What can the FJ tow? How well will it do towing?

[Zack1978]

Hey everyone,
I have been asking some questions about the Fj, because I might be in the market for one in a few months. But what about towing? I think I read somewhere that it can tow 5,000 pounds. Is that correct? How well do you think it wll do as a tow rig? I want to ensure that I will be able to pull a double snowmobile trailer with ease. And don't laugh, but I am also considering a Ford Super Duty pick up as well. I know it's a Ford, but I do like the style and looks.


Thanks,
Zack

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by Zack1978

Hey everyone,
I have been asking some questions about the Fj, because I might be in the market for one in a few months. But what about towing? I think I read somewhere that it can tow 5,000 pounds. Is that correct? How well do you think it wll do as a tow rig? I want to ensure that I will be able to pull a double snowmobile trailer with ease. And don't laugh, but I am also considering a Ford Super Duty pick up as well. I know it's a Ford, but I do like the style and looks.


Thanks,
Zack

Judging by vehicle weight and power, I don't think you will have any problems with your sleds. I have full intentions of dragging around my 18' jet boat all summer long.

Good luck
Shawn

[Zack1978]

Is it rated for 5,000 pounds?


Zack

[FusionCruiser]

Originally Posted by Zack1978

Is it rated for 5,000 pounds?


Zack

Yes

[beaufort-fj60]

the 5000lbs is not the problem... it depends on what you are trying to tow and how long it is. i think the fjc would be okay for boats less than 15~16ft and small trailers.

a big boat or heavy trailer would push that little bitch all over the road

[Trollhole]

SO towing something like this would be out of the question?

[beaufort-fj60]

just depends on how many other lives you want to risk beside your own. But to answear your question, yes i think it's irresponsible to to that big POS boat with that Kia.

[Trollhole]

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

just depends on how many other lives you want to risk beside your own. But to answear your question, yes i think it's irresponsible to to that big POS boat with that Kia.

Would this make you feel any better?

[Trollhole]

I've always had this argument when talking about towing long trailers with a short wheelbase vehicles. I have towed plenty of long trailers of all sorts of loads. Tires, frame, suspension, stability control, hitch placement and brakes all factor into a vehicles ability to tow. Wheelbase is only about 50% of the factor. That being said I would only tow 4000 pounds with a FJ. Would be perfect for a 17 foot center console boat.

[beaufort-fj60]

I guess since I'm on the coast the only thing I'm talking about is the boats. The problem with short wheel base trucks/cars and towing long trailers is not driving on the road, but on a boat ramp. Boat ramps at the lake can be long and easy slopes, boat ramps on salt water have currents and harsh ramp angles. a short wheel base and a long trailer and a harsh angle boat ramp make for great entertainment for the locals.

[Zack1978]

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

just depends on how many other lives you want to risk beside your own. But to answear your question, yes i think it's irresponsible to to that big POS boat with that Kia.

KIA???? No way thats a VW Tourag!


Zack

[DanKunz]

I am a fan of tow rigs for towing and trail/DD rigs for trail/DD.

Light duty is okay (sub 4K). I just like having the knowledge that the big diesel can pull it, stop it, and it won't take off with me on hills, etc.

[oliverwinstn]

I will be towing around an 18' Hurricane Boat after my FJ comes in.

I will let you know what happens


Oliver
www.fjrcruiserowners.com

[Nautidog]

I'll be towing my 22' bay boat when I get my FJ. I've had no problems towing with my LX450.

[Tim Scully]

The FJ Trail Teams are towing around 4k in the trailers they have and we are having no issues with them. I am on the east coast team and we have three FJs with three trails and we have covered about 3k miles with them so far. I think they pull great. No problem pulling a couple of sleds or a boat. The brakes are suffecient as well as we don't have trailer brakes on the trailers we have.

[uhoh7]

as you can see it's tongue heavy.

rock solid to 85 mph.

FJ is very good at towing---anything up to the specs should be fine.



Here you do not know it's on the rig. About 250 on the hitch.

[beaufort-fj60]

Originally Posted by Nautidog

I'll be towing my 22' bay boat when I get my FJ. I've had no problems towing with my LX450.

yea I have a similar set up, 22bay with ttop, I tow it with a tundra. When I test drove the fjc the other day I noticed that the wind seems to get the upper hand on it. I was blown left and right and it seemed to follow the groves in the road willingly. If your trailer is like mine, the 22' is really 30+' and towing that with a jeep sized truck could possible pose a problem if extreme care was not taken. I'm not saying that it cannot tow, I'm just saying a short wheelbase jeep like truck is not ideal for towing and be careful if you're towing. No reason to be Billy bad ass and prove anyone wrong, just be careful. I have seen a few boat trailers kill people, totally preventable if proper care is taken.

[roosterdo]

We been towing 3 trailers, one close to the max, and while you know it is back there the FJ does not complain even on significant grades.

[Nautidog]

Originally Posted by beaufort-fj60

yea I have a similar set up, 22bay with ttop, I tow it with a tundra. When I test drove the fjc the other day I noticed that the wind seems to get the upper hand on it. I was blown left and right and it seemed to follow the groves in the road willingly. If your trailer is like mine, the 22' is really 30+' and towing that with a jeep sized truck could possible pose a problem if extreme care was not taken. I'm not saying that it cannot tow, I'm just saying a short wheelbase jeep like truck is not ideal for towing and be careful if you're towing. No reason to be Billy bad ass and prove anyone wrong, just be careful. I have seen a few boat trailers kill people, totally preventable if proper care is taken.

Sorry, I’m no Billy bad ass. I've just been towing for many years. I've always checked GVWR and CGWR. Also; studied WB, tongue weight, trailer length, combined length, and stabilizer bars. I’ve also towed at 24’ boat with an FJ40; no problems.

I'll have to say that I've never seen boat trailers kill people.

[Nautidog]

The FJ Cruiser will tow a 22' bay boat just fine!

[Capt. Jim]

This showed up in my driveway this afternoon. The FJC has the 6-speed manual tranny. (Also has 35's). Said it towed fine.

[Capt. Jim]

BTW, neither truck in the pic are mine.

[Trollhole]

Jim. So Mike got an FJ? Sweet.

[Capt. Jim]

Yes he did. First one in South Florida, thanks to his boss.

His was lifted and had the 35's the first day he got it home.

[VoltsAndBolts]

I have had an FJC for about 3 weeks now and am very pleased so far, I pretty much got every option that was really available at the time of order. Many of the options listed were not available yet. I have a 16’ SeaRayder jet boat I plan to tow. I live in New Hampshire and it’s just warming up enough to think about pulling the boat out. I commute 80 miles a day and have put 1465 mile on it. So far so good. I’d like to hookup with some other FJC’ers in the area, anyone near by?

[inthewall]

My opinion on towing with the fj is if the tow vehicle is lighter than the trailer dont do it. if the trailer doesnt have brakes and is fairly heavy you shouldnt tow it with a short wheelbase. Emergency stops or wet conditions will jacknife your rig in a heart beat. Ive seen plenty of wrecked trucks and trailers on the highway. Just be smart about it. Unlike some photos in this post.