Towing

[Malcolm26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcolm26]

Hi wondering if anyone has easytrail Parkes 13 or a mdc 12 in relation to how a 2.8 ,150 tows like regarding the weight or if anyone has any suggestions on a lightweight semi hybrid or small pop top van , cheers

[money_killer Member Find all posts View Profile Close money_killer]

i have 3l 150 series prado fully loaded + towing a mdc xt12db, under powered imo. still did the job if u like to be going slow slow. so i got a ecu re-map 20% power safe tune. No problems now. worth it and im happy as

[GEEEXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close GEEEXL]

where is "that guy" that reckons he tows 2.999999 ton and can barely feel it on the back??????

4 cyc prado more than 20% under powered for heavy towing IMHO

I think they make another car though ........

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

We tow a 2T (MDC) camper trailer with a 2.8L Prado. Yes, the Prado tows it fine but we don't try to set speed records - cruise speed typically set to 90 kmh. Of course you have to adjust your style for the extra weight. And yes, we live in WA, so we don't know what a real hill is!

[Malcolm26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcolm26]

Thanks for your comments

[Peterz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Peterz]

Hi there
We have a Goldstream Panther FKST 16ft 6 cutuway single axle off road caravan. We have towed it with a 2004 1kz-te 3L gxl Prado 340 nm. Only engine mods were catch can and Beaudesert exhaust plus PWR transmission cooler. ARB suspension upgrade and Airbagman airbags with 6 to 8 lb in them. With the Prado just under its GVM and the caravan at 2400kg. (We use a weighbridge). I will say it struggled a bit on hills. on the flat no problem. 80 to 95kph mostly. With the 4 speed auto use 3rd mostly. Did have PWR transmission cooler. Out near Mount Isa we were passed by a F Ranger pulling a Jayco Discovery on the flat. Going up a range we caught and passed them pulled over to the side with hazard flashers on. Our old Prado never missed a beat. 274000km and still using original injectors. We used to tow a 1400kg Johnnos camper trailer. Too easy. Cape York and back. Not a single flat tyre.
Now we have a September 2020 GXL Prado 150kw and 500nm. with about 5500km on it. Went today for first test run with caravan to check all the electrics and ride etc. Have had the suspension changed about 40mm lift and stiffer. No airbags yet. PWR trasmission cooler is fitted but not plumbed in yet. Caravan probably about 2300kg as the ball weight was 230kg. Prado with 2 adults 40lt engel 140lt fuel and toolbox etc. This new Prado with 500nm is very good. Tows with no effort. Using S mode 4 mainly and on the flat tried 5. It feels more capapable and stable than our 2004 Prado. Ambient temperature 27 deg, transmission temperature 81 rising to 91 when we went up a range.
We just hope that it becomes boringly reliable like our 2004 Prado. So far very happy. A wonderful drive.

[Malcolm26 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Malcolm26]

Thanks

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

Have a look at this video if you're considering an Ezitrail:

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

Also, the max Gross Combined Mass GCM of the 2021 Prado is only 5490kg according to Toyota, so you can’t make use of it’s increased towing capacity if you are at gross Vehicle Mass GVM of 2990kg:

[oletaschmele Banned Find all posts View Profile Close oletaschmele]

We use a 2.8L Prado to haul a 2T (MDC) camper trailer. Yes, the Prado tows it quite fine; however, we don't want to break any speed records; instead, our cruise speed is usually set to 90 km/h. Of course, the additional weight requires that you alter your style. And sure, we're from Washington, so we have no idea what a real hill is. basketball stars

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

Also, the max Gross Combined Mass GCM of the 2021 Prado is only 5490kg according to Toyota, so you can’t make use of it’s increased towing capacity if you are at gross Vehicle Mass GVM of 2990kg:

2990kg GVM doesn't give much to play with. If you have dual batteries, AT tyres, and a few minor mods you're probably close to 2500kg vehicle mass. Then if your towball weight is 250kg you're at 2750kg, leaving 240kg for passengers and luggage...

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

In the preceding post krypto copied a post from a member, Peterpilot. This showed information from his handbook with a GCM of 5,490kg.
After some work by Peterpilot via contact with Toyota, it was resolved with Toyota going to contact affected owners to update the GCM to 5,990kg. I guess Toyota has done this.
Peterpilot made a post on 3/03/2021, stating the resolution with Toyota. If you are interested, do a search for "Peterpilot".

As krypto has posted about loads while towing, yes, close the limits.
I tow with similar loads but I also had a 10% GVM done to give some more flexibility in how I manage loading.
For my vehicle, third row of seats temporarily removed, alloy bull bar, no dual battery, no car fridge (I use the van's fridge and cool bags in the vehicle) and no kids. Some scuba gear adds weight. As well, use a WDH, as recommended by Toyota, when towing to the van on roads.