Towing a caravan with 05 deisel hilux.

Hi Richard,

It is a bit of a drama with the capacity on Hiluxes. I think yours is rated at 2250 with 225 on the ball. We have the model before you and it is only 1800 and 130 on the ball.

Having said that there are some options that could work for you.

Vans like a Jayco expander or their equivalent from other makers like Windsor etc for example are not too heavy and some models feature ensuites so that may be worth a look. Most off road models are heavier than an on roader so that will play a part in your overall weight.

IMO despite what others are doing, you should only ever tow within your vehicle and towbar/hitch receiver guidelines.

Just do heaps of research and see what you come up with.

Hope it all goes well for you.

With any dual cab ute, or single cab variant, regardless of what it says I would only tow 2 tonne with it.

So if you are going to get a van that weighs in at 2 tonne, by the time you load it up you will be close to 3 tonne. Everyone is surprised when they put it over the weigh bridge.

Depending on how much money you want to spend there are plenty of light alternatives for you that will also save you on fuel compared to larger combo's.

As discussed on previous threads, there is the Quantum by AORC, the Trakmaster Gibson or Kimberley (single axle), the Kimberley Karavan, The Topaz by Tracktrailer, the Ultimate the list goes on, all of these weigh in at less than 1.5 tonne with the Quantum being my pick of the bunch IMHO

Standard RV industry advice seems to suggest that 400kg is a reasonable load figure for tandem caravans, with 2 people, for extended trips. So your tare has to be that much further below your tow limit. You might get a shower van, built with genuine rough road capability, but the figures will probably be tight. Safety comes first of course - who wants to be eating hospital food for weeks on end :-o) ?
FWIW - I just bought a new 2300kg tare rough roader at 18' internal - the compliance figures limit me to a 460kg load .... have 230kg on the ball - I upgraded the vehicle 12 months back because I was execting these figures anyway.

Hello Richard O
I have 05 Hilux turbo Diesel Common Rail and tow a Western Homestead caravan,1890 tare, have done about 40000 km in past three years. I am very happy with the the rig. Check out this site for details of my van.
http://www.westerncaravans.com.au/homestead-range/murrary/
Regards Gordon W

Hi Rich

We went for a reliable tough off-roader, and the smallest we could get 2nd hand at the time was 18' with a tare of 2.22 t. Having the bathroom was not on our priorities, but was a bonus i'm glad we have it. Just filling the water tanks would have taken it over the 2.5 t limit for the auto gearbox on our 3 ltr Patrol. As soon as we could got an F250 so we could load it up with our needs for longer tours. We estimate it would be around 3 t laden.

Looks like your choices are get a light weight van (and a tent for off bitumen trips) or something in between like the Kimberley Karavan, or get a different tow vehicle.

Motherhen

Hi Richard I have 05 hylux and tow a 6.3mtr tandem axle Windsor off road with full on suite and average 7.5 klm to litre. The following may help you. Manaual Hylux toyota recomend to stay out of 5th gear unless free wheeling, I had fitted a Detronic chip to assist, firestone airbags, ARB suspension with medium setting and electric breaks which in WA are Legal Requirement, I had the towball hitch replaced with trigg 3000kg hitch. The Toyota dealer can have your Hylux upgrade your towing capacity to 2500kgs at a cost of course and modification plate fitted. I found that the original clutch is not reliable enough once you start towing at or about your max capacity so I upgraded at a cost of about $1500 installed. Due to towing mainly in 4th gear I upgraded to 31x 10.5 tyres this reduces the reving in 4th gear to around 2300rpm but when due to be replaced I will go to 30x9.5 I think this is in my experience the best combo and when exhaust is due for replacement fit a 3inch systen as this reduces the heat build up around your footwell therefore resting your leg against the gearbox well it will no longer get hot. I changed to 15inch tyres and rims as there is a greater range available and in most occasions they are a lot cheaper I have just clocked 165000 klms and just another thing have your timing belt replaced at same time as valve set done it will save you a lot of labour cost and if you want you can fit a 130 amp alternator too, Hope this is of some help and if you want to know anymore or any questions please ask regards Alan WA.

You can get it from Toyota but they don't know it but problem there is cost I will slip down to shed and get back to you with details regards Alan.

Back Richard, Alternator supplied by Auto Electrics Australia , www.pinpoint.aea.com.au Part Number is 12v 130a Denso Hi Ace Alternator
ALT 9040G. This alternator is out of Hi Ace used for refrigeration units that run the 3lt diesel my sparky upgraded the power wire to batery due to power increase regards Alan.