Towing with a Prado auto

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 at 21:14

ThreadID: 61738 Views:4780 Replies:6 FollowUps:1

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Tow Vehicle Setup

Everyone who intends to tow a caravan, or indeed any sort of trailer, needs to be aware that various tow vehicle and trailer combinations can behave in slightly different ways and certainly different

Member - Matt H (SA)

Hi All,
I'm intending to tow our Goldstream 1300kg camper with the wife's 2006 auto Prado (3.0 Litre TD). The vehicle will be fitted with a transmission oil cooler and has electric brakes on the camper. Anyone towing with a similiar combo? I assume all will be ok, but just want to check.It tows excellently behind my manual model, just not sure about the auto.

Cheers, Matt

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Reply By: Member - Brian & Pat P (NSW) - Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 08:43

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 08:43

Mat we have a big Goldstream Wing 111 camper which we tow with an auto jeep jeep GC and frankly, towing with a manual is the old way to go as it takes the hard work ouit of towing for you and the vehicle. Your prado might have a manual overide box which can be locked in the low gears when going down steep hills as you would do in manual vehicle. The really good thing about the autobox is the ease of backing the camper into tricky sites and not having to ride the cluth which in really tough situations avoids burning it out as has been done by inexperienced towers. Stick with the auto mat, it is the smart and easy way to go.

AnswerID: 325684

Reply By: aka - Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 08:45

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 08:45

I Tow a Regent about 2200 k,g loaded done about 20000 k,s not a problem ,same car

AnswerID: 325685

Reply By: Ted G - Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 09:59

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 09:59

Matt
We tow a full caravan about 2000 k with Prado Grande td auto no problems.
When a hill comes up just move it out of overdrive manually and let the auto do its job much better than swoping cogs manually.
Regards
Ted

AnswerID: 325695

Reply By: Member - Matt H (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 21:47

Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008 at 21:47

Thanks for the replies guys,
You have confirmed my suspicions! I assume that if you have auto's that a trans oil cooler is a good idea. God knows what Toyota will quote me for one!

Reason I ask, was that I'm selling my manual Prado and using my wife's Auto for towing duties. A really crook spine means a manual isn't the best option for me any longer. Such is life in the Defence Force.

Stay tuned for a Trader advert soon! :-)

Thanks again all, Matt

AnswerID: 325805

Reply By: Ted G - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 14:42

Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 14:42

Matt
Take it easy and you won't need a transmission cooler, I don't have one on mine, standard fitting with no problems.
Regards
Ted

AnswerID: 325896

Follow Up By: Member - Matt H (SA) - Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 21:20

Thursday, Sep 18, 2008 at 21:20

Thanks Ted,
But as the vehicle is still under factory warrantee, I think Toyota will frown upon me for towing without one. I have a mechanical background, so I'm thinking of ordering a kit and installing it myself.
Anyone done this before or could provide photos of an install? Photos would be a bonus.
Factory fitted coolers that are integral with the radiator are marginal at best, so I don't want to rely on it alone for towing - especially in hot weather or extended trips.

Cheers, Matt

FollowupID: 593042