Increasing the Towing Capacity of the 150 Series

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

True, I'd still prefer to tow with something bigger.

That goes without saying, yeah a 200 is the obvious easy answer if you have 30, 40 maybe 50 grand lying around to upgrade the Prado.

I recall you only recently stating that a 200 was no good for you due to car park heights, its not an option for everyone.

Anyway a 150 with a fully engineered upgrade from a reputable company would be a good option compared to some of the other vehicles on the market.

Cheers Andrew

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

True, I'd still prefer to tow with something bigger. We also know lots of diesel 150s go bang towing...

That's right. A loaded 200 will be heavier than a loaded 150 by the same amount.
You are right the 4cyl are not happy pulling 4.5t, certainly would pop fast moving 6t. Definitely a job for the 200 V8.
Me not like tail wagging the dog.

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

or you spend $10K less and buy one from another vendor already certified for the expected load in question, Wayne knows what I mean

[Black 150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black 150]

Is it correct that the short wheel base 150 is rated to 3tonnes? I think I read that on my haymen reece towbar plate

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Is it correct that the short wheel base 150 is rated to 3tonnes? I think I read that on my haymen reece towbar plate

Yes that is correct, probably one of the reasons that this upgrade is possible.

Cheers Andrew

[Wackoo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wackoo]

You're right Josh, I shoulda bought a Jeep !!!

[Wackoo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wackoo]

Check it is legal here before you commit to anything. I suspect you are going to be disappointed.

Good thought, I'll check if the modification is legal for Qld if I get it done in NSW. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Wackoo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wackoo]

So you'd be happy with the tail wagging the dog in an emergency situation? 3T van towed by a 2T car, you work out the physics.

According to the specs, the 150 Series has a GVM of 2.9T. I suspect that is with empty tanks and no accessories. I'd image it would be over 3T, taking that into account.

The van I'm looking at is stated to be 2.8T loaded, so the tail shouldn't be wagging the dog too much.

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

GVM is gross vehicle mass. That's it no more. As an aside I was under the impression that a GVM upgrade needs to be done when the vehicle is first registered but a mate has just had his 70 upgraded about a year on after finishing preparations for his big trip. Might be some clearly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!

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

Might be some clearly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!

I was indecisive about this comment, but now I'm not so sure.

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

According to the specs, the 150 Series has a GVM of 2.9T. I suspect that is with empty tanks and no accessories. I'd image it would be over 3T, taking that into account.

The van I'm looking at is stated to be 2.8T loaded, so the tail shouldn't be wagging the dog too much.

You assumed incorrect, GVM is the total it can weigh period. If you plan on driving it then you have to have fuel, water, oil on board, plus driver at a min. This is usually then around 2.5T, you have about 400kg you can hang off or put in the car.

There would me many overloaded cars on this forum based on the fact they have 200kgs of barwork, batteries fridges and draws. And at least 3 passengers. Because there is NO WAY you can put any luggage in let alone spares, and food etc with just 50kg remaining. Then there are those who tow with all this weight and forget their 250kg downball...

A fully loaded 2.9T Prado loko slike this:

1. Standard car 2200kg Dry
2. Full tanks (and other necessary fluids, battery) 200kg
3. 4 Passengers (70kg each) 280kg
4. 4 Suitcases (20kg ea) 80kg
5. Misc other items 50kg

Items not included but most people have:

1. Bullbar 40kg
2. Dual battery and cabling 30kg
3. Winch 30kg
4. Bash plates 40kg
5. tow Bar 20kg
6. Roof Rack Full size 40kg
7. LT Tyres add 5kg unsprung weight per corner
8. Up to 250kg downball weight from trailer/caravan

Total unaccounted for 200-450kg...

Total Standard config 2810kg - like to see how you put $5k worth of ARB gear on with 90kg budget LOL! And no, putting in HD suspension and LT Tyres does not mean you can carry more but I sure as shit would at the very least have them.

Every weight bridge I have been on in my standard MY14 with full tanks and me is 2500kg, accessories included dual batt, bash plate, tow bar.

[Wackoo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wackoo]

You assumed incorrect, GVM is the total it can weigh period. If you plan on driving it then you have to have fuel, water, oil on board, plus driver at a min. This is usually then around 2.5T, you have about 400kg you can hang off or put in the car.

There would me many overloaded cars on this forum based on the fact they have 200kgs of barwork, batteries fridges and draws. And at least 3 passengers. Because there is NO WAY you can put any luggage in let alone spares, and food etc with just 50kg remaining. Then there are those who tow with all this weight and forget their 250kg downball...

A fully loaded 2.9T Prado loko slike this:

1. Standard car 2200kg Dry
2. Full tanks (and other necessary fluids, battery) 200kg
3. 4 Passengers (70kg each) 280kg
4. 4 Suitcases (20kg ea) 80kg
5. Misc other items 50kg

Items not included but most people have:

1. Bullbar 40kg
2. Dual battery and cabling 30kg
3. Winch 30kg
4. Bash plates 40kg
5. tow Bar 20kg
6. Roof Rack Full size 40kg
7. LT Tyres add 5kg unsprung weight per corner
8. Up to 250kg downball weight from trailer/caravan

Total unaccounted for 200-450kg...

Total Standard config 2810kg - like to see how you put $5k worth of ARB gear on with 90kg budget LOL! And no, putting in HD suspension and LT Tyres does not mean you can carry more but I sure as shit would at the very least have them.

Every weight bridge I have been on in my standard MY14 with full tanks and me is 2500kg, accessories included dual batt, bash plate, tow bar.

Thanks for clearing that up Symo, and thanks for all the info on weights. There's obviously a large number of tails wagging the dog out there. There are vehicles much lighter than the Prado with a 3.5T towing capacity. The comments on these threads appear to indicate that the towing capacity should be rated based on the weight of the vehicle, so as not to exceed that weight ?

In any case, these comments have given me food for thought. Thanks to all.

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

You're right Josh, I shoulda bought a Jeep !!!

possibly

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

GVM is gross vehicle mass. That's it no more. As an aside I was under the impression that a GVM upgrade needs to be done when the vehicle is first registered but a mate has just had his 70 upgraded about a year on after finishing preparations for his big trip. Might be some clearly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!

in QLD you can have it done post registration but there is no certified GVM upgrade package for a Prado.

[Black 150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black 150]

Why would the short wheel base have a larger towing capacity than the normal Prado?