John, I've been watching your stuff for several years now and I think this was definitely your best! No stupid pontificating about "aluminium shitois" and ... pause ... "down there" etc. Just sensible, rational , straight-forward conversation. Keep it up old chap. Thank you.

In my humbel opinion that was one of your best! It was super informative, balanced, no fluff and no politics. It felt more like a chat with a highly educated and experienced mate than a blog..... thank you !

John I enjoy it so much when you are in this calm, logical and hard to fault state. Much better than the comical ironic approach. I do enjoy both but this angle is more comfortable for me. Keep up the great work!

John, I think it is important you know how much you resonate with us in these difficult times. Your views give us the benefits of sound scientific observation, but also balance and commonsense. Not only that, but the sardonic humour you impart, often leaves me doubled up with laughter. In light of the recent IPCC report on the current state of climate, trends and a pretty bleak outlook for our near time future, I would really enjoy hearing you impart your thoughts, views and observations, particularly how they will affect all of us 'Petrolheads' !! I know it will probably be a very divisive debate, but time appears to be running out fast to enact positive directives. Anyway, many thanks for your channel, one of my absolute favourites !! 👏👏😊😊

Got to say, Im really impressed at how you describe and promote safe working loads with utes, I am in no doubt it has saved lives.

Gotta love the freshly sedated new style of delivery. You're easier to watch in one persona. 😃

I love when you infuse a flavour of technicalities (language of engineers) on the subject of forces without sounding like a nerd. I can decipher (me being engineer as well) that you are not BS-ing.

Best episode ever! Like everyone else's comments, you've delivered a thoroughly professional and rational presentation. The 2 litre turbo Ranger and 10 speed is not ideal. The 3.2 / 6 speed is a tried and proven tow combination. The Triton can be customized and still be far cheaper than the others. Thanks, Frank

Thoroughly enjoyed the casual format. 👍👍

Toyota 4wd’s praise by JC is a rare treat to watch 😆

When you talk normally (instead of trying to be funny), you are absolutely brilliant. This is just my opinion, but if you ditch the smarmy, attempted stand-up comic thing, you are infinitely more watchable. Like I said, my opinion only. I'm probably in the vast minority. Otherwise, absolutely love the content. Keep it up. :)

6 tonne GCM for Ranger, and you hook up, load up and drive it without any training on the same licence you got when you passed your driving test in your older sister's Holden Barina.

The best video yet John, the format is great. In the workshop having an open chat with a mate.

Yes your correct john as New Zealand just got a wake up call with the lose of 5 youth in a fatal crash in the south island. My heart and respect go out to there parents at this time.

Excellent advice John. You're spot on with the choices, and especially not exceeding 2,5 tons when towing. Personally I feel like you and ASPW, and don't like towing at all. Greetings from South Africa 😎👍❤

You did well John; straightforward and no BS. I don't tow and never will, but I'm spreading your gospel re tow weights to friends and relatives.

Gosh I was prepped ready for another sarcastic episode but found this to be really enjoyable. Hard to argue with your reasoning in this one.

Far from being mangled, I believe this is one of your best presentations.

We bought a Triton and does a great job overall. Been up to the NT and pretty much everything asked of it. Well built solid and cheaper by long shot.

Hey John, you didn't mangle anything...in fact best video I have watched from you. Cheers!

Here in Europe would say...to work and resale value, Hilux. To use it as a car, Amarok. Best of both, the L200, with their Super Select gearbox.

15:58 I did not expect a buyer's guide will be this deep and sophisticated, in a very good way of course. Thank you!

Don’t apologise for the unscripted videos, John. I actually find the pace and tone of these types of vids really enjoyable, and from reading the comments section, it would appear that I’m not on my Pat Malone on this.

"on lockdown until the end of the month" such an optimist

"embrace the best things about the choices you've made" That's a life moto right there.

You hit that correctly John, about Australians will pay 30 grand for a Hilux with 400,000 kms on the odometer. Australians are not the smartest buyers, thank God you are educating them John.

I owned an MN triton (great 4WD) and towing a 1.8 tonne caravan was problematic. In certain situation. It felt like the caravan was controlling the triton. I currently own a 2018 BT50 towing 2.6 Tonnes and it is like chalk and cheese. Much safer with the BT50

You are a breath of fresh air in an environment full of marketing and PR bs. Glad I found this channel, I thought I was the only one out here going insane once I crunched the numbers.

