Plenty of people think the payload is how much you can put in the tray. But it’s more complicated than that.

When you see a payload figure you cannot simply think of that as being what you’re allowed to load the tray up with. If you do, you’ll be exceeding the limits of the vehicle. 

That’s because the payload figure (often listed as Maximum Payload kg) is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can carry, as specified by the people who made the vehicle.

Let’s use another example to make it easier to understand.

A Nissan Navara ST-X Dual Cab pick-up 4x4 auto has a payload of 1004 kilograms. That seems good, right? A proper one-tonne ute!

But here’s the thing. It might be capable of a tonne of payload, but you need to know just how fast that carrying capacity can disappear when you start to load things up.  



For instance, a group of four mates are heading off on a camping trip. The four of them weigh a combined 360kg. That means you’re down to 644kg. 

Then you’ve got all the camping gear. It’s just over 350kg, for argument’s sake. 

And we should mention that this Navara for this imaginary road trip also has the optional sunroof (11kg) and electric seats (5kg), the weights of which are very handily listed on the spec sheet. That leaves you with 278kg remaining.

Then you might have that three-tonne caravan you want to take with you to make the camping trip a bit more comfortable for everyone, but old Barry the chainsaw can stay in the tent. That’ll mean the towball download puts you past the payload capacity by 22kg.

And we haven’t even mentioned that this theoretical Navara has a steel bullbar (approx 80kg) and side steps (46kg). Plus the tow bar assembly (25kg). Now you’re in excess by 173kg.

It’s easy to see how you can find yourself stretching beyond the limits of the vehicle, and I know this is starting to feel like we’re writing the method for a science experiment in Year 9, but here is the description that Nissan’s spec sheet lists: “Payload is the GVM minus the kerb mass. The kerb mass does not include passengers, luggage, cargo, any accessories fitted or any towball download (as appropriate). Payload is distributed across both the front and rear axles, never exceed the GVM or the axle limits.”

Tradie Ute Guide

What does payload mean?

Gross combination mass, or GCM, is yet another important weight consideration for anyone who plans to tow anything.

It is, simply, the maximum weight allowed for your vehicle and trailer combined, and it is determined by the manufacturer of the tow vehicle.

The NSW Centre for Road Safety describes it as “the maximum combined mass of your loaded tow vehicle and your loaded caravan hitched together”. 

So, it’s clear you need to know the weight of your vehicle, and the weight of the trailer you’re towing behind it. 

Let’s consider a real-world scenario. 

An Isuzu D-Max LS-M Crew Cab auto 4x4 pick-up has a gross combination mass of 6000kg, which is actually quite a lot for a ute of this type.

And this particular Isuzu ute has a kerb weight or kerb mass of 2030kg. But, as mentioned above, as soon as you start adding weight to the vehicle you affect the amount of weight it can tow.

So, let’s say you load up the vehicle - which has a few hundred kilos of mods on it, with your theoretical family with older teens, and a tray full of stuff loaded to the canopy, and a roof rack setup with a roof tent. That pushes you right to the maximum gross vehicle mass of 3100kg.

That means that, while the advertising slogan for this ute and many others is all about the three-and-a-half-tonne towing capacity, you’re actually left with just 2900kg of towing capacity.

Leave the teens, and their stuff - including the rooftop tent - at home and save yourself, say, 400 kilos, and you end up back with a towing capacity of 3300kg. 

So while towing capacity is a big consideration for buyers, your ute’s gross combination mass arguably needs to be an even bigger one.

What does GCM mean?

If you spend up on a new ute, you want to be sure that it’ll last - that it’ll cop the punishment you throw at it, and that, if you need it, you’ll be covered for things that break when they shouldn’t.

New car warranty paperwork can be perplexing, it’s fair to say, and I would thoroughly recommend that you read through the documentation before something goes wrong, not after.

Each brand has its own wording, stipulations, inclusions and exclusions, and it really is on the consumer to make sure that a new-vehicle warranty suits their needs - especially if you’re using the vehicle for work purposes.

Here we’ve put together a rundown of each of the big ute brands - and some of the small ones, too - to help you figure out what works for you. But again – please read the fine print! This is a general guide only.

