Is The Toyota LandCruiser The Best Towing Vehicle For Aussies? | Drive.com.au

[@3800TURBO]

Y62 for 85k can't be beat. No common rail diesel problems, no adblue. More cargo area. The v6 in the new cruisers are already failing. The minute you add a gvm upgrade Toyota want nothing to do with you.

[@Sabumnim666]

There is a more recent development concerning the LC300 where Toyota sent out an email to dealers concerning the oil usage, they are claiming using 1.7l per service interval is just dandy, that's a lot for 10000km also because the standard oil is so thin to try and meat the Euro 6 compliance there are more than just a few cases of main bearings getting chewed out. Still like the car but I opted out simply because of cost and the need to spend between $5500 and &7000+ gets to be out of a practical price range, then there are other add ons etc which I wanted.

[@rosewood1]

My 2014 Holden Colorado is rated to tow 3500 and it has a payload of 1050kg. So if your sensible and don't get too big a caravan so stay under the Max GCM of 6000kg you have a vehicle that uses significantly less fuel and it hasn't cost $140k. I bought mine new and it's been 100% reliable. The real question in my mind for your big lap is do you really need to haul so much weight the next 20,000 kilometres? So tools are essential a washing machine isn't an external barbeque isn't, water is essential, food essential but an annex isn't . My van has a tare of 2310 so plenty of spare capacity. cheers

[@Shambles7698]

Really Love the land cruiser because it's reliable and dependable machine👌

[@Drivecomau]

It certainly has an enviable reputuation, despite going to an all-new model with different powertrain. - Sam

[@grahamwhittaker8844]

It kind of makes you think that a Isuzu crewcab truck might not be such a bad option,cheaper,infinitely more reliable and possibly even more economical over the longer term and it wouldn’t require thousands in mods to make it worth owning. As for the bigger American,by the time you buy the bigger diesel versions you could have brought two. The biggest limitations I can think of off the top of my head is parking.

[@marcelogarcia5094]

Your comparing a truck to a Land Cruiser? Good luck enjoying the driver comfort 😅

[@roberttaylor3594]

A Question: I live in Canada and imported a 1995 HDJ81 from Japan. I cant find a towing receiver rated to the vehicles 3500kg capacity because we only had the gas Landcruiser, which could only tow 2500 kg. Surely there is a tow receiver I can buy for my Landcruiser rated for 7700lb or 3500kg? I figured an Australian would know...I just need one to 6600lbs, really. The trailers i am looking at and like are all coming in at around 6400-6600lbs, just outside of my capacity.

[@markward38]

Is that the standard Toyota LC 300 road hitch or the off road hitch your towing with there?

[@vialactea5549]

Would a GVM upgrade be necessary if you're planning to fully load up the vehicle with passengers and cargo?

[@peterj5751]

@@thelonewolf666 yes indeed. It is a scandal that all manufacturers can get away with this because none of these wagons can take passengers with a bit of luggage plus tow anything like their rated tow capacity at the same time. Not legally anyway.

[@paulbarry1044]

No mention there is no GVM upgrade for Defender,so towing the big weights could be an issue,same for rear axle ratings.

[@BusinessAustralian]

I have a GXL 300 and have yet to see or hear anything to tell me there was a better choice.

[@thelonewolf666]

a y62 for a start

[@3800TURBO]

And only 85k!​@@thelonewolf666

[@Chance_It_Oz]

A high quality GVM eg JMACX is more like $20-30k with suitably upgraded diff housing, wheels and tyres plus their trick suspension….

[@GR8Tmate]

@@thelonewolf666No, no you can’t. For $7k you get standard diff housings that have merely had the capacities RE-rated and you get other hardware which seems to be slightly less robust. When you drive the JMacx upgrade and compare it with some of the other brands, there is a noticeable difference……but each to their own.

[@naashuman5503]

LC300 all the way. That said, I have nothing against the Patrol thirsty V8 petrol aside. Defender 😂 you're funny. Reliability anxiety in the outback or anywhere else is always an issue.

[@GR8Tmate]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@thelonewolf666Why so rude? What are you towing with your V8 Petr Y62 to get the same consumption as the Tojo diesel? I’m smelling the sweet smell of BS😂 I have a close friend with a Y62, he’s towed my van and I his, there is not 1 example of where is Patrol doesn’t use more litres of fuel. I’m not biased to either brand but I suspect you are. Perhaps if you make education suggestions to others you might consider some lessons in reading the fuel guage yourself 😂

[@markward38]

I have a a VX and I’m not impressed with its towing performance . I tow a Crusader Excalibur Nobleman ATM2978 TBM 284 and I find the car wallowing and floating in front end. The caravan in turn sways sometimes uncontrolled . I’ve added Airbags and can’t seem to make a difference to the tow

[@garyjones980]

With the front of the caravan sitting higher than the rear it will throw the rear of the car around. Lower the front of the van and you will notice a better ride.

[@shreckm6470]

Lets see how that hot vee go's on a 45 degree day towing with a tail wind.

