Hi, looking for advise please. We have just purchased a new camper trailer and are looking at upgrading the tow vehicle. Looking at the Holden Colorado 7/trailblazer wagon or Toyota fortuner/prado. Trailer is 2000kg fully loaded and we do a lot of beach driving more than bush driving. Would like information / opinions on which vehicle you would recommend. It will also be my everyday vehicle so want something with a good fuel economy - thinking diesel instead of petrol.
Thanking you in advance for your ideas. Debbie
Colorado vs Fortuner/Prado
Moderators: krp102, Coxy68, robcaz
Re: Colorado vs Fortuner/Prado
Hi Debbie,
When choosing a vehicle that will be used for towing heavy loads, it is a good idea to consider the vehicles load carrying capacity. The vehicles maximum ball weight is included in the load carrying capacity figures.
As a general rule of thumb a fully loaded trailers ball weight should be around 10% to 15%. This gives a safety net and some room for error, particularly when it comes to a camper trailer with weight shifting quantities. These weights can vary greatly, either forward or to the rear of the axle, as jerry cans of fuel and water are used, the water tank is emptied, firewood unloaded or food is consumed.
Looking at your circumstances with a camper trailer weighing 2000kg loaded, the ball weight could be between 200kg to 300kg depending on the make, model & how it is packed.
Let's just say the Colorado has a load carrying capacity of 620kg & a maximum towball capacity of 300kg. If you have a ball weight of 250kg that leaves you 370kg for everything else you put in the vehicle, including people, fuel, luggage, fridge recovery gear & any accessories you add such as bulbar and/or winch, roofrack, rear draws etc.
A little more on weights can be found in tech tips http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm
When choosing a vehicle that will be used for towing heavy loads, it is a good idea to consider the vehicles load carrying capacity. The vehicles maximum ball weight is included in the load carrying capacity figures.
As a general rule of thumb a fully loaded trailers ball weight should be around 10% to 15%. This gives a safety net and some room for error, particularly when it comes to a camper trailer with weight shifting quantities. These weights can vary greatly, either forward or to the rear of the axle, as jerry cans of fuel and water are used, the water tank is emptied, firewood unloaded or food is consumed.
Looking at your circumstances with a camper trailer weighing 2000kg loaded, the ball weight could be between 200kg to 300kg depending on the make, model & how it is packed.
Let's just say the Colorado has a load carrying capacity of 620kg & a maximum towball capacity of 300kg. If you have a ball weight of 250kg that leaves you 370kg for everything else you put in the vehicle, including people, fuel, luggage, fridge recovery gear & any accessories you add such as bulbar and/or winch, roofrack, rear draws etc.
A little more on weights can be found in tech tips http://www.campertrailers.org/balancing_act.htm
happy camping
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year
Rob & Carol
Australian CamperTrailers Group co-owner
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year