Who Towed to GSMTR with an FJC????

76FJ40 · 09-17-06, 05:00 PM

I understand someone from FL towed their 40 to GSMTR behind an FJ Cruiser. I had to trade my tow vehicle for a Prius so it looks like I'm going to be using the wife's FJC as my new tow vehicle. I'd like to talk to someone who's done this to see how the FJC will tow a fairly light trailer with brakes on both axles.

Thanks

Bret · 09-17-06, 07:08 PM

What kind of "light" tow trailer has two brake axles? Just curious, I don't have a FJC but if it's rated capacity is high enough and you have a good brake controller wire in correctly it should be a breeze. Especially if it's a flatbed without a lot of wind drag. It looks like it should tow 5K.... Most of the time it's the stopping that causes problems anyway. Hope you get a better answer soon.

Here's a link to what you may be asking...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.p...ighlight=towed

Bret

Trollhole · 09-18-06, 03:11 PM

This is the guy you are looking for. Find Mike and you have found your answer.

76FJ40 · 09-18-06, 03:12 PM

Thanks

Capt. Jim · 09-19-06, 05:27 PM

That's Mike M. He is not on this board much. He and I towed up together along with Sputnik40. Mike seemed to do fine, but he has 35's on his FJC and that took some of his gearing away. He did slow up somewhat when we hit some of the hills. He kept up with me and Sputnik40 fine. We were both driving diesel tow vehicles so we had to back it down quite a bit so we could stay together.

Capt. Jim · 09-19-06, 05:28 PM

BTW TRoll, that's a good pic of Mike. He's always showing off!!!

76FJ40 · 09-20-06, 06:07 AM

Thanks - I've got the FJC wired for a brake controller and the maiden trip is planned for later this month.

Capt. Jim · 09-20-06, 09:17 AM

You should do fine. The brake controller and trailer brakes are a good thing. Watch your tongue weight.

ChuckD · 09-22-06, 05:54 AM

Is it safe to assume he had that thing floored the whole way?

76FJ40 · 09-22-06, 06:04 AM

I towed to GSMTR '06 with my '05 Taco that has the same drive train as the FJ. The Taco did great (except for a wee little drop in gas mileage). My concern with the FJC is wheelbase, not power.

Capt. Jim · 09-22-06, 09:22 AM

I used to tow a 25' boat with my 40 when it was new. Short wheel base was excellent for backing up and maneuvering. I had no problems with tracking at highway sppeds.

I did, however, have a short wheel base Tahoe that towed like crap due to its' short wheel base.

Hard40 · 09-24-06, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckD

Is it safe to assume he had that thing floored the whole way?

Mike was towing with a 6 speed FJ. I think that made a lot of difference. I was with him on the mountains with a V-8 Tundra towing my 40. He did almost as well. An automatic would do it but would love the gas.

Capt. Jim · 09-24-06, 07:13 PM

Opps! I forgot HARD40 joined us for the trip when we reached South Carolina.

Also, Mike put a lot of his things in other trucks so as to lighten his load and make room for beverages for the week.

ChuckD · 09-25-06, 03:42 PM

I guess my beast is getting old and tired. Not to mention oversized tires and other stuff to slow it down. It can pull my 19' boat ok, but slow. It can barely seem to flat tow my 40. And even by itself it slows way down going up mountains... even the 1% grade mountains in Mount Dora and Clarmont!!

Having a 6 speed would be great.

Capt. Jim · 09-25-06, 07:25 PM

Chuck,

I've towed my 40 on a trailer numerous times. It was a dog, even when my 80 was new, especially on hills.

ChuckD · 09-27-06, 06:15 AM

A couple of years ago at GSMTR a neighboring camper from Kentucky flat towed a 40 with an 80. He said the temp gauge started to climb when they were in the mtns and he popped the hood to find the exhaust manifold glowing red hot. This has always dissuaded me from doing it but I really want to get my 40 up there one year.
It crossed my mind to get my beater 72 Buick Skylark rigged up with a tow bar and use it to tow a trailer. Its got a 455 and would probably float right up those hills.

Capt. Jim · 09-27-06, 08:32 AM

QUOTE: "Its got a 455 and would probably float right up those hills."

Buy stock in BP, EXXON, SHELL etc.

Sputnik40 · 09-28-06, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Jim

QOUTE: "Its got a 455 and would probably float right up those hills."

Buy stock in BP, EXXON, SHELL etc.

That's how Jim pays for all his toys!

Don't know if Mike had it floored, and I don't recollect him going much over 77 mph (which totally sucks driving from Florida), but his FJ really impressed me towing wise on the back roads from SC on up to Murphy. Seemed a lot more capable than my old 2001 Taco D-cab.

Still think they're ugly

Hard40 · 09-28-06, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sputnik40

That's how Jim pays for all his toys!

Don't know if Mike had it floored, and I don't recollect him going much over 77 mph (which totally sucks driving from Florida), but his FJ really impressed me towing wise on the back roads from SC on up to Murphy. Seemed a lot more capable than my old 2001 Taco D-cab.

Still think they're ugly

My grandmother used to say "Beautys only skin deep, uglys to the bone. Beauty fades away but ugly holds its own" Maybe thats why we always got along so good.

RumBum · 10-18-06, 05:40 PM

I rode shotgun the entire trip from south florida to Capt Jim's, GSMTR, and back home. I would like to say that the FJC is not the ideal tow vehicle that some of our company had, but it does alright. Trailer brakes were a HUGE help along with the AWD trailering through trail 1 at GSMTR. We spent a lot of time in 5th gear on the hwy b/c 6th gear wouldn't quite hold speed once we got into the northern part of the state. The FJC felt a little light with 5000lbs behind us too. I guess given what we towed, and how far we towed, the FJC did pretty good. It doesn't make much of a camper, but it makes a hell of a ralley car on trail 1 without the trailer. I'm most surprised that the rear swing door is still attached with that big 'ol 35" stuck to it.