Five things to consider before buying a dual-cab ute for business

Hard-working tradies need equally hard-working partners to get the job done right; those with a bit of spark that can help carry some of the heavy load and can safely hammer their way through a tough day on-site.

Which is why builders and brickies – as well as painters, plumbers, plasterers and more – are hiring four-wheeled apprentices in the form of dual-cab utes at a record rate. They are a must-have tool for many tradies.

So, if you and your business are scouting for a talented and dependable new partner to join the crew, then here’s five things you need to know about the latest dual-cab ute candidates.

It doesn’t matter what trade you specialise in, whether it’s carting ladders, loos or landscaping equipment, you need a ute that can handle a payload.

Depending on your specific requirements, most dual-cabs are offered in either cab-chassis or pick-up body styles. The former allows you to option a factory or aftermarket tray back or fit a fully-customised set-up to suit your requirements. The latter is what is generally termed as a style-side tray that is designed and engineered to complement the vehicle and fitted as standard from the manufacturer.

When looking at specifications, it’s important to know that payload figures vary between these two options as cab-chassis models generally do not include the weight of the tray while dual-cab variants are the combination of the entire vehicle as delivered.

Thus, if you’re considering a cab-chassis model, it is critical to understand the estimated weight of the tray set-up you intend to fit as it will determine the eventual payload.

In either case, you’ll also need to take into account any additional permanent accessories fitted to the vehicle, such as bull bars, canopies and roof rails, as these will also eat into the payload.

With the Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R Double Cab 4WD Pick-Up featured here, it has a maximum payload capacity of 939kg and a tray that measures 1520mm long, 1470mm wide and 475mm high, with 1085mm between the wheel-arches.

For some tradies, not every tool they need can fit in the tray, so having a dual-cab ute that can also haul around a trailer is another critical factor. Think a landscaper with his or her skid steer, a concreter with a mixer, or a roofer with a heavy load of conveyor and tiles.

To make sure the machine you choose is up to the job, there are a host of key numbers to take into consideration.

The first – and most obvious – is its maximum towing capacity, which is recorded for trailers without (unbraked) and with the fitment of electronically-controlled brakes (braked).

The former are often small box trailers while the latter are larger and can carry heavier loads and, therefore, require the additional braking assistance to ensure the vehicle and trailer remain stable while on the road.

In the case of our default dual-cab, the Mitsubishi Triton – and almost all of its rivals – the maximum towing capacity for an unbraked trailer is 750kg. That figure is more than quadrupled to 3100kg with a braked trailer.

When looking at these figures, remember that this also takes into account the weight of the trailer itself.

The second specification to consider is the tow ball down weight, which is the physical pressure applied to the tow bar from a trailer that ensures the vehicle and trailer remain level while driving.

This figure can vary drastically depending on the location of the mass on the trailer. Having too much weight at the front will increase the tow ball down weight while having too much at the rear will obviously have the reverse effect.

If you carry a different load every day, having a tow ball weight gauge in your kit – which is available at most automotive parts retailers – is a handy tool to have. As a rule of thumb, having around 10 per cent of the towed mass as tow ball down weight is considered ideal.

It’s also advisable to be conservative with towing duties. Just because a vehicle is rated to tow 3500kg doesn’t mean you should tow that mass.

Ultimately, you need the muscle for the job with a durable and powerful engine that can lift the heavy loads day in and day out, but one that is supported by a tough yet stable chassis set-up that doesn’t compromise everyday driving comfort and, critically, its road-holding performance when towing.

Work site safety is a big deal these days, and for good reason. And just as tools and equipment have become smarter and easier to use in recent years to prevent injuries and accidents, so too have dual-cab utes.

Whether you work alone or part of a crew, safely getting to work and home again is the most important consideration. When considering a new dual-cab, there’s no need to make do without the latest advanced driver aids.

Again, using the Mitsubishi Triton as an example, all variants have a five-star ANCAP crash test rating and dual-cab variants are fitted with seven airbags.

The GLX-R Double Cab featured here has a suite of active safety systems that use a combination of high-res cameras and sensors to help avoid accidents and prevent severe injuries including forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, emergency brake assist, brake override system, lane departure warning, active stability control and anti-skid brakes.

On top of that, and importantly for those that regularly tow, it also has trailer stability assist. If the vehicle’s computer detects the trailer is swaying it automatically applies individual brakes to keep the ute and trailer stable.

The range-topping Triton GSR adds even more safety features, such as lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, automatic high beam and an ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation system.

Not every work site is easily accessible, so having the ability to get into rough environments with a four-wheel drive can be critical to getting the job done properly.

All-wheel drive systems come in a range of configurations. Dual-cabs have traditionally used dual-range 4x4 systems with manual transfer cases, however there are a growing number of higher-tech systems that take the guesswork out of going off-road.

In the case of the Triton, high-end 4WD variants such as GSR feature Mitsubishi’s proven Super Select II four-wheel drive transmission with a low-range transfer case and lockable centre and rear differential that offer very impressive off-road performance.

With a simple-to-use rotary dial located in the centre console, drivers can easily switch the Super Select II between the standard two-wheel drive mode – for better performance around town and greater fuel economy – to high-range four-wheel drive for greater stability on loose surfaces such as rural gravel roads.

For even tougher conditions, they can then choose to lock the centre differential which apportions an equal torque split across both axles for better traction. And, finally, in gnarly scenarios such as climbing steep, rocky hills, driving on sand or in mud, it’s a simple twist of the dial to engage low range with a 2.566 reduction gear.

Just as you don’t compromise on the comfort of your work boots, tradies no longer need to sacrifice on convenience with modern dual-cab utes.

Whereas a generation ago a work truck looked as a simple as a spanner, the cabin felt as hard as a hammer and it had as many features as a nail, that is no longer the case as the latest crop of four-door hay haulers are loaded with mod-cons and little luxuries to make the work commute less of a chore.

Apart from the array of active driver aids that make the physical act of driving safer and more comfortable, most dual-cab utes feel more car-like than ever before.

For starters, back seat passengers aren’t considered second-class citizens any more with spacious cabins that can comfortably accommodate four adults and, in some cases, have handy storage spaces under the seats, air-conditioning vents and USB power outlets.

And those in the front are treated with more dynamic car-like dashboard designs, modern creature comforts, the latest in infotainment and audio systems, and many variants have uniquely specific work-focused solutions such as clip-board and pen holders and some even have cooled gloveboxes to keep the smoko beverage of choice chilled.

The Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R featured comes with keyless entry, a leather-clad steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, climate control air-conditioning with a roof-mounted air circulator and dust and pollen filter, and a 7.0-inch colour touch-screen display with sat-nav, reverse camera, smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices, Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity, and a four-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio.

On top of that, there’s some often underrated conveniences too such as rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, four cup holders, bottle holders in each door and a recess in the roof specifically for sunglasses.

If the above illustrates nothing else, it’s proof that the latest crew of dual-cab utes are smarter, safer and more comfortable – and yet just as dependable, tough and hard-working as ever before.