And it is also worth a reminder here - in some instances, the limitations of the warranty are stricter than the Australian Consumer Law. So, if you feel your issues or concerns are not being addressed by the OEM, then consult with the Consumer Law. An example of a brand calling out this fact in their documentation is GWM, which states: “Nothing in this Warranty and Service Book limits the consumer guarantees under Australian Consumer Law in any way. In some circumstances your rights under those guarantees may be greater than your rights under the applicable GWM warranty; in which case, GWM Australia will always honour your rights under the consumer guarantees.”

Business or commercial customers are typically defined as being those who use their vehicle as a hire vehicle or for transporting people or goods for payment. 

The standout in the above list is SsangYong, which offers a “bumper-to-bumper” seven-year warranty for all customers. No exclusions for what you decide to do with your vehicle, as the brand puts it: “Whatever your commute, trade or vocation, SsangYong Australia will back you.”

And at the other end of the spectrum is one of the most expensive utes on this list, the Ram 1500. With a three-year/100,000km warranty, this truck is well behind its rivals.

Something worth noting is that most brands will include warranty cover for parts and accessories fitted, but only if they were fitted by the brand. Ford for example, states that the warranty cover “will not apply to any defect in, or which is attributable to, or to the use of, any Modification made to the Vehicle unless such Modification has been made by or at the direction of, Ford”. Mitsubishi says “aftermarket performance enhancing products such as (but not limited to) power chips, force induction products, suspension components, exhaust modifications” are not approved under the warranty it has, and thus could void it.

Remember, the warranty will cover you if you abide by the terms of the warranty document. For example - if you don’t service the car on schedule, and it breaks down, you might find the dealership or workshop will not cover any issues with the car.

What is excluded? Read the paperwork for the vehicle you’re looking at, but some examples of things that won’t be covered by the new car warranty include the 12-volt battery, shock absorbers, springs, seat covers, tonneau covers, clutch assemblies, glow plugs and globes. Be sure to know what is or isn’t covered.

Also, be sure you know the limitations of the paint warranty on your new ute. For instance, you might not be eligible to claim repairs on the paint warranty because of the vehicle’s environment. One example - Mazda states that damage or surface corrosion from environment “caused by environmental conditions including acid rain, airborne fallout (including chemicals, tree sap, etc), stones, salt, sand, road hazards, hail, wind, storm, lightning, floods, acts of God or bird droppings” will not be covered.

One more thing to keep in mind - the documentation will outline what needs to be done if you decide to sell your ute before the warranty period ends. It will typically be transferable to a new owner.

Further, if you buy a second-hand ute for work, be sure to check and make sure that the warranty has been transferred to you as the new owner of the vehicle. It could save headaches down the track.

Which utes have the best warranty cover?

Everybody seems to think they need a dual-cab, plenty of people never actually use their twin-cab ute to its full potential.

Think about it. Are you ever likely to actually have five people on board? And wouldn’t it be useful to have more storage space instead of empty seats?

There is clearly a category of buyer for whom a dual-cab ute makes a lot of sense - that is someone who is going to use their vehicle, not only for work purposes, but also as a personal transportation device. 

If you have a family with one, two or three children, and you don’t want another car, or know you’ll use the ute as a weekend adventure rig for camping, then a double-cab probably is right for you. Just note - double cab models typically only offer two child-seat attachment points. And often, the rigmarole involved in trying to attach and remove those seats means that you’d want them to be there all the time, or never at all. 

For instance, some utes require the top-tether for the window seat spots to be attached above the centre position, and it can be difficult to achieve a confidence-inspiring level of strap fastening. The best of the mainstream family utes I’ve experienced when it comes to rear seat space and child-seat friendliness is the GWM Cannon Ute, which has proper dedicated outboard top-tether spots behind each of the window seats (and ISOFIX, too). 

Or maybe you know you’ll be on apprentice pick-up and drop-off duties, so you know a dual-cab will allow you to get yourself and your work crew to the job site. My dad bought a dual-cab for that very reason, and even though he uses the back seat maybe only once a month, it proves a handy spot for him to store his painting drop-sheets (they stay dry and neatly folded in the second-row). 

