Choosing a car to tow a caravan is one of the biggest decisions in any touring plan. Get it right and the van follows calmly behind for thousands of kilometres. Get it wrong and you can be over a legal limit before you leave the driveway. This refreshed guide to the best cars for towing a caravan starts with the weights you need to understand, then lists ten utes and SUVs that the RACV named among the best tow vehicles for 2026, each rated to tow 3,500 kg or more. Our team has not tested these vehicles; the figures come from the RACV's published list, and the choice of vehicle is yours.
The weights that matter when towing
Every caravan and every tow vehicle carries a set of ratings, and the RACV's advice is to crunch the numbers before you decide which vehicle to buy 1. These are the terms you will see.
On the caravan
- Tare weight is the unladen weight of the trailer 2.
- Aggregate trailer mass (ATM) is the combined weight of the trailer and its full load when it is not coupled to a tow vehicle 2.
- Gross trailer mass (GTM) is the weight of the fully loaded trailer on its own axles when it is coupled to the tow vehicle 2.
- Ball load, often called tow ball weight, is the weight the fully laden trailer puts vertically on the tow bar 2.
The RACQ says the trailer's identification plate lists at least the ATM, and sometimes more 2.
On the tow vehicle
- Braked towing capacity is the maximum weight of a trailer with brakes that the vehicle can tow 2. The RACV notes that it covers the van and everything in or on it, including water, food and accessories 1.
- Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is the most the vehicle itself may weigh, and the RACV points out that it includes the passengers and the tow ball weight 1.
- Gross combination mass (GCM) is the combined maximum weight of the tow vehicle and trailer, including accessories 1.
- Payload is the GVM minus the kerb weight, and the RACV warns that it can be restrictive when towing near the limit 1.
The vehicle's owner's manual contains its towing specifications, and the tow bar's own plate shows what the bar is rated for 2.
How much can you legally tow?
For a vehicle with a GVM under 4.5 tonnes, the RACQ explains that the trailer's ATM can be no more than the lower of two figures: the tow vehicle maker's recommended maximum towing mass, and the tow bar's rating 2. Whichever is lower is your limit.
Towing capacity alone is not the whole story. A car rated to tow 3,500 kg may not be able to carry a full load of people and luggage at the same time, because the tow ball weight counts toward its GVM and the whole rig must stay within the GCM 1. That is why the payload figures in the list below matter as much as the headline towing capacity.
The 10 best cars for towing a caravan
The ten vehicles below come from the RACV's guide to the best cars for towing a caravan in 2026 1. Prices are the RACV's February 2026 figures before on-road costs, and the payload is the RACV's calculation of GVM minus kerb weight 1. Check current pricing and the specifications of the exact variant before you buy.
Ford Ranger Wildtrak V6
The Ranger Wildtrak V6 is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,400 kg and a payload of 950 kg, at $75,090 1. The RACV says it is well set up to deliver excellent comfort and control when towing 1. For a closer look at the Ranger, see our Ford Ranger review.
Volkswagen Amarok Style V6
The Amarok shares the Ranger's underpinnings 1. The Style V6 is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,400 kg and a payload of 964 kg, at $75,990, and the RACV calls the V6 diesel the best pick 1.
Toyota HiLux Rogue
The HiLux Rogue is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,300 kg and a payload of 778 kg, at $71,990 1. The RACV notes that the Rogue and Rugged X come with a towing pack as standard 1.
Isuzu MU-X LS-T
The MU-X LS-T with the 3.0 litre engine is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 5,900 kg and a payload of 615 kg, at $73,400 1. The RACV describes it as a versatile performer, though with less refinement and technology than its rivals 1.
Ford Everest Sport V6
The Everest Sport V6 is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,250 kg and a payload of 695 kg, at $76,990 1. The RACV says the V6 diesel is the pick of the powertrains 1.
Toyota LandCruiser Prado GXL
The Prado GXL is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,600 kg and a payload of 605 kg, at $79,690 1. The RACV warns that payload at the towing limit can be quite restrictive 1. It also notes limited room in the cabin and the cargo area 1.
Toyota LandCruiser 300 VX
The LandCruiser 300 VX is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 6,750 kg and a payload of 660 kg, at $123,510 1. The RACV says a towing load barely ruffles it, but notes that it is expensive, especially in the higher grades 1.
Nissan Patrol Ti
The Patrol Ti is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 7,000 kg and a payload of 714 kg, at $96,540 1. The RACV calls it a supremely comfortable long-distance tourer and hauler, though thirsty around town 1.
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series GXL
The 70 Series Double Cab Chassis GXL automatic is rated to tow 3,500 kg, with a GCM of 7,010 kg and the largest payload in this group at 1,325 kg, at $83,500 1. The RACV describes it as a basic but capable workhorse that keeps a payload of around one tonne while towing at its maximum 1.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium
For the heaviest vans, the full-size pick-ups step up to 4,500 kg. The Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium is rated to tow 4,500 kg, with a GCM of 7,160 kg and a payload of 748 kg, at $134,500 1. The RACV says it feels purpose-built for long-distance touring with a caravan, though it can be hard to drive and park in the city 1.
Other options worth a look
The RACV's list also includes the Ford Ranger Super Duty, rated to tow 4,500 kg, and the Ford F-150 XLT, also rated at 4,500 kg 1. For lighter vans, the GWM Tank 500 Ultra HEV is rated at 3,000 kg, which the RACV says suits many small-to-medium vans 1. The electric Hyundai Ioniq 9 is rated at 2,500 kg, but the RACV warns that towing can potentially halve its claimed range, and the van must be unhitched to charge 1.
Matching the van to the vehicle
The list above gives the maximum figures, but a good match leaves a margin. A vehicle working at its limit on every trip has nothing in reserve for a steep climb, a strong headwind or an emergency stop. It is wise to keep the loaded van comfortably under the vehicle's rated capacity, and the tow ball weight within the tow bar's rating.
A practical way to work it out:
- Find the van's ATM on its identification plate 2.
- Find the vehicle's braked towing capacity, GCM and GVM in the owner's manual, and the tow bar's rating on its plate 2.
- Add up what you will carry in the vehicle, including passengers, the tow ball weight and accessories such as a bull bar or roof rack 1.
- Check that the total stays under the GVM and that the vehicle and loaded van together stay under the GCM 1.
If the numbers are tight, a lighter van or a vehicle with more payload is the safer answer. A weighbridge visit with the rig fully loaded removes the guesswork.
Towing safely on Australian roads
Once you are on the road, a caravan changes how your car behaves. It takes longer to stop and to overtake, and you will share highways with trucks that are longer still. Road trains can be up to 53.5 metres long, about ten car lengths, so plan any overtake carefully 3. Our guide to the legal size limits for trucks explains what you will meet on the highway.
Before you buy a tow vehicle, weigh your loaded van if you can, compare its ATM with the vehicle's ratings, and check that the payload left over is enough for your family and gear. Our guide to the most and least reliable car brands helps with the reliability side, and our article on when to buy a car and when to lease explains why a lease with a kilometre limit may not suit long trips.
When you are ready to shop, browse the cars on Car Domain, work out repayments with our car loan calculator, and read our buyer safety guide before you inspect a vehicle. For the full list with every figure, read the RACV's guide to the best cars for towing a caravan, and the RACQ's explanation of trailer and tow vehicle specifications.
Sources
- RACV, The best cars for towing a caravan in 2026, accessed 2 November 2026
- RACQ, Trailer and Tow Vehicle Specifications, accessed 2 November 2026
- Queensland Government, Sharing the road with heavy vehicles, accessed 2 November 2026
