What is the weight of your towing load and how old is your Hilux? 

I'm a big fan of the Hilux, is there anything stopping you just updating? Throw some pump up shockers on the back if needed. Plus the lux will be cheaper than the cruiser and better on juice. 

 That's a good question, not exactly sure of weight, licenced to 2000kg... regularly take 4-5 loader scoops of roadbase and brickies sand.

it's a 2000 model, 3L diesel... really struggles to tow is the main reason I'd like something different... already spent 10k in repairs over the last 4 years, probably due it the abuse I give it. 

Are the newer hilux's better suited to towing though?

nivara is the only way to go with towing capacity if you want that sort of ute....the hilux has a measly 2225kg towing capacity where as even the st-r navara has a 2800kg and the st-x has a 3000kg towing capacity. a nissan patrol is 3200kg towing. a land cruiser is 3.5ton

The old 3l diesel couldn't pull a sailor of your sister! New ones are heaps better mate, but others such as the Navara etc are supposed to be pretty good as well.

Dry sand would be about 1500kgs a cubic metre ... pending on size of your 4/5 scoops , but sounds like alot of weight to be regularly pulling around...a low K cruiser would be the go for me..

 the hilux & patrol have a realistic towing rating i braught a navara at the start of the year biggest $40000 piece of crap you can lay your hands on its got 7000kms on it now has been to nissan 6 times 2 different dealer ships & im not impressed i know other people that have them & theres 2 out of 8 that like them & having no dramas the list goes smokes more than my old cruiser with 580000 on it rattles like a 20 l drum with rocks in it if you go on a corrigated rd dont go over 20 kms an hour because you dont have any brakes you have to pump the peddle 5/6 times to get your peddle back & thats at 20 kmh just thats a safe speed so you dont hit any thing rear door seals dont seal so get ready for lots of cleaning when you go off rd dont belive the fuel rating it doesnt even come close oh year keep all your fuel reciets & only fill up at shell or bp because they will try & say the smoking engine is your fault cause you put dodgy fuel in it mate got stung with that one think it was 8k for another pump i might be wrong with the price there but i swear thats what he said another mate has had 3 clutches in his its done 30k oh yeah & today my brake peddle sinks to the floor when your at traffic lights i rang them but apparently thats normal as well & they wont fix that either im seeing a lawer atm & will be contacting to nissan australia to see what there responce is but there bigger inside & confier than a hilux i think thats the only good thing i can say about it but apparently all the faults ive listed it hasnt got any of them & it drives & sounds like a navara to them & they cant replicate corrigate roads so they cant test that fault 

i left it with them for two weeks & told them to take it fishing or go for a drive & find some so they could rectify it but no i get it back with a couple of new noises less power & a little bit more $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% $%$% off well thats my take on a navara

87

So, Wombat, I take it that you aren't really pleased with your Navara then...

 Thanks for the advice guys, been comparing the specs on all the options... the Dmax actually stands out but will keep looking into it. Definately not a Navara.. hey Wombat.. lol

Ive heard SOOOOO many stories on the navara. I just bought the new bt-50 I know this desnt help at $45 000. Impressed so far. Has towed a 1500kg trailer 18 000 km in 4 months cant even feel it, leave people at lights. Only had 1 problem, bolts that hold gearbox (manual) fell out, supposedly common problem, loktight in and all is good. But know of plenty of happy older bt-50 lovers who have had little problems.