towing upgrade

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

The chassis rails are not strong enough on the prado for 3 tones. That's why the hilux has been redesigned with a thicker chassis so it can take it. From the dealer I was told

Its the same chassis used in the UK where the Prado is rated to tow 3000kg. You can look at the specs at https://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/la...6-bc64b93bb17d



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[haz88 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close haz88]

hmm, its strange.
GX and GXL models have a different chassis to the VX?
Also from what i can see online, the japanese version is one in the same. yet it can tow more? ive heard this same thing from a few other people also.
am i wrong? also, if i get an engineering cert (if possible) there goes the new car warranty...
sheesh

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

The tow rating is set here by tests here. Toyota know that if you set the rating at 3T it has to pass all the tears in extreme heat (as well as cold). In Japan and Europe it's generally cooler and the combination of max load and max heat for extended periods is next to zero compared to here where it's likely to be 50% or more of the conditions max towing is subjected to.

Also, and this is the main reason, there is a suspension budget for capacity and comfort. Toyota have chosen to keep comfort up the priority and not increase Spring rates to compensate for the extra 80kg of auxiliary fuel tank. This eats at least 800kg of potential trailer weight lost from reduced GVM headroom taken by the down load.

Australia is one of the only countries that stipulates 10% down load at max capacity, it's only 5% in Europe, that is 150kg reduction on GVM as well.

Its not any one factor but a combination. No doubt the Prado can easily tow more without braking, but Toyota can't take the gamble that 10k Prados sold each year won't start mass failing from too much stress. This is why the Altitude model is unchanged.

2500kg is plenty, if you need more than what ever you're towing probably cost more than some peoples houses so you can afford to upgrade to a proper tow vehicle anyway.

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

My theory has always been that the likelihood is
a) the car will do a lot more miles towing in Aus
b) most of that mileage will rougher terrain than you will generally find in the UK.
Call me cynical but lowering the max towing capacity reduces strain on the vehicle and reduces warranty claims for Toyota.
after towing my 2.5T van around for 3months when we went to Tassie for the GTG I have no doubt it would pull 3T but I would rather upgrade to something more suited rather than drag the guts out of the Prado


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

A wise person once said that the towed vehicle should never weigh more than the towing vehicle.

[Guest Close Guest]

Don't forget that the 3 door 150 is rated to tow 3T.

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

Do you believe everything a dealer says?

Well 3.5 tones behind a 2.9 tone 4x4 with a 2.8 motor. I think it's time to get a bigger tow vehicle. I see it to much, they are doing 70 to 80kph as not enough power and not a heavy enough tow vehicle imo.

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

Our Colorado ute can legally tow 3.5t. You would need rocks in your head but it is legal.

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

Every time I see one of the 3.5T utes on the highway with a dual axel off road van, AND fully enclosed steel rear canopy which is fully loaded no doubt I cringe. I point them out to my wife and on every bump I tell her to watch the gab between the cab and box on the back. She just shakes her head at the movement on flat highways, imagine off road?!

I then remind her how much stuff we can take in just a 1.5T box trailer and live like kings, even set-up and pack-up 3 times faster than the big vans and campers and it becomes hilariously clear what an overkill 2.5T rating is, let alone 3.5T! And we didn't have to forgo interior comfort and packaging of the superior wagon to do it.

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

No doubt the Prado can easily tow more without braking, but Toyota can't take the gamble that 10k Prados sold each year won't start mass failing from too much stress.

I think this has a lot to do with it. Not only would they not want to risk a recall on them, the fact that they are selling so many consistently means that don't need to upgrade it. Sure it might not suit everyone's needs, but why change for what they see as a minority.

So what if the Everest can tow more? I don't think toyota is too worried by that... Yet.

Will.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

That is why we bought a 100 series TD to do our towing. Legal 3.5 and will do it easier than any of these stupid utes with 3.5.

Keeping our 120 as well.





Rusty.