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In recent years, the Ford Everest has carved a niche for itself in Australia's SUV market, appealing especially to families who desire a vehicle that merges suburban comfort with the exhilaration of outback adventures. This is particularly relevant in Australia, where caravanning and outdoor explorations are not just pastimes, but a way of life for many.
The Everest's appeal lies in its pleasant blend of cutting-edge technology, robust capability, and a touch of luxury.
However, amidst its range of models, drivetrains, and engine sizes, a critical question lingers:
How does the Ford Everest stand up to towing demands, and does it merit consideration for your specific needs?
The Everest's Impressive Credentials
The Everest is built on the robust third-generation T6 body-on-frame global architecture, a design it shares with its siblings, the Ranger and Raptor. This body-on-frame structure, favoured in larger SUVs and trucks, features a three-piece, ladder-frame chassis. The distinct body mounted on this solid, rigid frame enhances strength and rigidity, making it ideally suited for towing substantial loads.
In 2022, Ford raised the bar with its MY23 models, boasting a upgraded braked towing capacity of 3,500kg. This capability put the Everest in direct competition with notable players like the Isuzu MU-X and even surpassed the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, one of its primary rivals, which offers a 3,000kg braked towing capacity. This significant increase in towing capacity propelled the Everest into the forefront of the caravanning and towing domain, generating considerable excitement.
The MY24 Everest lineup spans four trim levels, from the basic Ambiente to the top-tier Platinum. The range includes options from Rear Wheel Drive to full-time Four-Wheel Drive, along with two motor configurations: a lively 2.0L Bi-Turbo with a 10-speed transmission and a more robust 3.0L V6.
While many might naturally gravitate towards the 3.0L V6 variants, expecting them to excel in towing, the Everest reveals a surprising paradox. Contrary to expectations, the 3.0L engines, seemingly designed for towing, fall short in terms of payload capacity. To explain this complex scenario, we have delved into the specifications of the popular trims, focusing on the challenge of towing a 3,500kg caravan, a task seemingly within the Everest's wheelhouse.
A refresher on the Numbers
If you're reading this article, chances are you're trying to navigate the complex task of understanding a vehicle's true towing capacity and the numerous limits that must be adhered to. In our articles, we aim to provide high-level advice, distilling our recommendations into concise, easy-to-understand write-ups. However, when considering a vehicle for towing, especially in the Australian context of caravanning, it's crucial to be familiar with a variety of limits, including:
- Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
- Gross Combination Mass (GCM)
- Braked Towing Capacity
- Maximum Tow Ball Mass
- Front Axle Weight Rating
- Rear Axle Weight Rating
For the trailer, we also consider:
- Aggregate Trailer Mass
- Gross Trailer Mass
- Maximum Permissible Ball Loading
- Axle Group Load Capacity
While some of these limits are straightforward to define, others require intricate calculations tailored to your specific rig setup. Factors like your caravan's tow ball load not only reduce your vehicle's payload limit but also significantly impact your rear axle loads. This effect is compounded by the fulcrum effect, determined by the distance of your tow hitch from your axles. It's easy to think everything is in order, but even the most seasoned experts can encounter challenges, especially when trying to understand overall compliance.
This is where LoadMate steps in. LoadMate employs thousands of complex calculations, tailored to your rig, vehicle, caravan, and specific situation. This ensures you receive precise advice and a detailed towing profile of your limits and available payloads across various compliances.
LoadMate doesn't just provide you with a customised towing profile. It also integrates with weighbridges or mobile weigh checks to offer real-time, accurate reports. Remember, these weigh checks are just a snapshot in time. The moment you move, add, or remove anything from your vehicle or caravan, your weights and compliance can change. Without LoadMate's assistance, keeping on top of these changes can be an arduous task.
We leverage this sophisticated engine for our analyses in these articles, but we encourage you to experience it for yourself. It's an investment in peace of mind – arguably the most affordable insurance and confidence booster you can find.
Now, let's dive back into our detailed exploration of the Ford Everest.
Bi-Turbo 2.0L vs 3.0L V6 Turbo – Understanding the Towing Dilemma
When comparing the engines of the Ford Everest, we encounter a compelling dilemma. The 3.0L engine impresses with its 184kW and 600Nm of torque, active between 1,750 to 2,250rpm. In contrast, the 2.0L Bi-Turbo engine, though smaller, is no less remarkable, producing 154kW and 500Nm of torque within a similar rpm range. While both engines boast notable strengths, their towing capabilities and suitability present a more nuanced picture.
The 2.0L Bi-Turbocharged four-cylinder engine, particularly with optimal gearing, offers an impressive driving experience. It excels in everyday scenarios, balancing fuel efficiency with power and responsiveness. Surprisingly, these compact, high-compression engines can rival the towing capacities of their larger counterparts. But does this make them a wise choice for towing?
For occasional or short-distance towing, the 2.0L Bi-Turbo In-Line Four is a viable option. However, challenges arise when this engine is tasked with consistently towing heavy loads, especially over long distances or challenging terrains like mountains and high altitudes. The turbocharged engine's ability to generate high power and torque is contingent on being 'on boost', a state that places the engine under significant stress and generates considerable heat.
Continuous operation under these conditions can lead to accelerated engine wear and a marked reduction in engine lifespan. This wear often goes unnoticed by owners without aftermarket tools like scangauges, as the signs of stress, such as increased engine temperature, may only become apparent when it's too late, potentially leading to extensive damage and the need for major repairs or even engine replacement.
