Anyone driving and or towing with a DMAX?
Submitted by Rig on Wed, 2014-02-26 17:17
Hey Guys I have been procrastinating about upgrading vehicles for a while and it has come down to either a Colorado or DMAX but since hearing alot of bad press about colardos with regard to paint quality, chasis/suspension, steering and ride, that was all a bit disturbing but none the less I am glad I googled it. I have decided the DMAX might be the way forward as there seems to be less bad stuff said. With my budget I am thinking of going a mid to base model duel cab and fitting a hard canopy
Just interested in anyones thoughts on how the DMAX goes towing boats on the highway and into a seabreeze, even some fuel economy stats would be great
Also anyone who has fitted a canopy to one of these or similar and has a recommendation
ace rimmer
Posts: 187
Date Joined: 19/08/13
interested as well
got a mate in Darwin with a manual Dmax and when he bought it he was recommended to get an auto if you do a lot of towing. Apparently Navara's, Hilux's, Dmax's there weak point is the clutches
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Heavy boat
With a heavy boat have seen airbag helper springs fitted and they tow fine.
Free 3.5 tonne towbar ATM.
I am buying a spacecab one.
Get the ARB canopy, 3930 3011 from Action 4WD in Kelmscott are good ask for Garry.
SpotHound
Posts: 439
Date Joined: 06/02/14
Agree with the clutch thing
All the new utes have dual weight clutches not single weight ones.
Nelly
Posts: 518
Date Joined: 04/05/08
Wont go wrong i have a 2009
Wont go wrong i have a 2009 auto and its been very good.Engines have a b10 rating mean 90% will do 500000km+ before needing a rebuild.Mine gets 13-14l 100km towing a 1.5tonne boat at 100km/h.No issues with power either.The new model will be better again for power and fuel.I plan on upgrading to a new model in the next 12months.
If your thinking about airbags for the suspension ..google air bags +cracked chassis...Might change your mind very common
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Not that its an answer to
Not that its an answer to your question but my RG colorado has about 13 000k's on it now and i have had none of the issues you have described. I understand the earlier models had dramas with top strut bushes which were replaced under warranty and replacement parts were beefed up. I did a heap of research before i bought mine and it also came down to the dmax and colorado. I didnt come across any chasis issues, or ride issues during my research though, however i still get on 4wd forums every now and then and the only people who have come across issues were people who have fitted aftermarket gear (lift kits).
As for fuel economy i get 800k's to the 76L tank around the city however i've noticed there isnt a huge reduction over long distance driving (manual at 110km/h) This may possibly be due to setting cruise control and letting it do its thing, plus some spirited over taking, Maybe not the best idea for fuel ecoonomy. Still yet to work out what its doing over long distance but made perth to albany and back to kojonup and filled in kojonup with about a quarter of a tank remaining.
I managed to test drive them back to back and there was nothing in it. In all honesty the test drive actually pulled me more toward the colorado. However it was pricing that ended up winning me over. At the time holden was doing the thunder pack so got a heap of extras for nothing (tow-bar, tonneau, nudge bar, weather shields, floor mats) and the drive away price for the LT was still cheaper than a naked LS-M and if i was to go d-max to get the carpet etc.. i would have needed to go LS-U which was about 5k more.
One thing i noticed though there is certainly a bit of arrogance around the isuzu dealers due to the awards they have won, and as you have no doubt noticed anyone who has a particular make of car will always argue that its better than the others. This is logical really because thats why they bought it.
Sorry to ramble but if you any q's about the colorado let me know
Cheers,
Steve
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Ute
Yeah guys looking at an auto, really no need for a manual these days just a bit cheaper.
nelly your spot on with the air bags, they can cause a lot of damage if pumped up too hard under load. I take it the standard dmax suspension is all good with your boat? Mine weighs about the same
steve cheers for your comments I was actually pretty keen on a Colorado just got a bit of a fright when I googled holden Colorado issues. But I too will be looking for a deal either wsy
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
No worries mate, there's a
No worries mate, there's a thread on another forum under 'Holden rg colorado issues' or similar. Worth having a look I guess
james14
Posts: 87
Date Joined: 02/09/11
Can only comment on the
Can only comment on the canopy.
DO NOT get it from sportsrange wangara
cheers James
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Lol
Thanks James, did it leak around the seals ?
Sails4me
Posts: 53
Date Joined: 27/04/09
Get a VW Amarok....
Rig, try the VW Rok. I have had one for nearly two years. They tow so much better thans navaras and hiluxs etc. The fuel economy is phenomenal when towing compared to the other utes on the market. If it will be used as the other family car when you go away etc, do not look any where else, they are so much bigger and more comfortable than the rest. If you are after a tradies ute,then choose one of the other utes that suits your needs/budget compared to the minor use. VW utes rock. (Slightly biased)........
For all your building approval advice and assistance contact Inclusive Building Consultants at inclusivebc.com
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
2012-NOW px Ford Ranger 3.5T
2012-NOW px Ford Ranger 3.5T Towing loads more HP/Torque than a Colorado/Dmax.
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
more $$
the fords that I have seen are mostly over my budget, alot of people are selling them 2nd hand more than a new dmax/colarado is.
sea-kem
Posts: 15053
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yeah my thought exactly Rig.
Yeah my thought exactly Rig. Ranger way over priced like the Hilux. Dmax for me when I change over. I have two mates with them and they are wrapped. I've seen them in action on the beach, both auto half the time he doesn't even have to let the tyres down there's that much torque. They just walk on the sand. I like the interior too and the way the rear seats fold down.
Love the West!
Bout time
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 05/07/12
dmax
Yep they go well i tow a 5.5 mtr glass bpat with a dmax lsu prob close to 2 tonnes mabe 2 1/2 tonnes loaded fuel wise i went to albany at chrissy fill up comming home think it holds 70 liters and sitting on 100 klm fuel used was under half a tank back to kwinnana think it was about 11 or 12 ltrs per 100 klm had a mitsy befor same boat was around 17 ltrs per 100 klm mine is auto too :)
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
cheers
thanks bout time that is the sort of info I am chasing, sounds good
how has the rear suspension been holding up? sounds like you would have a bit of tow ball weight with your boat, does it sag much?
Bout time
Posts: 47
Date Joined: 05/07/12
no sag in backend at all
no sag in backend at all trailer is a tandem wheel job pritty well balenced
Andy
Posts: 522
Date Joined: 08/10/05
dmax
Ive had a 09 model since new got 175k on it now. been a really good car. would definatly get another one. spend 2 years towing a 1 ton work trailer every day and towing a horse float and 5.5 glass boat. put tjm suspension in it from new and just put a beaudesert exhaust on it. 10-11L per 100k at 130kmh it gets pretty thirsty. only problem the egr sensor was the at 110 000 km.
Goodz
Posts: 2332
Date Joined: 20/07/09
Hey mate only just saw this
Hey mate only just saw this thread. I have a new model 2012 dmax single cab that I use for work and tow a 2 tonne trailer around half the time. I'm very happy with the towing power but I did upgrade from an old 2000 3l hilux which had zero towing power so the comparison was huge. Where I get all my sand/road base for mixing cement has a decant hill I have to drive up after just pulling onto the road and the hilux used to struggle in 3rd gear to hold speed at 60km/hr and would often have to drop back to 2nd but the dmax auto just cruises up and continues excellerantion to 80km/hr no problems!
Fuel economy is definatley a lot better than the hilux but I've never got any actual stats as half of the time I'm towing and the rest I'm not. Not to mention I also have the tray loaded right up with fencing material too most of the time. It seems to me that the dmax really shines when towing so you should have no probs towing your boat.