Caravan Towing with MY18 Prado GXL Auto 2.8 litre diesel

[Sting07 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sting07]

I have recently purchased a Prado MY18 GXL auto 2.8 litre diesel. I have found the performance and fuel consumption not what I would expect for towing a Caravan with an ATM of 2000kg. My Prado has a kerb weight of 2550kg giving me a GCM of 4600kg. That's 1390 kg below the GCM for the vehicle.


Question 1 My fuel consumption on the flat at 100 kph is around 20 litres/100 km, this increases to 22-23 in hilly areas. Are other people getting these type of figures while towing?

Question 2. Because of this "high" fuel consumption I tend to travel at around 90 kph, when I get to some slight hills the speed is down to 80 and if the slight hill continues I'm around 75 at the apex of the hill. I can't seem to maintain my cruising speed on the highway with slight hills, Is this normal for my Prado setup.

Question 3 Should I drive in Auto or Sports mode. I have read conflicting reports that if you drive in Auto then the ATF can over heat.

Question 4 Torque converter - does this work in both Auto and Sports mode

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

With that load tow in S4 as per handbook. Change manually to S5 orS6 on the downhill. S5 may be ok on the flat with a tail wind.

[kizbot Member Find all posts View Profile Close kizbot]

Tow in 4th. About 2500rpm.

[Morningside Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Morningside]

I have a 2018 VX towing a van ATM 2300kg, just been through 3 states 8,000k fuel consumption from 14.5. - 16.5 l/hk
always tow in drive only s in downhills runs at 1600rpm 90kph on flat with no wind
towing in S4 revs far to high handbook only says to use S4. for engine braking 100kph is too fast too dangerous as a road crash worker I’ve seen too many crashes with vans at that speed , if something goes wrong you have no hope of recovery.
90 is a good speed and will return better consumption.
i towed same van with previous 120 series always in D no issues and the VX 2.8 is a far better vehicle
when I get home I can post an actual fill to fill consumption of towing and unhooked.
As for lack of power pulling up hills I would check the vans brakes are not binding , or handbrake is not partially on , after a run feel if the drums are warm , mine run very cool .

[Sting07 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sting07]

Thanks "Morningside" - as your setup is close to mine but I have been driving in S mode, I'll make a comparison by driving in Auto mode on my next trip in a few weeks. Yes I have checked the caravan brakes and they are cool to touch whilst towing.

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

If youre only getting those figures towing I think there is another issue, whether its driving style or something else I'm not sure.

I tow a 2000kg van and in normal circumstances get anything between high 13 to high 15l per 100km, I tow in sports mode and use S4 or S5 depending on the terrain and usually sit on 90-100kph.

You should be able to go up slight inclines without losing any speed at all, by anticipating the hill and using the gears appropriately.

[tempestv8 Member Find all posts View Profile Close tempestv8]

Could it be due to strong headwinds fighting you? Try towing in S4 as others have said and no more than 100 km/hr, and resist the urge to shift up to another gear to reduce the revs.

Would be interested to know what your fuel consumption figures are like after that.

Also, do you know what engine oil viscosity you are running, and also are you towing with stock tyres or larger diameter aftermarket tyres? What tyre pressures? All these things will have an impact on fuel consumption.