AU towing capacity / Large 4WD wagon

Toyota LandCruiser Prado Towing Capacity (Australia)

Recent LandCruiser Prado configurations are rated up to 3,500 kg braked. The table below breaks down towing capacity, GVM, GCM and ball limit by year and variant, because in Australia the headline number is only one of four limits that must all hold.

Toyota LandCruiser Prado tow ratings by year (kg)

YearsVariantBrakedUnbrakedGVMGCMBall max
2024-2026 250 Series: 2.8 diesel 48V (GX-Kakadu) 3,500 750 3,150 6,600 350
2017-2024 150 Series (facelift): 2.8 diesel automatic 3,000 750 2,990 5,990 300
2009-2017 150 Series (pre-facelift): 3.0/2.8 diesel & 4.0 V6 petrol 2,500 750 2,990 5,490 250

Notes by range

2024-2026: GVM 3,100 (GX) to 3,200 (Kakadu). At 3,500 kg of trailer and 350 kg on the ball, payload shrinks to roughly 255-265 kg.

2017-2024: The Nov 2017 facelift lifted the auto to 3,000 kg via cooling upgrades. Manuals stayed at 2,500 kg.

2009-2017: All pre-facelift 150s are rated 2,500 kg with a 250 kg ball limit, confirmed by model-specific towbar certifications.

The GCM catch on the current model

At the full 3,500 kg tow, the GCM of 6,600 kg allows the loaded vehicle (including ball weight) to weigh at most 3,100 kg. That is 50 kg below its GVM: weight you must leave out of the vehicle to stay legal while towing the maximum.

Ratings vary by engine, transmission, body and build date, and some require genuine tow kits or a brake controller. Treat these as accurate ranges and confirm your exact vehicle's plate, owner's manual or VIN-specific documentation before towing. Check your combination in the caravan towing calculator.

How to read Australian tow ratings

Four numbers govern every legal combination: the braked rating caps the trailer's ATM, the ball limit caps static download on the tow ball, the GVM caps the loaded vehicle (ball weight included), and the GCM caps vehicle and trailer together. Manufacturers advertise the first number; roadworthiness, insurance and the weighbridge care about all four.

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota LandCruiser Prado tows the most?

The 250 Series (2024 on) at 3,500 kg braked. Older 150s are rated 3,000 kg at best (post-2017 automatics) and just 2,500 kg before that, a common surprise for caravan buyers shopping used Prados.

Can a Toyota LandCruiser Prado legally tow a 3,500 kg caravan?

Recent configurations are rated to 3,500 kg braked, so yes on paper. In practice the caravan's ATM, the 350 kg ball limit and the 6,600 kg GCM all have to check out at once. Run your exact numbers through our caravan towing calculator before committing.

Is the braked rating the same as what I can actually hook up?

Not quite. The trailer's ATM (its maximum loaded mass) must stay under the braked rating, the ball weight must stay under the ball limit, and the loaded vehicle plus loaded trailer must stay under GCM. Any one of the three can be the binding constraint.

Compare with

Ford Ranger

Up to 3,500 kg braked

Toyota HiLux

Up to 3,500 kg braked

Toyota LandCruiser 300 (& 200)

Up to 3,500 kg braked

Caravan towing calculator

Check your car + caravan combination against all four legal limits.