Best Vehicles for Caravan Towing in Australia – 2025 Guide

Australia is made for adventure—and nothing says freedom quite like hitting the road with a caravan in tow. Whether you’re off to explore the rugged Kimberley or cruising down the Great Ocean Road, having the right tow vehicle makes all the difference. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best towing vehicles for caravans in Australia, covering powerful utes, robust 4WDs, and even large SUVs that combine comfort with towing confidence.

🚗 What Makes a Great Caravan Tow Vehicle?

Before diving into specific models, let’s understand the essentials. Towing a caravan isn’t just about raw power; it’s also about stability, safety, and long-distance comfort.

✅ Key Towing Criteria:

• Braked Towing Capacity: The weight your vehicle can legally tow with trailer brakes.

• GCM (Gross Combined Mass): The total mass of the vehicle + trailer.

• GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): How much your vehicle can weigh when fully loaded.

• Torque: Especially important for uphill and off-road towing.

• Towing Aids: Like Trailer Sway Control, Tow Assist, Electronic Brake Controllers.

• Cooling Systems: Engine and transmission coolers extend performance under heavy loads.

• Chassis and Suspension Strength: Impacts towing comfort and stability.

🥇 Top Utes for Caravan Towing in Australia (2025)

Utes are traditionally the first pick for caravan towers—and for good reason. They combine payload, torque, and durability. Let’s break down the top options.

1. Toyota HiLux GR Sport / SR5

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 550 Nm

• Engine: 2.8L turbo-diesel

• Why It Tows Well: Proven off-road durability, strong aftermarket support, excellent resale.

• Best For: Tradies and off-road caravaners.

2. Ford Ranger Wildtrak / Raptor

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 600 Nm (V6 diesel), 583 Nm (Petrol Raptor)

• Engine: 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel / 3.0L V6 petrol twin-turbo

• Why It Tows Well: Cutting-edge towing tech, heavy-duty cooling, multi-mode towing assist.

• Best For: Long-distance touring with tech lovers.

3. Isuzu D-MAX X-Terrain

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 450 Nm

• Engine: 3.0L turbo-diesel

• Why It Tows Well: Highly reliable drivetrain, high GCM, solid construction.

• Best For: Those who want hassle-free reliability.

4. Mazda BT-50 Thunder

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 450 Nm

• Engine: 3.0L turbo-diesel (shared with D-MAX)

• Why It Tows Well: Elegant interior, Isuzu DNA underneath, great value.

• Best For: Comfort-focused towers.

5. Volkswagen Amarok Aventura (V6)

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 600 Nm

• Engine: 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel (Ford-sourced)

• Why It Tows Well: Refined on-road manners with brute strength.

• Best For: Premium towing experience.

🛻 Best 4x4 Wagons & Large SUVs for Caravan Towing

SUVs are increasingly popular among caravanners, offering seven-seat flexibility, comfort, and strong towing credentials.

1. Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 700 Nm

• Engine: 3.3L V6 twin-turbo diesel

• Why It Tows Well: King of the outback. Advanced towing aids, extreme off-road performance.

• Best For: Big van towing across deserts, bush, or coast.

2. Nissan Patrol Ti-L

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 560 Nm

• Engine: 5.6L petrol V8

• Why It Tows Well: Silky V8 power, excellent road presence, roomy interior.

• Best For: Long-range highway cruisers who prefer petrol power.

3. Ford Everest Platinum

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 600 Nm

• Engine: 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel

• Why It Tows Well: Based on the Ranger, but more luxurious. Includes Tow Pack with trailer camera view.

• Best For: Families who tow and tour often.

4. Isuzu MU-X LS-T

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500 kg

• Torque: 450 Nm

• Engine: 3.0L turbo-diesel

• Why It Tows Well: Rugged, reliable, with low long-term running costs.

• Best For: Budget-conscious towers seeking longevity.

5. Toyota Prado 150 Series / 250 Series (Upcoming)

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,000–3,500 kg

• Torque: 500–600 Nm

• Engine: 2.8L diesel (current) / 2.4L hybrid turbo (upcoming)

• Why It Tows Well: Proven on outback roads with Toyota build quality.

• Best For: Medium vans, off-road journeys, daily driving.

🧠 Towing Terms You Should Know

🔧 GCM vs GVM

• GCM: Gross Combined Mass (car + caravan weight).

• GVM: Max vehicle weight including passengers, fuel, and accessories.

📦 Tow Ball Load (TBL)

• Caravan weight transferred to the vehicle’s tow ball. Typically 10% of the caravan’s weight. Ensure your vehicle and towbar can handle it.

📊 Payload Considerations

Adding accessories (bull bars, canopies, fridges) eats into payload. Subtract that from your GVM and ensure your van's tow ball load doesn’t push you over.

⚙️ Top Towing Features to Look For in 2025 Vehicles

1. Integrated Trailer Brake Controllers

2. Tow/Haul Mode Transmission Maps

3. Multi-View Camera Systems

4. Blind-Spot Trailer Coverage

5. 360-degree Cameras

6. Tow Ball Load Sensors (in newer utes/SUVs)

7. Heavy-Duty Cooling Systems

8. Rear Air Suspension / Self-Leveling Suspension

9. Trailer Sway Control & Stability Systems

10. GVM/GCM Upgrade Options (if required)

🧰 Best Caravan Tow Vehicles Under $60K (Budget Segment)

Not every tower needs a top-tier vehicle. Here are great value picks:

• Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – 3.1T towing, proven off-roader

• SsangYong Rexton – Budget 4WD with 3.5T tow capacity

• LDV T60 Max – 3.5T capacity, now with 160kW/500Nm diesel

• GWM Ute Cannon-XSR – Value-packed with rear locker and 3T capacity

• Mahindra Scorpio-N – Budget off-roader with respectable pulling power

🏁 Performance Utes for Towing With Style

For buyers who want grunt and glam:

• Ranger Raptor – Petrol V6 twin-turbo punch, plush interior

• Amarok PanAmericana – Premium design with 600Nm

• Toyota GR Sport HiLux – Sporty flair meets serious towing

These options don’t compromise towing capability for performance.

⚖️ SUV vs Ute for Caravan Towing – What’s Right for You?

🧳 Pro Tips for Safe Caravan Towing

• Distribute weight evenly inside your caravan to prevent sway.

• Upgrade suspension if towing regularly.

• Use towing mirrors for wider vans.

• Balance payload – avoid overloading the tow vehicle.

• Practice reversing with the van attached.

• Get a weight distribution hitch for long vans.

🧭 Final Thoughts – What’s the Best Caravan Towing Vehicle?

If you’re towing a full-size van across the country, look no further than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series or Ford Ranger V6. For a more affordable setup, the Isuzu MU-X or Mazda BT-50 are practical and dependable.

Ultimately, the best vehicle for towing comes down to:

• Caravan size

• Budget

• Family needs

• Frequency of towing

• Off-road requirements

🔚 Summary – Quick Picks by Category