracka

[Murray]

Hi Cracka,
From my arguments with Mazda about load carrying, I don't think they consider practical application of their statistics. 350kg on the towball will still be within their specs for maximum weight on the rear axle (1400kg). Towing with 350kg towball weight and not exceeding max rear axle weight is not their problem.

I put 900 kg in the tray of the Freestyle HiRider, pushed up against the cab as much as practically possible, having minimal weight rear of the axle and rear axle weight still came in at 1550kg. I argued that the ute could not carry the 1450kg payload advertised and reinforced by their salesman. The service manager replied that the ute would carry the weight if the weight was evenly distributed across all four wheels. I asked him to demonstrate how that could be achieved and said, "It's not Mazda's place to tell you how to pack your vehicle."

So back to "Is it safe to drive with 350 kg towball weight and no other weight in the tray" If 950 kg in the front of the tray exceeds the rear axle weight, then 350kg on the towball will take the rear axle weight to its maximum, leaving you with no ability to carry extra to stabilize to ute.  I wonder if Mazda specify if it is safe to drive at speeds above 80kph with 350kg towball weight?  The devil is in the detail.  These are maximum weights and should not be taken as daily practice without modifying the suspension.

Cheers
Murray