You Pay Big Bucks for a new 4WD,That can Tow and carry a good Load!..But!.

HI Axle,

You are probably right in some vehicles Axle – some of these dual cab utes are really not cut out IMHO for the towing they are rated at - like the one that jacknifed on the M1 last year. You only have to do a search on this forum for information on the clutch and gear box issues with the superseded BT50/Ford Ranger model.
But I guess the old saying is true – you get what you pay for. After owning 60series for 20 years we had to resort to buying a LC200TTD for towing (I am disappointed I never had the joy of owning an 80 series or 100 series).
But the LC200TTD is the quintessential example of a towing rig that lives up to expectations (the French would say - par excellence of towing). Recently towing 3.2 tonne trailer at high speed on a hot day I could not see the temperature gauge move.

On a LC200TTD you do not need to add transmission coolers or anything else as long as you drive according to specifications. The only accessories I need for towing 3.5 tonne caravan are towing mirrors and electric brakes. Nothing else – its stock standard and does the job beautifully with power to spare. The auto transmission does the job beautifully as well (in Sport mode) for towing. I use S4 for under 80 kph and S5 for over 80 kph. This allows the torque converter to lock up and keeps the transmission cooler. Never use S6 except in a long down hill grades. The important thing is to keep the torque converted locked up. It s important to know your vehicle and drive accordingly. I don't see it as a limitation that I can't (shouldn't) tow in S6 - thats an "overdrive" gear if you like for use when you are not towing.
Cheers

That's why the Patrol was born Axle!! To fill that void !! :)) Michael

the answer is so simple ...... the ones that post these questions did NOT buy a TOYOTA ...... so they are scared, very scared and so they should be ..
hahahaha
Cheers
Joe

Axle
Most manufacturers do claim their cars will tow huge weights but if you contact them, not a dealer, on their customer service number or by email, they will usually tell you the advertised towing capacity is the maximum permissible in highway conditions and it should be reduced for rougher surfaces.

It is not easy to specify what those reduced capacities should be due to so many variables being involved so they don't normally do it. Land Rover is one company that will give you a figure when asked. In a reply to an email I sent on the Defender, they said the advertised 3500 kg comes down to a maximum of only 1500 kg off road and that is with the best possible type of brakes. It is even lower for other types.

Have a look through these two links on vehicle and caravan dynamics. When you look at what he says about tow ball weights, end heavy vans, mass, yaw inertia, stiffening rear suspensions only, tyre slip angles, weight transfer, pitching, snaking, the inaccurate 10% rule and heaven only knows what else, it is not hard to see where serious problems can develop. It certainly explains why some normally rock steady vans suddenly jack knife without warning. They just need a combination of the right speed and conditions to trigger it.

I would say if you discussed the type of towing you want to do with the car's manufacturer then bought a van to suit the car in those conditions, you should not have to modify anything. If you did then you would have every right to go back and ask the manufacturer to explain why.


http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/pdf/vehicle_dynamics_complete.pdf

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com/articles/caravan_dynamics_cw.pdf

I would think, only the people who believe the claims made by manufacturers would expect a vehicle to perform all as claimed. They are usually maximums and not practical everyday useage ratings so why would you expect them to so.

As mentioned in one comment. The ratings are for when everything is ok but there are so many variables in vehicle use and especially when towing a heavy van that an insurance factor of 100% backup is probably advisable.

If your vehicle weight is 2 1/2 ton, to tow any thing heavier than its own weight is expecting too much even though the tow rating is 3 1/2 ton. Even its own weight is pushing it.
You might get away with it for years but the potential for disaster is immense.
With modern vehicles being far more powerful and most braking systems also better people get lulled into a false sense of security when travelling.
All it means is you can have a crash far more sucessfully than ever before.

More and more people and manufacturers seem to think they have mastery over the laws of physics. The laws of Physics and the laws of Friction govern ALL, not silly humans. Unfortunately, peoples grasp of the realities hasn't developed with the technology they use/abuse.

Ross M

Some interesting points raised here. And as highlighted the maximum rated capacities are usually, if not always, based on optimum conditions. The other issue is that we are pushing boundaries in caravan size, and weights due to the inclusions that many are looking for today.

Apart from the safety aspect of ensuring the rig is suitable for the task at hand, which should be the main concern, there is the insurance aspect also when it all goes wrong. As someone has said earlier, I think we have been lulled into a false sense of security these days...

Food for thought...

Cheers, The Landy

They CAN hook up and go - but ever since the days of Henry Ford, there has been an accessories industry , and people who want to spend money to feed it ;)