LETTERS FROM THE ROAD
TOUAREG TOWING
I have a 2009 VW Touareg V6 turbodiesel
with a (braked) towing capacity of 3500kg.
What weight caravan can I legally tow
throughout Australia?
Rick Lenz
Via email
On the face of it, you could tow up to 3500kg
behind your vehicle. This might mean, for
example, a caravan with a Tare of 3000kg
and a payload capacity of 500kg.
However, double check the towball maximum
(TBM) of your vehicle. If I’m not mistaken,
some of those earlier Touaregs had a TBM of
280kg, rather than the 350kg you might
assume is available.
If this is the case, you would be looking at a
caravan with an Aggregate Trailer Mass
(maximum permissible weight of the trailer)
of around 2800kg – assuming 10 per cent on
the towball.
– Ed
LONG LIVE THE PRADO
I have owned the diesel Prado since it came out
in 2001 and I have towed extensively with it.
I own a 1.2-tonne camper trailer and a 2.2-
tonne Supreme Territory. I have never had a
problem with being over the GCM and would
not have even if I had a 2.5-tonne van behind
the Prado.
As we travel with just the two of us, I take out
the third row of seats, which gives me an extra
45kg for load-carrying, and a lot of extra room.
I find the Prado tows the Supreme Territory
easily and is fairly economical – generally
around 14 to 15L/100km. Strong wind and
hilly country have given as high as 18L/
100km. With the camper, I generally average
around 12L/100km.
The car tows the Supreme easily. I also find the
Prado's small turning circle makes car parks and
parking the van in a caravan park very easy.
The 180L fuel tank allows me to go from Ceduna
to Norseman on one tank. I will probably keep
this Prado until Toyota bring out a hybrid.
Gary Downborough
Via email
PRADO A POOR CHOICE
Regarding the article Best Used Tow Tugs
(GoRV #37), the Prado is a poor towing choice
with significantly less power and towing
ability. The Pajero is a much better option and
just as reliable.
You don’t see many Prados or Patrols towing
vans, with the majority opting for Land Cruisers,
Pajeros, Rangers, MUXs and some Jeeps.
Robert Cresswell
Via email
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