heIsuzuD-MAX– a household
namein4x4vernacular.Camper
recentlytookthe crème de la
crème, a 4x4 LS-T crew cab ute,
on a towing expedition through Victoria’s
mountainous north-east.
The MY19 iteration of this workhorse stays
true to the principles that have made it so
popular over recent years. Again we see
the powerful motor, the generous towing
capacity, and the sizeable payload; plus the
reasonable value. Our test model came in at
$54,800 (pre-accessories) and more basic
4x4 versions start at $38,200.
While the D-MAX isn’t overflowing with
high-tech features and comforts, its bedrock
of functionality and reliability make it
particularly well suited to the camper trailer
lifestyle.
ITS MOTHER’S A TRUCKER
On top of passenger vehicles, Isuzu also
produce trucks and specialist diesel engines.
This crossover has greatly benefited their 4x4
range. We can trace the D-MAX’s trademark
infusion of a passenger vehicle with truck-like
functionality to their very first ute, the Isuzu
WASP from 1963.
That long lineage brings us to 2019; now,
a 4JJ1-TC Hi-Power 3.0L four cylinder turbo-
diesel engine resides under the D-MAX’s
bonnet. This giant is geared towards freight-
lugging. Motors built with this intention need
to have a lot of torque, positioned low down,
and high displacement, as well as a catalogue
of other differences from your everyday
matchbox.
This underhood Hercules delivers up to
430Nm of torque, peaking at a pleasingly
low 2000 to 2200rpm, whereas power peaks
at 130kW around 3600rpm. Many of the
leading 4WDs are clustered around this mark
on both measures, with only a few pushing
much higher, such as the Holden Colorado to
500Nm and 147kW respectively.
THE WORLD ON ITS SHOULDERS
The D-MAX boasts a maximum towing
capacity of 3.5 tonnes braked. There’s not
a camper trailer on the market this couldn’t
tow; if you find one that weighs more than
that you’re looking at a gigantic caravan.
None of the other big 4WD ute players top 3.5
tonne (though it’s equalled by a few); some
can only handle closer to 3 tonne (such as the
Hilux and Triton).
The Isuzu D-MAX measures 5.295m by
1.855m tall and 1.86m wide. Unburdened it
weighs 1970kg, with a kerb load of 2026kg;
you can load in 1024kg before you reach
the GVM of 3050kg. There’s only a few utes
that marginally top that payload (such as the
Ranger and B-T 50); many others, like the
Hilux, Triton and Navara, lapse behind in the
900kg range.
Having a payload like that you needcorresponding storage space and you find
that in the tray. This cavernous caboose
measures 1.55m long, 46.5cm deep and
1.53m wide, narrowing to 1.1m between
the wheel houses. Within there are four
cargo tie-down points for retaining bigger
items. There’s room for heaps of gear here –
definitely an extended camping trip’s worth.
In our test model there was also a handy
12V single accessory power socket near
the tailgate, so you could have something
charging in the tray, either while driving or at
camp.
The GCM of 5950kg means you can
simultaneously carry a heap onboard and
on the towball. The roof rails up top of the
LS-T are built to take 60 of those kilos. You
can also fold down the two back seats for
additional space; there’s even a dedicated
tool storage area under them.heIsuzuDM“THE MY19 ITERATION OF THIS WORKHORSE STAYS TRUE TO
THE PRINCIPLES THAT HAVE MADE IT SO POPULAR OVER RECENT
YEARS. AGAIN WE SEE THE POWERFUL MOTOR, THE GENEROUS
TOWING CAPACITY, AND THE SIZEABLE PAYLOAD”
The very juicy 4JJ1-TC engine residing under the bonnet,
like an immensely powerful troll lurking under a bridge