best vehicles for towing caravans

Dragging a caravan across Australia? You want torque, stability and a proper braked towing capacity, not just a shiny grille.

Top picks include heavy-duty SUVs like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol (both rated to 3500 kg braked), and ladder-frame wagons such as Ford Everest and Isuzu MU‑X (up to 3500 kg when correctly equipped).

Dual‑cab utes—Ford Ranger, Isuzu D‑MAX, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton—also quote up to 3500 kg, but mind GVM/GCM, payload and towball download; numbers on paper collide with reality once you add people, water and a bull bar.

Fit a quality weight‑distribution hitch, trailer brakes, and a transmission cooler if needed, then practise your sway control like your marriage depends on it—because it does.

When in doubt, choose the vehicle with the highest real payload and cooling capacity rather than the flashiest sticker.