Most people would realise that big 5th Wheeler with a small Japanese pickup, will not work well in the long run. Overheating, lack of power, poor stability and extremely poor fuel economy.
I personally have owned similar Toyota vehicle, the 100 series. In the past I was dring from Dongarra to Perth, Western Australia towing a one tonne Camper Trailer called a Trak Shak.
The 12 month old Toyota overheated on a 42c/107f day, so I sold and bought a Ford F250 Longbed
Supercab. That was 2002, and kept it for 7 years. Had the great 7.3 litre diesel. Use to get 18-19 mpg, city or country at 60 mph. Beautiful machine. Bought it for AUD $67,000 and sold it for AUD $55,000, with 98000 Km's on the speedo and still 70% of it's tire tread.
I also personally know 3 of the 8 pickup dealers here in Perth, Western Australia.
We have a population here of 2.3 million.
The three I know have about 60 in stock at any given time and sell about 30-45 a month, between those three.
My previous 2011 Chev, traded, for my Dodge Ram, sold in three days.
I am not knocking Australian/Japanese vehicle, which all have a place in the market.
US pickups converted to RHD, generally sell between AUD $129,000 to $155,000,
depending on model and accessaries, so are very expensive here.
However a new Land cruiser Sahara 200 series sell for $120,000 plus, here?
US manufacturer Ford is 2015 is producing RHD V8 Mustangs in the US for Australia, UK, Japan
And other RHD markets, said to sell here for around $50-60,000.
If the same occurred with Some US Pickups I'm sure at half their current Australian price, thousands would roll out the door.
If I was a landscaper here in Australia, would I buy that Japanese Toyota tray top utility for $67,000
or a decent American pickup, lets say a Ram 4500 or a F450 for the same price or less, and get a much bigger payload & engine, it would be the US pickup, every time.
The Ford Falcon Ute/pickup V8 gas sells here for between AUD$47,000 & $70,000. That's a lot of dollars for a half tonne ute. Poor economy, low load rating, two small cramped seats, I know
My father has had three over 25 years.
Robert, vehicles prices in this country, as you know are outrageous, similar vehicles in other countries all for 40-50% less.
Thank You, Doug.