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The Toyota Hilux stands as an undeniable favourite in Australia, leading sales volumes across the country for over seven years. Despite being narrowly surpassed by the Ford Ranger in 2023, the Hilux still boasted impressive unit sales of 61,111 in Australia alone.
The vehicle's enduring popularity is a testament to its decades of reliability, versatility, and durability, making it a preferred choice among tradespeople and businesses alike.
Built on Toyota’s innovative IMV platform, it shares its chassis with the Fortuner and is powered by a robust 2.8L diesel 1GD-FTV engine, common with the 150 Prado, Fortuner, and the 70 Series LandCruiser.
In Australia, the Hilux is a familiar sight—on job sites, beaches, traversing 4x4 tracks, and frequently seen towing caravans. With a touted 3,500kg braked towing capacity, we delve deeper to uncover the true capabilities of the Hilux and provide guidance on its optimal towing practices.
A Vision of the Hilux from the Marketing Department
In recent marketing efforts, the Hilux has been prominently advertised with its full 3,500kg braked towing capacity, positioning it competitively among its rivals. However, it's crucial to look beyond the sales pitches and glossy brochures to truly understand the capabilities and limitations of the Hilux.
While there are variations across different models and grades, we'll focus on the 2023 Toyota Hilux SR5 Auto 4x4 Double Cab as a representative example due to its relatively consistent ratings across various trims.
The SR5 model boasts a Gross Vehicle Mass Rating (GVM) of 3,050kg.
For those unfamiliar with the term, GVM represents the vehicle's total allowable weight, including accessories, occupants, luggage, and the tow ball mass exerted by the trailer.
The Gross Combination Mass Rating (GCM), pivotal for towing, is set at 5,850kg, encompassing both the fully-loaded vehicle and trailer weight.
Additionally, understanding the Gross Axle Limits is essential, with the front and rear limits standing at 1,480kg and 1,700kg, respectively.
The Hilux's kerb weight is a lean 2,000kg, surprisingly light given its towing capacity.
This weight efficiency allows for a payload capacity of over 1,000kg, highlighting the balance between towing capacity and payload utility, which we will get to soon.
Deciphering the Towing Capacity Numbers
When connecting a caravan or trailer weighing 3,500kg, it's crucial for safe towing to maintain approximately 10% of the trailer's mass as tow ball load, which contributes to your Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) limit. The Hilux owner's manual emphasises this point:
"The trailer cargo load should be distributed so that the tongue load is 9 to 11% of the total trailer weight, with limits specified at 250kg for 2WD models, 350kg for 4WD models, and 280kg for Pre-Runner models."
We will use this 350kg tow ball mass a little later in our deep dive, but just remember why it’s there.
To start with we’ll see how the Hilux’s Gross Combination Mass stakes up.
Here's how the math unfolds:
- Starting with the Hilux's kerb weight of 2,000kg,
- Adding the trailer weight of 3,500kg,
- We arrive at a combined weight of 5,500kg.
- Given the Gross Combination Mass (GCM) limit of 5,850kg, subtracting our combined weight leaves us with a 350kg payload capacity for the Hilux
Within this 350kg payload, consider the following allocations:
- Occupants, let's say Bill at 80kg and Jill at 65kg, total 145kg,
- Vehicle accessories: bull bar (60kg), snorkel (5kg), spotlights (5kg), fridge (22kg), and recovery gear (20kg), totalling 112kg,
- This calculation leaves 93kg for additional luggage, children, etc.
- It's important to note for the GCM calculation, we don’t double count the tow ball mass; however, this is taken into account for other limits.
While this setup seems workable, it is notably restricted. A significant practical limitation is the Rear Axle Limits, which, due to the tow ball mass and its leverage effect, effectively lowers the available payload capacity to just 271kg before exceeding the vehicle's limits.
For those needing a refresher on all these terms and how everything interconnects, consider visiting our high-level guide to Caravan Weights here.
Exploring Your Options
Understanding the nuances of the Hilux's towing capacity can be complex, especially for owners calculating how to maximise their vehicle's utility.
Now that we have established the Rear Axle Weight Limit will be restrictive for most when towing a 3,500kg trailer or caravan, let's adopt a practical approach to explore viable options for leveraging the 3,500kg braked towing capacity effectively.
