With an array of capabilities, the versatile Mazda BT-50 makes weekday work and weekend adventures easy and enjoyable. Among the BT-50’s many impressive skills is its towing performance.

THE IDEAL TOWING PARTNER

It might be a tool trailer from Monday to Friday and a boat trailer on weekends. Perhaps it’s a jet-ski for Sunday fun. It could even be a two-tonne caravan for that round-Australia trip. Whatever you plan to tow with your Mazda BT-50, it’s important to have the right equipment and information before you hitch up and head off.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is my BT-50’s Towing Capacity?

A vehicle’s Towing Capacity is the maximum trailer ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) it is legally allowed to pull when towing. ATM refers to the total weight of the trailer when carrying the maximum load recommended by its manufacturer. It includes weight imposed on the towing vehicle, which is usually at the tow ball and tow bar. (See What does ‘tow ball download’ mean?, below.)

Almost all motor vehicles have a maximum Towing Capacity specified by the vehicle manufacturer. All model variants in the Mazda BT-50 range have a specified Towing Capacity. They are:

Unbraked Towing Capacity: When fitted with a Mazda Genuine Towing Kit, the unbraked Towing Capacity of the Mazda BT-50 is 750 kilograms. 

Braked Towing Capacity: When fitted with a Mazda Genuine Towing Kit, the Braked Towing Capacity of the Mazda BT-50 is between 3,000 kilograms and 3,500 kilograms, depending on the model variant:

• BT-50 models fitted with the 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine: 3,000 kilograms
• BT-50 models fitted with the 3.0-litre four-cylinder engine: 3,500 kilograms

Some important numbers you must be aware of before towing – especially when towing a heavy braked trailer – are your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and Gross Combined Mass, or GCM.

Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is the total permissible weight of the vehicle, including occupants, fuel and cargo. The towball download is included in this weight, so towing a heavy trailer will reduce the amount of payload available in the vehicle.

Gross Combined Mass (GCM) is the total permissible combined weight of the vehicle and trailer/caravan being towed, including occupants, fuel and cargo.

You can find your BT-50’s GVM and GCM using the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. It’s simple to use. Select your vehicle’s details and it will show you your BT-50’s GVM and GCM figures.

It’s important to never exceed your BT-50’s GVM or GCM.

So, always remember to check four things before towing with your BT-50 and ensure that none of them are exceeded:

What’s the difference between a braked trailer and an un-braked trailer?

Trailers are sometimes fitted with their own brakes.

“Unbraked Towing Capacity” refers to a motor vehicle’s Towing Capacity when it’s towing a trailer not fitted with its own brakes. This means the towing vehicle’s brakes will need to slow both itself and the trailer when driving. In Australia, 750 kilograms is usually the maximum Unbraked Towing Capacity for a passenger vehicle or light commercial vehicle.

When fitted with a Mazda Genuine Towing Kit, the Unbraked Towing Capacity for the Mazda BT-50 is 750 kilograms. 

“Braked Towing Capacity” specifies the maximum ATM (aggregate trailer mass) of any trailer fitted with its own brakes. These can be subject to specific state and territory regulations in Australia.

When fitted with a Mazda Genuine Towing Kit, the Braked Towing Capacity for the Mazda BT-50 is between 3,000 kilograms and 3,500 kilograms, depending on the model variant:

• BT-50 models fitted with the 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine: 3,000 kilograms
• BT-50 models fitted with the 3.0-litre four-cylinder engine: 3,500 kilograms

Always check the Braked Towing Capacity of your Mazda BT-50 and the ATM of your trailer before connecting them and driving off.

Where can I find the Towing Capacity details on the Mazda BT-50?

You can find the Towing Capacities for your Mazda BT-50 in either its Owner’s Manual or using the Mazda Australia Online Payload Calculator. Select your vehicle’s details and it will show you your BT-50’s Towing Capacities.

What does ‘Tow Ball Download’ mean?

When a trailer is connected to a vehicle not all of the trailer’s weight is carried by its wheels. Some of this weight is carried by the towing vehicle’s tow ball and towbar. Tow Ball Download (sometimes also called Tow Ball Load) refers to the maximum amount of weight that can be applied to the tow ball when a trailer of any kind is connected to it.

The amount of Tow Ball Download applied to a vehicle with a towing kit is important. If this maximum weight is exceeded, it can negatively affect how the towing vehicle brakes and steers when driven. Also, the Tow Ball Download is included in the vehicle payload which is limited by the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM).

The maximum permissible tow ball download for the Mazda BT-50 is 350 kilograms (when fitted with a Mazda Genuine Towing Kit.)

What safety systems on the BT-50 help with towing?

A number of on-board safety systems help make towing simpler and safer with the Mazda BT-50. This includes Trailer Sway Control (TSC), which automatically adjusts the BT-50’s brakes and engine torque to help minimise a trailer’s side-to-side swaying movement when towing.

Along with TSC, the following onboard safety technologies fitted to the Mazda BT-50 can help make towing safer and more comfortable:

Can I buy towing accessories from my Mazda dealership?

Yes, you can.

Mazda’s network of authorised dealerships and Dedicated Mazda Ute Centres throughout Australia can offer you the following towing-related Mazda Genuine Accessories for your Mazda BT-50:

Tow Pack (standard) for BT-50 Utility models: This Genuine Mazda tow bar integrates with your BT-50’s chassis and tows loads up to 3,500 kilograms and a 350 kilogram download capacity. Includes tow bar, trailer wiring harness and chrome tow ball.

Tow Pack (standard) for BT-50 Cab-Chassis models: This Genuine Mazda tow bar integrates with your BT-50’s chassis and tows loads up to 3,500 kilograms and a 350 kilogram download capacity. Includes tow bar, trailer wiring harness and chrome tow ball.

Tow Pack (Heavy Duty) for BT-50 Utility models: This Genuine Mazda tow bar integrates with your BT-50’s chassis and tows loads up to 3,500 kilograms and a 350 kilogram download capacity. Includes tow bar, trailer wiring harness, chrome tow ball, Electric Brake Controller and Trailer Breakaway Harness.

Tow Pack (Heavy Duty) for BT-50 Cab-Chassis models: This Genuine Mazda tow bar integrates with your BT-50’s chassis and tows loads up to 3,500 kilograms and a 350 kilogram download capacity. Includes tow bar, trailer wiring harness, chrome tow ball, Electric Brake Controller and Trailer Breakaway Harness.

Electric Brake Controller and Trailer Breakaway: This Electric Brake Controller helps integrate your trailer’s brakes with the BT-50’s braking system, which is essential when towing a heavy trailer such as a caravan. When towing two tonnes or more, it’s a legal requirement to have a breakaway electrical harness. This harness provides electrical power to your trailer’s breakaway system, which will bring your heavy trailer to a stop when it’s disconnected from your BT-50.

Load Distribution Kit: The Mazda Genuine Load Distribution Kit makes towing easier by managing the point where your trailer load is transferred to your BT-50. This means improved handling, control and comfort when towing a heavy trailer.

To find the complete range of Genuine Mazda towing accessories

For more information about Mazda Genuine Accessories for the BT-50