***Beware*** 150 Prado Towing GCM Limitation

[Peterpilot]

Whilst doing some research on towing, I found some interesting information that could impact anyone towing more than 2500 kg with the new 150kW/500Nm Prado.

On page 193 of the current owners manual (Aug 2020 to current) Toyota have imposed a maximum GCM of 5490 kg for all models. A copy of that manual can be downloaded here:
https://toyotamanuals.com.au/documen...aug-20-current

Prior to Aug 2020, the maximum GCM limitation was 5990 kg for automatic and 5490 kg for manual. That manual is available for download here:
https://toyotamanuals.com.au/documen...-aug-19-aug-20

I understand that GCM isn't meant to apply to light vehicles, however if a manufacturer specifies a GCM limit then legally it becomes a sticky issue.

I have contacted Toyota and it's currently under investigation. My main question is why the GCM limit has reduced on a vehicle when it's more powerful and all other weight limits are the same?

In the meantime, if you tow a heavy trailer beware of the limitations and legal requirements.

[watsea]

Hi Peter,

In the photo that you attached the line about the weight not exceeding 5,490 kg also says "unless using a weigh carrying hitch". I am assuming a weight carrying hitch is a Weight Distribution Hitch. My 2019 Prado has GCM at 5,990 kg but somewhere in my manuals is says to use a WDH for heavy towing. So if a weight carrying hitch is a WDH, maybe it is Toyota's way of saying, if you want to tow with a combined vehicle weight of more that 5,490 kg you must use a weight carrying hitch (or a WDH).
My van's ATM is 2.7t and I use a WDH while my combined weight would below 5,490 kg.

An edit:
Since my earlier posting above, I checked to find what a weigh carrying hitch is.
Referring to the link below, it seems that a weight carrying hitch can be as simple a typical ball coupling. So maybe my thinking about Toyota meaning a WDH is incorrect. Interesting limitation without much impact on typical towing hitches as most are constructed to carry weight.
https://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/0...a-trailer.html

[Peterpilot]

Hi watsea,

Since yours is a 2019 model, the GCM limits are 5490 kg for the manual and 5990 kg for the automatic. This makes perfect sense given the corresponding 2500 kg tow limit and 250 kg TBM for the manual and 3000 kg tow limit and 300 kg TBM for the automatic.

What does not make sense is Toyota reducing the GCM by 500 kg on the subsequent and more powerful model, which is exclusively automatic, but retain the 3000 kg tow limit and 300kg TBM limit.

I suspect that the 5490 kg GCM limit has been incorrectly transposed to the new owners manual from the discontinued manual transmission version that was in the previous owners manual.

I asked Toyota how the GCM was increased by the use of a “weight carrying hitch”. Their response was that they had no data supporting a GCM beyond 5490 kg for the current model regardless of the hitch used, but would investigate the matter and get back to me.

From an engineering perspective, I don’t see how a WDH could facilitate an increase in GCM since it serves only to distribute the weight more evenly across the axles of the tug.

Still waiting for Toyota to respond to my enquiry

[watsea]

Hi Peter,
I guess that the plate on the door frame only says GVM and no GCM so you are relying on the car's manual. I gather there is no where else in the manual where is mentions a GCM value.
Looking at Prado specs site, it says towing capacity 3,000kg but the specs tables give no GCM.
Hope you get the proper response from Toyota.

[Peterpilot]

I did get a response from Toyota, but no new information or explanation as yet:

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your email with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) on 3 February 2021.

I will continue to investigate your case and contact you once I have further information.

Thank you for contacting Toyota Australia and allowing us the opportunity to respond.

Regards,

Hasi
Guest Advisor
Guest Experience Centre
Toyota Australia
P 1800 TOYOTA (869 682)
E [email protected] | W www.toyota.com.au

[Peterpilot]

Another standard reply received on Wednesday, no new information. I don’t think Toyota realise what a monumental stuff up this is.

[Peterpilot]

Here's an example to show you how limiting a GCM of 5490 kg is and how monumental a stuff up this is for Toyota.
If you want to tow a 3000 kg ATM van and are limited to 5490 kg GCM the figures look like this for a VX:

3000 kg ATM with a 300 kg TBM results in a 2700 kg GTM

VX Kerb weight is 2385 kg + 300 kg TBM + (approx) 35 kg towbar gives you a ballpark GVM of 2720 kg without the driver or passengers or luggage or accessories

GVM + GTM = GCM
2720 + 2700 = 5420 kg
5490 - 5420 = 70 kg which gives you a total GVM of just 2790 kg at a GCM of 5490 kg.

More importantly 70 kg isn't even enough for the average Australian driver, so legally you can hitch your 3000 kg van it but you can't drive it if you weigh more than 70 kg!

[acerider]

Or lose some fuel or weight or go to a lower spec prado.. lol

but agreed, if GCM is only 5490, with a 3000 trailer, the best you can hope for with full fuel is 105kg for tow bar weight + driver

[Peterpilot]

Or lose some fuel or weight or go to a lower spec prado.. lol

but agreed, if GCM is only 5490, with a 3000 trailer, the best you can hope for with full fuel is 105kg for tow bar weight + driver

A five seat GX with a kerb weight of 2240kg gives you an extra 145kg over the VX, but why does the Fortuner have a higher GCM limit of 5550kg than the Prado at 5490kg? The lighter weight and better GCM of the Fortuner means it can legally tow more than the Prado