Towing Ability 3100kg, yeh right!!!!!!!!!!!!

[conquistador]

Nobody has bothered to mention the fact that we're only dealing with a 2.4lt engine. Has everyone forgotten about the Nisan hand grenade? I'd want a few more cubes under the right boot before towing anywhere near that weight..

Downsizing affecting everything even heavy haulage. It will depend on the new 2.4 versus the preceeding 2.5s duty cycle.

Id be more concerned about whether the gearbox is rated for higher torque loads than the 5speed jatco which was why the prevoius auto challenger engine was derated to 350nm. Given the new engine has 430nm id say its at least that much better.

[Jeffwatkins]

spoke with the regional manager for qld that went to the testing day and he mentioned that they got to tow a 1.8t weighted trailer with little to no effort with the new Pajero Sport ...

I wouldn't expect him to say anything different. But again that is 1.2 tonne less than MM claim.

[conquistador]

Downsizing affecting everything even heavy haulage. It will depend on the new 2.4 versus the preceeding 2.5s duty cycle.

Id be more concerned about whether the gearbox is rated for higher torque loads than the 5speed jatco which was why the prevoius auto challenger engine was derated to 350nm. Given the new engine has 430nm id say its at least that much better.

With the engine, theyve managed to get the power whilst reducing compression. That could be good for longevity. Id say mivec would help maybe boost pressures are up?

[11T.Co]

Mitsubishi Motors have a towing guide that may help clarify some of this and there's also some good information here.

It seems pretty simple really, "you can't exceed the specified GVM!", this is also stated in every owner's handbooks.

However, by the time you get one of those in your hands it is already too late for some people as they would have already bought their dream vehicle based on the advertised towing capacity.

Unfortunately this type of issue is not unique to motor vehicle's towing capacity, it also applies to other vehicle features and everything else on the market that a consumer will purchase because truth in advertising is getting harder to find.

Surprisingly, it also looks like MM is pretty accurate with their towing specifications for the Pajero.

[Dusco]

Gym upgrade with new hd springs?

[razorback481]

if you have got your van & or car that are not right with the specs supplied you should have some recourse of action

i have a freind that works for a caravan joint here in adelaide that sell the chevy & ford utes
they now are assisting people to get their LT licences to keep the trucks at their rated specs

before you get a van you need to know your cars laden weight + the ball weight
then you will be able to tow up to your gvm !!

i weighed our Prado once 2820kg half a tank of fuel, driver only only 80kg's left

in SA they are saying you can tow a heavier van than 2.5T gross as long as it doesnt weigh more than 2.5T while your towing it

200 series are worse off with only a 550kg payload including ball weight WHY WHY WHY would you do all that to any vehicle and restrict it
so 5 passengers with baggage is over weight
1 passenger with a 3 ton caravan 250kg ball weight, your going to be close and you need to get the wife & kids an another vehicle to have your trip

buy a pop top or a camper well under the max weight save the fuel and dont have too much room to pack the stuff you never use !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry my 15 seconds of ranting are up !

[Nab]

I tow my camper, approx 1.5T loaded, with my 04 DiD Pajero. It does OK but I wouldn't feel comfortable towing more than 2T with it.

Are the new 4x4s that much better to tow with? Are the brakes and tyres able to take the extra weight??

[fester]

Are the new 4x4s that much better to tow with? Are the brakes and tyres able to take the extra weight??

In a word NO. Brakes and tyres are the least concerns in most cases. There is far more to a good tow vehicle than brakes and tyres.

razorback, it's simple marketing bullshite and unfortunately not illegal or a direct misrepresentation. It's all smoke and mirrors stuff. Technically you could tow things of the rated limit.....as long as you add no weight to the tow vehicle including say minimal fuel load, no luggage, no passengers and a jockey for a driver.

Unfortunately the legal reality is a long way from the paper legality.

[Goodsy]

When talking about engine size 4x4 weight, GVM and then towing capacity.
Just remember the 2.5L TDi Landrovers.

Wheelbase (mm) 2540
Gross Combination Mass (kg) 6720
Kerb Weight (kg) 1960
Payload (kg) 760
Gross Vehicle Mass (kg) 2720
Towing Capacity (braked) (kg) 4000

All with 83kW...........................

[fester]

Is there a point to that story. I dont recall them being lauded as an especially great tow rig.

