Dual Cab utes - broken chassis

[Sprintey]

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...-chassis-78807

"One engineer who spoke to CarsGuide has warned that part of the problem might be a design element in the layout of dual-cab utes.

Until now, these structural failures have been blamed on a combination of poorly engineered aftermarket modifications and a rash of overloading, or incorrect loading, of this type of vehicle.

But now it seems part of the issue might be the actual packaging and layout of the vehicles themselves.

While early examples of this problem seemed to centre around Nissan Navaras and Mitsubishi Tritons, it has since expanded to cover pretty much every brand of dual-cab ute, even the most popular ones, including the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

And now, as the toll reaches a frightening number, the industry has worked out what’s going on."

So - storm in a teacup? Chronic overloading? On the internet you can find enough pics of any type of car breakage you want? Or are these things breaking in meaningful numbers?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...-chassis-78807

"One engineer who spoke to CarsGuide has warned that part of the problem might be a design element in the layout of dual-cab utes.

Until now, these structural failures have been blamed on a combination of poorly engineered aftermarket modifications and a rash of overloading, or incorrect loading, of this type of vehicle.

But now it seems part of the issue might be the actual packaging and layout of the vehicles themselves.

While early examples of this problem seemed to centre around Nissan Navaras and Mitsubishi Tritons, it has since expanded to cover pretty much every brand of dual-cab ute, even the most popular ones, including the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

And now, as the toll reaches a frightening number, the industry has worked out what’s going on."

So - storm in a teacup? Chronic overloading? On the internet you can find enough pics of any type of car breakage you want? Or are these things breaking in meaningful numbers?

Airbags and overloading or big camping canopies with two 4x4 spare wheels on the back of it plus some bouncing around means you'll break your Thailand special.

Next time you get an opportunity, get under a Ranger.

Then get under an F250 and spot the difference.

[nuthin' fancy]

21st century v 20th century?

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Airbags and overloading or big camping canopies with two 4x4 spare wheels on the back of it plus some bouncing around means you'll break your Thailand special.

Next time you get an opportunity, get under a Ranger.

Then get under an F250 and spot the difference.

In other words don't overload and pack your payload correctly which something most owners would not know how to do.

Cheers.

[hayseed]

i reckon It's a Great Move by LDV to sell a Longer Wheelbase Dual cab with a longer Tub, & all for only $1500 Extra..!!!

But now it seems part of the issue might be the actual packaging and layout of the vehicles themselves.

^^^^^Exactly^^^^^

[FTE217]

Click bait article but a good lesson for those many new owners today as Officemanager posts.
Too many are overloaded typically.
Shackles break, hey they also broke on the older gen Patrols/LC's/Hiluxs etcetc back in the day of leafs front and rear.
Franco, bugger having a F250, you can't park anywhere easy in the GPO or taking on Westfields car parks etc nightmare.
Also they are not inpregnable to suspension failures, shocks mounts for one.
Vehicles get bunged up thats motor cars, especially those used offroad more so overloaded, my old Boss used to say to customers whingng of suspension failures off road, should have bought a Tank or a Unimog or a OKA

[Trevor 57]

Air bags are a killer for many, overloading is another - tradies are the worst offenders. Some twin cab utes are worst than others

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by nuthin' fancy

21st century v 20th century?

Both are 20th century but one is built like a brick ****house and the other one is made from Maccas straws and wet paper bags

It's more LCV rather than 'car'

[Falcon SXR8]

Whats the "frightening number" they are talking about ?? Sounds like a typical media beat up with no facts to me.

[Trevor 57]

Lots of Mitsubishi's - Google it

[XR Martin]

[Trevor 57]

thanks XR Martin - case in point - overloaded Mitzi's

[Bossxr8]

There is a reason manufacturers have load limits.

[FTE217]

Spot on that pic for one type of mods.
Not surprising Tritons were first up with issues.
Their sales figures are due to 1 thing only - Price for starters but away from that in general these issues are occuring on any branded 4x4 dual cab due to owners incompetance and OE's and/or sellers of Aftermarket products need to educate far more imo.
Dual Cabs are more popular for the many owner business's who once had a Ford or Hoden Utes, uprated leaf packs etc - 1tonners could cope with extra weights but there is always a limit but getting to the point of owner business's, he always had the work truck/ute and then they had another family car not just the Mrs's one, a dual cab is covering a few birds with one stone for many, for work and leisure etcetc.....
Now trouble today is most of these unaware buyers don't even know they are already changing their weight limit adding on a steel bull bar for eg and winch.
That takes away load carrying already from the back by OE spec.
Then he get his solid steel tool chests made up/draws etc OH hang on I need a lift kit now etcetcetc......extra spare tyre, water tank and the fridge etc
Honey school hols were going up or down the coast, do the list for the caravan/or off road trailer.
Does this unawaring owner ever consider weighing his rig at full load prior to travelling ? what maybe 2 out of 10 of them I guess.
Funnily Franco mentioned the yank one, current Ram 2500 payload is 750kilos - for such a big rig but its advantage is it can TOW up to 4.5ton.
Knowing payloads/GVM is the key as many here would know BUT majority don't !.

