Towing capacity

[Jaymboze]

Went out to the Penrith Caravan & Camping show last weekend, and noticed a few of the manufacturers had signs up on their displays stating that this particular model of caravan could be towed by Prado, written in big bold letters.
Looks like they recognise that a lot of people who are in the market for a new van own Prado's. I was quite surprised to see these signs but looking in the car park on the way out, I did notice how many Prado's were there.
As mentioned in a previous post though, I was amazed to see so many BT50's towing vans on a recent trip to Broken Hill and south OZ.
Looks like Toyota may be missing out in this particular segment of the market.

[rvator2]

Can I legally increase the towing capacity of my 2012 Kakadu? I want to tow a 3000 kg gm caravan. Will chipping and 3" exhaust do it?
What determains the towing capacity?

The short answer is NO to the Kakadu and VX Models? based on information supplied by Active 4x4 Newcastle.

The Kakadu and VX variants are fitted with Toyota’s KDSS system. The engineering approved upgrades can not be done to this system.

Toyota Prado 150 owners have had the limitation of 2500 kgs towing capacity and 250 kgs ball weight.

One of Kimberley Kamper Dealers near Newcastle who specialises in off road vehicles (Active 4x4), has the engineering approvals to upgrade the towing capacity of the GX and GXL Models (ONLY) to 3000 kgs.

The drawbar weight is also increased from 250kgs to 300kgs.

The result is an Engineers Certificate and a re-labeled towbar with capacity limits on it.

Website info below with more details:


http://info.kimberleykruiser.com/blo...ource=facebook

http://www.active4x4.com/contact.shtml

The work is in the range of $2200 to $2800 incl GST. There is an additional cost of $450 for the Engineers Certificate. This includes re-labeling the tow bar as well. A firm quote can be done by contacting Active 4x4.

We are currently considering this upgrade if we purchase a larger van.

Cheers,
K&K

[maxjj]

Hi Maxjj
What mode / year prado did you use , got the 1kz pre d4d, cant make my mind up to go for a d4d to tow 2.5 ton or a Pajero 09 plus ,the NT seems to have a good tow capasity or one of the utes that tow 3 ton,would really like to stick to Prado, never towed with d4d to compare with the 1 kz but people i have spoke to on various caravan sights seem more than happy towing near the limit, appreciate your feedback.
Alan

I had 2010 and then a 2012 Prado, the 2012 version had better shift points in auto and went better. Engine felt more responsive and more torque, that is what it felt like to me. Also the first Prado started getting an occasional knock on cold start after 40000km, the second one didn`t after 60000km, of which a good 20000km was towing the van. Always tow in S4 and cruised at same speed as all the trucks ~~ 98-103km/hr.


Not familiar enough with Pajero`s, have only driven a couple, but they certainly handle and go better than Prado`s. Just not as quiet or refined.
Jeep didn`t appeal to me and as good as the utes are getting, they are still overproiced farm truck. Amorack isn`t bad, just no room in the back for kids and too many ?? over the VW reliability, seems hit and miss.

I would be looking at a 2012 model on, for what its worth, towing the same van with the 200 series is like chalk and cheese.

[mjrandom]

Interesting

What is the tow rating for the new altitude that does not have the rear tank?

I regularily drive a prado rated at 2500kg and a colorado rated at 3000kg and my opinion is that the prado is under rated and the colorado is WAY over rated

Totally agree. I have the older model Colorado and between it and the 150 I know which handles a trailer best.

PS: it isn't the Isuzu Holden.

[Wil]

Interesting

What is the tow rating for the new altitude that does not have the rear tank?

I regularily drive a prado rated at 2500kg and a colorado rated at 3000kg and my opinion is that the prado is under rated and the colorado is WAY over rated

[rallybrad]

I say buy a Jeep and see how far you go

[A10]

And I will NOT buy a 200, both in protest and secondly the cost differential.

