South Africa’s 3-tonne bakkie club

Bakkies in South Africa tend to be put to work by their owners, whether it be hauling a tonne of cargo in the load bay, towing a caravan, or dragging several tonnes on the back of a trailer.

As such, prospective buyers will look at a bakkie’s braked towing capacity as a crucial part of the decision-making process.

Caravaning enthusiasts, builders, and business owners all benefit from powerful bakkies’ massive towing capabilities, while it also makes life easier for owners who need to move themselves or help others to.

Luckily, South Africa has a wide variety of bakkies that meet these needs, with options to fit practically every budget and requirement.

The most affordable member of South Africa’s 3-tonne bakkie club is the single-cab Foton Tunland G7, which sells for R329,900 and has a braked towing capacity of 3,000kg.

Its powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 120kW and 390Nm, making it a practical workhorse.

It must be noted that while this is the cheapest Foton bakkie with a 3-tonne towing capacity, it is by no means the only.

On the opposite end of the price spectrum is the R1,799,500 double-cab Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster.

This 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol Land Rover rival produces 183kW and 550Nm, and offers South Africa’s luxury off-roaders a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg.

Again, it is not the only model in the Ineos stable capable of towing over 3 tonnes; it is merely the cheapest.

When choosing to buy a bakkie with massive towing capacity, buyers need to ensure that they understand braked vs unbraked towing capacities.

If a trailer does not have its own braking system, it legally cannot weigh more than 750kg.

However, a trailer with its own braking system can weigh up to 3,500kg, allowing some bakkie drivers to take full advantage of their vehicles’ towing capabilities.

The strongest towbars in South Africa

Below is a list of bakkies in South Africa’s 3-tonne club; these are, however, not the only models in their brands’ respective stables with these capabilities, merely the most affordable model that meets the criteria.

Some brands also offer models in the same range that do not meet the 3-tonne towing capacity threshold.

Click on their prices to see the rest of their line-ups and learn more about each model.

1. Foton Tunland G7 

• Price – R329,900
• Power – 120kW/390Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,000kg

2. Peugeot Landtrek

• Price – R388,900
• Power – 110kW/350Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,000kg

3. Nissan Navara

• Price – R433,500
• Power – 120kW/403Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

4. LDV T60

• Price – R520,000
• Power – 120kW/375Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,000kg

5. GWM P-Series

• Price – R529,900
• Power – 135kW/480Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,000kg

6. JAC T9 

• Price – R549,900
• Power – 125kW/444Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

7. Toyota Hilux

• Price – R563,600
• Power – 110kW/400Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

8. Ford Ranger

• Price – R575,000
• Power – 125kW/405Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

9. VW Amarok

• Price – R593,200
• Power – 125kW/405Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

10. Mitsubishi Triton

• Price – R679,990
• Power – 135kW/430Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

11. Isuzu D-Max 

• Price – R774,100
• Power – 140kW/450Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg

12. Ineos Quartermaster 

• Price – R1,799,500
• Power – 183kW/550Nm
• Braked towing capacity – 3,500kg