Diesel vs Petrol Ute for Towing: Which Should You Buy?
Towing changes the diesel-vs-petrol maths completely. A Cranbourne West specialist explains.
Why towing favours diesel — usually
Torque low in the rev range is what relaxed towing feels like, and turbo-diesels deliver it — along with meaningfully better economy under load, where petrol consumption balloons. For regular heavy towing (van, boat, horse float), the diesel case is strong.
The caveats: diesels need their DPF respected (towing actually helps — long loaded runs regenerate it beautifully), and diesel servicing items (injectors, DPF, EGR) cost more when neglected.
When petrol makes sense
Occasional light towing (a small trailer, camper) with mostly urban driving reverses the logic — a petrol avoids the short-trip DPF problem entirely and costs less to buy and service. The wrong choice is a diesel that never tows and never leaves the suburbs.
Whichever you choose, towing demands the transmission and driveline fluids on schedule — heat is the tow rig’s real enemy.
Not sure which is right for your car?
Every car and situation is different — the best choice depends on your exact vehicle, how you use it and its condition. We give you straight, no-pressure advice based on what’s actually best for you, not what makes us the most.
Talk it through with a Cranbourne West specialist. Book online in 60 seconds or call 03 8782 0711.
Diesel vs Petrol Ute for Towing: Which Should You Buy? — FAQ
For regular heavy towing, usually — low-rev torque and economy under load. Occasional light towing with city driving favours petrol.
The opposite — long loaded runs regenerate it well. It’s the short-trip diesel that suffers.
Heat — transmission and driveline fluids degrade faster and need servicing more often.
A diesel bought for towing that never tows — short suburban trips are the DPF’s worst life.
Related guides & services
More guides like this
Want honest advice?
Book your car in online in 60 seconds — RACV-accredited, fixed written pricing, no surprises. Or call 03 8782 0711.