The GVM upgrade
For Toyota Hilux owners seeking to maximise their vehicle’s towing and payload capacities, GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and GCM (Gross Combination Mass) upgrades present a viable solution.
These upgrades, offered by Second Stage Manufacturers like Lovells, can significantly enhance your vehicle’s capabilities. They offer a GVM upgrade to 3,500kg and a GCM upgrade to 6,550kg, applicable before the initial registration in states such as NSW and VIC, and this package also elevates the Rear Axle Limits from 2,050kg.
It’s important to note that while this approach will allow owners additional payload capacity, you are in turn putting a lot more significant stresses on the vehicle's running gear. Engine, gearbox, axles, bearings, etc., are all under a load that Toyota never intended. So, keep in mind that while a GVM/GCM upgrade can enhance your payload capacity, it doesn't inherently boost the vehicle's overall durability.
Understanding the Implications of GVM and GCM Upgrades
However, the decision to upgrade isn't without its complexities, especially concerning the vehicle’s warranty. Here are some key considerations:
- Safe Towing Ratios: A GVM upgrade can significantly benefit towing, particularly by allowing you to load more weight into the tow vehicle itself, thereby achieving a higher vehicle-to-trailer weight ratio. This can enhance stability and safety while towing.
- Extra Capacity: The GVM upgrade enables more comfortable and legal payloads, allowing you to make the most of your travels with the Hilux.
- Warranty Concerns: Non-genuine modifications may affect the vehicle’s warranty. Toyota’s warranty documentation explicitly states that damage or performance issues resulting from modifications with non-genuine products will not be covered.
- Increased wear and tear: Operating your vehicle at its maximum capacity, and beyond with a GVM upgrade, places a significant load on the vehicle itself. This extra burden inevitably accelerates the wear and tear on the vehicle, especially on critical driveline components.
For those considering these modifications, thorough research is advisable. Our definitive guide on Gross Vehicle Mass offers a comprehensive review of GVM upgrades, including detailed insights into the process and critical considerations you need to be aware of.
The Role of a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) in Towing
Toyota recommends the use of a Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) for towing with the Hilux, as stated in the owner's manual: "When towing a caravan, trailer, etc., use a distribution hitch."
A WDH is designed to evenly distribute the load across the towing vehicle and trailer, improving stability and handling.
For those unfamiliar with the principles of a WDH, it employs spring bar tensioners to adjust the distribution of weight across the vehicle's axles. Despite a common misconception, a WDH does not reduce the tow ball mass. Instead, it leverages the weight from the vehicle's rear axle and redistributes it primarily to the front axle (approximately 2/3 of the redistributed weight) and the trailer's axle group (the remaining 1/3).
Consider an 800lb rated WDH for a 350kg tow ball mass. When fully tensioned, it shifts around 337kg from the vehicle's rear axle, adding approximately 228kg to the front axle and 109kg to the caravan's axles. This is achieved by applying significant torsion stress on the vehicle's chassis, the A-frame of the trailer, and the tow ball interface.
By using a WDH, you can redistribute weight from the rear axle to the front axle and the caravan, helping you utilise the vehicle's towing capacity more effectively. This allows for more balanced towing dynamics and a reasonable payload for your occupants and belongings.
However, it's important to keep in mind the front axle limits. This redistribution of weight might simply move the problem to another area, potentially one with less capacity to begin with. For completeness, using the same calculations as earlier this would leave a mere ~172kg of payload on your front axles, even less than before.
A Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH) can be beneficial, yet it's crucial to meticulously manage the tension applied and consider your overall towing setup.
Toyota issues a strong caution about using a WDH, highlighting that it's not advisable for off-road driving, incompatible with non-Toyota-OEM tow hitches, and should be disconnected on many common driving surfaces. The reason lies in the significant stress a WDH places on the vehicle's chassis, which could introduce risks.
Deciding whether a WDH fits your towing needs demands a thorough understanding of its operation and appropriate contexts for use. Many people mistakenly believe it to be a universal fix, not recognising the nuanced considerations required. It's important to educate yourself on how and when a WDH should be employed to avoid over-reliance on it as a catch-all solution.
