Toyota's latest release Prado is now out in both a 3 and 5 Door.

BACK TO PRODUCTS PAGE........................BACK TO HOME PAGE

Toyota, Toyota Prado, 2010 Prado, New Prado, 3 door Prado, ZR Prado, Towing with the new Prado, Toyota Kakadu Prado, Prado ZR, Prado VX, Prado GXL, Prado VX, New 2010 Toyota Prado, Test Tow with new Prado, Towing with Prado, Prado Tow test, Toyota Australia, Prado GX GXL VX KAKADU, 3t Towing, 3000kg towing Prado, Kedron Caravans, Gall Boys, The Gall Boys, GallBoys,
Off Road Caravans, Off Road, 4WD, 4WD Towing, Toyota Towing Kedron Caravan, Kedron Boys, Kedron, 4wd Caravans, offroad caravans, remote towing caravans, caravan, all terrain caravans, ATV, ATV2, TopEnder, Cross Country, buying a 4WD, Goodyear tyres, 4wd Tyres, 4wd Tires, Goodyear tires, Off Road adventures

4X4 Magazine interview:
First up: how did you get hold of a Prado so early?
We have been working a little more with Toyota lately, and had an opportunity and invitation to view their ‘road show’ release for dealers
and fleet at a 4WD park past Beaudesert south of Brisbane, where we got to view and get behind the wheel of the varied model 3 and 5 doors
in differing terrains, including some very steep rutted inclines.

It was the following day that we also headed a few hours north of Brisbane to meet at LandCruiser 4WD Park where we were able to hitch up
a van weighing a little over 2000kgs, and see how the vehicle performed towing off road also.
Before we had any association we have been a Toyota family for as long as I can remember,
and Dad’s been in the caravan / towing industry now for over 47 years.

It’s been over about the past 4 of 10 years filming remote DVD adventures, that, although we’ve always used Toyota
and had a great extended relationship with Sci-Fleet, our local dealer, that we met and steadily worked
a little more together with support from Toyota and Genuine Accessories.

I guess for the new Prado, it made sense that to get a feel for towing, and see the vehicle’s ability in a controlled environment,
that we’d be able to offer the appropriate weighted van and assistance where we could for it.

Besides that, we’re just after a quick drive impression – how it handles without van and with van.
Truly were taken back with the ‘crawl’ feature’s ability in the models that had it. To be able to have the vehicle work itself, (other than the steering of the vehicle of course), up some pretty serious terrain, was very impressive.
Guess it means to a driver, of differing experience, that they will be able to have the ability now if need be, at the push of a button, to have the vehicle do all the thinking for the best power to which wheel for traction, to get through areas normally thought very difficult to attempt.

With the van on, the vehicle was very stable on the tow. Especially with the KDSS models, which seem to have a feel of lower centre of gravity, and the suspension seems to work more for a cushioned stability feel on the road too.

Did you have any chance to check specs, etc?
We did get a run through on some of the specs, and have a following link for vehicle for their release, so I can’t get things mixed up!
http://www.toyota.com.au/prado/

What model did you have?
We got to get behind the wheel of ‘ZR’ 3 door and the ‘GXL’ & ‘Kakadu’ 5 doors, and towed with the Kakadu 5 door.

How did the suspension go off-road?
The suspension felt smooth and stable in the both on and off road. Very capable in the off road hill conditions also.
We just done a run with the 200 series towing from the Kimberley down the Canning Stock Route, and the Prado’s feel was very similar.

Your own impressions of the vehicle and how it performed and how suited it will be for new buyers in regards to touring capacity.
This would have to be Toyota’s most eagerly awaited model release since the LC200, and they’ve obviously done some very extensive research and developments for it. Actually had six of the Toyota Japan folk who were out some years ago call through with Toyota Australia’s Ian Linton on their visit, which was unexpected, as we thought, and had a bit of a joke with them at the time that their wheel nut factory would even shadow ours, but was great to have had the opportunity to meet with them, and be able to offer what we could for feedback for it from our 4WD, towing and the extended touring perspective.
It was obvious back then at the lengths they were going to for research in as many different areas as possible.
They definitely seem to have created a very successful blend of their ‘Rugged Elegance’ slogan, as after getting in and driving it, they’re very well appointed for those wanting the creature comforts around town, while the vehicle will be still at home for the long distance tourer towing a van
and the 4WD enthusiast heading up the beach or out bush.

The new 3-Door (ZR model shown) - 3 tonne braked tow capacity



The 5-door (Kakadu model shown) 2.5 braked towing capacity

Dave spent the day putting the new model through it's paces at Landcruiser Park.

Discussing our thoughts on the new Prado's towing ability off-road with Creek to Coast's Dean Miller.

The new style Genuine Accessory exposed towbar.
2500kg tow capacity for the 5-doors and 3000kg for the 3 doors.

In certain models, cameras show dash monitor views of the front - rear and side, and a 220v outlet resides in the rear cabin.

Thanks to Sean Hanley, Simon Clarke, Steve and Paul Connelly from Toyota,
and the Boys from Channel 7's 'Creek to Coast' for a great day testing and filming the new vehicle at Landcruiser Mountain Park.


Click to link to Toyota website for further info.

BACK TO PRODUCTS PAGE........................BACK TO HOME PAGE

(Pics Simon Clarke, Glen Gall and Scott Seymour)