But you must also keep in mind that a ute is a ute. Storage space and flexibility is important, that’s what makes a vehicle like this a great tool of trade.

And while rear seat bases that can be folded up to allow a flat, dry storage space is undoubtedly a benefit, you should also consider that dual-cab utes typically cost more. 

We’re talking thousands more, in most cases. For a base model ute, you’re looking at a circa-$10,000 gap between an entry-level Navara single-cab and dual-cab, and it’s about the same for a Triton or BT-50, and closer to $13K more for a HiLux to move up from the base cab-chassis single-cab to the dual-cab entry model. 

The utes that offer a smaller step up from single- to dual-cab are the Ford Ranger (only about $5000 at base level), and the Isuzu D-Max (around $8000).

Budget is one thing, but the usability of the ute is really going to be the deciding factor for you. 

If you need a bigger tray, want more space for your work gear, or think you need a lot more toolbox space than you’ll be able to get in a dual-cab, then the better choice will be with a space-cab (aka extra-cab or king-cab), as they offer you about 30cm more tray space but still a bit of secure dry space behind the seats. Or a single-cab, which is definitely the best option if you want a “proper” work truck that is about getting you and your stuff from A to B much more than it is about getting you and other occupants between those points.

The pluses for dual-cab utes, aside from back row space, is that they are more popular, and that means there are literally dozens more options for you to choose from. 

For instance, here’s a rundown of the best-selling utes and how many different cab derivations they offer:



In the current iterations (at the time of publishing), these are the utes that are only available in dual-cab design:

The other thing you might want to note is that many of the dual-cab utes have significantly more optional accessories available, both through the brand’s dealerships, or through the aftermarket. So if you plan to make your rig look and feel like something that represents you, then you ought to consider what you can or can’t get to make it so.

Whether you need a dual-cab could well be determined by your circumstances, but it is interesting to note just how many brands are moving to dual-cab-only line-ups, and even the big sellers are clearly geared more towards the double-cab market.

Do you need a dual cab ute?

It mightn’t be the first thing to think about it when you buy a new ute, but resale values can effectively protect your investment over a longer period of time.

The market for used vehicles at the moment is terrifying, with people paying well over the odds, and in recent times used car values have been at historically high levels. Those values are now sliding, according to the Moody’s Analytics Used Car Price Index, but utes remain a strong part of the pre-owned vehicle market.

A lot of factors make up whether you will achieve good resale value on your vehicle. 

Two of the big determining factors include whether or not the vehicle has had its service history fully documented, and if it has any remaining factory warranty.

Just a few other considerations for resale values include:

As for getting out the crystal ball and trying to figure out what the ute with the best resale is going to be in the future? That’s a bit more difficult, but we’ve put together a table of data below for used utes and their forecasted projected values.

The data we drew on for this comes from Glass’s Guide, and we’ve gone with predicted values based on three years/50,000km.

The specification levels we’ve selected are popular models in 4x2 and 4x4 derivations where eligible, and we’ve listed the list price (MSRP or drive-away) to give you an idea of the drop in value expected over a period of time. Most are dual-cab versions as that’s where the majority of sales are.

Note: this data is for indicative purposes only. Any data herein is not intended to indicate any guaranteed value and is based on research by a third party.