Making Sense of It All Without an Engineering Degree
While some of these limits are straightforward to define, others require intricate calculations tailored to your specific rig setup. Factors like your caravan's tow ball load not only reduce your vehicle's payload limit but also significantly impact your rear axle loads. This effect is compounded by the fulcrum effect, determined by the distance of your tow hitch from your axles.
It's easy to think everything is in order, but even the most seasoned experts can encounter challenges, especially when trying to understand overall compliance.
This is where LoadMate steps in. LoadMate employs thousands of complex calculations, tailored to your rig, vehicle, caravan, and specific situation. This ensures you receive precise advice and a detailed towing profile of your limits and available payloads across various compliances.
LoadMate doesn't just provide you with a customised towing profile. It also integrates with weighbridges or mobile weigh checks to offer real-time, accurate reports. Remember, these weigh checks are just a snapshot in time. The moment you move, add, or remove anything from your vehicle or caravan, your weights and compliance can change. Without LoadMate's assistance, keeping on top of these changes can be an arduous task.
We leverage this sophisticated engine for our analyses in these articles, but we encourage you to experience it for yourself. It's an investment in peace of mind – arguably the most affordable insurance and confidence booster you can find.
Now, let's dive back into our detailed exploration of the Toyota Hilux Towing Capacity.
A Sensible Approach to Towing with the Hilux
When considering the Hilux for towing purposes, especially with a trailer weighing in at 3,500kg, you're essentially pairing the vehicle with a load that surpasses its own mass by 149%—the trailer's weight being significantly higher than the Hilux's own weight of approximately 2,350kg.
This discrepancy underscores a vital towing principle: the mass of the tow vehicle should ideally exceed that of the trailer it's towing. Globally recognised safety guidelines—and legal mandates in certain countries—advocate for this, suggesting that the weight of the loaded trailer not exceed 90% of the tow vehicle's laden weight.
This recommendation is established for safety, aiming to mitigate risks posed by various factors such as wind, the turbulence from passing road trains, hilly terrains, the potential for driver error or fatigue, and challenging road conditions, among others.
While caravan stability control systems offer a layer of emergency support, relying solely on these technologies in all scenarios, especially at high speeds, is misguided. They are not an answer for the inherent risks of towing a load that is heavier than the vehicle itself. The principle behind the guideline is that a tow vehicle with a higher mass relative to the trailer can leverage its weight for greater stability, enhancing safety across a multitude of driving conditions.
For Hilux owners, it's advisable to target a trailer weight that falls within 90% of the vehicle's laden weight. Although specific capacities may vary depending on the model and its configuration and your particular setup, a general safe range would be between 2,400 to 2,700kg. This strategic consideration optimises the balance between vehicle capability and towing safety.
The engine of the Hilux, a 2.8L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, though reliable and potent under normal conditions, is another factor to consider. When burdened with a substantial trailer, the limitations of its smaller displacement become evident. Unlike larger, more robust towing vehicles, the Hilux's engine is not inherently designed for heavy-duty towing tasks. Consequently, towing near or at the upper limit of its capacity can lead to increased operational strain, necessitating higher maintenance efforts, potentially causing premature component failures, and often requiring the addition of aftermarket upgrades such as transmission coolers and torque converter lock-up kits to sustain heavy towing demands.
Conclusion
While the sales pitch and brochures may highlight the Hilux as a capable option for towing heavy loads, it's crucial to reconsider this choice upon deeper reflection. Yes, a GVM upgrade can enhance the Hilux's towing capacity, aligning it more closely with its maximum braked towing limit. However, this adjustment begs the essential question: Is the Hilux truly the right vehicle for such demanding towing tasks?
Ultimately, the answer leans towards the negative. Given the considerations discussed, including the vehicle's weight, engine capabilities, and the potential for increased maintenance and safety concerns, it becomes apparent that there are more suitable vehicles for heavy towing. Opting for a vehicle specifically designed to handle such demands not only ensures better performance and reliability but also significantly enhances towing safety and peace of mind. Therefore, for those planning to tow heavy loads (+2,700kg) regularly, investing time in exploring alternatives to the Hilux is a sensible decision.
