Q1 I am looking at a 2013 Nissan Patrol 3.0 ltr diesel auto tow capacity of 3500kg and ball weight of 350 kg pulling a van with an atm of 2500kg does any one have any idea on fuel consumption.
Q2 I am also considering a 2016 toyota Prado it has a max tow capacity of 2500kg and ball weight of 250kg I know it is legal I know it will prob be more fuel efficient but how will it handle the load. (I will be carying approx 500kg of stuff some of which will be under the bed which is forward of the axles and in the front tunnel boot)
If anyone can give me any feedback on my long winded questions I would appreciate it.
Bill B said
01:22 PM Oct 14, 2018
not so grey nomads wrote:
Q1 I am looking at a 2013 Nissan Patrol 3.0 ltr diesel auto tow capacity of 3500kg and ball weight of 350 kg pulling a van with an atm of 2500kg does any one have any idea on fuel consumption.
Q2 I am also considering a 2016 toyota Prado it has a max tow capacity of 2500kg and ball weight of 250kg I know it is legal I know it will prob be more fuel efficient but how will it handle the load. (I will be carying approx 500kg of stuff some of which will be under the bed which is forward of the axles and in the front tunnel boot)
If anyone can give me any feedback on my long winded questions I would appreciate it.
Pretty sure an auto 3 ltr Patrol has a towing capacity of 2,500 kgs not 3,500 kgs
not so grey nomads said
01:27 PM Oct 14, 2018
The plate on the drivers door column says 3500kg (should I trust it)
Possum3 said
04:38 PM Oct 14, 2018
It is usual for Patrol auto's to have a reduced tow capacity but if it is plated 3.5tonne it must have had an upgrade certified. My Manual Patrol averages around 19 litres per 100 Klm, with 2.8 van on back (not using 5th gear) - so I imagine an Auto would be less efficient. I rarely travel over 100kph and like to keep the revs down.
Son in Law's Prado a little thirstier, but he tends to drive a little faster than I do.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Sunday 14th of October 2018 04:41:05 PM
not so grey nomads said
05:51 PM Oct 14, 2018
Thanks possum 3 that's exactly what I wanted to know, what does your son in law tow, how heavy.
Bill B said
06:04 PM Oct 14, 2018
not so grey nomads wrote:
The plate on the drivers door column says 3500kg (should I trust it)
I'm not aware of any towing capacity upgrades being available for Patrols.
Auto can tow 2500 kgs and a manual can tow 3200 kgs for 3 litre Patrol's.
not so grey nomads said
06:33 PM Oct 14, 2018
(this buying a caravan and tug is a minefield thanks again for your help) Would it make a difference that it is a 2013 model the plate defiantly says 3500kg?
Bill B said
07:14 PM Oct 14, 2018
not so grey nomads wrote:
(this buying a caravan and tug is a minefield thanks again for your help) Would it make a difference that it is a 2013 model the plate defiantly says 3500kg?
Can you get a picture of the plate ?
Being a 2013 model makes no difference, unless it has somehow been modified which I very much doubt as it is due to the auto transmission the towing capacity is down rated from the manual's 3200 kg.
not so grey nomads said
07:32 PM Oct 14, 2018
I don't pick the car up for 2 weeks, I will send the dealer a message to confirm. The national Towing Guide that I found on line (doesn't mean its right) had it listed as 3500kg not 3200kg but doesn't mention manual or auto. Possum3 I know yours is a manual but what is the year and plated rating on yours? Thanks again Guys
Hewy54 said
07:39 PM Oct 14, 2018
Redbook lists towing for a 2013 Patrol auto as 2500 kg.
not so grey nomads said
08:19 PM Oct 14, 2018
You guys seem to have a handle on this what about tow ball weight
cheers
Possum3 said
08:18 AM Oct 15, 2018
NSG, My patrol has had un upgrade to 3.5 by Pedder's; 30 mm lift and air bags inside the coils.
I have about 300kg on ball.
My son in law normally tows about 2.5 but not full height van. He also has four young kids whereas the child bride and I are normally the only passengers.
not so grey nomads said
08:33 AM Oct 15, 2018
Thanks John I thought the prado would have been more efficient than the Patrol (I know its not a direct comparison) what year model did you say your Patrol is?
