Yes, you can upgrade a Hilux’s towing capacity with upgrades to your suspension, brakes, and more.

After two decades in the 4WD modification and servicing industry, I’ve found that towing upgrades don’t get the attention they should.

If you regularly tow heavy loads and want to make sure your Hilux is equipped for the task, I put together this guide to explain why towing upgrades are crucial and ways to upgrade a Hilux’s towing capacity.

Quick Summary:

There are several ways to effectively and safely upgrade a Hilux’s towing capacity
Suspension upgrades are one of the most effective ways to safely increase a vehicle’s towing capacity
Exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity is dangerous and can result in brake issues, transmission damage, tyre damage, suspension system damage, and accidents
The braking system, engine size, payload, suspension system, and hitch class all affect towing capacity
Trailer brakes are required for towing loads over 750 kg
Investing in Hilux upgrades and suspension system upgrades can result in a smoother, safer, easier towing experience

What Is the Towing Capacity of a Hilux?

A vehicle’s maximum towing capacity can usually be found in the owner’s manual. It is crucial to adhere to the vehicle manufacturer’s towing capacity.

According to Toyota, the newer Hilux models support a towing capacity up to 3500 kg. Keep in mind that this is a braked figure. The maximum load that any vehicle can pull without trailer brakes is 750 kg.

Whether you are towing with your Toyota HiLux or any other 4WD, SUV, or vehicle, always double check the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s specifications. Never exceed the legal or maximum towing weight limits.

How to Increase Towing Capacity: 5 Upgrades To Consider

Here are 5 ways to increase a Hilux’s towing capacity:

1. Upgrade the Suspension System

Suspension upgrades are one of the most effective and safest ways to increase towing capacity.

Suspension system upgrades involve adding stiffer springs and heavy-duty shock absorbers to enable your Hilux to safely tow heavier loads.

Benefits of a suspension system upgrade for towing include:

Improved steering control when towing heavy loads
Less strain on the axles
Less strain on suspension components, such as shocks
Provide a smoother overall ride, especially on uneven surfaces
Reduced trailer sway and sag
Improved stability

2. Upgrade the Braking System

Even if your vehicle can pull a higher weight, it does not guarantee the brakes are strong enough to stop it. Many vehicles are capable of towing a higher weight than the brakes are capable of stopping safely. This can damage the braking system or lead to accidents.

Brake upgrades are one of the most important considerations if you are increasing your Hilux’s towing capacity.

3. Upgrade to a Larger Radiator

A larger radiator is important to help prevent overheating when towing heavy loads. I incorporate this upgrade as part of a suspension system overhaul to ensure all aspects of towing are considered.

4. Replace the Axles

Axles carry a good portion of the tow weight. Replacing the axles with a heavy-duty, high performance option can help increase towing capacity.

5. Use a Programmer

A transmission tuner can modify certain settings of a vehicle, such as torque or horsepower. By increasing horsepower, you may be able to increase your vehicle’s towing capacity.

You May Also Like: Do I Need a Suspension Upgrade to Tow a Caravan?

Factors Affecting Towing Capacity

A wide range of factors affect towing capacity, including:

Suspension — A vehicle’s suspension is one of the biggest factors affecting towing capacity. A good suspension system will carry the weight of the vehicle and compensate for extra tow weight without affecting performance.

Brakes — A quality brake system is one of the most important aspects of safe towing. The brakes must be able to quickly and safely stop both the vehicle and your trailer. For trailers over 750 kg, a braking system is important for safety and to reduce wear and tear on the brakes.

Payload — The payload is the maximum amount of weight that can be safely added to a tow vehicle’s cabin or cargo area. This includes people, tools, and cargo. such as tools, people, and cargo.

Curb Weight — Curb weight is how much your vehicle weighs empty. A vehicle needs enough weight to counteract the momentum of a loaded trailer. Generally, the heavier the vehicle, the higher the towing capacity.

Engine Size — A vehicle’s engine size affects the amount of weight it can pull and overall towing performance.

Weight Distribution — Overloading one area of your trailer can lead to uneven weight distribution. This can reduce steering control and cause swaying. Always make sure towing weight is evenly distributed between the vehicle’s front and rear axles.

Axle Ratio — If your vehicle has a higher axle ratio, the extra torque delivered to the wheels will increase towing power.

Hitch Class — Each hitch class corresponds to certain weight ranges and cargo types. Always check to ensure your trailer hitch is appropriately rated for how much weight you are towing. The same goes for the tow ball and tow ball weight..

Tongue Weight — If there isn’t enough tongue weight, you’ll likely notice increased swaying and less control when driving.

What Happens If You Tow More Than the Capacity of Your Vehicle?

Exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity is dangerous and can cause significant damage to your trailer and vehicle. It also puts you and other road users at risk of an accident.

I’ve seen firsthand how damaging exceeding towing capacity can be. One customer came in a couple of years ago, I’ll call him John, and he was noticing uneven tyre wear and steering difficulties with his Land Cruiser.

I noticed right away the alignment was off and the shocks and struts were almost completely worn out. I asked him about his driving habits and was able to pinpoint the issue right away — he had been towing his massive boat regularly.

The Land Cruiser has excellent towing capabilities but the boat John was pulling was 300 kg over his cruiser’s towing capacity.

Towing this much weight strained his Land Cruiser to the max and damaged the suspension system. This caused significant alignment issues, explaining why he had noticed difficulty steering and uneven tyre wear.

I fixed the alignment, replaced the shocks and strut, and upgraded the suspension system to meet John’s towing needs safely. I also upgraded the brake system and installed a larger radiator. This was a far costlier visit than if the suspension system had been properly equipped for his towing needs straightaway.

Here are the serious risks of towing more than your vehicle’s capacity:

Transmission Damage — Towing too heavy of a load places immense strain on the transmission, putting it at risk of overheating, seizing up, and sustaining costly damage.

Tyre Damage — As with John’s example, towing too heavy of a load can affect alignment and lead to uneven wear and tear on the tyres. This can weaken tyres, leaving them at risk of damage, blow outs, or overheating.

Braking Issues — I find this to be one of the scarier risks of towing too much: brake issues. When you haul a trailer that is loaded beyond your vehicle’s towing capacity, the brakes are forced to work significantly harder. This can cause overheating and brake failure.

Poor Handling — Driving performance can be negatively affected when towing too much. Maneuverability decreases, making turning and overall handling way harder than it needs to be.

Decreased Steering Ability — Towing too much can decrease your steering ability, increasing your risk of losing control of your vehicle.

Voided Warranty Coverage — Towing beyond your vehicle’s limit can void your warranty and leave you responsible for pricey repairs.

Warped Chassis — Exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity can warp the chassis.

Voided Insurance Coverage — Insurance coverage may be voided if you exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity.

Upgrade Your Hilux’s Towing Capacity With the Experts

It is possible to upgrade a Hilux’s towing capacity and at Elite Tune it is one of my favourite upgrades to do. Having a vehicle that can safely meet your towing needs is crucial for safety, which is why we offer a range of Hilux upgrades to meet your towing needs.

We can safely increase your towing capacity with a variety of suspension upgrades and Hilux upgrades, promoting better stability, smoother handliner, and reduced risk of overloading — all while meeting your towing needs.

Contact our team to enquire about your Hilux or book an appointment to find out which towing or suspension upgrades are suitable for your driving preferences and needs.