Towing Question (not answered yet)

addicted56 · 07-23-08, 04:03 PM

I have done a pretty good search and found a lot of good reading.

Is there a way to BEEF up the stock tow hitch. I know of air bags and sway bar devices which are AMAZING. But to me it sounds like the engine is the limiting factor in the towing rating?

Is that the case or is it the combination of brakes, frame structure, wieght of pulling vehicle, and the hitch itself.

Looking at replacing my F-250 with a diesel powered 80. I use my truck a lot but if I could replace it with this 80 I think I would be happy with the dual purpose rig.

What are your thoughts?

PS for those asking I don't have anything specific but I have towed some heavy stuff before.

I hauled this 180 miles and my truck pulled it at 60 but with a little work and thank god for trailer brakes..they were maxed out on my truck and the trailer. But I usually pull something a lot smaller.

cruiserdan · 07-23-08, 04:17 PM

The towing capacity of the 80 is 5,000 lbs, dead-weight only, no load leveling.

I would not attempt to exceed that, it will be difficult to get it rolling and even harder to stop.

addicted56 · 07-23-08, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

The towing capacity of the 80 is 5,000 lbs, dead-weight only, no load leveling.

I would not attempt to exceed that, it will be difficult to get it rolling and even harder to stop.

But as far as rolling I think if geared correctly and with a cummins 6 cylinder diesel it would do well as far as power. They put them in 1 ton trucks and they do fine.

As far as brakes I would make sure if I'm pulling anything heavy the trailer brakes were more than substantial and I was wondering if there were larger rotors and calipers available for the 80 aftermarket.

cruiserdan · 07-23-08, 04:36 PM

I am not aware of any larger aftermarket brakes.

Based on my ~15 year towing experience with an 80 I would not want to pull anything larger than the factory rating. I keep my Dodge/Cummins around for that job.

Romer · 07-23-08, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted56

But as far as rolling I think if geared correctly and with a cummins 6 cylinder diesel it would do well as far as power. They put them in 1 ton trucks and they do fine.

As far as brakes I would make sure if I'm pulling anything heavy the trailer brakes were more than substantial and I was wondering if there were larger rotors and calipers available for the 80 aftermarket.

No one has ever tried this as it far exceeds what a factory 80 can do. Your talking changing the motor, brakes etc and that puts you into uncharted territory.

I personnaly don't think its worth all that work to make an 80 a tow vehicle. For the priiice of the engine swap alone you can buy a reliable tow vehicle.

addicted56 · 07-23-08, 07:46 PM

I'm not looking at doing it myself. Someone has already done it and I'm just looking at purchasing it. I'm just wondering what I could really do with it. It would meet my 99% needs and I could always borrow a freinds truck if I really needed it I guess I just wonder of the possiblities. I see that someone in other threads had towed over 6K and it sounded like the only real problem was the power from the engine.

cruiserdan · 07-23-08, 08:25 PM

Stopping it is the issue, as well as controlling a trailer that weighs more than the tow vehicle (with a fairly short wheelbase to boot ).

cruiserdan · 07-23-08, 08:31 PM

I am not intending to pile on here but there is another, what I believe to be, important consideration.

In the unfortunate event that you were involved in an accident towing a trailer heavier than the manufacturer's stated capacity there is a chance that your insurance carrier would decline to cover the loss, in addition to anything an ambulance-chasing attorney may think that he/she can get outta you as a result of your "negligent act".

NorCalDoug · 07-23-08, 10:24 PM

the cruiser can tow quite a bit...but honestly...you guys don't really think it can tow ANYTHING, do you?

Mine's a slug pulling my tent trailer on anything other that the flattest of the flat. I wouldn't even consider towing anything heavier...

Marty Moose · 07-23-08, 10:25 PM

I towed a 1993 FZJ80 trail rig with a 1997 FZJ80, Getting it going wasn't a problem but if I would have needed to stop in a hurry it could have been a mess.

jamie_scotland · 07-24-08, 08:07 AM

The 5000lbs rating seems to be a random figure plucked out of the air by Toyota USA. In the the UK 80's are rated at 3500kg which is about 7700 lbs. This is only because thats the legal limit with overrun brakes. If you were to fit air brakes you can go higher.

I often tow the full 3500kg with my diesel 80 and it copes no problem, it slows down a bit on steep hills but thats not really an issue, you just arrive a few seconds later

If you think your 80's slow when towing I used to tow the same 3500kg twin axle trailer with a Land Rover 110 2.5 diesel with 67hp. Used low range quite a few times on steeper hills

Jamie

addicted56 · 07-24-08, 08:25 PM

That is the good news and feed back I was hoping to hear.

Now I need to convince myself I can live without my truck. A bed is just so convienent.

Firedog · 07-24-08, 09:09 PM

I would have to wonder about the transmission too, which one was used in the conversion? Can it handle the torque from the cummins AND the additional load from the tow?

