Q's about towing 23ft van with SWB Prado

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

Hi all ,
I am thinking about using my ZR prado (SWB) to tow a couple of 23ft Jaco Vans around with. Would this be okay with a SWB , or should I invest in a longer wheel base vehicle for towing.

As i would be towing various vans it is difficult to set themup with sway bars etc , although i do have air bags to assist.

I am not worried about the power issue (chipped anyway) , more the driveability of the setup.

Will my ZR do it okay ?? or will it be dangerous ??

Appreciate any comments from those who have done it with longer vans

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Q's about towing 23ft van with SWB Prado

Hi Prokiwi, forget that idea mate as it would be downright dangerous andalso illegal as the tow vehicle must be heavier than the the item towed.

A 23" van would have to weigh in access off 2.5 tonnes which is far heavier that the shorty prado i would suspect.


Regards

Wazza (Frederick)

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

Thanks Wazza , now I am really confused , my ZR prado is rated to tow 3 tonne ?? ( More than the 5 door version it seems ) SO how does that work ??

I have seen a 3 door Mitsubishi Pajero towing what looked to be a similar unit , which is what gave me the idea in the first place.
No disrespect meant , but do you know for sure that the tow vehicle has to be heavier to tow comfortably .

A prime move truck weighs approx 8 tonne but some can pull trailers up to 60 tonne easily ???

Reallyconfused now. (

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Hi Prokiwi
Have a read through the Qld guide to safe towing which should answer your questions. http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/a2...rmation_v2.pdf
Your owners manual (that booky thingy that's in the glove box) should provide you with the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle (most likely the 3 tonne you speak about...)

[Guest Close Guest]

Hi Prokiwi, forget that idea mate as it would be downright dangerous andalso illegal as the tow vehicle must be heavier than the the item towed.

.... for unbraked trailers

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

Tow capacity is 3 tonne. Your vehicle weighs 2 tonne. I would say it will do it easily and comfortably. With towing, it isn't hard to pull heavy things. The biggest issue is stopping them. So, provided the vans are braked properly (hydraulic or electric I would imagine), then 1) you are perfectly legal; and 2) if the 5dr D4D can do it, so can you!

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Im with Ian, with good brakes your shorty will be fine! Its rated to tow 3t (braked) so it will do it. Modern cars with braked trailers can and do tow heaver loads that the vehicles themselves.

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

Exactly. As long as you don't exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle and the trailer meets regulations in terms of braking you'll be fine.


As for towing vehicle weighing more than towed loads, those 150t rated road trains must be heavy tractor units.

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Hi guys, yes i admit i stuffed up with this one maybe a senior moment anyway as long as your rated towing capacity is not exceeded then you will be legal to tow a 23 ft van, just can't get my head around the vision of a VW beetle towing a 2 tonne caravan and yes i know the towing capacity of a beetle would not allow it but it would still be able to tow it alright.

Wazza (frederick)

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

Thanks everyone , I have read the rulebooks (govt and Toyota) and agree with you all. I now have comfort that i am not going to get myself into trouble with my ZR investment. I have electric brakes and am comfortable towing large items etc so should be good.
I am hoping the suspension modifications and airbags make the difference in comfort if she starts to wallow too much...

Thanks again , great site. )

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

see if you can get a hold of CARAVAN + RV magazine issue 024, August/September 2011.

it has a couple page write up on the 3 door in their "Towcar Test" and seemed to pass their test

not sure if its on their web site as i havent looked, i just copied the web address from in the magazine

www.caravanandrv.com.au

[Foxy49 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy49]

Hi We have towed a 601 Coramal almost anywhere with the SX short wheel base and with the tow ball rating at 3 tonnes whereas the long wheelbase only has 2.5 tonne towing we have more than we need Cheers Foxy

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Ever heard of the tail wagging the dog? Legal yes, sensible no, just because you can doesn't mean you should.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...oast-news.html

[johna Member Find all posts View Profile Close johna]

Ever heard of the tail wagging the dog? Legal yes, sensible no, just because you can doesn't mean you should.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...oast-news.html


After seeing many 4 door utes towing vans (approx same weight as yours and my Prado) cant see that being the cause. More like driver error, either the one towing or someone joining the freeway, (suspect that being the cause) after travelling this road in all conditions for 19 years in service work.

[Big Block Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big Block]

Just my opinion but there is no way i would tow that weight with a shorty. I'm with d4d on this one. I towed my jayco expanda offroad 16' van with 100 series cruiser, van fully loaded and it tipped in just over 2T. Would I tow that with my 4 door prado? (2.5T capacity) Probably not, but I am ultra conservative when it comes to towing. Not trying to put you off but to me that just is asking for trouble. Again just my opinion based on lots of towing of boats and vans.