How Did They Upgrade the Towing Spec to 3000kg

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

With the latest utes and the 150 Prado being upgraded to 3000kg towing capacity, I am curious as to how it was done. The 150 is essentially a 120 with a new body. (maybe wrong). And some of the utes that came out with a mid range upgrade, definitely did not have much engineering input.
Is it basically heavier springs, stronger towbar mountings/design or what?

bill

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Still 2.5T on the website for the current Prado.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

The only 150 Prado with 3000kg towing capacity that I know of is the SWB version which is no longer available in Oz.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Wasn't the 120 in New Zealand rated at 3t while 2.5 here? Purely protecting sales of the 200 series imo.


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

I came across an article a few months ago where you can get it uprated to 3000kg after some modification before first registration. Can't remember the details.

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

Over the last 12 months while towing the van about, I spoke to a Toyota dealer, and the father of a Toyota dealer, both from Qld but travelling in NSW at different times.

Both told me basically the same, in that while the 150 is rated to tow 3,000 kg in N.Z. and South Africa, it is only rated to tow 2,500 kg in Aus, because Toyota Australia want to sell more 200 series, as there is a bigger profit in their sales. Trying to have an executive from Toyota tell you that, would be like me telling you I know the winning Lotto numbers (wish I did)

I have no reason to doubt either person I spoke to.

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

This has been discussed before and simply comes down to multiple factors when test rating any vehicle.

The main reasons it is held back is the long range tank, and suspension budget. To achieve the required ride quality and carry the extra 70kg of weight, the total GVM remained the same so the trade off is less down weight on the tow bar (50kg) in this case.

Also, the conditions and amount of towing done here weighs in on their choice too, Toyota are notoriously more conservative than others.

If Toyota were really protecting 200 sales then the Hilux and Fortuner would not be rated 3.2-3.5T.


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[ozimacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozimacca]

It can be done after market but costs $$$

[JGD Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGD]

Over the last 12 months while towing the van about, I spoke to a Toyota dealer, and the father of a Toyota dealer, both from Qld but travelling in NSW at different times.

Both told me basically the same, in that while the 150 is rated to tow 3,000 kg in N.Z. and South Africa, it is only rated to tow 2,500 kg in Aus, because Toyota Australia want to sell more 200 series, as there is a bigger profit in their sales. Trying to have an executive from Toyota tell you that, would be like me telling you I know the winning Lotto numbers (wish I did)

I have no reason to doubt either person I spoke to.

Typical Toyota dealers making up info.

Both Toyota NZ and South Africa website advises 2500kg braked towing for the 150 series. The info is there in black and white.

The theory about wanting more 200 series sales is one of those conspiracies that will never go away, but the truth is that the Prado just isn't up to the extra towing capacity from factory.

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

Typical Toyota dealers making up info.

Both Toyota NZ and South Africa website advises 2500kg braked towing for the 150 series. The info is there in black and white.

The theory about wanting more 200 series sales is one of those conspiracies that will never go away, but the truth is that the Prado just isn't up to the extra towing capacity from factory.

Well, there you go, so I checked. NZ 2,500 kg petrol and diesel, and the following is from the Toyota website in South Africa:-



Notification to customers

Dear Customer,

Thank you for driving a Toyota Prado. I trust that you are enjoying your Land Cruiser and are happy with the service you receive from Toyota and its dealer network.

The purpose of this letter is to correct information in some of the marketing material of the Toyota Prado. The information states that the Prado can tow 2,500 kg. This is the correct tow rating of the Prado 4.0 V6, while the Prado 3.0 D-4D is regulated to tow 1,500 kg.

The variance in tow rating between the two Prado models relates to the two vehicles' weight and allowable mass (GCM and GVM*), as well as to the durability standards set by Toyota for every Land Cruiser.

Please note that your vehicle's tow rating is regulated by the relevant transport authorities and is recorded on the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have caused. For more information please contact the Toyota Customer Contact Centre at [email protected] or 0800 139 111 or 0800 139 111.

* Calculation of towing weight

The allowable towing weight of the Toyota Prado 3.0 D-4D and 4.0 V6 is calculated by considering the vehicle’s weight and the allowable extra weight that it can tow.

In this calculation, the vehicle’s allowable Gross Combination Mass (GCM) and its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) are considered. GVM is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, with the weight of the driver, a full tank of fuel and payload included.

GCM is the maximum allowable total weight of the vehicle and whatever is towed, including a trailer, caravan or boat. This maximum weight is regulated by the relevant transport authorities.

Calvyn Hamman
Senior Vice President
Toyota South Africa Motors




This shows that the diesel is only regulated to tow 1,500kg - sound a bit strange compared to Aus.

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

I'm telling you all its in the springs, the 3T upgrade is just suspension with and engineer taking responsibility it's safe (it doesn't cover drive train durability, but your cars rear end isn't going to snap off).

If the same drive train can pull 1T more weight then it's not the limiting factor, not completely.

A rated vehicle has to perform a variety of manoeuvres in all conditions and pass comfortably, we all imagine toeing on flat ground with a tail wind in the cool hours of the morning. In reality it's quite the opposite and you want to know your vehicle will never break down as a result of the extra load then that is why it is set at the rate it is.


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

Thanks for the replies.
The cast iron towbar head on the 120 might limit the load too.
I guess an engineering shop may be able to give me an upgrade plan. I had HD springs on a KZ but only went with air bags on this one (2008 diesel).
I will be at the limit or close to it with the new van, so I might get the springs anyway. Peace of mind etc etc.

bill

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

http://www.toyota.co.za/mobi/vehiclemodels?smc=25O

[skidbita Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close skidbita]

Here's a quote from the UK Toyota site for Prado 150, Note 3000Kg.

Should start a petition for Toyota to make a 3000Kg upgrade available, considering the Fortuna can do 3000 and its a smaller car!!!


The fixed towing hitch has a tough anti-corrosion surface treatment and provides a strong towing capability. A dedicated wiring kit is available separately.
- 3000 kg towing capacity. The towing hitch is designed for your car’s maximum towing capacity.
- Supplied with a protective tow-ball cap bearing the Toyota logo.
- All Toyota towing hitches support the 2 and 3 bicycle version of the rear bicycle holder.

Towing solutions are not compatible with LED lights on trailers or caravans.

Price includes fitting and VAT.