[SwampFox55]

PS Towing Weights for 2-up ops

Using most of the additional weights that I travel with in my PB when towing my van they work just fine when transposed to the PS for a max weight van. Our extra gear (clothing, food, water and junk) all goes in the van and that’s still 130kg below the ATM; for normal month long trips. The kerb weight below is from the Mitsy website specs sheet for the base model. If you’re working with an empty weight a SG of 0.85 for diesel is fine. The only difference for me normally is that I carry about 30kg more in the car because I’m well under the PB’s GVM. However, the following figures prove that the PS weight limits can be used practicably at the limit, as far as the initial weight calculation is concerned.

http://www.racq.com.au/cars-and-driving/driving/towing/trailer-and-tow-vehicle-specifications

Item & Kg

PS base Kerb wt (incl oil, coolant, fuel, etc) 2045
Tow bar 35
Nudge bar 8
Minor extras 10
Sub total (revised kerb wt) 2098
Driver dressed 98
Tools misc, in car 8
Sub total (new basic wt) 2204
Pax female dressed 67
Water in car 8
Bags in car 5
Misc in car 3
Dog and carrier 13
Sub total 2300
Van’s ball wt (max case) 310
Sub total 2610 well below the GVM of 2710
Van's GTM (weight on van’s main wheels) 2790
Sub total 5400 at GCM

Now if you want to carry more, get a bigger car. Only the inexperienced would contemplate dragging a 3.1T ATM van around the country with a PS. Consider that weight more suitable for hauling the luxury cabin cruiser down to the boat ramp every fortnight. I was once told by a very experienced ‘old fart’ that a sensible maximum ATM for long distance hauling is ¾ of ‘the car manufacturer’s maximum towing capacity.’ Then there’s always some fat available for the extras you might want to take along occasionally eg to put in the tow car. Have a laugh with Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball in ‘The Long Trailer’ and all will become clear. They had these same issues over half a century ago. Want an easier drive, then throw out some rocks! Every time my wife gives me backing instructions, I think of Desi and the carport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxx4ijz3aig

Can anyone spot the potential anomaly when all hitched-up as per the PS’s OM and on the road with 310kg on the ball? The clue is, it’s not an issue for the Colorado 7 in standard trim! It’s the reason for a bit of fat in the actual loaded GVM above (2610kg) when towing the max ATM, when compared to the placarded GVM limit (2710kg). Those Mitsy engineers new what they were doing when they put in 100kg of fat! It’s important!

Cheers,

SF55
160105

[KiwiNTPajero]

its all smoke and mirrors.The manufacturers are all trying to claim the max towing weight,it doesnt matter that the car cant have anything else bar the driver,the car can still tow a 3100 kg load.
I reckon the real responsibility here lies with the buyer and seller of the towee.They are the ones pushing the boundaries with their caravans,and regardless of the figures it is up to the person driving the vehicle to know the facts.
In my opinion to tow something heavier than yourself in a "normal" car or suv is madness.
The max towing weight is a maximum not a target!

[Paj People 2009]

The dual cab utes (Colarado, D-Max, etc) are some of the worst "offenders". Their payload and specs are fairly dismal and a bit misleading.

Once the payload is used up, they are nowhere near 3.5 tonnes towing ability.

Cheers,
Sally

[fester]

Not sure really what you're getting at SF as your end result is round about what we have already said and well below the marketed 3100.

Turn that into a family of 4 with kids and the car kitted out as many 4Wd's are and the numbers get even worse.

Item & Kg
QE base Kerb wt (incl oil, coolant, fuel, etc) 2045
Tow bar 35
Nudge bar 8 Bullbar 55kg
Minor extras 10 Dual battery 30 kg

Bash plates what 5kg
Sub total (revised kerb wt) 2098
Driver dressed 98
Tools misc, in car 8
Sub total (new basic wt) 2204
Pax female dressed 67 2 kids say 70 kg
Water in car 8 Luggage to cover kids crap and all the extras most
Bags in car 5 families cart about ????????
Misc in car 3
Dog and carrier 13
Sub total 2300
Van’s ball wt (max case) 310
Sub total 2610 well below the GVM of 2710
Van's GTM (weight on van’s main wheels) 2790
Sub total 5400 at GCM

Not nearly the margin you suggest based on your weight conscious self and unfortunately there is a significant number of unknowledgeable caravanners hitting the roads every year.

Bet you there is not a car dealer in the country who sits down and explains the true meaning of their class leading tow ratings to potential buyers.

Easy to say buyer beware and research but those without any knowledge wouldn't even know where to ask, hence they ask their dealer and he says well look we have a rig capable of legally towing 3.1t. It's not till they rock up to buy the van that they (hopefully but not always) find out the real truth.

[dhula]

When talking about engine size 4x4 weight, GVM and then towing capacity.
Just remember the 2.5L TDi Landrovers.

Wheelbase (mm) 2540
Gross Combination Mass (kg) 6720
Kerb Weight (kg) 1960
Payload (kg) 760
Gross Vehicle Mass (kg) 2720
Towing Capacity (braked) (kg) 4000

All with 83kW...........................

And 265Nm or there about IIRC

Being able to change low range <--> hi range on the move made things bearable