Resale values after three years or 50,000km

4x2 Workmate dual-cab Hi-Rider 2.4 diesel auto pick-up - $42,795 MSRP

4x4 SR5 dual-cab 2.8 diesel auto pick-up - $61,930 MSRP

4x4 GXL single-cab 4.5 diesel manual cab-chassis -$74,650 MSRP

4X2 XLS dual-cab Hi-Rider 2.0 diesel auto pick-up - $46,730 MSRP

4x4 Wildtrak dual-cab 3.0 diesel auto pick-up $70,190 MSRP

4x2 GLX dual-cab 2.4 diesel auto pick-up - $40,440 MSRP

4x4 GLS dual-cab 2.4 diesel auto pick-up - $51,490 MSRP

4x2 SX dual-cab High-Ride 3.0 diesel auto pick-up - $44,200 MSRP

4x4 X-Terrain dual-cab 3.0 diesel auto pick-up

4x2 XT dual-cab 3.0 diesel auto pick-up - $47,310 MSRP

4x4 GT dual-cab 3.0 diesel auto pick-up - $62,510 MSRP

4x2 ST dual-cab 2.3 diesel auto pick-up $47,205 MSRP

4x4 ST-X dual-cab 2.3 diesel auto pick-up $60,195 MSRP

4x2 Cannon dual-cab 2.0 diesel auto pick-up $35,990 drive-away

4x4 Cannon-X dual-cab 2.0 diesel auto pick-up - $45,490 drive-away

4x4 Max Luxe 2.0 diesel auto pick-up - $47,884 drive-away

4x4 Ultimate dual-cab 2.2 diesel auto pick-up - $40,400 MSRP

4x4 Laramie 5.7 petrol auto pick-up $119,900 MSRP

*You have no doubt noticed that the table above does not include Volkswagen Amarok data, as Glass’s Guide did not have research on the new-generation model to forecast future resale values at the time of writing. Once this information has been provided, we will update this story.

As stated, these are just indicative potential values that you might see when it comes to resale for the above mentioned utes.

Which utes have the best resale value?

How often are you going to encounter situations where you need four-wheel drive? 

No, seriously. Be honest with yourself. Daily? You should definitely buy a 4x4 ute.

Weekly? You should probably buy a 4x4 ute.

Less than that? You’re right to be questioning whether you really, really need a four-wheel-drive vehicle, because there are significant reasons why you shouldn’t buy one.

Let’s start with the biggest stumbling block first - price. Choosing a 4x4 ute will cost you significantly more than if you choose a 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) rig. We’re talking in the order of thousands of dollars. 

In fact, here is a guide to the additional cost you’ll have to pay for each of the following utes if you choose 4x4 over 4x2 in the equivalent spec and body style:

Beyond the bucks, there are other considerations you will need to consider: choosing a 4x4 ute will cost you more to run… oh, so it is about the bucks.

Let’s now look at those same utes, and the difference between the official combined cycle fuel consumption figures for 4x2 vs 4x4 in like-for-like body and engine combos:

While the differentials admittedly seem small at a glance, the implication is that for every tank you fill up, you’ll get through it faster in a 4WD ute.

If you are considering a higher-spec 4x4 ute as an option, also take note that it might have more expensive tyres (a higher-specced all-terrain, for example), which will be more expensive to replace than a more entry-level tyre, in most instances.

The other consideration you should keep in mind is that 4x4 utes are heavier. 

Take a HiLux SR5 dual-cab 4x2 vs the same ute in 4x4 spec. The 4x2 model has a listed kerb weight of 1958kg, while the equivalent (3.0L diesel, auto, pick-up) SR5 4x4 tips the scales at 2110kg.

That doesn’t just mean it’ll cost more to run (see above), but it also means you have less usable payload to play with. The 4x4 HiLux SR5 dual-cab pick-up auto has a 940kg payload, while the 4x2 version is rated to 1022kg.

That could mean the difference between legally getting all your gear to a worksite, or having to leave something behind. I know, most tradies don’t check at a weighbridge before they continue on their way, but the penalties for travelling overweight can be significant - up to $3300 in some jurisdictions.

There are positive sides to 4x4 utes when compared to 4x2 examples, though.

A ute with four-wheel drive will inevitably be more capable and go more places than any 4x2 version would. You need only park a 4x2 ute on a grassy downhill slope and then try to reverse out of there to realise that - particularly unladen - these vehicles can get stuck very easily.

A 4x4 ute also offers better peace of mind that you won’t get stuck, or at least shouldn’t get stuck anywhere near as dramatically, should you need to or decide to venture off the beaten path. 

And beyond all of that, the resale value for a 4x4 ute will typically be better than for a 4x2, and there will continue to be significantly more buyers in the market for used 4WD utes, too. 

You might pay more to begin with, not to mention paying more to own and run your 4x4 ute, but you could end up losing less on it in the long run. Just remember that in most cases, if you highly accessorise your ute to suit your needs, those costs will be harder to recoup. Many shoppers prefer not to buy a canvas that has already been painted on.