07-23-08, 04:03 PM	#1
addicted56 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 295	Towing Question (not answered yet) I have done a pretty good search and found a lot of good reading. Is there a way to BEEF up the stock tow hitch. I know of air bags and sway bar devices which are AMAZING. But to me it sounds like the engine is the limiting factor in the towing rating? Is that the case or is it the combination of brakes, frame structure, wieght of pulling vehicle, and the hitch itself. Looking at replacing my F-250 with a diesel powered 80. I use my truck a lot but if I could replace it with this 80 I think I would be happy with the dual purpose rig. What are your thoughts? PS for those asking I don't have anything specific but I have towed some heavy stuff before. I hauled this 180 miles and my truck pulled it at 60 but with a little work and thank god for trailer brakes..they were maxed out on my truck and the trailer. But I usually pull something a lot smaller. Attached Images __________________ 1956 F-100 1968 Power Wagon 1972 FJ40 1992 4-Runner 1997 F-250 PSD 2006 VW Jetta TDI

07-23-08, 04:17 PM	#2
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,053	The towing capacity of the 80 is 5,000 lbs, dead-weight only, no load leveling. I would not attempt to exceed that, it will be difficult to get it rolling and even harder to stop. __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.

07-23-08, 04:36 PM	#4
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,053	I am not aware of any larger aftermarket brakes. Based on my ~15 year towing experience with an 80 I would not want to pull anything larger than the factory rating. I keep my Dodge/Cummins around for that job. __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.

07-23-08, 07:46 PM	#6
addicted56 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 295	I'm not looking at doing it myself. Someone has already done it and I'm just looking at purchasing it. I'm just wondering what I could really do with it. It would meet my 99% needs and I could always borrow a freinds truck if I really needed it I guess I just wonder of the possiblities. I see that someone in other threads had towed over 6K and it sounded like the only real problem was the power from the engine. __________________ 1956 F-100 1968 Power Wagon 1972 FJ40 1992 4-Runner 1997 F-250 PSD 2006 VW Jetta TDI

07-23-08, 08:25 PM	#7
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,053	Stopping it is the issue, as well as controlling a trailer that weighs more than the tow vehicle (with a fairly short wheelbase to boot ). __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.

07-23-08, 08:31 PM	#8
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,053	I am not intending to pile on here but there is another, what I believe to be, important consideration. In the unfortunate event that you were involved in an accident towing a trailer heavier than the manufacturer's stated capacity there is a chance that your insurance carrier would decline to cover the loss, in addition to anything an ambulance-chasing attorney may think that he/she can get outta you as a result of your "negligent act". __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car. Last edited by cruiserdan; 07-23-08 at 08:49 PM.

07-23-08, 10:24 PM	#9
NorCalDoug I Solve Problems... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: uhhhh...duh...Northern CA TLCA# yes, I have one Posts: 5,065	the cruiser can tow quite a bit...but honestly...you guys don't really think it can tow ANYTHING, do you? Mine's a slug pulling my tent trailer on anything other that the flattest of the flat. I wouldn't even consider towing anything heavier... __________________ a couple pairs of pink panties... Another convert to the Church of Latter Day Swank, a sub-cult of Shahrislam "...Opportunity doesn't knock, you have to kick the fuckin door in and drag the bitch out screamin." -- Ullr "I have more respect for people who change their views after acquiring new information than for those who cling to views they held thirty years ago. The world changes. Ideologues and zealots don't." - Michael Crichton Buy TEQ Bottle Openers

07-23-08, 10:25 PM	#10
Marty Moose IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springfield Mo. TLCA# 8799 Posts: 54	I towed a 1993 FZJ80 trail rig with a 1997 FZJ80, Getting it going wasn't a problem but if I would have needed to stop in a hurry it could have been a mess. __________________ 98 UZJ 100 Locked 97 FZJ 80 Locked x3 93 FZJ 80 Locker x 3, ARB Bull Bar, Warn M10000, Slee AC Skid Plate, Iron Pig Skid Plate, Old Umu Lift + Trimed Fenders, 37" IROC, Dual Batterys, Solid Rock Off Road Sliders, Custom Rear Bumper Jerry can & Tire Carrier, OnBoard C02 90 FJ 62 ARB Bull Bar, SROR Sliders

07-24-08, 08:07 AM	#11
jamie_scotland IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Scotland Posts: 2	The 5000lbs rating seems to be a random figure plucked out of the air by Toyota USA. In the the UK 80's are rated at 3500kg which is about 7700 lbs. This is only because thats the legal limit with overrun brakes. If you were to fit air brakes you can go higher. I often tow the full 3500kg with my diesel 80 and it copes no problem, it slows down a bit on steep hills but thats not really an issue, you just arrive a few seconds later If you think your 80's slow when towing I used to tow the same 3500kg twin axle trailer with a Land Rover 110 2.5 diesel with 67hp. Used low range quite a few times on steeper hills Jamie

07-24-08, 08:25 PM	#12
addicted56 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 295	That is the good news and feed back I was hoping to hear. Now I need to convince myself I can live without my truck. A bed is just so convienent. __________________ 1956 F-100 1968 Power Wagon 1972 FJ40 1992 4-Runner 1997 F-250 PSD 2006 VW Jetta TDI

07-24-08, 09:09 PM	#13
Firedog IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 321	I would have to wonder about the transmission too, which one was used in the conversion? Can it handle the torque from the cummins AND the additional load from the tow? __________________ Keith '77 FJ-40 OME, ARB, SM465, Family cage, 33" Swampers, and lots of rust. '93 FZJ-80 - Flare-less, Factory Lockers, ARB, OME "J" Lift, IPOR Skid Plate, Toyo 315 MT's, Sliders, Side Protection, and Rear Bumper by M&M Fab (http://mandmfab.com/id55.html)...... This is just the begining... '02 Chevy 2500 Duramax to tow the toys http://www.4x4bcds.com/ '92 Toyota Celica GT Convertible - The newest Toy, 113,000 miles and unmolested!

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