Great clip. Unscripted is good. Very knowledgeable. Just an honest and truthful view of the situation.

I went the Triton and so should old mate. The current MR Triton is a great bit of kit for a killer price. There are a couple negatives to the package but they are easily worked around.

Thanks John. Enjoyed the casual format. 😎 One other thing I would add: if you're over 6' tall the Hilux will cripple you over time. Seating position in the Hilux is awful, somewhere between a car and a truck and the worst of both. I bought a 2017 Hilux (wanted one for ages) and sold it after 5,000kms and went for a new Ranger (after trying all the others). Triton was good for tall guys too, but the ride was pretty brutal. Done 17,000kms on my new Ranger and have the 2L twin turbo engine. No gear hunting that I've experienced, but I haven't towed heavy loads (though I have had 500kgs of slide-on camper on the back for 5,000kms + and it handled that great). Anyway, those are my 2 cents as a 6'4" 115kg fella. If I had to do it all again I'd probably still go for the Ranger, though the D-Max might get a second look. Main complaint with the Ranger: NO TELESCOPIC STEERING ADJUSTMENT. I mean, wtf is that? The Everest has one but not the Ranger!?!? 🤬

This episode should be played on a loop at all caravan retailers, would make the roads for all a much safer environment 🙏🙏

For an unscripted presentation, on detail and clarity it was one of your best

You’re a legend bro the more I watch you the more I appreciate you

John this was a good one. Cheers

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 A fantastic “unscripted video”. Most informative. Factual. Genuine. Effective. Efficient delivery of content. Loved it. Thank you. It helped us make decisions.

If you want serious heavy towing...leave the ute category behind, and look into the light truck market...like the double cab Mitsubishi Fuso or Iveco daily.

This is the review I’ve been waiting for. Thanks John.

Just thought I’d mention a bit of feedback my best mate gave me about his Isuzu Ute , in no uncertain terms he hates it , He reckons unsprung it rides in the rear like a bucking bronco even with the tyre pressures let down , also he hates the array of safety gear that has beepers going off all time , and he says you cannot turn that shit off , also he reckons the lane keeping is highly intrusive that tugs on the steering wheel for the slightest sensor persepted road surface slight. Every time I ask him about the car , he gives me the same agro response about the vehicle. I used to drive big trucks for a living and Isuzu did have a name for good reliability , but it sounds to me to be good practice to give any of these modern vehicles a dam good long test drive before buying. Because like a nagging wife , you don’t want end up with something you are fighting with all the time.

Depreciation is always the biggest yearly cost for any vehicle. I now view cars as almost a throw away consumable ... especially the German and other European brands.

Doesn't really matter what he picks as he's more than likely not going to get anything for at least six months and maybe even more than that. Anyone that goes car shopping in todays climate is just being the eternal optimist.

It was lovely to get this calm logical delivery. Hope to get more of those.

I"m seeing more and more American Trucks towing large caravans in regional victoria (RAM, Silverado, Ford. GMC etc). These trucks with their weight, and wheelbase (and I'm talking about the 2500 or 3500 versions) make the job of towing a 3000 kg taj mahal so much easier. Try one once and you will never go back to light duty trucks. Yes they are expensive but to my thinking, worth every peny if you are going to do long distance touring.

Man...pumping out the content whilst in lockdown...good stuff.

This would without doubt be the best video that I’ve seen of you calm rational sensible easy to listen to and very enjoyable

The new Isuzu 4JJ3 is very similar to the 4JJ1. It will be just as reliable in my opinion. I was going to buy a D-Max earlier this year. The interior is next level compared to any other dual cab, they have a ton of safety features, the mid spec models are quite affordable and every single 4x4 comes with a rear diff lock. I ended up buying a brand new GSR Triton instead though because of the waiting time for a D-Max was like 6 months and the Triton was in stock. My previous vehicle was a 2013 Triton and I loved it so much. The super select transfer case makes it super safe on slippery surfaces, it seems to be something quite overlooked but that is also another reason I was leaning more for the Triton in the end

Nailed it with the recommended trailer mass. I have a series 3 navara (sorry - although you are right, it's a bit squishy in the back sometimes). We tow a van that is mostly around that weight (max 2700kg but typically around 2500kg in normal running order), and from a stability perspective, I can't fathom how people tow at GCM. The nav does a good job, not great, but good. we just completed a 7500km trip that included the Ooodnadata track and Merinie loop and it worked well.