Do you need a 4x4 ute?

Fuel efficiency could be an important consideration for you, especially if you plan to use your vehicle for work purposes.

Say you have to drive 50 kilometres each way to a job site, for example - that’s 100km, or say roughly 10 litres of fuel, which could be as much as $22-$25 that you have to pay just to do your job.

In that case, aiming for a fuel-efficient ute could be a priority for you. And while there are no petrol-electric hybrid or plug-in hybrid pick-ups in Australia at the time of writing, the space is ripe for a new-generation take on transport for tradies.

There is one electric ute available for retail sale - the LDV eT60. It’ll literally never need to visit a servo except for a smoko run, with a full EV powertrain featuring a CATL battery that’s good for 330km of range, AC and DC charging capability and a 1000kg payload, it offers an intriguing alternative to the petrol and diesel ute crowd. It is prohibitively expensive, though.

As for the mainstream utes, there are some very efficient vehicles available. The figures you see below are the official combined cycle fuel consumption numbers - so, what you could theoretically expect to see across a mix of driving, but not driving while towing, or while loaded up to payload capacity. 

Now, if you’ve ever looked at a specs sheet for a new ute you may well have noticed that there are columns with numbers all over the place, and the fuel use section is typically baffling. But in this story, we’re just looking at the most fuel-efficient ute derivatives - so, specific variants, not an entire ute range, because we figure that’s what you want to find out about.

Here is a rundown of the 10 most fuel-efficient ute derivatives on the market in Australia, as at the end of February 2023:

The combined cycle figure is based on the testing conducted under the Australian Design Rules (ADR 81/02). 


Brands are forthright in stating that these aren’t to be taken as gospel. Mazda, for example, states: “They are useful in comparing the fuel consumption of different vehicles. They may not be the fuel consumption achieved in practice. This will depend on traffic, road conditions and how the vehicle is driven.”

Here’s how the fuel consumption figures are calculated:

It cannot be reiterated enough that these figures are not what you will typically see across a mix of driving, particularly if you buy a ute and keep it loaded up at all times.

Interesting to note that all of the models listed in the above table are the “small engine” versions of those respective utes; all of those utes listed are available with a bigger engine, which may, in fact, prove to be more efficient if you plan to run a laden ute a lot of the time.

For instance, the D-Max and BT-50 both have larger 3.0-litre engines available, the HiLux has a bigger 2.8L to choose, and the Ranger is available with a V6 diesel in some specs. And in some instances, those vehicles may prove to be more fuel-efficient as they each have more power and torque than their respective small-engine counterparts. More grunt means the engine won’t work as hard to get the job done. Just like Big Jim at the worksite - he makes lifting bricks look easy because he’s built like the proverbial s###house.

Most fuel efficient utes?

If you know you need a work ute, then you might have some ideas on what would be useful to have in that truck.

Buying a vehicle for your business is an investment in the work you do, something you should be proud of and take pride in. So making sure you choose the right vehicle - not just the one that you think is right initially - is vital.

This isn’t going to tell you how to suck eggs, but here are a few things that you might not immediately put on your “must have” list when thinking about a new work vehicle.

Hopefully these tips help you think beyond the standard “I like the look of it” and “it’s got a diesel with more torque than the others” mindset.

What to look for when buying a ute for a work truck?

What you think of as “best servicing cover” is going to depend on your expectations. 

Is it the best cover if it’s the cheapest? Is it the best cover if it’s the longest in terms of years? Or mileage? Or is it best if it has the lengthiest service intervals?

It’s complex, that’s for sure, but to help clear things up, we’ve got a breakdown of the servicing standards for each of the big selling utes on the market. 

This is simply a guide to the current status of each of the following vehicles, at the time of publishing, and it is recommended that you do the work and check the documentation applicable to your vehicle of choice. 

It is also critical that you check what is or is not included in the capped-price service regime for each brand. You might be surprised what the rate you pay doesn’t include, but it’s too complex to list all the minutiae here.

Below you will find the make model of the ute, the servicing intervals, the capped price service plan duration and average cost per service for the duration of the capped-price plan.

NOTE: Option to pre-pay servicing. Details below.

