[Degnol]

Hope by putting "FJ40" in the title my post can stay here...heh.
I want to go to BHCC, but the thought of driving 700+ miles(each way) in the 40does not thrill me. I want to tow it with the FJC, but max towing capacity is 5K, so with a car hauler trailer and the '40, I'm there or over. Poser suggested a tow dolly. I went to a place to look at them and there are kinds with a pivoting platform and kinds with a rigid platform and another with tow wheels that turn, like a front axle.
Who knows the skinny on tow dollys?

Ed

[apeterson]

I used the kind with a piviot front wheels to haul mine home from Matt's (my parents have one for pulling behind their motor home)... Pulled it with my Tundra... was no problem... one thing about them if you have the piviot they are really hard to back up if you have a car on them.. if they have no car on them their is a pin that goes in so the wheels stay straight... dont forget to take the pin out if a car is on... ask my brother what happens if you dont

[splitshot]

Does anyone use tow bars anymore? I've used one from time to time when my 40 broke and I needed to get it home..

[72cruiser]

i would go for a tow bar over a tow dolly personally.

the dolly handles turns a little bit better, but is near impossible to back up.
if you have a 40 that drives straight and handles decently well (which i'm sure yours does), i don't think that a tow bar is going to be a problem as long as you take care when turning at slow speeds (parking lots, at intersections).

the first 40 i used a towbar with was a crappy parts rig w/ really sloppy/dangerous steering. it was a pain and caused some wandering on the road, but made the 4 hour drive home.

i was hesitant to pull the next 40, but as it used to be my DD, the steering was nice and tight. i barely noticed i had anything behind me...didn't even scrub the tires when i turned at slow speeds.


i picked up my towbar at pepboys for 120 bucks and it went together easy and was quality built, i highly recommend it.


malphrus

[72cruiser]

oh, i just reread your post...sorry about the info on towbars...duh.


the tow dolly i used was one that had a pivoting platform. it worked well except for the fact that it was downright impossible to backup with the cruiser on it. i guess the sticker on the fender of the tow dolly that said "WARNING: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BACK UP WITH TOW DOLLY ATTACHED!" was right, ha ha.

[apeterson]

hahha!!! once my dad backed into a police car when he "thought" he could back it up... I laughed... cop was not too happy... but he laughed after a few minutes..

[Degnol]

I guess it has to have either the pivoting platform or the "steerable" wheels on the dolly. I have a tow bar, but thought it would be better to use a tow dolly for some reason, because of the distance.

For those who do use a towbar for long distance hauling....do you remove the front driveshaft, or can you just unlock the hubs and put the T/TC in neutral. I was planning to remove the rear whether I used the dolly or the towbar.


Ed

[72cruiser]

Originally Posted by Degnol

For those who do use a towbar for long distance hauling....do you remove the front driveshaft, or can you just unlock the hubs and put the T/TC in neutral. I was planning to remove the rear whether I used the dolly or the towbar.


Ed

i pulled both the last time i towed mine, but that was more because i was disassembling the cruiser anyways. you'd probably be okay with unlockin the hubs and runnin everything in neutral.

[JasonH]

Dollys seem much more stable than flat towing. Plus you can get dollys with brakes.

[Degnol]

I think at highway speeds, the dolly is what I'm going with. It will be a beg, borrow or steal kinda thing so brakes my not be an option. Besides, the FJC is not wired for brakes. I does however have killer brakes as it is. I probably won't go over 65 at best.


Thanks all,

Ed

[shotgun]

Food for thought check this out www.blueox.com

[sonnydaze]

ed i broke the nose cone on transfercase about 9 years ago from my 40s transfer case popin into gear on a tow dolly,now i allways pull the front driveshaft bolts.

[apeterson]

get a dolly... take off the rear drive shaft and be done... post up picks of it with that FJC... I do like those things not matter what others say!!!

[Degnol]

Sonny, if the lockouts are unlocked and the rear driveshaft is out, how can you break a nosecone? I'm not arguing, just need some info. I'd like to keep the front shaft on to drive it on and off the dolly.

Aaron, the FJC......Poser hates them, too. It is my DD, replacing an '03 2500 'Burb. Car payment went down $250, insurance dropped about 20% and mpg almost doubled(20+ mpg). It was a good decision for me. It is a ball to drive, rides great, shitty visibility, pedestrian(compared to the 'burb), but comfortable interior, and runs like a scalded dog. I get about 14mpg in the FJ40 and expect about the same in the FJC towing the FJ40......in airconditioned comfort...........mit music.

I'll do some trial runs with the '40 on the dolly and see what it is like.


Ed

[Richard R]

Towed my 40 from Mpls to the Black hills last year.
Took out the rear drive shaft but used the front wheels to load and unload. I borrowed the one with steerable wheels. liked it so mutch I bought it and sold my trailer.

Dick.

[Degnol]

Originally Posted by Richard R

Towed my 40 from Mpls to the Black hills last year.
Took out the rear drive shaft but used the front wheels to load and unload. I borrowed the one with steerable wheels. liked it so mutch I bought it and sold my trailer.

Dick.

Good to know. I have a patient that has a rental outfit and I can have either the one with the steerable wheels or one with the pivoting platform. I figure I will service the wheel bearings and grease it as thanks for a 10 day rental

I have absolutely no experience with tow dollies......toe dollies? yes


Ed

[sonnydaze]

ed,all i ment was take one driveshaft loose so if transfer case pop in gear it doesnt mess something up.
ed did you get my email about the brakes?

[Degnol]

I guess I didn't pay attention, but do the "steerable" wheels on the dolly follow the tongue? I mean are they steered by the tongue like a farm wagon?

Ed

[Degnol]

Originally Posted by sonnydaze

ed did you get my email about the brakes?

Nope. Send again. How's the adapter?


Ed

[sonnydaze]

ed i did not see were you where taking out rear drive shaft.that should work great