Caravan Towing with Prado 120 TD Auto

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 11:26

ThreadID: 14680 Views:5996 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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harry55

Hi All,
Anyone out there towing a 1600kg caravan with a Prado TD auto? It's time to upgrade the Jeep and I was wondering how the auto prado performs. How does the gearbox perform? Do you lock out the overdrive or is the revs/torque OK in 4th? The Jeep is not happy in overdrive but I am only pulling about 1800 rpm @ 100k. The power to weight looks OK on paper (especially with a dtronic), but paper never tells the whole story.
Any comments good or bad would be appreciated.

thanks,
Harry

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Reply By: Rosscoe - Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 12:05

Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 12:05

Mate has a manual TD and pulls a van I'd estimate to be around 1600 kg. Reckons he's hardly ever out of 5th gear.
I looked at the Prado when I bought my new car and although I thought the ride and finish were great, I was worried about the old technology of the diesel and the fact that DAT was only available on the Grande.
Nearly went Prado petrol but again worried that Toyota have matched a brand new 4.0 litre engine to an older 4 speed auto transmission.
Rumours are that there's a new diesel engine coming and that DAT will be standard.
I ended up with a Pajero NP DiD Auto 3.2L and I find it's greater torque and power to be ideal for towing my caravan which is probably 1800 Kg when my wife has finished loading it. The spors mode gives me the best of both manual and auto.

AnswerID: 67884

Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 14:54

Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 14:54

Here is a comparison of the two:
(Notice they are very similar, however the mitsubishi has a much lower compression ratio to the Tojo, meaning it is similar to the Nissan 3.0TD and the Ford 2.5TD used in the transit. It must use pre ignition to get more power for less emissions. Meaning it will run much hotter than the 1KZ-TE but be more efficiant. Also means you'll get that real rattle sound when you put you're foot down instead of a consistant rumble out of the Tojo. The Mitsi also has a multi valve engine, which will increase performance and economy. Mind you you can't knock the old 1kz-te for reliability and it's not exactly old technology, it's got all that computer stuff that can go wrong on it as well!
Oh yeah, the NP does not have a chasis!??!! It Monocoque .
The Prado also has struts instead of torsion bars on the IFS, giving it more travel in the front end and by the looks of it the Mitsi has no live axel in the rear, looks like IRS? Multiple links ?

Engine
MITSUBISHI PAJERO NP 21ST ANNIVERSARY
TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO KZJ120R VX
Block material for Mitis was not there, assume it's alloy?
Block material Cast-iron
Bore (mm) 98.5 96.0
Capacity (cm3) 3200 2982
Compression ratio 17.0:1 21.0:1
Configuration In-line In-line
Cylinders 4 4
Engine code 4M41 1KZ-TE
Engine description 4cyl/SOHC/2v 4cyl/SOHC/2v
Engine location Front Front
Engine orientation Longitudinal Longitudinal
Head material Aluminium alloy Aluminium alloy
Maximum power 121kW @ 3800rpm 96kW @ 3600rpm
Maximum torque 373Nm @ 2000rpm 343Nm @ 2000rpm
Stroke (mm) 105.0 103.0
Valve train DOHC SOHC
Valves per cylinder 4 2

FollowupID: 328583

Reply By: warnsey - Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 12:51

Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 12:51

I have been looking at a TD auto prado for work and have been told by Toyota dealer a new model is due the middle of next year with 5 speed auto

AnswerID: 67892

Reply By: harry5 - Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 23:01

Thursday, Jul 15, 2004 at 23:01

Hi Harry55 (not related) I also tow a 1600KG van with a Did NP auto Pajero it pulls it so easy i just leave it in auto except when i want to slow down then use manual i know some vehicles advise not to tow in 5th gear as it is not strong enough so these days i have been going back to 4th when i hit a long climb otherwise it has so much torque it will stay in 5th.Fuel economy is good . Would like to see some prado feed back
Harry (5)

AnswerID: 67998

Reply By: MSM - Friday, Jul 16, 2004 at 16:26

Friday, Jul 16, 2004 at 16:26

Hi Harry,

We tow a dual axle van 1775kg with a 2003 Prado GXL TD auto. The vehicle performs very well holding constant speed on cruise control. Returning around 13L to 100kms cruising at 95km. Gearbox makes a decision and then does not change its mind ie. no "hunting". Selects appropriate gear at the bottom of a hill very early in the piece and presses on without fuss. We have found it to be quiet providing effortless cruising with the van on or off. Have not found the need to lock out 4th gear or to take control of the gearbox as was the case with previous 3L 4spd auto petrol tow vehicle.

Previously towed the van with a 2000 Mitsubishi Challenger which while quite capable is not a patch on the Prado in the towing stakes (IMHO).

All in all we are happy with the decision to move to the Prado and are very happy with the towing performance.

Best regards

Mike