I came down to Ranger, Hilux, Amarok and Triton ... I went Ranger ... Ranger was the biggest inside... significantly lower price than Hiilux ... Ranger is quieter and more comfortable than hilux and triton ...Ranger had the most equipment as standard that were options or not available on hilux, amarok and triton ... Toyota are so sure of sales that Ford dealer was more willing to discount price ... Ford also gave a lot higher trade in ... although it's changed this year with Toyota uping power and torque, the Hilux was a LOT slower than other brands (2 secs more 0-100) and you had to thrash the hilux to get it to accelerate it was just too noisy ...same with the Amarok even though it was the quickest by far ... after discount and trade in I got the Ranger XLT (which was better kitted out) for $10K less than a Hilux SR5 ... Hilux might have better residual but you pay a LOT more up front ...and Hilux was still having DPF and dust problems a year or so ago when i purchased ... for me in the end it came down to Ranger and Triton ... if I'd been worried about budget more I would have gone Triton even with the smaller motor ... but the more car like driving experience of Ranger won me over.

Best advice on towing ive ever seen !! I've always thought it can't be safe towing anything that weighs more than the weight of the vehicle towing it !!!

LOVE YOUR WORK .STILL LOOKING FOR DINGO PISS CREEK ARR SOME OF LIFE'S PLEASURES KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK

In a previous life, I bred and towed. The breeding was awesome (wrong partner unfortunately-fixed that), and the towing was kind of OK. Only dragged a 1.5 tonne trailer around Oz behind my 80 series turbo-diesel GXL in 1992. Now, I try to fly and use hotels-or at least that's my hope. As an update, the resale value of that GXL was awesome. Paid $54K in 1992. Traded it in and got $54K 2 yrs later. I saw that vehicle in a car yard another 2 yrs down the track and they were still asking $54K for it!

John, This is the council of the towers of ATAS complaining about you giving them a hard time. The balance of humour and facts is great. Keep up the Awesomeness and MALS. Greetings from SA

Im all busted up that Holden Colorado didnt make the cut !! thanks John, very informative as always ....

Whole heartedly agree that all these utes are light duty vehicles. I always shake my head when people overload them with a canopy, flog it across the Oodnadatta track and it splits the chassis.

The cannon Ute towed 3,7 tons no problems up hill

Unscripted! But still well crafted messaging. Well..... your raw honesty keeps me coming back. Love the explanation of accepting the ecosystem of the final vehicle you choose. This really helps my FOMO phobia. I think you'd be surprised how many votes you would get if you considered representing your local electorate. Keep up the excellent journalism in your own unique way!

John, you have changed in the last few months for the better too. I love the new you and your video format :)

Iv had my new BT-50 since January and have done 15,000kms so far. Car has been fantastic in every way

I own a Triton MY19. I love it because of its super select 2 that 4H can be used in high-traction surface. I have been explaining this to people. But there is a misconception that every mid-side ute 4H cannot be used in high-traction surface. People here in my country do not really understand how 4H in Triton super select can do even Mitsubishi dealer in my country does not have courage to tell their customers that their 4H is different from other ute 4H. What a shame! But i kinda understand their intention to go neutral.

Great review. Had 4x4 drive die last year. Cut long story short went to dealer large country Town . Went to Toyota Nothing except LDV Ute Nissan didn't even come out and talk us. MISUBISHI Dealer who has also Hyundai and Ford . So we bought a Triton Glx+ only has high and low ratio plus rear difflock ect as per specs of Vehicle. The ute has done nearly 15k Only Problem inter cooler hose connection cracked so had it replaced. It is the most car like drive really happy with Purchase.

And towing different trailers with different profiles makes a big difference too. A ton of sand toes better than a big tool trailer

Yet coils do a good job of towing in every Wagon and even patrol coil cab ute. Heavier coils and or air bags and you are in business. Once you've had coils you will never choose leafs again. The old horse and cart days are over my friend.