[@unna1996]

Put it on m7 manual mode up in port headland seem to be no issue running 295/70r17 half roof rack with awning towing 2780 kg leader caravan. No lock up kit or transmission cooler upgrade.

[@ethancradock3608]

What SUV’s tow more than 3.5? Other than the big American utes

[@marty232]

I think 79 series but then again they need to be upgraded to tow 4t

[@1ohtaf1]

Your calculation at 1:49 is wrong, the tow ball weight is part of the GVM and not the GCM. Total payload with a 3500 kg trailer and 350 kg tow ball weight is 300 kg, not 270 kg.

[@kentaylor2950]

So the answer to the title of this video is No, the 300 is not the best tow vehicle

[@karperiramriram8603]

King of SUV Toyota LC in the world... I love LC 300.. THANKS TO GIVE ME LC 300 GR ...

[@brianmaclennan561]

Pretty much listed all the reasons why it isn't the best car to tow... 😅

[@shotsfiredandmissed9068]

that music tho, that's Cloud9 hehehe

[@tempestv8]

How does the stability of the 300 Series when towing compare to the 200 Series? Is it a significant improvement from the previous generation?

[@Drivecomau]

I think it feels more stable. Dampers are located outboard of the chassis, it's lighter as well which helps. It's not a drastic improvement, but there is better body control as well. - Sam

[@tempestv8]

GR-S 300 Series is $155K driveaway these days in VIC, assuming dealer isn't trying to rip you off with a pre-registered "used" one.

[@Drivecomau]

Do you think it's worth it? -Sam

[@tempestv8]

@@Drivecomau Since I still owe the bank borrowed money for a house, I'd rather have a Ford Everest Platinum V6 and put the rest into the mortgage. 🙂 If I were debt free and travelling the far flung parts of Australia, I'd go the Toyota because of their reputation for reliability, but given I only have short holidays nearer to major regional areas, I can perhaps take the risk with a (cheaper) Ford. 😀

[@hellothere4342]

Sounds a bit sketcy towing something that weight almost as much as the tow vehicle. I'm one of those uncool bloke who tows with a Hino 4x4.

[@Drivecomau]

Uncool? I'm looking forward to buying a light truck one day - Sam

[@hellothere4342]

@Drivecomau if you do actual off-road and carrying decent amount of tools and equipments then it's the best business decisions I've made for a while. The Hino even has low range and I got dealer fitted single back wheels,locking rear diff and it's brilliant. If you got a truck licence you can get GVM upgrades done and it gets even better. Only real inconvenience is manual locking front hub. Anything more serious would be a Unimog which is like a mountain goat version of a truck. Utes are too compromised for payload and on roads ability.

[@scottcox8559]

If you want to pull a van in this class, you would be better buying a V6 Everest. You would be abel to purchase a Everest sport, plus all the upgrades you desire and still have change in your pocket compared to a 300.

[@Drivecomau]

Good point, but you'll still need to keep an eye on the GCM and leftover payload when towing. - Sam

[@nicholastoo858]

The GR has all three lockers.

[@user-vk4vd7vr5t]

Tow ball weight of this van is 195kg, not 250kg

[@Drivecomau]

Fair call, and to be honest I didn't measure it when unladen. -Sam

[@user-vk4vd7vr5t]

@@thelonewolf666 the specs for this van list it as 195. There is no “should” about it. Thats the problem with 4WDers and caravaners and the whole “she’ll be right” attitude.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

It seemed to take you forever to walk past the great length of that caravan.

[@Drivecomau]

It's not even the biggest one they do - Sam

[@simonhjc]

I had a 300. Hated it. Its not a 55/60/80/100 or even 200. Its a tinny light weight “prado”style vehicle. The single tailgate is rubbish the position of the fuel filter is nuts. I was a rusted on landcruiser guy. Still have ms world fj45… sold the 300 with 15,000k…. Toyota are taking the piss out of their customers

[@simonhjc]

Ps- ive had them all. The best wagon ever? 80 series factory turbo diesel. Best ute? 2006 70 with factory turbo. Everything else including my 5 v8 70s with the stupid track width issue is a nonsense. (And you can see my last line up in my profile)

[@anthony-1357]

So what would you recommend instead buddy? I’m considering the patrol

[@gilligans24]

I just sold mine. I did over 50,000km towing a 3.3t van. Hands down, the worst motor vehicle I have ever purchased. Gutless, safety features that, should automatically turn off while towing and don’t. The crap 10speed is not suitable at all for towing, I had to drive it in Manual mode the whole time pull safely. I’m sorry, this vehicle is a pile of shit. Best decision I made was to sell it. It’s only a matter of time before one of these vehicles kill somebody with it’s over corrective lane assist, and it will probably be, because an elderly person was driving, “forgot” to turn off the lane assist, they move over to miss a cyclist, and the lane assist will over correct so violently, the won’t be able to turn the wheel and hit the cyclist. My 4cyl twin turbo Amarok is 100% better than this. Crap car and waist of money. 0/10.

