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Land cruiser towing capacity: If you say the word “Land Cruiser” to nearly everyone, their minds immediately bring up images of off-roading and Overlanding on one of the best powerful and durable sports-utility vehicles ever.
When you mention the 2021 Land Cruiser’s 8,100-pound towing capacity and you’ll receive an uneasy look and “really, it’ll pull that much?” kind of question.
Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series towing capacity by the numbers
Although the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series twin-turbo V6 offers a wide range of improvements, vehicle payload when towing at maximum capacity is not as impressive as many may have hoped.
Drive found those vehicle payload improvements when towing at a maximum of 3500kg are possible despite significant weight-saving measures like aluminum panels and lightweight, high-strength metals.
Depending on which model variant you choose, the vehicle payload at full capacity on the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series increases between 40kg and the previous 200 Series V8 (to 300kg and 435kg including the driver and passengers)
2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Towing Capacity
The new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series also has a 3500kg braked towing weight. The unbraked towing weight remains at 750kg.
One important, but small detail has been changed in the LandCruiser’s Gross Combination Mass (GCM), 6750kg is not the sum of the braked-towing capacity (3500kg), and gross vehicle mass (3280kg).
Toyota Land Cruiser Engine Spaces
In addition to its robust and strong body structure, The impressive towing abilities of this Land Cruiser can be credited to the power of its 5.7-liter DOHC V8 engine.
Coupled with an eight-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission, it produces 381 horsepower and 154.75 kg of torque.
Additionally, the Land Cruiser enables you to go off the beaten route with ease thanks to its 4WD system that is fully timed including Hill-start Assist Control CRAWL Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Multi-Terrain Monitoring.
Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
| Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series V6 turbo diesel | GX | GXL | VX | Sahara | Sahara ZX | GR Sport |
| Gross Combination Mass | 6750kg | 6750kg | 6750kg | 6750kg | 6750kg | 6750kg |
| Gross Vehicle Mass | 3280kg | 3280kg | 3280kg | 3280kg | 3280kg | 3280kg |
| Kerb weight | 2495kg | 2580kg | 2630kg | 2630kg | 2610kg | 2630kg |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg |
| Maximum unbraked towing capacity | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg |
| Maximum recommended weight on the tow ball | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg |
| Maximum vehicle payload when not towing | 785kg | 700kg | 650kg | 650kg | 670kg | 650kg |
| Maximum vehicle payload when towing 3500kg | 435kg | 350kg | 300kg | 300kg | 320kg | 300kg |
This means that when towing a maximum of 3500kg, and when you add the 350kg tow ball downforce, the payload can be reduced to as low as 300kg in certain specifications (see data above and our methodology).
This number can be difficult to calculate because of the many weight restrictions that must be adhered to in order for one’s legal status.
The Gross Combination Mass, which is the combined weight of the vehicle/trailer, cannot exceed 6750kg. However, the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), of the tow truck must not exceed 3280kg.
We have done the same calculations as for a Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series to show you how each variant compares.
Many people make the common error of calculating the payload available based only on the Gross Combination Mass.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series
| Toyota Land Cruiser V8 turbo diesel | GX | GXL | VX | Sahara |
| Gross Combination Mass | 6850kg | 6850kg | 6850kg | 6850kg |
| Gross Vehicle Mass | 3350kg | 3350kg | 3350kg | 3350kg |
| Kerb weight | 2640kg | 2740kg | 2740kg | 2740kg |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Maximum braked towing capacity | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg | 3500kg |
| Maximum unbraked towing capacity | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg | 750kg |
| Maximum recommended weight on the tow ball | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg | 350kg |
| Maximum vehicle payload when not towing | 710kg | 610kg | 610kg | 610kg |
| Maximum vehicle payload when towing 3500kg | 360kg | 260kg | 260kg | 260kg |
Land Cruiser Couplings and Hitch Systems
This Lovells Haul Ace MK2 all Terrain Couplings is now the replacement for the first BTC coupling, which was provided through Yann Engineering (Hitch Ezy).
They are available in 3500kg or 5500kg. Lovells Haul Ace All Terrain Couplings are 100% Australian produced at the Lovells Newcastle NSW Factory and come with the following specifications.
- High Strength, hard-wearing, and durable Duplex stainless steel for construction
- Built to last for an entirely long time of towing
- Aero Design ergonomic Handbrake is made of 100% stainless steel.
- Easy to connect and unhook easily, even when the ground is uneven.
- Simple to use. One person is hitching.
- Anti-theft Head Locking Mechanism “The Vault’.
- It is not necessary to use tools to unhitch or hitch.
- Automatically locking the hitch feature.
- Low maintenance and completely free of dirt and dust.
- Created for offroad hardcore use or use on highways.
- Two variants are Lovells Australian-Made adjustable height drop shanks, as well as tongue assemblies.
- Optional 600lb or 1200lb Weight Distribution System.
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Towing Payload Accessories Analysis
Land cruiser towing capacity FAQS
What weight can a Toyota Land Cruiser tow?
The 2021 Toyota Landcruiser can tow up to 3500kg. This is a braked figure. The maximum vehicle load without trailer brakes is 750kg if the vehicle is rated to tow this much.
Is Land Cruiser good for towing?
Toyota has updated the Land Cruiser but it is still an inefficient tow vehicle despite better fuel economy and emissions. 332 lb-ft torque is available from the 2.8-liter engine, which would seem to be sufficient for decent performance.
Can a Land Cruiser tow a caravan?
The payload limit is a problem. You can legally tow a trailer or caravan up to 3350kg when the car is fully loaded.
What happens if I tow more than capacity?
Towing limits should never be exceeded. Towing more than your vehicle can cause damage to your engine and transmission, increase brake wear, and even cause your chassis to warp. This could cause serious injury or property damage, and can also lead to a catastrophic failure of the vehicle.
Final Thoughts
Toyota discontinuing production of the Land Cruiser in the United States is a shame. There is a subtitle appeal to sexuality to the Land Cruiser, an appeal that fits the stereotype of a weekend adventurer, which people want, and some have. But, Americans have decided that the price they pay is more than $50,000, they want “luxury” to be a word that means more than just longevity. They want “luxury” to mean something that is more than powerful and advanced technology. This is why they want Land Cruiser to sell just the smallest amount of units each year. This is not enough to force a company to make decisions based on data instead of feelings.
For more information visit their official website at