In contrast, a large displacement, normally aspirated V8 engine behaves differently under similar load conditions. While a V8 might struggle under extreme load, it doesn't exhibit the same increase in engine and transmission temperatures, thus enduring less wear. With a smaller yet equally powerful turbocharged engine, the absence of power drop-off might be misleading. The engine won’t bog down as a V8 would, but the escalating temperature under load indicates a highly stressed engine, leading to increased wear and a higher likelihood of significant engine damage.
This situation presents one of the key dichotomies of the Ford Everest. The 3.0L V6 engine, with its robust output, seems inherently more suited to towing heavier loads. Yet, it's paradoxical that this variant offers a lower payload capacity, rendering it impractical for many potential users. Unless drivers plan to restrict their vehicle's use to carrying few passengers and light luggage only.
Navigating the Complexities of GVM and Axle Limit Upgrades for the Ford Everest
When examining the possibilities for enhancing the towing and payload capabilities of the latest MY24 Ford Everest models, we find that options for Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrades are unfortunately limited. Lovells, a well-known provider of GVM upgrades, ceased their offerings for the Everest after the 2022 models. For the 2.0L bi-turbo and the 3.2L variants, these upgrades included an increased GVM of up to 3,500kg, along with improved axle load ratings. However, it's crucial to note that these models were originally limited to towing capacities between 3,000kg and 3,100kg.
The situation presents a greater challenge for the newer, more powerful 3.0L V6 models. Currently, there are no GVM upgrades available for these variants. Although Lovells had plans to release an approved kit by mid-2023, this release date has passed without further updates. Moreover, there are no development plans for GVM upgrades for the 2.0L Bi-turbo model either, leaving a noticeable gap in the market for owners of these newer Everest models seeking legal enhancements to their vehicle's capabilities.
Potential solutions may be available through other lesser-known Second Stage Manufacturers (SSMs) in the market. However, delving into these alternatives requires thorough research and careful consideration. It’s vital to ensure that any upgrades from SSMs are legally compliant, have received state approval for the vehicle modifications, and come with comprehensive documentation. Such thoroughness is essential to ensure that the upgrades will be recognised and accepted by the Department of Transport, and ultimately continued insurance coverage.
It’s important to note that while this approach will allow owners additional payload capacity, you are in turn putting a lot more significant stresses on the vehicle's running gear. Engine, gearbox, axles, bearings, etc., are all under a load that Ford never intended. So, keep in mind that while a GVM/GCM upgrade can enhance your payload capacity, it doesn't inherently boost the vehicle's overall durability.
Understanding the Implications of GVM and GCM Upgrades
However, the decision to upgrade isn't without its complexities, especially concerning the vehicle’s warranty. Here are some key considerations:
- Safe Towing Ratios: A GVM upgrade can significantly benefit towing, particularly by allowing you to load more weight into the tow vehicle itself, thereby achieving a higher vehicle-to-trailer weight ratio. This can enhance stability and safety while towing.
- Extra Capacity: The GVM upgrade enables more comfortable and legal payloads, allowing you to make the most of your travels with the Everest.
- Warranty Concerns: Non-genuine modifications may affect the vehicle’s warranty. Ford’s warranty documentation explicitly states that damage or performance issues resulting from modifications with non-genuine products will not be covered.
- Increased wear and tear: Operating your vehicle at its maximum capacity, and beyond with a GVM upgrade, places a significant load on the vehicle itself. This extra burden inevitably accelerates the wear and tear on the vehicle, especially on critical driveline components.
For those considering these modifications, thorough research is advisable. Our definitive guide on Gross Vehicle Mass offers a comprehensive review of GVM upgrades, including detailed insights into the process and critical considerations you need to be aware of.
A Sobering Conclusion: Understanding the Everest's Limitations
Moving beyond the marketing narratives and the touted 3,500kg towing capacity of the MY24 Ford Everest, we encounter a sobering reality. The Everest, while a capable SUV, finds itself constrained by its factory-imposed limitations, particularly regarding axle capacities.
After an in-depth analysis at LoadMate, we suggest setting your caravan ambitions to a maximum loaded weight of around 2,800kg. This approach would afford you a total available payload ranging from 369 to 575kg, depending on the specific model and drivetrain of the Everest. Additionally, you can expect a payload of about 215 to 318kg on the rear axles, which should suffice for the needs of most users.
On paper, the 2.0L Bi-turbo variants offer the highest payload capacity for your travels. However, for more serious towing demands, the 3.0L V6 emerges as the preferable choice. Regrettably, the 3.0L V6 models present a frustrating limitation – they offer the least payload, barely exceeding 200kg on the rear axles when towing a 2.8T caravan. Hence, even with this model, a conservative and light packing approach is advisable.
While the Everest presents an appealing package and theoretically should be capable of more, in practice, its performance doesn't fully align with the promotional hype. If your towing requirements exceed 2.8T, we recommend considering alternative vehicles better suited to heavier loads.
Additionally, we urge caution for those considering a second-hand 2.0 Bi-Turbo Everest previously utilised as a towing vehicle. Keep in mind that these engines undergo considerable stress during prolonged towing, which over time could lead to expensive maintenance issues.
It’s important to remember that everyone's situation is unique. Rather than relying on generic advice about towing capabilities and legal compliance, use LoadMate for peace of mind on your journeys. Let us handle the intricate calculations, ensuring you travel confidently and within legal limits.