[@Drivecomau]

What kind of fuel economy were you seeing when towing? - Sam

[@gilligans24]

@@Drivecomauhi, about 24L/100 in automatic, 19L/100 in manual mode

[@rosewood1]

@@gilligans24 I like you utterly loath lane assist. Its shit in the country. It is not suitable or safe on Australian roads and these days you need to use cruise control and that will reactivate lane assist! It makes driving unpleasant. And I wont buy a vehicle with it.

[@mclongkock6678]

Better gearbox but not a better engine over the 200

[@wolftiedemann-jh8wg]

Too many faults. Oil burner and heating issue. Patrol tows so much better. 3.4 ton van at 17l/100 km is very good economy for a V8

[@bradleyroberts2412]

We have 4 kids and want to tow a 3800kg van. What's our options we need a 7 seater

[@thelonewolf666]

my y62 tows 3500kgs way better than the wifes lc300, way better

[@HenryCavillage]

How much money will cost you for trip with this vehicle? ton of money because you press benzine seclator a lot. tell me how many transmission gear does it have? ten as ford

[@Drivecomau]

The 300 Series is equipped with a 10-speed Aisin automatic - same gear count as the Ford/GM co-developed transmission, but not the same transmission.

[@newtonbrook]

Get a GM Sierra pickup instead.

[@marcelogarcia5094]

A land rover defender as an option 😂😂 Good luck getting home

[@tesla_models]

The defender 130 would easily trash this in towing

[@perpelle]

But doesn't arrive to it's destination.

[@alanmay7929]

In your dreams yeah!!

[@tesla_models]

@@alanmay7929 well atleast it's built safe unlike Toyota. You want a real Toyota that is the finest of all suv that's the sequoia I would consider. Its built safe tech and also has that 'TOYOTA RELIABILITY ' ON IT

[@tesla_models]

@@perpelle well atleast doesn't accerlate like Toyota in a dangerous manner

[@perpelle]

@@tesla_models sure thing pal.

[@AussieBronco]

I'll stick with the Diesel Jeep GC..

[@davidnecic3391]

Why Do Yours, Always Use top Spec, Why Not Middle instead.

[@Drivecomau]

If you'd like to see how the LandCruiser GXL hold up, we've crossed the Simpson Desert in one, and have a multi-part series available at www.drive.com.au/guides/toyota-landcruiser-simpson-desert-adventure/

[@davidjohnston7512]

I would caution against buying a 300 Landcruiser.They drink oil like there’s no tomorrow.They are also a “hot” V design.This means the intake and exhaust is opposite to the usual set up.There will be lots of second hand ones on the market soon…

[@mitchell5064]

so keen to work on these after they start coming out of warrenty.... not

[@alanmay7929]

Lol!!!!! Of course there are going to be issues with new motor which are quickly going to be solved

[@peterj5751]

The 200 had problems at first too. It seems Toyota always has problems with a new engine.

[@alanmay7929]

@@peterj5751 are you joking!!! Every manufacturers have problems with brand new engines lol!!! Nissan for example hasn't even tried to make a diesel engine or another engine for the patrol because they don't even have the money to do it!

[@treadlightly.australia3606]

​@@alanmay7929there's a new y63 coming out next year with a V6 Twin Turbo petrol you can't go past the V8 anyway in the Y62

[@FrankPromise-c8e]

Toyota land cruiser zx drink a lot of oil and gas ⛽⛽⛽😅😅😅😅😊😊😊

[@typhoon420]

nope / time to get big american utes not anymore landcruiser but tundra is great with hybrid tec

[@beaviccoon470]

Ye but the payload is lower than the Toyota hilux

[@alanmay7929]

Hybrid vehicles doesn't tow much

[@Drivecomau]

I'm really interested to see how the Tundra and F-150 go in Australia, along with the Ram and Chev. - Sam

[@typhoon420]

@@Drivecomau the ram sold more than they expected cuz there was no other option on the market but now new era of Utes. For me the Ford 150/250/350 is king 👑

[@tesla_models]

@@typhoon420 yes f150 the king of trucks remember

[@Den-pu6re]

So you spend $150k and then need a GVM upgrade to tow your 3t caravan. That’s crazy, you can’t put any accessories on it or you will be over GVM once you have hitched up your van. Well done Toyota, you have let us down again

[@wax333]

Either that or you move into class 2 license category

[@wax333]

Aka truck license

[@user-vk4vd7vr5t]

And that “GVM upgrade” doesnt take into consideration a whole host of mechanics that Toyota went to the trouble of calculating. Specifically yaw-moment stress in the chassis in severe situations like crossing washouts. Why do you see so many banana’d utes these days? GVM upgrades and too high towing mass on a vehicle not designed for it

[@sbGOM]

How does it affect warranty? Absolutely no fan of overgrown American pick-ups, but for the specific purpose of towing a fully loaded 2.5plus tonne caravan, they certainly make more sense than this! But heh...their not Toyotas are they.

[@Chance_It_Oz]

Warranty is voided - good luck with Toyota on ANY future issues…