Towing with the Grande Air Bag suspension

[KJB Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close KJB]

I am looking to purchase a car in the next month as a replacement for my Discovery Series II TD5.
Had considered going to the Disco III or a RR Sports.
Reliability and re-sale still seems to be an issue with Land Rover so am seriously considering moving to a Prado Grande Diesel.

The Land Rover manual states not to use a load distribution hitch as it upsets the auto leveling air suspension in their vehicle. Hayman Reece further state not to use a level rider with the LR air suspension.
My understanding is that it handles towing well without level riders apart from being advised against using them.

I would be very pleased for some input from owners of Grande's as to their experience in towing and distribution hitches with the Prado self leveling air suspension. Do Toyota also advise against level riders with their air suspension. Is this also mentioned in the Grande Manual.

I tow a tandem caravan of about 2000KG max and a draw bar weight of probably 200KG give or take a little.

I would be interested to know if the Prado would handle the load as well as an air suspended disco or is there a requirement for mucking around with Hayman Reece level riders.
Do you set a fixed height for the suspension when towing or use automatic leveling?

Any other insights into the Grande suspension would be appreciated.

Thanks for your valued opinions.

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

Hi KJB and welcome to Pradopoint,

There would be more experienced people on this site that may be able to help you more than myself but i will try to answer some of your questions.

The Grande has a self leveling system, this means when you attatch your caravan or trailer to the vehicle it will adjust the height automaticly to keep the car level.

There are 2 further adjustments one allows the vehicle to be lowered by 35mm from normal position and one allows height adjustment of 40mm above normal position but both of these options will only work under 50kph.

My manual recomends when towing a caravan or trailer etc., use a distributing hitch.
When the total trailer weight is greater than the vehicle weight, use a sway control device.

The total trailer weight(plus cargo load)must not exceed 2500kg

The load on either the front or rear axel resulting from distribution of the gross vehicle weight on both axels must not exceed: Front 1290kg Rear 1800kg

This question is not answered in the manual and I have had no experience with the Hayman Reece level riders but Toyota state that they will answer any questions you have in relation to towing through your local dealer.

I myself tow a camper trailer about 1300kg loaded and the car adjusts perfectly so i cant see that it wouldnt work in your application

[PAL001 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PAL001]

I'll add my 2 cents worth
In the manual is says
FOR towing purposes, we recommend use of the following parts:

1. When towing a caravan use a distribution hitch.
2.When towing the total trailer weight is great than the vehicle weight, use a sway control device
It also mentions to talk to your tojo dealer in regards to towing kits what ever that means.

I tow a kimberley camper and it comes in about 1.5t to 1.8t and about 150kg on the ball.

The load leveling suspension is excellent, keeps the car level all the time without the aid of a hitch. No complaints very statisfied.

Because you have a van the wind resistance and all that. I would use a distribution hitch/ sway bar regardless. You would not want the van getting the death wobles.

If the van total weight is 2t loaded then the prado will do fine. However if there is the possiblity it might exceed that then I would go with something like a Patrol, cruiser or as you put it Disco III or a RR Sports as the prado might be a little too light and the bigger vehicles will handle much better when stopping or in emergency situation.

Again Like I said My 2 cents.

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

we have a 23ft offroad van (that includes the tow hitch) that ways around 2400kgs fully packed. this does put a load on the air bags and this results on stress for the airbags. we use a weight distributor and sway bars. does help out alot and i do recommend them.