Is towing with the 250 really that bad?

[davlloyd]

Howdy all,

I am deep into the investigation for a new 4wd that we will use to eventually take the big lap around Australia with the wife. I really like the new Prado Altitude, but the mountain of negative reports on its true towing capabilities make me hesitant. We have the original Ford Everest now which has given us 9 good years of service so was initially looking at the Everest Tremor due to the off road readiness, factory (ARB) accessories and V6. After driving the Prado 250 though, now would prefer to get it. I keep getting the 300 series suggested t me but that is quite a $ jump for similar specs,

The vans we are looking at are off-road, single axle, hard tops which are about 2.5t with a tow ball weight of 180-200kgs. Would get the car prepped with amongst the usual list, suspension upgrade with about a. 40mm lift, 250kg springs front and rear, and rear air bags to help with towing, so think it should be ok.

Is the 250 good for what I am looking at, or should I be looking at alternatives such as back to the v6 Everest or up to a 2nd hand 300 series?

Thanks for the help

 

[EOD Guy]

Welcome to the Jungle!

 

[DubDub]

I've towed a number of trailers over the years, and live by a couple of thumb rules (below) when hauling a load. At some point, we all have to ask ourselves if we are buying what we want, or what we need. For consideration: Are you asking yourself (or others) for an answer that justifies what you want over need? Not being critical, just sharing how I look at these things when facing a similar question to what you have asked the group.

1) Dry weight: <50% TV rated max towing
2) Wet weight: <75% TV rated max towing
3) Hitch weight: <TV hitch rating w/out weight distro
4) LENGTH: The thing people most often forget. If I'm not driving a diesel HD pickup, I'm not exceeding the length of my TV (hitch to rear) on single axle, and I'm not going more than 20% over on double axle.

I can't speak for anyone else, but the length kills people too. Our US model Prados are 4cyl hybrid anyway, so I'm not towing much ever. If I had a global LC w/ turbo diesel, and towing a single axle, I'd be personally limiting myself to 16ft from ball to spare.

 

[Roonie]

Ask those who have towed with it. I think it does a decent job towing. Not much different than my 1500 Ram pickup (with a hemi V8). I have towed several smaller trailers and my 4500lb boat. The boat it did fine with. I towed it 2 hours over some hills. Towing it back in the next month. Pic below.

 

[amiyank]

My Bean is 14 feet and about 2000 lbs. Pulling it up and over the Rockies was very nice compared to the Jeep Gladiator it replaced. The Jeep would whine and get very loud in 4th pulling the same trailer. This one just glided without any noticeable effort. Smaller trailer agreed, and that is perhaps the key.

 

[ultane]

Howdy all,

I am deep into the investigation for a new 4wd that we will use to eventually take the big lap around Australia with the wife. I really like the new Prado Altitude, but the mountain of negative reports on its true towing capabilities make me hesitant. We have the original Ford Everest now which has given us 9 good years of service so was initially looking at the Everest Tremor due to the off road readiness, factory (ARB) accessories and V6. After driving the Prado 250 though, now would prefer to get it. I keep getting the 300 series suggested t me but that is quite a $ jump for similar specs,

The vans we are looking at are off-road, single axle, hard tops which are about 2.5t with a tow ball weight of 180-200kgs. Would get the car prepped with amongst the usual list, suspension upgrade with about a. 40mm lift, 250kg springs front and rear, and rear air bags to help with towing, so think it should be ok.

Is the 250 good for what I am looking at, or should I be looking at alternatives such as back to the v6 Everest or up to a 2nd hand 300 series?

Thanks for the help

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[Midwest Duo]

My Bean is 14 feet and about 2000 lbs. Pulling it up and over the Rockies was very nice compared to the Jeep Gladiator it replaced. The Jeep would whine and get very loud in 4th pulling the same trailer. This one just glided without any noticeable effort. Smaller trailer agreed, and that is perhaps the key. View attachment 46072

We are looking to go teardrop (Camp-Inn Raindrop) as well… just feels more like camping than having a travel trailer. Besides, I haven’t seen anyone demonstrate proper towing mirrors for the LC yet.

 

[amiyank]

We are looking to go teardrop (Camp-Inn Raindrop) as well… just feels more like camping than having a travel trailer. Besides, I haven’t seen anyone demonstrate proper towing mirrors for the LC yet.

The teardrop is great, very cozy once you get settled. A bit of hassle getting in an out (I am 69) but pulling it is a breeze, setting up and down quite quick and it does feel like you are camping; without having to worry about rain and animals.

Only downsides would be what to do on a rainy day (not that much of an issue) storage.

 

[jag0130]

That Bean is awesome…unfortunately, I think they’re a little pricey after adding options. I had a Nucamp 400 with my hemi Ram 1500, but sold it when I got rid of the Ram. Looking for something else now and focusing on a teardrop that’s under 2k lbs and 15 ft. Thanks for sharing.

 

[amiyank]

Have a look at the used Bean's lots of them for sale on marketplace, Bean group, not sure of the name, Bean Owners or something like that.

 

[davlloyd]

Thanks for the replies. Being Australian, the engine will be the turbo diesel and not the US petrol hybrid so her is in oz the 250 has a documented towing capacity of 3.5t and a payload of about 590kg, so on paper it looks fine. The vans we are looking at are about 2.6t loaded and a tow ball weight about 190kg with a length of about 20ft. They are off-road vans hence a bit heavier than the norm for their size.

Thinking I might have to push to the LC300, even though I think the 250 would be easier to live with as an everyday car when not on the road towing a van.

 

[jbtaco2002]

i have a 2018 Tacoma and it struggles with the teardrop trailer we own, an Intech Luna Rover, probably weighs ~ 2000lbs loaded for camping. The LC tows like the trailer isn't even there. zero struggles even up long grades through the mountains east of San Diego.

i could not be happier with the towing capabilities of this rig. That being said, the powertrain is slightly different for your region but lots of videos out there to help with your decision making

 

[MSINAL]

We are looking to go teardrop (Camp-Inn Raindrop) as well… just feels more like camping than having a travel trailer. Besides, I haven’t seen anyone demonstrate proper towing mirrors for the LC yet.

Dont have pic with landcruiser but these teardrops are awesome. Barely notice it's there over hills and (mild) offroad. One negative i have encountered with LC towing is the built in brake controller. At max gain setting it doesnt lock up tires on our trailer. The aftermarket controller in our jeep locks the tires at ~50% gain. Still need to investigate what's up. Likely operator error. Wish we had diesel options in USA!!

 

[ultane]

Wish we had diesel options in USA!!

X

Damn chicken tax!!!