How to Tow a Trailer Feedback

I tow an 18.6ft Caravan all up loaded about 2 ton, on hills I find the best to change out of overdrive when you see the hill coming up and sit on about 2000-2500 revs just let the motor pull and don't worry about loosing speed.
The cars that overtake you will be stopped at the next service station when you sail past.
My car is a 2005 Prado Grande t/d auto.
Regards Ted

Thanks Don and Ted G.

The RV in question is a very compact unit with a heavy duty suspension and other features designed for serious off-road use. I haven't weighed the van loaded as yet, but it is rated as having an aggregate trailer mass (loaded wet) of 2,000kg and we're careful not to overload it. There isn't a lot of storage space to overload anyway!

We use it for long-distance travel, so yes, the Prado is heavily loaded when we're towing.

I know it's a big ask for the 90kW Prado. What I'm trying to work out is how to get the best formance and fuel efficiency from the Prado within its obvious limitations for the task.

Regards Graham

Graham, that is pretty close to the mark for weight, depending on battery configueration and water tank, annex and everything.

If 2 tonne is its tare weight I would question the legality of towing with that vehicle which I think has a two tonne towing limit.
Also when you load your Prado up dont forget to include the ball weight as part of the load. If you dont you could be seriously overloaded and thereby negate any insurance claim

Yep, it's a big ask for a 90kW Prado, but its rated towing capacity is 2,500kg so there shouldn't be a legality issue. The ball weight is nominally around 185kg, so yes, it is an important factor.

Graham

It's a Kimberley Karavan. It packs down into a very compact unit that's not much bigger than the Prado. Matching wheels, same track width and so on. Good concept, but the down side for really serious off-road travel is their weight and complexity.

Graham

Thought it might be a KK. We have just bought one a few weeks ago. See profile. Living in it at present. Not gone into the bush with it as yet, but looking forward to that in due course. Have done a couple of thousand k's bringing it back from Qld and very happy with how it tows behind our Prado. Are you a member of the KK owners group?

Cheers, Phil

Sounds like that extra 30kW in your newer model Prado makes all the difference. I guess it's better than 30kW with the D-tronic chip on board. Good luck with the KK Phil. We're new owners too. Never heard of the KK Owner's Group. How do I join?

Regards, Graham

Graham

here's the link Site Link
Phone me on 0407 618 146 if you like.
Cheers
Phil

Thanks Phil. I'll join up and give it a whirl. Graham

Graham, not sure if you may have applied tonight but I hae responded by email to the Yahoo address you supplied. As soon as I know more and if you are the latest applicant, I will OK the application. My mobile number and email are with the Profile on EO.

I am within range of home now after a jaunt of what will end up 10,000kms with the Karavan in tow. There was a KKOG gathering of Karavan owners at Gemtree caravan park on the Plenty Highway 22-24th July. We were participants in a of a bit of an awareness tour across Queensland and going into Gemtree there was our three other friends and one ahead of us. Five in total. Lots of pics with three or four Karavans heading into Stockman's Hall of Fame and under the wing of the Qantas Jumbo

Just had a look at the membership profiles of the KKOG members and see that there are cars as different as Hyundai Terracan, Mazda Bravo B2500 TDI, HZ78 Troopy, Jeep, 80 Series LC, Disco TD5, 2001 Pajero. Plenty of Nissans and Toyotas too of course, 3litre Nissans, 4.2s, 100 Series and 200 Series.

Guess that means yours shouldn't be too much trouble towing against some of the others.

We can welcome you as soon as the info is provided. We want to verify chassis number, source, and your name and location as so many of our members provide personal contact details on our site. There may be members near you. I have spoken to members in South Australia today, Phillip above, and two currrently in the NT and another in NSW. I don't do that every day of course but since Gemtree there has been a lot of activity.