| Submissions for this consultation have now closed |
The Director of Land Transport is proposing a class exemption that would allow the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty to tow trailers weighing up to 4500kg in New Zealand.
The Ford Ranger Super Duty is a heavy vehicle weighing 4500kg GVM that can tow up to 4500kg GVM. It has a towing connection that meets Australian safety standards but not New Zealand standards. It is also manufactured with an integrated trailer brake controller system that is part of the vehicle.
The proposed exemption would exempt the Ford Ranger Super Duty from clauses 4.4(1) and 4.4(5) of the Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 (Rule 31002), which cover drawbeam and towbar standards; and clause 2.3(1)(b) of the Land Transport Rule: Heavy-vehicle Brakes 2006 (Rule 32015), which relates to service brakes.
The Director of Land Transport has the power to issue a class exemption where (among other things) he believes it is appropriate given the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of the land transport system.
In this case, the drawbeam/towbar on the 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty model meets Australian safety standards but not New Zealand standards, due to the countries’ different regulatory settings and standards. It also has a trailer brake controller system that allows the driver to adjust the brake force of the trailer while driving. While this system is accepted in Australia, it’s only accepted in New Zealand for light vehicles.
This means that even though this make and model of vehicle can be driven in New Zealand, it can’t tow a trailer without certification despite being designed to tow trailers weighing up to 4,500kg.
After considering all relevant factors, including the safety implications, the Director has made a preliminary decision to grant an exemption that would allow the Ford Ranger Super Duty model to use standard ADR62/02 for its drawbeam/towbar certification, and to be fitted with a trailer brake controller device that is currently not permitted in New Zealand on heavy vehicles.
The Director would also require additional safety measures. This includes requiring Ford to undertake dynamic (fatigue) testing of the towbar/drawbeam for the applied ratings, and ensuring the correct brake certification is obtained for towing trailers weighing over 3,500kg. This would include a requirement that buyers sign a declaration confirming their understanding of this, and the addition of an indelible label being affixed to the drawbeam/towbar advising that brake certification is required for towing a trailer over 3500kg GVM.
We’d like your views on whether any other conditions should be added to the proposed class exemption.
We’re seeking feedback on:
We are asking people to provide feedback by Wednesday 10 December 2025.
Survey: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and Heavy-vehicle Brakes 2006(external link)