A couple of things to call out here. The lack of capped-price servicing plans whatsoever from Ram and LDV - both brands distributed by Ateco Automotive - is a serious consideration for potential customers.

Further, there is something you should consider if you’re looking at the VW Amarok pricing and trying to stay seated, as those prices could make one fall from one’s chair. The thing with the Volksy ute is that it can be had with what the brand calls its Care Plans.

As such, if you choose an Amarok 4-cylinder you are eligible to pay a $1900 fee for all five years/75,000km of maintenance, which the brand equates to offering two services for free (not to mention a saving of $1761 off the pay-as-you-go rate. The same is the case for the V6 Amarok, which has a five-year Care Plan cost of $2050, saving you at least $1825 off the year-by-year maintenance price.

Further, Nissan has a pre-paid servicing plan available for Navara, with a choice of three years ($1744 for auto, $1765 for manual), four years ($2304 auto, $2332 manual) or five years ($2847 auto, $2883 manual).

It is also worth reiterating that the Toyota six-month intervals might look cheap on paper, but if you do the maths, you will pay twice the listed price - because you have to service the vehicle twice a year. So, don’t think $290 capped price servicing for a HiLux diesel - think $580. That’s the more realistic figure.

Tell us your thoughts in the comments section about which one of the above brands nails it best when it comes to capped-price servicing.

What you think of as the “best servicing cover” is going to depend on your expectations of your ute, here we explore the different offerings in market. 

Which utes have the best servicing cover?

A lot of the dual-cab pick-up utes out there have very similar tray sizes, but there are some important differences in the usability of a ute tray, depending on the limiting factors. 

There are some considerations - the deeper the tub, the more you’ll be able to stack in there, and the harder it’ll be to reach in from the outside to try and secure the load in place.

The longer the tub, the longer the ute… in most instances. Most dual-cabs in this segment of the market are in the 5.2m to 5.4m length range, so there’s a bit in it. You’ll need to check the exact dimensions for each ute before you put your money down - the last thing you want is to have to do renovations on your garage because it won’t fit.

And the last thing to keep in mind is tub width - and, more specifically, the wheel-arch gap.

The reason this is such a vital thing to take note of is because, if you ever need to forklift something into the tub of your ute, it may not fit.

Australian standard pallets are 1165mm by 1165mm - so, for the majority of utes on the list you see below, they won’t stack up if you need to travel with pallets on board. Of course, there are also European pallets which measure 1200mm by 800mm, so you could fit one of those in each of the utes below, but hardly anyone uses those in Australia. Likewise, if you’re farming, an IBC measures 1200mm by 1000mm, so that leaves the same two options only - the VW Amarok and Ford Ranger.

Here’s a table of the dimensions of the ten best selling utes in Australia, which should help you figure out which is the best fit for you. Note: these are the “midsize” utes on the market, and these figures are for dual-cab models only, since those types account for the vast majority of sales in Australia:

Now, we need to point something out. Two of the utes on the above list also come with longer tray options available - see below:

Both of the above models have a longer wheelbase to help balance the additional tray length, as well. The T60 Mega Tub’s wheelbase is stretched by 310mm (to 3470mm), while the Musso XLV’s rear wheels are pushed backwards by 110mm (3210mm).

These two options - the T60 Mega Tub, more so - really offer something more closely comparable to a space-cab pick-up tray, but with the practicality of a dual-cab interior space. Both are pretty long nose to tail, though (Mega Tub - 5680mm; XLV - 5409mm).

And if you are curious, here are the comparative dimensions for the next-size-up utes on sale:

It stands to reason that those bigger utes have bigger cargo areas, and that certainly helps if you need to load long or wide items. Just don’t expect to load up as much weight into the back of a full-size pick-up truck, as the payload limitations are significant. 

Having stated all of the above, the tray equations are irrelevant if you decide you don’t want or need a dual-cab. An extra-cab (space cab or king cab) or single-cab will offer more size for stuff. 

Likewise, if you decide to choose a dual-cab, you may be able to tailor your ute to your needs if choose a cab-chassis version, and get a tray to work for you, rather than you making your needs fit into a potentially unsuitable tray layout or space.

