Towing big loads ... What mods

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Interesting the 10kg difference. Anyway.......l

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

I tow a 2140kg van, 180kg on the ball, then add water and gear.

Fitting a hayman reese weight distribution hitch makes a huge difference, wouldn`t go on a trip without one.
When its set up right the car sits the same as it does unloaded. Doesn`t feel like its needs heavier springs just because the van is hooked up. But could benefit from better shocks. The 150 springs aren`t too bad, is the first 4wd I have owned where I didn`t think it was undersprung from the factory and I am on my second 150.

Suggest you give that a go first.


I have standard springs and shocks, but will upgrade to Bilsteins and while I am at it throw some springs at it, most likely dobinson.

I have been towing in 4th sports mode on a 40C day and had no transmission cooler temp issues or lights come up. That doesn`t mean in the long term its a good thing, I may fit a cooler or look at changing transmission fluid more often or both.
I believe the service is at 80000km, so changing at 40000km maybe be cheap insurance.

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

I tow a "1250kg" name plate coromal camper trailer. Fully loaded up I'm sure its around 1600kg and when I checked the tow bar weight it was around 280-300kg. This largely due to the design and also partly due to batteries and probably all the crap that I carry in the front locker. I've added a large second water tank behind the axles to balance this out

My mate with a Jayco Outback is up around the same tow bar weight.

And yes I know that its not ideal, happy to hear if someone has a simple workable solution

[Garfish Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Garfish]

Don't forget a trip to the local weighbridge so you know what your weights are once packed,

[Foxy48 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Foxy48]

Hi Just doing the rounds ,We have the SX (Shortie) and we tow a 19foot 6 Coromal with a 300KG ball weight allowance with a HR system (600) model with an oil cooler and we have had no problems at all For towing the shortie is excellent Cheers Foxy

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Foxy, curious as to what is the approx loaded weight of your Coromal?
Regards
Bassett

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

Foxy..I also have a SX and 300 kgs is getting right up there...Open your Passenger door and read what you are allowed as GVM...Mine states 2,600 Kgs...When you consider your Kerb weight is 2,095 KGs add a bullbar (40 kgs) second Battery (30 Kgs) 2 passengers (going to be generous here (200 kgs)Full fuel in standard tank (87 litres at approx .6kgs/litre (50 kgs)We are already up to 2415 kgs..When you then add 300 kgs...you have just given most Insurance companies a ""OUT"'..I havn't included other items that I carry (Fridge.Food,Recovery equipment.and other incidentials..Roofracks with goodies on..etc etc...Ball weight is Very important..Be carefull !!

[Unruly Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Unruly]

I just towed my HQ Kingswood across the Nullarbor with my 6000km old 150 Prado GXL diesel. The load weighed approx 2100kg and I used a load leveling kit and carefully balanced the load. It was a great trip, no dramas at all. The trailer never swayed, and was stress free the whole way. I averaged 13.4l/100km.

[Hopeful Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hopeful]

Hi yowie - am preparing to fit Tough Dog foam cells and springs this weekend. Chose the 'winch' option front springs and opted for the Firestone airbags for the rear for load and towing. Any tips on where best to fit the valves so they are accessible but not ugly? Noticed that the supplied airbags when fitted to their Kevlar bags sit well inside the springs. I presume under load the springs will compress sufficiently so the bags will be effective when pressurised?

cheers

[Ryzz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryzz]

Hi yowie - am preparing to fit Tough Dog foam cells and springs this weekend. Chose the 'winch' option front springs and opted for the Firestone airbags for the rear for load and towing. Any tips on where best to fit the valves so they are accessible but not ugly? Noticed that the supplied airbags when fitted to their Kevlar bags sit well inside the springs. I presume under load the springs will compress sufficiently so the bags will be effective when pressurised?

cheers

My airbag valves are located under the rear bumper behind the tow bar. Can't even notice them.

[Hopeful Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hopeful]

Thanks Ryzz - a straight forward fit? Any tricks or tips? I'll be doing the fit from scratch so hoping it will be simple.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Hi yowie - am preparing to fit Tough Dog foam cells and springs this weekend. Chose the 'winch' option front springs and opted for the Firestone airbags for the rear for load and towing. Any tips on where best to fit the valves so they are accessible but not ugly? Noticed that the supplied airbags when fitted to their Kevlar bags sit well inside the springs. I presume under load the springs will compress sufficiently so the bags will be effective when pressurised?

cheers

My valves are fitted to a metal plate that is attached to the towbar, but sitting above the towbar, not below it. Between the towbar and the bumper bar

[farmernz Member Find all posts View Profile Close farmernz]

good effort towing!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAispTXiTj4

[diesel69 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close diesel69]

good effort towing!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAispTXiTj4

Doesn't matter how heavy the object is once you achieve momentum it all gets easier

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

If you want to know what is going on behind you when you are towing heavy loads go to Explore Oz site and have a look at this article http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Cara..._Dynamics.aspx
This is the most comprehensive article on towing heavy loads I have come across.