Top-5 American pick-ups for towing

There's no substitute for power, as the saying goes, and few vehicles make light work of towing a heavy caravan -- while comfortably carrying a load of passengers and cargo -- as well as a supersized American pick-up.

With some big players entering the right-hand drive conversion business in recent years, including Melbourne-based Walkinshaw, there's never been more options available on the local market, although pricing in many cases remains well into six figures. Here's our pick of the current bunch...

RAM 2500

It’s hard to go past the big, bad RAM 2500 -- converted by American Special Vehicles in Melbourne for the past four years -- when looking for something suitably sized to tow a bulky caravan.

Capable of hauling close to seven tonnes while boasting a massive 3577kg kerb weight and long wheelbase for a solid towing platform, the 276kW/1084Nm 6.7-litre straight-six Cummins turbo-diesel engine also delivers enough grunt to tow a tiny house!

Full story: Tow Test RAM 2500 Laramie

Ford F-350

As far as bold and brash American behemoths go, Ford's F-Series remains the most popular on American soil, but local buyers don't miss out with most of the popular variants now available through conversion businesses down under.

We tow tested a Ford F-350 Super Duty from Victoria-based Harrison F-Truck which with 126kW/1228Nm 6.7-litre single-turbo-diesel V8 and 4500kg tow rating, barely broke a sweat with a four tonne van behind.

Loaded with luxury features, about the only thing holding it back was the $160K-plus price tag.

Slightly more affordable is the V6 turbo-diesel powered Ford F-150, which was almost as efficient towing an identical caravan.

Full story: Ford F-350 Platinum Tow Test Review

Nissan Titan

The US-built Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve Crew-Cab from SCD American Vehicles is not the first choice of many American truck buyers down under, but it shouldn't be dismissed based on the impressive tow test we conducted in Queensland.

At just over 2700kg, the Titan is a good match, weight wise, for most Aussie caravans, while anecdotally it's a proven fuel miser, with its 5.0-litre Cummins V8 consuming 19l/100km on long highway runs -- about 3L/100km better than a 200 Series LandCruiser -- with similar weight behind.

Like its rivals, the 4500kg tow rated Titan comes standard with handy towing features like exhaust braking, built-in brake controller and extendable mirrors -- something either not available or extra cost on the top-spec LandCruiser.

Full story: Nissan Titan Tow Test

Chevrolet Silverado 2500

At $115K, HSV’s converted American pick-up is a relative bargain for big towing jobs. 'Re-engineered' in the same Melbourne facility as the RAM, the Silverado packs a similar punch with the 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel putting out 332kW and a hefty 1234Nm of torque, and offering up to 5890kg tow rating with the right hitch fitted.

The cabin is also as spacious and well-appointed as most of its rivals, although payload on the vehicle we tested was just 875kg.

Full story: Tow Test Chevrolet Silverado 2500

GMC Sierra

Another slightly 'left field' choice in the American pick-up market, the GMC Sierra converted by Queensland company Performax is no lightweight with a 6.6-litre turbocharged V8 diesel that punches out 296kW and 1037Nm of torque, while its 4500kg tow rating is also on the money.

Testament to its towing abilities, our reviewer thought the GMC Sierra "felt more composed, if anything, with the big boat on the back" while "at 100km/h the engine is turning over at around 1500rpm or just under max torque, so you’re really in the ‘grunt zone’."

Fitted with the optional long-range tank giving a total of 215 litres of diesel, you'll have up to 1500km to play with before having to pull over at the servo...

Full story: Tow Test GMC Sierra

Also consider:

RAM 1500

'Cheaper' RAM with 291kW/556Nm 5.7-litre V8 petrol and 4500kg towing capacity costs just over $100K -- no wonder they're flying out the door...

Related reading: Tow Test RAM 1500 Laramie

Toyota Tundra

Toyota's 4.5 tonne tow rated, full-size pick-up is not yet available 'officially' in Australia (just as a 'grey' import), but that nameplate alone should make it a sales winner if it ever hits Toyota dealerships...

Related reading: Toyota wants 4500kg rated Tundra tow tug