Tradie Tips

A heavy vehicle, as defined in the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), is “a vehicle that has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM*) or Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM**) of more than 4.5 tonnes”.

With brands like Toyota, Jeep, RAM, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover preparing to replace their remaining V8s with smaller-capacity electrified engines or even pure electric powertrains, choices are shrinking in Australia.

In this second long-term update Mark Oastler loads in a heavy payload to test the GWM Ute Cannon XSR's hard-working credentials.

When a vehicle like the Ford Ranger is so successful and, let’s face it, such a Swiss army knife of a thing to have, the idea of making it even more versatile was always going to be a thing.

Towing a caravan is our final long-term test exercise for the 1.9-litre 4x2 version of the Isuzu D-Max, and it's performance, not to mention fuel-economy, raises questions about the worth of the 3.0L version.

Some surprises this month as the D-Max's 1.9-litre turbo diesel four punches above its weight in terms of load-lugging and composure under pressure, not to mention fuel economy.

The current-generation Isuzu D-Max has been a sales success, with buyers flocking to showrooms for the Toyota HiLux rival. But while many are opting for higher-spec 4x4 versions, there also exists this SX 4x2. We're spending three months with the dual-cab to find out if it's under-appreciated.

The Ranger Platinum highlights Ford's ambitions, pushing its best seller upmarket with lots of chrome, Matrix LED headlights, classy wheels and a fancier interior, giving it unique showroom appeal. Yet the ute's leading engineering, packaging and dynamic virtues, as per every other Ranger today, remain the true highlight. Few rivals could carry off a convincing luxury ute, but the Ford succeeds.

Colin Aldred's Helensburgh-based company, Aldred Engineering, tackles a huge range of jobs including CNC ( Computer numeric control) machining and cutting, custom fabrication, as well as fully engineered and customised staircases, balustrades and signage, and much more.

Josh Fleming is a carpenter, and works with Purkiss Construction in Sydney south and the Illawarra region, among other areas.Josh bought his 3.2-litre Ford Ranger in 2017 as a primary work vehicle but he uses it regularly as a tourer.Crafty: Why did you buy your Ranger?Josh: Liked the look of it and it's good for work and towing my work trailer.Crafty: Do you use your ute outside work?Josh: Yeah, we did two weeks in the Victorian High Country, three weeks down in Tassie, beginning of the year; we've done the snow season, constantly back and forth, three days down the snow in it. Bit of snowboarding down there.Crafty: Any mods?Josh: Yeah, just over time, I've added things on: canopy, rooftop tents, a Darche rooftop tent, an awning.Got a lockbox up top with drop sheets, gas bottles, you name it. It's one of those Rhino lockboxes.Ski racks on the top . It also has a TJM bullbar, bullbar-mounted aftermarket Big Red driving lights, a drop-down fridge-slide, under-tray toolboxes and BFGoodrich All Terrain tyres.Crafty: So, it's fully kitted out for work, travel and leisure?Josh: Yeah, I got the drawers in the back, got a full 12-volt system and everything.Crafty: Any problems?Josh: No.Crafty: Would you buy another Ford Ranger?Josh: Yep, sure.Call carpenter Josh Fleming on 0400 700 820. Call Purkiss Construction on 0433 204 827.