I don't think its a design flaw as such, sure all these Dual Cabs could be made better but consumers only want to pay so much right !
They have become soft roaders, hence why sales are so good as well smart move OE's.
The front end suspension gone to coil over shock is soft as, but its a smoother ride Mrs's can cope with this.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

image

Guess that would have started a real s*** fight between Mitsubishi and the camper body builders!but pretty sure Mitsi would find some user conditions to shift the blame to someone else.Looks pretty stupid putting all that weight behind the rear axle.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...-chassis-78807

"One engineer who spoke to CarsGuide has warned that part of the problem might be a design element in the layout of dual-cab utes.

Until now, these structural failures have been blamed on a combination of poorly engineered aftermarket modifications and a rash of overloading, or incorrect loading, of this type of vehicle.

But now it seems part of the issue might be the actual packaging and layout of the vehicles themselves.

While early examples of this problem seemed to centre around Nissan Navaras and Mitsubishi Tritons, it has since expanded to cover pretty much every brand of dual-cab ute, even the most popular ones, including the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.

And now, as the toll reaches a frightening number, the industry has worked out what’s going on."

So - storm in a teacup? Chronic overloading? On the internet you can find enough pics of any type of car breakage you want? Or are these things breaking in meaningful numbers?

Geeze, 7/8th of the load area hanging out behind the back wheels, what a surprise.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Geeze, 7/8th of the load area hanging out behind the back wheels, what a surprise.

More like 8/8ths....

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by hayseed

More like 8/8ths....

image

That is a supercab tray on a twin cab!tray should be 1/2 metre shorter

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by hayseed

More like 8/8ths....

image

and the picture hanging brackets they use to attach the tray with. Laughable really.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Franco, bugger having a F250, you can't park anywhere easy in the GPO or taking on Westfields car parks etc nightmare.
)

Anyone who is going to spend well over 100k for a few year old ute probably could afford a second car.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

That is a supercab tray on a twin cab!tray should be 1/2 metre shorter

na thats a 1800 tray, space cabs are 2100

i reckon it should be

Single cab - 2100
Space Cab - 1800
Dual cab - 1500

Minus another 300 of those if going on a triton

im starting to see more companies going to vans for their techs especially after the laws making you cover ute loads.

im also seeing more 4.5t trucks for small companies. my mate just bought one for his company, brand new truck and tray with tool boxes for 70k. he said a ranger with all the gear was 65k. he also meationed that is 200mm longer than a ranger but has a 3m tray, can carry more and doesn't use much more fuel. he said the only downside was he is now driving a truck around sydney

[73 4V XB]

Isn’t there a rule for weights over hanging axles, something along the lines of 2/3 but no more.

Found it here.
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/veh...ojecting-loads
No more than 60% of the width.

[GTLEGEND]

Rear over hang connect exceed 50% of the wheel base measured from the centre of the rear axle back (measurement E below). Then you have to adhere to load distribution rules as well. Ranger image below:

PX Ranger Body Dimensions 1.JPG

PX Ranger Body Dimensions 2.JPG

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by 73 4V XB

Isn’t there a rule for weights over hanging axles, something along the lines of 2/3 but no more.

Found it here.
https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/veh...ojecting-loads
No more than 60% of the width.

60% of the wheelbase

[73 4V XB]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

60% of the wheelbase

Yes, my bad, thinking building terms for W

[janddbone]

All overloaded and/or launched off the ground when offroading.

[davenl5l]

A lot of the problem is the dealers a few years ago my late neighbour bougt a new ranger and the dealer fitted the tray and canopy the tray had so much rear overhang that a special towbar had to be made so he could tow his caravan being a farmer he didn't care when i pointed out the problem

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

na thats a 1800 tray, space cabs are 2100

i reckon it should be

Single cab - 2100
Space Cab - 1800
Dual cab - 1500

Minus another 300 of those if going on a triton

im starting to see more companies going to vans for their techs especially after the laws making you cover ute loads.

im also seeing more 4.5t trucks for small companies. my mate just bought one for his company, brand new truck and tray with tool boxes for 70k. he said a ranger with all the gear was 65k. he also meationed that is 200mm longer than a ranger but has a 3m tray, can carry more and doesn't use much more fuel. he said the only downside was he is now driving a truck around sydney

That's the way to go. The little jap trucks are great on fuel and like you say can carry an amazing amount. Mine being a 12ft (3.6m) people ask me why I didn't fit a tipping tray.
Handy as it is, tipping trays will add extra weight to your tare and take away from the payload capabilities.
Looking at some of those dual cab ute chassis, you can see the cheap pressed steel insets and joiners used where as the full C or boxed chassis the proper trucks use are straight and join free along the rear load area.
About to convert a second small truck to a full tray shortly, well worth the money due to it being a fully boxed chassis.

Save your dual cab for the fun offroad vehicle stuff.

[Citroënbender]

It’s interesting because many I see appear to have little in the back, at all. They’re either being driven for the pose value or as a deductible.

[roKWiz]

Some of them the tray is so high up how can you see in the back ?