2020/21 Prado 150 GXL Towing Capacity

[Scott1982 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scott1982]

Hi All, we have a caravan that weighs 3T max, can the Prado tow with this weight? Prado seems to have better payload than an MUX. Would appreciate your thoughts? thanks

[Not Enough Time Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Not Enough Time]

In the real world there's a lot more to it than 3T rated towing capacity.

Have you put your van over a weighbridge to ensure it's max 3T?
Do you know what the ball weight is (isn't Prado limited to 300kg)?
What is the weight of the vehicle with the trailer attached with you and all passengers & luggage, does it exceed the GVM of 2990kg?
What is the resultant rear axle weight when you are loaded for a trip, does it exceed the limit (from memory about 1800kg)?
Even if you comply with the above, I hope you aren't planning to travel on dirt roads with a van near 3T?

[Scott1982 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scott1982]

no, van still being built,
ball weight is 250kg,
weight, 2400kgs plus passengers, 250kgs, maybe 50kgs luggage , rest will be in van,
rear axle weight? not sure?
not going on dirt roads, be caravan parks

[Not Enough Time Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Not Enough Time]

My 2021 Prado with one passenger and near full fuel tank is near 2500kg (weighbridge, not 2400kg) + 200kg passengers and luggage allowance + 250kg ball weight (van manufacturers rate ball weight at Tare, not actual so it will be more) = 2950kg.
You may find you are over or very close to the GVM and GCM even with conservative ball weight. I suspect you will be over the 1800kg rear axle limit (1730kg if 19inch tyres).
Rear airbags will help level the vehicle.
I've not read of anyone being fined for being over rear axle limit, but certainly heard of instances (fatalities leading to Court cases) where it has been used against the driver in sentencing.
I'm no Saint, I've driven vehicles when towing over GVM, but ignorance was bliss.
I'm now a bit older and hopefully wiser.

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

On my last big trip, my van was at its max 2,700 kg. The Prado was well loaded as well. The Prado has a 10% GVM upgrade which gave another 50kg to the rear axle max. My GVM certifier said he could have given me another 50kg.
At the weighbridge, the van weight was 2,700kg and ball weight was 260kg.
Total rig weight with two passengers was 5,640kg.
Your Toyota handbook says to use a Weight Distribution Hitch for heavy towing. Without a WDH, my rear axle weight exceeded the rating. With a tensioned WDH, the rear axle weight was suitably below the Max Rear Axle rating.
My certifier said that he had not heard of anyone getting penalised for exceeding their rear axle rating.

My vehicle is a 2019 GXL


Scott,
I suggest going a Caravaners or Grey Nomads forum where there are often posts about how to load the vehicle and caravan rig for safer and stable towing.
Some things like vehicle being heavier that the van, appropriate tow ball weight, load distribution within the caravan, indications of what caravan weights might be compared with what the caravan and vehicle salespersons may spruik when they are trying to make a sale.

Edit:
After reading Bluedog16’s comments (see later) regarding stated ball weight by the manufacturer. I can add that my van’s plated empty TBW is just below 200kg and as before with the van fully loaded the Tow Ball Weight was 260kg as measured at the weighbridge.

i try to manage my rig’s loading as per recommended guidelines and I think the rig tracks and is stable when towing.

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

Big insurance issues if overweight. Qld cops very vigilant with fines. Sounds like you are going to have to find one of the specialist car/caravan weighing organisations to be sure

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

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[ptommo59 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptommo59]

Yes the 20/21 Prado will cope with a van up to that weight as long as you limit the accessories etc you add to the vehicle (Generally only major issue is rear end sag with the ball weight, so air bags or suitable WDH hitch easiest/cheapest solutions).

If you want to also fit the common range of touring accessories or extra passengers you most likely will need a GVM Upgrade to get the rear axle increased (the 3500 kg GVM kits up this to max 2050 kg, front axle remains the same).

This gives a pretty good comparison of published weights vs the MUX LS-T (only item missing is the initial axle loads at Kerb weight).

Model	Fuel Tank Capacity	Kerb	GVM	Payload	GCM	BTC	Max TBW	Front Axle Max at GVM with Rear at Max	Max Front Axle	Max Rear Axle	Max Axle Combined	Difference Max Axle to GVM	Max Trailer GTM at GVM
Toyota Prado 150 GXL Wheel on Back	150	2325	2990	665	5990	3000	300	1190	1450	1800	3250	260	3000
Toyota Prado 150 GXL Flat Tailgate	87	2265	2990	725	5990	3000	300	1190	1450	1800	3250	260	3000
Isuzu MUX LS-T	80	2180	2800	620	5900	3500	350	1150	1450	1650	3100	300	3100

[Scott1982 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scott1982]

thankyou ptommo59 much appreciated

[Bluedog16 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bluedog16]

Hi
Your ball weight of 250kg may be an issue. Ball weights are usually quoted unloaded for new vans unless they gave you a guess of the loaded ball weight. And guess it would be.
I will explain using my van as an example:-
I had an Off road single axle caravan built for me just slightly lower weight than yours.
Van was weighed before pick up and the compliance plate stamped accordingly with the following:-
Tare 2100kg ATM 2800kg Ball loading at Tare (ie empty) 180kg. (no gas bottles, no water in tanks no jerry cans etc)

I have a 2022 built GXL - no modifications. I use a WDH as recommended by Toyota.
When away with the van fully loaded for a very large trip including 2 full water tanks (one in front of axle, one just behind axel) I put it over a weigh bridge with the following:-
ATM 2630kg Tow ball 278kg GVM 2938 GCM 5290kg. rear axle of car was just under 1800kg max.without WDH on. Car was loaded with 2 people with some tools approx. weight 50kg.in boot.
On the caravan I have one spare wheel on the back bumper bar plus a 20kg jerry can. I have two 9kg gas bottles on the 'A' frame. I do not have a front kitchen. I have a double bed at the front (fully loaded underneath) and a front tunnel boot (fully loaded)

As you can see my unloaded ball weight went from 180kg to 278Kg. No one can quote you a loaded ball weight, as it depends on what you load it with, and how.
This is why I believe you quoted 250kg ball weight if unloaded will be an issue. If it is an estimated loaded ball weight you may well still exceed the 300kg max.with what you put in it and how.

David

[Bluedog16 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bluedog16]

Hi
I should have added that the car tows the van very well as you asked mainly about that.
I had a 2013 GXL with the 3L D4D engine (410 torque, 2500kg towing). I have a scan gauge and noticed that the gearbox temp rose far too much on even a mild summers day and over the 90C max suggested to be good for gearbox oil.

I now have a 2022 with the 2.8L (has 500 torque, 3000kg towing) - very noticeable power difference. I did fit a transmission cool (Wholesale automatics) and I get now around temp of 70 C towing most times.
I usually tow at between 90 and 95 KMH . I don't try to maintain that speed on steep hills as it would be pushing it. If you are happy with that you will be happy with the car as a tow vehicle - I am.

David