Hilux suitability for towing

CRD-1,

I don't know anything about the vehicle you are referring to but in my view the higher the torque the better for towing. If I can make a suggestion and if the person/dealer will allow you, I'd hook your van up and find a hill to tow it up. That will tell you how good it is. Maybe you could consider determining the 3l diesels that you like and do a comparison?

I have 3ltr CRD Grand Cherokee which standard develops 510nm of torque and as a tow vehicle it is awesome.

The other thing you need to consider is the weight of the vehicle and the weight of the van as it's important that the vehicle is heavier and also that the vehicle is rated to tow the van.

Hope you find something you are satisfied with.

I tow a 18 foot 2 tonne van with a Triton Twin Cab Diesel, similar specs to the Hilux, handles it easily.

I don't think the Hilux would have a problem with the van.

Recommend towing in 4th gear with manual box.

Not exactly sure what you are after.

Do you intend to get a 3.0 Hilux and want to know how well it might tow a 17 ft van?

OR...

You have a 3.0 Hilux and want to get a 17 ft van?

OR...

You already have both, in which case the whole issue is a little academic I suppose.

How much does the van wieigh?

Is the Hilux a newer CRD turbo or non turbo (older model)?

Some well thought background info would help.

If you are talking about the Hilux with the 3lt common rail engine you will have no problems.

A few more kilowatts and a fraction less torque then the Nissan Patrols and alot of people tow larger vans with them no problems.

I would suggest the auto instead of the manual as the manual may suffer with lift off on hills due to the weak clutch.

We have a Hilux D4D manual with a DP Power Chip that weighs in at 2600Kg. and we tow a Trak Shak camper that weighs 1300Kg. and some times on very steep climbs or in sand the clutch gets a bit hot.

If you go the auto put a trans cooler in.

You will have more then ample power, think what people use to use 6 years ago when these high power CRD engines weren't around......they never had a problem.


Regards Richard

Hi CRD,

As others have said, the new CRDs are all pretty good. Just an observation, the Hilux quotes 343Nm from 1400 to 3200 - haven't seen the curve plot, but am guessing the peak is probably a bit higher at some point. Navara is quoted around 400 at 2000 rpm - I guess the narrower band may be one reason for 6 speed manual? As others suggest, auto a big advantage.
Overlander test
Sorry, can't get the link to work...
We tend to drive the hilux for longevity - ie don't thrash it or lug it, and the beauty if its engine is that you still get max torque just off idle. It's a great vehicle.

John & Ingrid

Not everything should be based on power and torque with towing. You need to be accutely aware if your gross combined mass which is the van and the vehicle. Without knowing if the van weight you provided was tare or gross it is hard to say.

The Hilux only has a 2250 kg tow capacity. The more weight you carry in the vehicle the more that tow limit drops down. It doesn't take much nowadays to exceed your gross mass.

The Navara, however has a 3 tonne tow capacity.

I tow a Nova 17.6 semi off road van with 06 Hilx diesel ute.I put as much weight in the ute as possible.The van tares at 1950kgs so its borderline however the Hilux tows it with ease.Its also about gearing.Although the 2.5 Navara has more torque Ive heard that in some cases you need to engage low range to start off or ride the clutch.The Hilux tows my van from start at idle although I do have a DP chip fitted.Hopr this is usefull.

Regards

I tow a Nova 17.6 semi off road van with 06 Hilx diesel ute.I put as much weight in the ute as possible.The van tares at 1950kgs so its borderline however the Hilux tows it with ease.Its also about gearing.Although the 2.5 Navara has more torque Ive heard that in some cases you need to engage low range to start off or ride the clutch.The Hilux tows my van from start at idle although I do have a DP chip fitted.Hopr this is usefull.

Regards