At last, a simple explanation, regarding coils and leaf springs on utilities.

Nicely done John, you covered it all very well. I have to agree with your choices. The Triton would tick most boxes at the moment, concerned though when they become Nissan.

Hi John. I have been watching your videos for some years now and while I do like to see the Ming Mongs from time to time your delivery can sometimes be a tad annoying. I thoroughly enjoyed this casual format today. Keep up the good work.

The 'perfect' does exist. It's a 2002 Saab 9-5 Turbo Estate. Goes like stink, safe as houses, well built, well appointed, good on fuel, looks good, big enough to sleep in. And if it get's stolen you're only in it for

Many thanks John for the explanation of leaf springs and load. I knew leaf springs were better for weight but not exactly why. Such a clear explanation. Thanks again.

Yes had a 2017 bt 50 towed a 18ft van 2.3 tonnes no problem what a dream tow machine towing stable as , Sold the bt kept the van traded up to the latest isuzu ute, man what a shock nearly wrote the lot off on the 1st trip. Isuzu floats all over the road is unstable had to severly modify my towing speed and and driving/ technique to survive. Isuzu is gone 1st chance I get

Hilux for the win! Worth the premium over others in the long run. Especially with the new power upgrade.

Thanks John, that was a great review😊 I'm thinking about getting a 4x4. I had a 4runner in the 80's. It was fabulous. I had it for many years.

What I want to know is what the best engineered Ute is. I know all cars have problems but I want to know what the best one is , that is one’s that won’t be costing me thousands because of stupid transmission failures or DPF failures ect. Just want one that will last me it’s life time with just the normal service items like oil changes , tires, maybe clutch and injectors.

Ram 4500kg towing with brakes on trailer.

One off your best John. Great review and advice. 👍🏻🙂👌🏻

Mitsubishi is the first Japanese manufacturing car company, and Mitsubishi also the winner of rally car championship for long time since 1940 , Mitsubishi Jeep also the Japanese military vehicle during world war two

I don't agree about the Triton mate. Look at one side on, short wheelbase and massive rear overhang. The best place to put a load in a ute to distribute the weight properly is over the rear axle. Impossible with a Triton, the load would be in the backseat. We have two 2021Tritons at work and one 2020 Navara. They are like chalk and cheese. Driving the Tritons you notice how they are beginning to rattle and squeak with relatively low mileage on them. The Navara has done more kays but it is still as tight as a drum and much nicer to drive.

Excellent. I learned something new about the difference between coil springs and leaf springs for variable loads and heavy loads. Thank you.

Thanks John, great info and things to consider when spending the big bucks.👍

Unscripted maybe but thoroughly enjoyable and great unbiased advice. Thanks for the great video.

Excellent and balanced approach. really enjoyed listening.

Those really large top end US trucks often have adverts saying they can tow some ludicrously large amount like 6 or 7 metric tonnes, however there will be a caveat at the bottom saying things like “On level flat ground…at low speed…in low low range…for a short distance…” etc. I wish realism would be used in towing weight advertising.

That was so very watchable, cool, calm and collected!!

A well rounded and objective review...without all of the usual Auto Expert waffle

Most car buyers seem to take (perceived) reliability into consideration when they buy a car. However, as John tries to keep reminding us: Customer service attitude is equally, if not more important. I'ed rather have a car that brakes down 3 times and gets fixed quickly and without fuss, than a car that brakes down once, and finding myself under a bus when trying to get the issue resolved.

Hi John I am a retired person with no small children so for me a Amarok is the best ute for towing with only 2 people in the car. Being a truck driver my whole working life I dont like a lot of the new tech that gets put into vehicles . I dislike it when the vehicle starts beeping at me and not letting me accelerate when i want to. I think if you dis connect people to much from actually driving the car it gets more dangerous.

I skipped them all and purchased a no dpf 2014 dmax with a tried and true engine/gear box for 16k. Great rig and a metric shirt ton of cash left in my pocket.

