Confused - D3/D4/RRS Towball Weight

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Originally Posted by Fatso

Nah, just a common sence one !!

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You are entitled to your opinion on this. But I can tell you a 3500kg caravan is no issue for a D4. Brakes/Engine/Suspension are all up to the job. I have towed this van a lot on bad and good roads and there has never been anything to indicate any issues.

However a much lighter van 2300kg did have issues being thrown about on bad roads bad enough to cause the trailer stability control to activate. On the same roads the 3500kg van just tracked and stayed where it was supposed to be.

Let's keep opinions civil. The manufacturers are under massive pressure to list high tow ratings. Their sales depend on it. This leads to dangerous variations, like the current Prado. The SWB has a greater tow rating than the LWB. Toyota deem the chassis on the SWB can take the higher load rating. No doubt it can, but now you are towing 2700kg behind a vehicle the size of a glorified Rav.
IMO, regardless of what a manufacturer lists, it makes sense to me that towing anything heavier than you are, decreases the safety margin available to the driver. Your call.

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Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

Let's keep opinions civil. The manufacturers are under massive pressure to list high tow ratings. Their sales depend on it. This leads to dangerous variations, like the current Prado. The SWB has a greater tow rating than the LWB. Toyota deem the chassis on the SWB can take the higher load rating. No doubt it can, but now you are towing 2700kg behind a vehicle the size of a glorified Rav.
IMO, regardless of what a manufacturer lists, it makes sense to me that towing anything heavier than you are, decreases the safety margin available to the driver. Your call.

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2.7T behind a prado is about the same as 1.5t behind a family car. With the appropriate trailer, loading and driver I don't see the problem.

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Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

Let's keep opinions civil. The manufacturers are under massive pressure to list high tow ratings. Their sales depend on it. This leads to dangerous variations, like the current Prado. The SWB has a greater tow rating than the LWB. Toyota deem the chassis on the SWB can take the higher load rating. No doubt it can, but now you are towing 2700kg behind a vehicle the size of a glorified Rav.
IMO, regardless of what a manufacturer lists, it makes sense to me that towing anything heavier than you are, decreases the safety margin available to the driver. Your call.

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Does it not also depend on suspension set ups, drive train strength etc?

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Originally Posted by Stuart02

Does it not also depend on suspension set ups, drive train strength etc?

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Most definitely - prime movers haul many times their own weight all the time, but they're set up specifically to do this.

Cheers,

Gordon

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Originally Posted by Dougal

2.7T behind a prado is about the same as 1.5t behind a family car. With the appropriate trailer, loading and driver I don't see the problem.

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The only problem is a Prado can only tow 2.5 ton legally. :wasntme:

cheers,
Terry

Terry,

Short wheelbase prado can tow 3 tonne. Makes no sense that a shorter wheelbase, and less weight can tow more.

Less is more.....some say.

Brett....

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Originally Posted by discotwinturbo

Terry,

Short wheelbase prado can tow 3 tonne. Makes no sense that a shorter wheelbase, and less weight can tow more.

Less is more.....some say.

Brett....

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If they are limited to the same gross combination weight, then the lighter vehicle gets to tow more.