Aus-Kiwi said
11:55 AM Oct 15, 2018
Came across a guy with Hino 300 series . Said way better than ute type vehicle . Fuel and towing capability much better .,
not so grey nomads said
12:05 PM Oct 15, 2018
Hi Aus-Kiwi thanks the two vehicles I am looking at are SUV shaped
Aus-Kiwi said
12:12 PM Oct 15, 2018
Yes trucks have the looks of being commercial. The thing is weight , towing ability. We dont have the F series type here in Aust unless you buy the HSV for $150k plus on road costs .,
PeterD said
12:12 PM Oct 15, 2018
not so grey nomads wrote:
I don't pick the car up for 2 weeks, I will send the dealer a message to confirm. The national Towing Guide that I found on line (doesn't mean its right) had it listed as 3500kg not 3200kg but doesn't mention manual or auto. Possum3 I know yours is a manual but what is the year and plated rating on yours? Thanks again Guys
I use the industry towing guide that is produced by RACQ and Caravanning Qld. It's hard to get your hands on it and the last one I have a copy of was produced in 2016. What you have posted is a bit of a conundrum when you look at the few copies of the guide I have.
There are no 3.0 l diesel patrols with a maximum towing weight of 3,500 kg listed. The manual is only 3,200 kg and the autos are 2,500 kg. The only GU models that have a 3,500 kg tow rating are the 4.5 diesel and 4.8 petrol models.
The only 3013 patrol listed is the Y62 petrol model, it has a 3,500 kg limit. Was your intended Y61 model manufactured in 2012 and first registered in 2013? If so then that really makes it a 2012 model and those who registered it fudged the rego. You will have to sight the compliance plate to sort that out.
In saying all that, if you do not intend to tow more than 2500 kg then do not let this discussion put you off purchasing the tug.
not so grey nomads said
12:52 PM Oct 15, 2018
Mate great info it is manufactured in December 2012. If it is only a 2500kg tow will it still be a 350kg ball rate I wonder. (I feel lucky I found this site)
thanks
PeterD said
01:32 PM Oct 15, 2018
Even though the body and suspension are the same as the manual models they still only rate the tow ball weight at 10% of the maximum towing weight.
Possum3 said
01:35 PM Oct 15, 2018
not so grey nomads wrote:
Thanks John I thought the prado would have been more efficient than the Patrol (I know its not a direct comparison) what year model did you say your Patrol is?
They only seem to deal with the general information regarding the legislation and how to interpret the regulatory terms. They do not deal in the specific cases we are dealing with here. If I am missing information of the type we are dealing with specific vehicles, please point it out to me with a link.
Aus-Kiwi said
02:22 PM Oct 15, 2018
I guess manufacturer suggests one transmission is more durable ?
Bill B said
04:26 PM Oct 15, 2018
PeterD wrote: < The only GU models that have a 3,500 kg tow rating are the 4.5 diesel and 4.8 petrol models.
The old GU 4.2 diesel & 4.2 Turbo Diesel wagons also had a towing capacity of 3,500 kgs but they were discontinued around 10 years ago.
not so grey nomads said
04:32 PM Oct 15, 2018
Hi again, the dealer (who is a nissan dealer) had now come back to me saying that it is 2500kg tow rating but only has 200kg ball loading. How can I find out for sure.
BALL MASS:
Fully laden vehicle (GVM), Ball Mass = 200kgs.
Reduce GVM by 150kgs, Ball Mass = 250kgs.
Reduce GVM by 220kgs, Ball Mass = 300kgs.
Reduce GVM by 290kgs, Ball Mass = 350kgs
They only seem to deal with the general information regarding the legislation and how to interpret the regulatory terms. They do not deal in the specific cases we are dealing with here. If I am missing information of the type we are dealing with specific vehicles, please point it out to me with a link.
Hi Bill B I found something very similar to what you have written in a new Patrol brochure
not so grey nomads said
06:25 PM Oct 15, 2018
Sorry bill I meant to say thanks
StewG said
03:31 PM Oct 16, 2018
I can't say about Patrol or Prado, but the main query is about fuel economy and you don't say what van you have. I have a Discovery 4, 3.0 litre turbo diesel 8-speed auto towing a full height (3.1 metre), 2.5 tonne off-road van. The fuel economy averages out at about 14 litres/100km on a long trip and varies between 12 and 18 depending on wind direction and strength and road speed. Head winds are the killer for a tall van.
not so grey nomads said
05:01 PM Oct 16, 2018
Thanks Stewg it is a full height van 2.5 tons you have 8 speed that's got to help you economy.
