WHY DID I CHOOSE A FORD RANGER?
I looked at a range of vehicles. My criteria was: Price, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) the weight of the vehicle plus its load, Payload, CVM Combined Vehicle Mass) the weight of the vehicle its load plus the trailer and its weight, Tow weight. Reliability.
The obvious choice was a Toyota Landcruiser then Toyota Prado followed by a Toyota Hilux. The price of the Landcruiser put it out of my reach. The specs on the Prado and the Hilux were surprisingly lower than the Ford Ranger XLT. They all towed 3.5 ton but the GVM, Payload and CVM varied a lot.
The Landcruiser payload is 600kg. The Ranger 950kg. The Landcruiser CVM 3300kg. The Ranger 3280kg. The Landcruiser is about $120,000 the Ranger $70,000 standard.
I ended up buying the Ford Ranger 3Ltr V6 Diesel XLT.
I have had the suspension upgraded increasing the payload to 1250kg (I estimate the actual payload to be 920kg). Fitted a long range fuel tank (140lts). Added a Snorkel and Bullbar. The full touring pack and had the diff breather pipes extended up under the bonnet.
The calculations that a lot of people forget to do are: Tare/Kerb weight (the vehicle empty, no accessories added, empty fuel tank and no people in it). GVM, GCM and Towing.
GVM 3580kg – Kerb weight 2350kg = Max payload 1230kg
Kerb weight 2350kg + Payload 1230kg = Actual GVM 3580kg : Payload 920kg gives GVM of 3270kg
GCM 6400kg – GVM 3580kg = Can only tow 2820kg (not the full 3500kg) : 6400kg – 3270kg = 3130kg can be towed.
THE CANOPY
The next step was to Install a canopy onto the back. That also took research, as with the Price variation so was the roof strength. Some only hold 65kg on the roof. The one I want for is aluminum but can hold 300kg static (while parked) and 150kg dynamic (while driving).
ON THE ROOF
I choose the Bushwakka equipment to go on the roof because of the quality. A clamshell rooftop tent. A large 270 degree awning for shade and shelter in the rain. A Shower tent that will mainly be used for getting dressed and where the Ogo composting toilet will be.
