Upgrading the tow rating capacity.

[davelozt Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davelozt]

Hi all, been awhile since I have posted anything. Does anyone know whether its possible to get the towing capacity lifted from 2.5 ton to 3 ton? A mate told me that ARB etc can do this with upgraded springs,shocks, and brakes etc. I have just discovered that the caravan I purchased weighs 2.8 ton fully loaded and the ball weight is 380kgs. Not good!

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Also not legal - insurance problems. A 200 series on offer?

[JPH Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JPH]

My limited understanding is that GVM upgrades can only be done at time of registration from new. Unaware of a kit for the Prado, but plenty of options for a 200. It's quite interesting when you look at the figures though the kerb weight of the 150 diesel is 2330 and GVM is 2990' this only leaves 660 kg for passengers, accessories, equipment and your ball weight. The gross combined Mass is 5370 kg, so if your rig is already at GVM capacity it only leaves you 2380 kg, towing capacity out of a possible 2500 kg.. I suspect there are a hell of a lot of overweight rigs and vans out there.

[davelozt Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close davelozt]

My limited understanding is that GVM upgrades can only be done at time of registration from new. Unaware of a kit for the Prado, but plenty of options for a 200. It's quite interesting when you look at the figures though the kerb weight of the 150 diesel is 2330 and GVM is 2990' this only leaves 660 kg for passengers, accessories, equipment and your ball weight. The gross combined Mass is 5370 kg, so if your rig is already at GVM capacity it only leaves you 2380 kg, towing capacity out of a possible 2500 kg.. I suspect there are a hell of a lot of overweight rigs and vans out there.

Thanks JPH, I believe now that your right. Time to trade in on a decent tow vehicle.

[DSS150 Find all posts View Profile Close DSS150]

380kg ball weight sounds like a lot for a 2800kg Van.

Toyota ball weight is 10% of tow capacity.

LC200's tow 3500kg so ball weight 350kg.

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

with a ball weight of 380kg does it have a quad bike strapped to the a frame or something ??? holly crap that's a lot of ball weight for a 2.8t van, bad design by the sounds of it. You'll need an F250 or something to tow that beast !

[K & M McF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close K & M McF]

Just because you might be able to get approval to tow 3 tonnes, does not mean that it will be safe to tow it (eg braking) or good to tow (pulling it up hills).

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Well, do you know how many of these supposedly 3.5 tonne towing rated BT50, Izuzu Dmax, VW etc 4wds are falling over towing vans? Lots. We see them all the time. You rarely see a LC 200 or similar large vehicle having dramas but those new generation dual cabs towing large vans are rolling over like dice on a craps table at the casino.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

Well, do you know how many of these supposedly 3.5 tonne towing rated BT50, Izuzu Dmax, VW etc 4wds are falling over towing vans? Lots. We see them all the time. You rarely see a LC 200 or similar large vehicle having dramas but those new generation dual cabs towing large vans are rolling over like dice on a craps table at the casino.

Spot on, there is no replacement for displacement! I would tow a large van/tralier with a 100/200 series over a BT50 etc any day. I cannot believe these dual cabs have the same tow rating as a cruiser, brakes power weight etc far infavor of the cruiser.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

You need a big arse to tow a big van, and most of the utes are too light in the rear end.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

Old man has a LC200, it is a great tow rig, is very planted on the road when towing big weight and no shortage of grunt. Funny enough my prado feels better towing up to 2.5 ton than the dual cab hilux at work (both D4D hilux is auto) but the prado seems to handle it better plus the brakes on the hilux are terrible!
Cheers

[ROSCOE T Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROSCOE T]

Upgrading the tow rating capacity

I have had my 120 upgraded to 3000kg tow & 300kg ball. All done through RMS (NSW) certified engineer. As a result the GVM has been upgraded to 2990kg & the GCM to 5600kg. Added air bags & tow bar from 150 series. Also removed third row of seats (now a 5 seater).All up cost $1800.00 All changes noted on rego papers plus I have a certificate from the Engineer.....Michael Dudley from ASRC Engineering 0414586027. Process was completed in Nov 2013.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I have had my 120 upgraded to 3000kg tow & 300kg ball. All done through RMS (NSW) certified engineer. As a result the GVM has been upgraded to 2990kg & the GCM to 5600kg. Added air bags & tow bar from 150 series. Also removed third row of seats (now a 5 seater).All up cost $1800.00 All changes noted on rego papers plus I have a certificate from the Engineer.....Michael Dudley from ASRC Engineering 0414586027. Process was completed in Nov 2013.

Looking at the tow capacity of the Prado in other countries it really shouldn't be a problem, except for the lack of power ☺

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I have had my 120 upgraded to 3000kg tow & 300kg ball. All done through RMS (NSW) certified engineer. As a result the GVM has been upgraded to 2990kg & the GCM to 5600kg. Added air bags & tow bar from 150 series. Also removed third row of seats (now a 5 seater).All up cost $1800.00 All changes noted on rego papers plus I have a certificate from the Engineer.....Michael Dudley from ASRC Engineering 0414586027. Process was completed in Nov 2013.

Roscoe this surprised me and today I contacted the automotive engineer that I usually deal with and in Qld we cannot do this. The only upgrades are available for 4.5t GVM and above and not the Prado class of vehicle. Pity. Very interesting though, I am sure there will be some people in NSW looking to do the same. Thanks for posting this information.

Michael