What is the towing capacity of the Toyota LandCruiser 70?

A 40-year veteran of the new car market, the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 ute has seen more renovations than an inner-city terrace.

As part of a general upgrade last year that included a new frontal design and other detail improvements, the LandCruiser got a four-cylinder automatic powertrain option, the first official two-pedal model ever offered for the series. 

But just how much can the Cruiser tow and is it actually any good at it?

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JUMP AHEAD

• What you need to know about the Toyota LandCruiser 70
• How much can the Toyota LandCruiser 70 tow?
• How does it compare with its rivals?

Everything you need to know about 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 series

The LandCruiser 70 series is a commercial 4x4 ute, van and wagon range that has been the farmer’s and miner’s friend for 40 years.

With its 3500kg towing capacity, it has been a strong ally for heavy work trailer hauling as well as a promising hard-core off-roader that also serves as a large caravan or trailerboat tow vehicle for recreational users.

The Toyota LandCruiser 70 continues on in four body styles; LC78 TroopCarrier, LC76 four-door wagon and LC79 single- and double-cab tray backs.

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The V8 is in stop-sale while a two-year backlog of orders is filled, and Toyota has intimated that the V8 may not continue much beyond that.

There are nine variants in total, all available in four-cylinder auto and all except for 76 series Workmate Wagon available with the turbo-diesel V8 manual. It’s worth noting that the new 1GD 2.8-litre four-cylinder model is only available with a six-speed auto, while the V8 continues with a five-speed manual transmission only. Both powertrains employ part-time, dual-range 4x4 with rear diff lock.

At the time of writing, only the new four-cylinder was relatively freely available. The V8 is in stop-sale while a two-year backlog of orders is filled, and Toyota has intimated that the V8 may not continue much beyond that.

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The base LC76 Workmate is the cheapest vehicle in the range, starting at $75,600, while the LC79 double-cab GXL V8 tops the line-up at $87,600. The V8 costs $4100 more than the 4-cylinder auto in each model grade both are available.

Given its dated core architecture, it is surprising that Toyota has managed to include somewhat modern safety equipment in the 70 series.

The Toyota Safety Sense system in the LandCruiser 70 includes pre-collision with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane departure alert with steering assist (which activates individual brakes to guide the vehicle, not the hydraulic power steering) speed-sign recognition, auto high-beam, ABS, electronic stability and traction control, driver and front passenger airbags.

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There’s downhill assist control on auto models only, and only the four-cylinder auto wagon gets a reversing camera.

Air conditioning, cruise control and a snorkel are standard from Workmate models up, as is a 4.2-inch dash information display with digital speedometer, and a 6.7-inch infotainment screen with wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Workmate models have wind-up windows and vinyl-covered floors. The GXL has carpets, power windows and front and rear differential locks as standard. The diff locks can be had as an option on lower spec models.

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How much can the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser tow?

The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, can legally tow up to a maximum of 3500kg (braked), with up to 10 per cent (350kg) of that maximum on the towball.

The V8 turbo-diesel has been with us since 2007 and (except for some changes to gearing) this powertrain has not materially changed since. It offers reasonable towing fuel economy of around 15L/100km with a heavy trailer, and good low-speed lugging performance. Its hill-climbing ability is average at best.

Meanwhile, the 2.8 four-cylinder is much more at home towing, offering a good breadth of performance and is more relaxed when towing. The LandCruiser 70’s ride when towing is not the most cosseting, while stability is reasonable with a well-balanced trailer.

Fuel capacity (minimum 130 litres) and generous payload capacity (from 1380kg for single-cab-chassis to 1115kg for Troop Carrier) are other LandCruiser 70 series positives, allowing good load capacity while having a heavy towball download and also good towing range.

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How does this match up with competitors?

Given its various body options (wagon, single and dual-cab-chassis), live axle suspension front and rear and the more basic design and features, it’s very difficult to pinpoint a direct competitor to LandCruiser 70 series that can tow 3500kg.

There is really nothing else on the market like it anymore. The superceded GU Nissan Patrol, Mercedes-Benz G-Class ute and previous-generation Land Rover Defender were the most logical no-frills, basic bush capable alternatives.

Now the closest choice is the Ineos Grenadier, but much more expensive, starting at $109,000 plus ORCs for the two-seat Utility Wagon.

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The Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator are also quite similar to the 70 series, but are petrol only and do not have the towing capacity (up to only 2500kg).

Here we’re comparing wagon variants, as the Grenadier Quartermaster dual-cab ute is yet to arrive in Australia. The Grenadier is much heavier than the 70 series, but has more power and slightly more torque.

The 70 series has much higher fuel capacity, at 180 litres for the Troopcarrier and 130 litres for all other models, giving it a better towing range. The LandCruiser 76 has a much better payload than the Grenadier Utility Wagon, an impressive 1280kg versus 778kg.

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Want to know more about the Toyota LandCruiser 70? The stories below offer a guide on everything to do with the 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70.

All fresh stories will be found on our Toyota LandCruiser page.

2024 Toyota LandCruiser 70 series coverage

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