What are the tray dimensions of the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Nissan Navara and more? We take a in-depth look 

Ute Tray Dimensions detailed

The best lesson any new business can learn is that an accountant is an ally you will rely upon, and when it comes to anything to do with your business and tax, you should speak to them directly. 

So when you see things in the news about “instant asset tax write-off” and “benefits for small businesses”, you will want to get on the phone to your tax specialist first and foremost, because they will be best equipped to help you navigate the complexities of the regulations. 

Per the Australian Tax Office: “Eligible businesses can claim an immediate deduction for the business portion of the cost of an asset in the year the asset is first used or installed ready for use.” Currently this applies to assets first purchased and used between 6 October 2020 and 30 June 2023.

In English, it means you can fully depreciate the cost of an asset in the same tax year as you bought it. Often you will write off assets over a period of years, but that’s not the case with the instant asset rule. That’s why it has “instant” in the name. 

Australian businesses (such as sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts) that have a total annual income less than $5 billion are eligible for new asset write-off, but if your business’s aggregated turnover is less than $50 million, eligible second-hand assets can also be written off under the rules.

In simple terms, you can spend up to $150,000 on a new or used asset for your business - but don’t go rubbing your hands together about that sparkly Audi RS4 just yet. 

The “Car Limit” threshold for a car for the 2022–23 financial year is $64,741. 

But, under the guidelines stated by the ATO, a car is defined as a vehicle “designed to carry a load less than one tonne, and fewer than nine passengers”. Those vehicles are subject to the threshold amount of $64,741 – the amount over that price point can’t be claimed under other depreciation rules.

So let’s consider an example of that threshold in action.

 A business owner decides to spend $90,000 on a passenger car, which they use for their business 70% of the time, while 30% of the time is for personal use. That means the total deduction for the vehicle would be 70% of the threshold amount - so, $45,318.70.

However, vehicles that are designed to carry more than one tonne (like most utes) or nine passengers or more (mini buses), are eligible for a total instant tax write-off, up to a maximum price of $150,000.

That means, if you buy a work vehicle for the purpose of work, and it costs you $90,000, you can claim the entire purchase price back. That could be huge, but be careful as most dual cab utilities are not eligible to claim 100 percent of the cost.

The small business asset write-off initiative was introduced in the COVID period as a means to keep the economy stimulated. Money makes the world go around, even if the world seemed to stop on its axis for a while there. 

At the time of writing, this scheme was due to wrap up at the end of June, 2023. (This may change in the May budget).

The asset write-off must be claimed in the fiscal year it was used for business purposes. So, say you buy a ute on May 31 2023, you need to use it for business by 30 June 2023 to claim it as a tax deduction for the 2022-2023 year.

In other words, if you’re waiting on your new Ranger ute for work, and the dealership is saying “it should be here by August”, you might miss out on the chance to claim this instant write-off.

Note: Not intended as tax advice. Consult your accountant, tax advisor or the ATO to come up with a solution to suit your needs.

Utes capable of more than one tonne are eligible. Up to $150,000 instant asset write-off for businesses, new or used utes maybe be eligible

2023 Instant asset write off and the thresholds to claim

The rules about what affects your fuel consumption in a ute are very much the same as in any other type of vehicle. The heavier it is, the more fuel it will use.

But there are some tips that can help you save cash at the servo - and I’m not talking about skipping the jumbo sausage roll and choccy milk deal. Although, hey, like I said - the less weight, the better your fuel consumption will be.

Make sure you service your vehicle on time. If you ignore the scheduled maintenance intervals for your ute, it will, inevitably, run worse, and use more fuel as a result. By making sure you have fresh oil, new filters, spark plugs that aren’t gunky, and a servicing booklet that is up to date, you will increase your chances of having a more efficient vehicle.

! Running your tyres at lower pressures means you will be making it harder to get moving and keep moving, not to mention the fact that underinflating your tyres can cut their life expectancy. Research has shown that underinflation of a car’s tyres by as little as 10 per cent can increase fuel consumption by two per cent.

 If your tyre placard says 32 PSI and you’re running around at off-road inflation levels (let’s say, 20 PSI), your fuel consumption could increase by as much as eight per cent. 