Dear John, Glad to see you pointing out the tiny payload of the Landscruiser 200, as it is one of the reasons we bought a Land Rover Defender 110 instead, as it has about 4 times the effective payload of the LC. In fact, a comparison shows all Land Rovers have far better towing specifications than the equivalent Toyotas, which must really gripe the Toyota fan boys. Land Rovers also include 160kg of towbar weight in their GVMs. Perhaps you could overcome your dislike of Land Rovers long enough to mention their superior towing abilities. You might save the lives of some Toyota drivers and their families, wobbling around this country grossly overloaded, not realising how close they are to going upside down on the roadside, with potentially fatal consequences. Keeping Toyota drivers safe - yeah! Mike

Love the new angle John - I saw the Nissan/Mitsubishi marriage coming well before the Isuzu/Mazda one - what a shame that the ill-fated Navara did not morph into a Triton with its brilliant super select AWD (previous owner of 10 Subarus) - and I suspect the Paj Sport is going to Heaven as well - my pre-DPF 2010 Hilux diesel has been a nice surprise in this carnage-ridden industry of late - John in SA

Top vid there Sir. Telling it as it is. I bought a 2019 BT in 2019, to me it was best value for money apart from the Triton. I ran an L200 as a work pick up back in Blighty a few years ago and so I fancied a change. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for your great work !!! You wear an interesting watch ! What brand / modell is it, please. Cheers from Germany

Triton is love... Triton is Life...

So true. Used Hilux are expensive in UK too compared to other models.

Seriously great advice John!

Something worth considering John. My son, a tradie loves his Triton ( his second) so much he bought his wife a Challenger to transport the two kids and tow a horse float from time to time. All was well. Then oopsa-daisy third kid on the way. Turns out he could't fit three kid seats in the back of the Challenger. Third row not an option, that's for prams and groceries etc. The choice came down to a tape measure. The Everest was 100 ml wider and won. He'll Keep the Triton for now, but given the extra kid and the mitsi three way you mentioned he'll likely buy a Ranger.

That was a very informative video, I've never really thought about the real world towing capabilities of utes. I have just purchased a 2021 Mitsubishi Triton Black Edition 4wd to tow my boat and it made me feel good about my decision that you rate it...thanks!😎

There needs to be a video about motorists learning First Aid from St John's Ambulance. Everyone with a drivers license should do an advanced first aid course every year. And if you live west of the great divide you should be doing Remote First Aid every year too.

John an engineer providing amazing in depth vehicle reviews/ direction with life saving safety features 👍is ok ✅ if I ever make it to Haustralia I’m going to take a drive through dingo piss creek ok

I enjoyed this review and the style of delivery. Could i see more like this please. Your view on electric utes is top of my list. Thanks

Enjoyed that. Left the hyperbole at dingo piss creek and spoke like a bloke who really knows his stuff. Yesss

Great clip as usual John, respect your black and white approach. As an Amarok 580 owner I 100% concur with your thoughts on safety features lacking and I knowingly purchased it around the same time my only offspring got her own wheels and the second row would hardly ever be used. The Amarok replaced a fully optioned Ranger PX2 Wildtrack which had way more tech, safety features and at least another 3 to 4 inches of rear seat legroom over the Rok but unfortunately I was thrown under the bus from Ford with a lemon 6 speed automatic and other quality control issues that were never rectified. Just wanted to make a positive comment regarding the Amarok's primary safety. The combination of constant AWD (to the detriment of tyre wear), great 4 wheel disc brakes, great suspension that was way ahead when they were released and still ok today, wide track and good steering make it the most car like dynamically. And that V6 engine and 8 speed transmission...

About your best review for this year really good job. I have gone from a 3.2 ranger to a 2.0 bit turbo towing a large boat and caravan and I have to say these reports of hunting for gears is a not what I have experienced. Also I do not tow every day so as a transport vehicle for most of my use the smaller motor is miles ahead in drivability it is just a lot better package, in my view. I also find it odd that the Ranger and Hilux etc are the medium tow vehicles yet the Landcruiser is a heavy towing vehicle. You stated that the Ranger with 3500kg behind has almost no load capacity. So the Ranger 6000kg take 3500kg = 2500kg leaving just under 200kg for the driver etc. The Landcruiser Sahara with full tanks as in the Ranger weighs in at 2900kg add the 350Kg for the ball weight leaves 100kg of GVM. My Question is where is the difference really?