This topic could maybe go under ' show us ur tow' but I thought it would get more feedback here, so here goes....
Many folk know that the Prado is rated to tow 2.5ton. I also know that in UK, it's rated at 3 ton.
So tonight I'm invited to a happy hour and one guy insisted that I could talk to Toyota and get that rating lifted to 3 ton. Now, that would be loverleeeee. But why would they? It is a newer model Prado. But.
Has anyone heard of this?
i will throw it out to Toyota, in time. In the meantime, I'm stuck in quagmire due to heavy rain, stuck indoors ( in the caravan) , lost tv reception, Internet is sporadic and I'm dreaming how good it would be to be rated at 3 ton so I could be in a bigger van and 'boogey on down' in the van to 'disco fever' when cabin fever hit's ;)
Cabin fever has hit, BTW.
And so far, I have been trying for 45 minutes to post this.... Hopefully Internet will kick in soon.....
As for the tow rate, I heard somewhere recently a similar thing and it was a case of changing the tow bar with a heavier tow rating. JUST MAYBE that is what needs to be done with your tug
Edit....Stabilisers would obviously have to be fitted if not already.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 11th of April 2014 07:36:19 AM
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Mary Jane a quick way to check the maximum weight you can tow is 1.5 time the tare weight of the tow vehicle which should be on the rego papers. Vehicle maker may specify a lower weight and tow bar fitted may limit weight also but you cant exceed the 1.5 times limit.
Alan
Mary Jane a quick way to check the maximum weight you can tow is 1.5 time the tare weight of the tow vehicle which should be on the rego papers. Vehicle maker may specify a lower weight and tow bar fitted may limit weight also but you cant exceed the 1.5 times limit. Alan
The 1.5 time the TARE of the tow vehicle only applies where the vehicle manufacturer hasn't specified a maximum tow weight. Cheers Ozjohn.
Australian National Towing Regulations
TOW WEIGHT
In December, 1998, agreement was reached by all States Ministers of Transport to implement national towing regulations. In essence, the national rules state that A motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (G.M.V.) not exceeding 4.5 tonnes must not, without the approval of an authority, tow a trailer with a mass (including any load) exceeding;
The capacity of the towing apparatus fitted to the vehicle.
The maximum trailer mass specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Plus the requirement of VSB1
The specified ATM of the trailer.
Put simply, the most you can tow is the amount specified by the vehicle manufacturer, the capacity of the towbar or the ATM of the Trailer. - WHICH EVER IS LEAST.
__________________
Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
You can get an upgrade kit for a 200 series Landcruiser which allows the GVM to be increased. Possibly for a Prado also. At the end of the day, you might as well get a 200 series Landcruiser and know you have plenty in reserve. Towing capacity on a 200 series is 3500 kgs.
Larry
So I put it out to Toyota today, rang the service manager. Friendly guy, he had no idea, but has promised to call me back. I said that Toyota, with their prices are surely losing out. And asked why the 3 door Prado was rated at 3 ton. He was oblivious to that too.
I rang service as they are generally far more honest than sales!!!
I said I'd sell the tow if it meant more comfort in a van, and jested with him for the competitors ;)
For me what the "books" say re weight for tow I would not exceed regardless of some saying you can go higher. What happens if heaven forbid you come to grief, contact the insurance company and they will go strictly by the manufacture of the vehicle. If your over you are wasting time spending money on an insurance policy that "won't" pay out. Does not matter if you put a heavy tow bar or some fancy lifting gear you will still be out. If you want to tow heavier than vehicle specs you will need to up size your tug.
For me what the "books" say re weight for tow I would not exceed regardless of some saying you can go higher. What happens if heaven forbid you come to grief, contact the insurance company and they will go strictly by the manufacture of the vehicle. If your over you are wasting time spending money on an insurance policy that "won't" pay out. Does not matter if you put a heavy tow bar or some fancy lifting gear you will still be out. If you want to tow heavier than vehicle specs you will need to up size your tug.
I agree. Better safe than sorry, and driving is a lot easier when you are towing a van well within your tugs capacity.
If you like your Prado, keep it and change the van. Theres a lot of caravans out there which are under the 2.5 limit, have a look at some other brands such as Jurgens.
hello Sally
I did tow a van @ 2.8t with the prado and tho it did tow it on the flat it struggled with any head wind or hills
I would not suggest getting another towbar to tow heavier weight even if it could be done as the engine is just not up to it
how the 3 door can tow 3 tonne is beyond me
Ken
You have to take into account that all the models sold both here and Europe have different tow ratings. The tow ratings in Oz are based on a 10% ball loading. The European ratings are based on a lower ball weight percentage than the Oz. The actual ball loading in absolute terms is the same weight for both models.
This was demonstrated in the change of ratings for the Pajero. When Mitsubishi changed the rating from 2500 kg to 3,000 kg they did not raise the ball loading, that is still 250 kg. If Toyota raise the towing capacity then they would in all likelihood retain the same ball weight. To tow an Oz style van you need at least 10% ball weight for safe towing. In essence the fact that Mitsubishi raised their tow figure is of no use to those who tow Oz style vans, it is only of use for those wanting to tow something designed to have a tow ball weight of less than 10%.
In the case of the 3 door Prado, compare the much shorter overhang distance of the tow ball from the axle. The shorter it is the higher the ball weight the vehicle can handle.
__________________
PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