Purely for towing my van I'll probably buy a Jeep....so stick that up ya Toyota!!!

I already have! It is amazing the number of Jeep drivers I have spoken to who previously had a Prado. With the Jeep outselling the Prado month after month, perhaps Toyota should rethink their strategy and pricing.

[Symo]

No doubt why they rate the Prado at 2500Kg, yes to sell more 200's.....BUT...... Having just returned from 13,000 van trip ( with my 2150 tare Lotus), I agree with this quote, I could not believe how many Jeeps and BT50/ Rangers are out there pulling vans.

To be honest , and I hate saying this, I will probably upgrade in a few years time and for this very reason won't buy a Toyota.

I spent a motza on upgraded suspension, airbags, King Springs and with that set up the Prado could probably tow 3000kg, but whistle Dixie at trying to get it upgraded.

And I will NOT buy a 200, both in protest and secondly the cost differential.

Purely for towing my van I'll probably buy a Jeep....so stick that up ya Toyota!!!

The next prado will address this, especially if they drop the dual tanks, and retain the d4d because they can address the cooling and durability for little $s

[Dabeanian]

Hi Maxjj
What mode / year prado did you use , got the 1kz pre d4d, cant make my mind up to go for a d4d to tow 2.5 ton or a Pajero 09 plus ,the NT seems to have a good tow capasity or one of the utes that tow 3 ton,would really like to stick to Prado, never towed with d4d to compare with the 1 kz but people i have spoke to on various caravan sights seem more than happy towing near the limit, appreciate your feedback.
Alan

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yes, Toyota isn't protecting sales of the 200. They are losing sales to other brands.

No doubt why they rate the Prado at 2500Kg, yes to sell more 200's.....BUT...... Having just returned from 13,000 van trip ( with my 2150 tare Lotus), I agree with this quote, I could not believe how many Jeeps and BT50/ Rangers are out there pulling vans.

To be honest , and I hate saying this, I will probably upgrade in a few years time and for this very reason won't buy a Toyota.

I spent a motza on upgraded suspension, airbags, King Springs and with that set up the Prado could probably tow 3000kg, but whistle Dixie at trying to get it upgraded.

And I will NOT buy a 200, both in protest and secondly the cost differential.

Purely for towing my van I'll probably buy a Jeep....so stick that up ya Toyota!!!

Yes, Toyota isn't protecting sales of the 200. They are losing sales to other brands.

[bdee]

I am presently caravanning around Australia towing a 21ft caravan at close to the Prado's towing capacity approx 2400kg. I have no doubt the Prado is rated very conservatively whilst some of the other cars are at their true limit. I think in the caravanning world many manufacturers are really pushing hard to lessen the weight to meet the conservative weight limit set by the Prado with many trying to get down to a Tare of 2100 kg (allowing for 400kg in the van). I believe a 2800kg rating is appropriate and to be honest the Prado copes extremely well with the van on the back. Toyota really needs to address this with many caravaners switching manufacturers simply because of the conservative rating applied. JEEP are becoming really popular for caravan owners on both price and towing capacity and you can see a big shift towards other car companies.

[mjrandom]

Thanks all, I am wiser, but not wise enough when I bought the Prado. My quest is to find an engineer to help bring it up to 3000kg.

Good luck, that can't be done in Qld.

[Loubaga]

Thanks all, I am wiser, but not wise enough when I bought the Prado. My quest is to find an engineer to help bring it up to 3000kg.

[yowie]

It's simple, if Toyota increase the Prado towing capacity they will sell less 200's

Spoke to a bloke on a recent caravan trip to northern NSW. He said his son is a senior salesman with a Toyota dealer in Qld, and Toyota Aust. is keeping the Prado at 2,500 kg (even though Toyota N.Z. has the same vehicle at 3,000kg) so that more 200's are sold in Aust. A better profit margin for Toyota (both he and his son own 200's, at the good discount price through the son)