Q1 I am looking at a 2013 Nissan Patrol 3.0 ltr diesel auto tow capacity of 3500kg and ball weight of 350 kg pulling a van with an atm of 2500kg does any one have any idea on fuel consumption.
Q2 I am also considering a 2016 toyota Prado it has a max tow capacity of 2500kg and ball weight of 250kg I know it is legal I know it will prob be more fuel efficient but how will it handle the load. (I will be carying approx 500kg of stuff some of which will be under the bed which is forward of the axles and in the front tunnel boot)
If anyone can give me any feedback on my long winded questions I would appreciate it.
Pretty sure an auto 3 ltr Patrol has a towing capacity of 2,500 kgs not 3,500 kgs
It is usual for Patrol auto's to have a reduced tow capacity but if it is plated 3.5tonne it must have had an upgrade certified.
My Manual Patrol averages around 19 litres per 100 Klm, with 2.8 van on back (not using 5th gear) - so I imagine an Auto would be less efficient. I rarely travel over 100kph and like to keep the revs down.
Son in Law's Prado a little thirstier, but he tends to drive a little faster than I do.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Sunday 14th of October 2018 04:41:05 PM
I'm not aware of any towing capacity upgrades being available for Patrols.
Auto can tow 2500 kgs and a manual can tow 3200 kgs for 3 litre Patrol's.
Can you get a picture of the plate ?
Being a 2013 model makes no difference, unless it has somehow been modified which I very much doubt as it is due to the auto transmission the towing capacity is down rated from the manual's 3200 kg.
cheers
I have about 300kg on ball.
My son in law normally tows about 2.5 but not full height van. He also has four young kids whereas the child bride and I are normally the only passengers.
I use the industry towing guide that is produced by RACQ and Caravanning Qld. It's hard to get your hands on it and the last one I have a copy of was produced in 2016. What you have posted is a bit of a conundrum when you look at the few copies of the guide I have.
There are no 3.0 l diesel patrols with a maximum towing weight of 3,500 kg listed. The manual is only 3,200 kg and the autos are 2,500 kg. The only GU models that have a 3,500 kg tow rating are the 4.5 diesel and 4.8 petrol models.
The only 3013 patrol listed is the Y62 petrol model, it has a 3,500 kg limit. Was your intended Y61 model manufactured in 2012 and first registered in 2013? If so then that really makes it a 2012 model and those who registered it fudged the rego. You will have to sight the compliance plate to sort that out.
In saying all that, if you do not intend to tow more than 2500 kg then do not let this discussion put you off purchasing the tug.
thanks
NSG my Patrol is Dec 2013 manufacture.
You can download a hell of a lot of free technical information at http://www.caravancouncil.com.au/
They only seem to deal with the general information regarding the legislation and how to interpret the regulatory terms. They do not deal in the specific cases we are dealing with here. If I am missing information of the type we are dealing with specific vehicles, please point it out to me with a link.
The old GU 4.2 diesel & 4.2 Turbo Diesel wagons also had a towing capacity of 3,500 kgs but they were discontinued around 10 years ago.
Nissan NOTE #18: BALL MASS
VARIATIONS
BALL MASS:
Fully laden vehicle (GVM), Ball Mass = 200kgs.
Reduce GVM by 150kgs, Ball Mass = 250kgs.
Reduce GVM by 220kgs, Ball Mass = 300kgs.
Reduce GVM by 290kgs, Ball Mass = 350kgs
Peter there is some info here that may assist NSG http://www.caravancouncil.com.au/technical-articles
I can't say about Patrol or Prado, but the main query is about fuel economy and you don't say what van you have. I have a Discovery 4, 3.0 litre turbo diesel 8-speed auto towing a full height (3.1 metre), 2.5 tonne off-road van. The fuel economy averages out at about 14 litres/100km on a long trip and varies between 12 and 18 depending on wind direction and strength and road speed. Head winds are the killer for a tall van.
cheers