Trackmaster and Prado
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 09:36
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Member - Greg N3
Good morning,
Considering the purchase of a Trackmaster
Kimberley caravan. I have a 2010 Prado. Seeking advice from a owner of a similiar configuration as to how the Prado handles the weight of the Trackmaset
Kimberley Kimberley. Also, any comments about the Trackmaster would be helpful.
Thanks you,
Greg N3
Reply By: ozjohn0 - Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 10:12
Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 10:12
What's the TARE & ATM of the van?
Figures van be found on the vans Vin Plate.
Cheers,
Ozjohn.
AnswerID:
471674
Follow Up By: Member - Greg N3 - Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 13:00
Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 13:00
Thank you Ozjohn,
The TARE is 1,900kg. Dont' know the ATM as we haven't purchased the van yet. We are informed the loaded weight should be 2300kg ie ATM.
The Prado is a turbo diesel.
Greg N3
FollowupID:
746355
Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 11:54
Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 11:54
Prado has a trailer weight limit of 2500kg (braked) and max weight on the hitch of 250kg. They will be your first limitations.
After that I guess its performance.
I tow 2200kg with 160kg on the hitch and on a big trip the vehicle is loaded to GVM (2.9 tonne) - Combination mass of 5.1 tonne, 300kg short of the max. It is not quick off the mark!! However it cruises beautifully. Cruise control hunts on hills with the load behind in D. Drive it manually or knock it back to 4th and it's ok.
Average fuel consumption on blacktop is 14.4lt/100k. In mountainous areas (High Country, Snowies) 18 to 20. Dirt (Great Central Rd) 16 (low tyre pressures, but 60kph) Best run ever with all the gear was
Sydney-
Melbourne on the Hume, 12.4 lt/100k - must have had a tail wind :-)
The vehicle is working hard but seems OK, though it's getting new engine mounts after 120,000k under extended manufacturers warranty. Motor (D4D, same as 2010 Prado if yours is diesel) and transmission are fine.
I never go over the service interval, always change ATF fluid after a big trip, even though it's "sealed for life" and always change diff oils after a big trip or one involving deep
water crossings.
Cheers
Frank
AnswerID:
471678
Follow Up By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 13:20
Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 13:20
Greg,
Just had a look at the Trackmaster website. Your van is taller and wider than
mine, about the same weight loaded, so I think you can expect to use a bit more fuel.
Cheers
FollowupID:
746358
Reply By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 14:26
Sunday, Dec 04, 2011 at 14:26
Hi Greg
we have a 2008 D4D and facing too many choices at the moment. The
Kimberley, although
well within the Prado's capabilities, is a bit heavier than ideal for us and we're thinking of the smaller Gibson with an external shower. We have an ensuite at the moment in our current van but think we can bring a porta potty indoors at night for overnight stops and put a shower/
toilet tent up for longer stays. A fair saving on weight there. Decisions.
AnswerID:
471685
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 15:28
Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 15:28
Trakmaster might be able to put you in touch with an owner with the same rig you envisage - I'm in the TM owners' club (but don't go on organised excursions) - I'll see if I can spot anything in the members' section of the TM website re a Prado. While most owners I've seen on the road over 3 years tow with 3500kg class tugs, the
Kimberley fits the Prado specs with a bit to spare.
AnswerID:
471739
Follow Up By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 15:45
Monday, Dec 05, 2011 at 15:45
A few TM club
Kimberley owners are towing their vans with various config Prados - from my quick look over a few posts though, they all seem a 200 - 300kg lighter in tare than your target. You didn't say if the van is new or used - when I ordered my 18' Nullabor, I joined the club in order to read up on various papers and posts there - gained a lot of useful info that enabled me to tweek the order as it progressed.
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