Dually Pickup Trucks in Australia: Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350 & F-450

Cliff Pierez

Heavy-Duty Towing, Aussie Style

Australia is built for towing. Whether it’s luxury fifth-wheel caravans, horse floats, mining gear, or off-grid touring rigs, Australian roads handle some of the heaviest loads worldwide. While popular dual-cab utes like the Ranger, HiLux, and Triton are great for everyday use, their 3.5-ton tow ratings fall short when tackling caravans, trailers, or equipment weighing 4.5 to 11 tons. That’s where dually pickup trucks come in.

These heavy-duty machines, equipped with dual rear wheels (DRW), deliver unmatched stability, payload capacity, and towing power. The top contenders in Australia are:

• Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD DRW
• GMC Sierra 3500 HD DRW
• Ford F-350 Super Duty
• Ford F-450 Super Duty DRW

At Autogroup International, we’ve specialised in mirror-image right-hand drive conversions of these trucks for over 33 years. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, a 5-year nationwide warranty, and full ADR compliance, we ensure Australians can confidently and legally operate North America’s most powerful pickup trucks.

What Makes a Dually Pickup Different?

A dually features twin wheels on each side of the rear axle — that’s six wheels in total. This setup is a game-changer when hauling heavy trailers or carrying substantial payloads.

Key Benefits of Dually Trucks:

• Greater Stability: Wider stance and extra road contact reduce trailer sway, crucial for tall caravans facing crosswinds.
• Higher Payload & GVM: Dual tyres support heavier loads safely on the rear axle.
• Massive Towing Capacity: ADR rated up to 11 tons depending on the model.
• Tyre Redundancy: If one tyre blows, the second still carries the load — a vital safety feature for remote Australian roads.
• Commercial Versatility: Perfect for agriculture, mining, logistics, and big touring setups.

ADR-Compliant Towing Ratings — What You Need to Know

The ADR-compliant ratings reflect what you can legally and safely tow on Australian roads — not the inflated US spec sheet figures. Every Autogroup conversion comes with VIN-specific documentation, compliance plating, and weight certification, so you know exactly what your truck can handle.

• * Note: GCM and Payload can differ by each specific pickup truck – always confirm with the engineering team at Autogroup International

Why these numbers matter:
Unlike the inflated “brochure figures” you’ll see in U.S. spec sheets, these ADR-compliant ratings reflect what you can legally and safely tow in Australia. At Autogroup International, every conversion comes with VIN-specific documentation, compliance plates, chartered engineer sign-off and weight certification, so you know exactly what your truck is capable of. And critically – there are many owners of SRW American pickup trucks which mostly have a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 kgs – that are well over the legal limit risking insurance coverage and risking roadside enforcement by police, fines, demerit points or worst case scenario vehicle impoundment.

Chevy/GMC vs. Ford Super Duty: Which Dually Suits You?

The Contenders: Chevy/GMC vs Ford Super Duty

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD DRW Pickup truck

• Engine & Transmission: 6.6L Duramax diesel + Allison 10-speed automatic.
• ADR Towing in Australia: 9–10 tons.
• Strengths: Proven Duramax/Allison combo, excellent balance between strength and refinement.
• Trims: LTZ, High Country (luxury).
• Best For: Buyers who want serious towing without sacrificing comfort, especially those familiar with GM products.

GMC Sierra 3500 HD DRW Pickup Truck

• Engine & Transmission: Same Duramax/Allison setup as Silverado.
• ADR Towing in Australia: 9–10 tons.
• Strengths: Focus on luxury with Denali and Denali Ultimate trims. Premium interiors, HUD, and advanced trailer camera systems.
• Best For: Those who want the most luxurious dually option in Australia, perfect for long-haul touring.

Ford F-350 Super Duty DRW Pickup Truck

• Engine: 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel (standard or High-Output).
• ADR Towing in Australia: 8.5–9 tons.
• Strengths: Broad trim range (XLT, Lariat, Limited), huge aftermarket ecosystem, excellent daily usability compared to F-450.
• Best For: Operators who want big towing strength but still some urban usability.

Ford F-450 Super Duty DRW Pickup truck

• Engine: 6.7L Power Stroke HO turbo-diesel.
• ADR Towing in Australia: ~10–11 tons (class-leading).
• Strengths: Wide rear stance, reinforced chassis, and highest legal tow ratings in Australia.
• Trade-Offs: Wider body, bigger turning radius, stiffer ride when empty.
• Best For: Buyers who want the ultimate towing machine, especially for 5th-wheel caravans, heavy horse floats, or mining use.

Real-World Advantages for Australians

1. Caravan & Fifth-Wheel Towing: Many Australian and imported caravans exceed 5 tons; dually trucks tow them safely and legally with stability.
2. Agriculture & Mining: Offers the extra payload and gross vehicle mass needed for heavy equipment and water tanks in rural areas.
3. Touring Lifestyle: Off-grid rigs benefit from tyre redundancy and stability for outback and remote highway travel.
4. Safety & Insurance: ADR compliance means your dually is legal, insurable, and officially recognised across Australia.

Why Choose Autogroup International?

Autogroup International provides more than just trucks — we engineer them for Australia:

• Mirror-Image Right-Hand Drive Conversions: Retain OEM ergonomics, safety, airbags and factory electronics.
• Full ADR Compliance: GVM and GCM tested, VIN-specific compliance plates, and certification.
• ISO 9001:2015 Certified: Global quality engineering standards.
• 5-Year Nationwide Warranty: Covers both conversion and vehicle for peace of mind.
• Proven Track Record: Over 5,000 conversions delivered to 40+ countries in 33 years.
• Australia-Wide Support: Servicing, warranty, and parts through trusted partners.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy a Dually in Australia?

• Chevrolet Silverado 3500: Balanced strength, robust Duramax power, and great comfort.
• GMC Sierra 3500: The pinnacle of luxury in dually form, ideal for premium caravanners.
• Ford F-350 Super Duty: Strong towing with better urban usability.
• Ford F-450 Super Duty: The ultimate towing rig for the hardest tasks.

For Aussies towing above 5 tons regularly, a dually isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. With Autogroup International, you get trucks engineered for legal compliance, safety, and reliability in Australia’s toughest conditions.

Talk to the team today via [email protected] or give us a call on (03) 9765 1300

AboutCliff Pierez

Cliff Pierez is one of Autogroup International’s Sales Managers, a seasoned automotive professional with years of experience across right hand drive American pickups and specialty builds. Based in Melbourne, he supports clients nationwide, from individual enthusiasts to fleet buyers, combining deep product knowledge with clear, customer focused advice on specification, compliance, and delivery. Cliff regularly spends time at our ISO certified engineering and production facility in Sri Lanka, strengthening his technical insight and ensuring every vehicle meets Autogroup International’s standards for safety, capability, and long term support.

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