If you really are concerned about fuel economy in your ute, maybe don’t fit a set of 33-inch mud tyres. More aggressive tread patterns on tyres mean there’s more friction to overcome to build and maintain momentum, which - in turn - means you’re going to use more juice. 

Indeed, four-wheel-drive utes, by their very nature and with their inherent off-road capabilities, are more likely to be highly accessorised because they often double as lifestyle off-road rigs as well as work vehicles. A snorkel is, in theory, just about the only off-road mod that will help your vehicle’s efficiency, because they are designed to allow the engine to breathe better - and also, of course, to help the engine breathe and not suck in a gutful of water when you encounter a river crossing.

For that matter, any accessory that you fit to your ute is going to add some weight to it. Some of the heavier accessories people fit that should be avoided for those who really want to keep their fuel costs and consumption down include: a tool box tray (replacing the tub with a tray and fitting a tool box setup), aftermarket wheels and tyres, a bull bar, a tow bar, or a canopy.

Even a light bar, or a hard-top tonneau, a tub liner, or a set of rubber mats to protect the carpet… All of these things add weight, which ultimately adds to the load on the engine.

Further, a roof-mounted awning or roof-top tent will increase your fuel consumption, as will ladders, pipes, planks, trestles, you name it. Any items mounted on the roof or on racks above the roof height will increase the drag of the vehicle, and that’ll mean it takes more go-juice to push through the air.

Keeping your ute clean and clutter free is one easy way to help decrease your fuel use. Chuck out those wrappers and bottles. Leave stuff at the workshop or at home that you won’t need on the worksite. 

Finally, one of the smartest things you can do to save fuel is to go easy on the throttle. Aggressive acceleration will increase the amount of petrol, diesel, electricity or hydrogen you use! That’s right, this is a physics thing - you will use more energy no matter what that energy source is.

If your vehicle has an “Eco Mode”, use it. If your vehicle has start-stop technology, leave it on. Those systems can save you litres of fuel per day, and that just means more money in your pocket to spend on sausage rolls and choccy milks. Oh, wait. Forget that.

Weight is the enemy - don’t carry too much stuff, Check your tyre pressures and Don’t drive like a tool!

What affects fuel economy in a ute?

A lot of new ute buyers modify their vehicle to make it more suitable for their needs, and the most common modification in tradie-land seems to be dumping the tub and putting on a tray.

That mentality is largely driven by the availability of cab-chassis versions of the utes that sell in big numbers. In other words, the best-spec utes aren’t available with trays on the back, you have to get them as a dual-cab pick-up truck with a styleside tub instead, then rip it off and get a new fit out sorted.

Here’s a list of the current highest-grade 4x4 models from each of the ute makers that are available with a double-cab-chassis layout:

The 70 Series aside, that means there are higher-spec versions of each of those utes available but only with a tub. Here’s a list:

If you want a double-cab 4x4 cab-chassis version of the GWM Ute, SsangYong Rexton, Jeep Gladiator, LDV T60, RAM 1500, GMSV Silverado or Volkswagen Amarok, there’s nothing for you straight off the showroom floor (at the time of writing).

I might also throw in a couple of cab-chassis options that you haven’t thought of - the van-based brigade. For instance, you can get a dual-cab 4x4 version of the large Volkswagen Crafter, or the mid-size VW Transporter, for less than some of those other utes. And guess what? The Crafter has seven seats! Three up front, four in the back. Crazy, right?

You can probably tell that the brands don’t think there are that many buyers for more richly specified twin-cab 4x4 models, but there are huge benefits to getting a cab-chassis ute, particularly if you’re a tradie.

Here are some of the most important benefits of cab-chassis vs pick-up:

You’ll decide if a tray is better for you or not, but it is surprising that more brands aren’t catering to the demands of customers. And have you seen how many removed tubs there are at the back of major ute dealerships? It’s quite wasteful, if they don’t find a new life.

If you do buy a ute and remove the tray, and you can’t decide what to do with it - Google “ute tub pool” and “ute tub sandpit”. You can leave your notes of thanks in the comments. 

What does payload mean?

More Tradie Ute Guide

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