Towing an FJ40 with an 08 tacoma

Tigerstripe40 · 02-06-12, 03:03 PM

I am considering getting a tandem axle flatbed trailer (with electric brakes) to use to tow my FJ40, as well as haul stuff to the dump on occasion.

I have an '08 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport (limited slip rear end w/ 4.56 gears)with a double cab, long bed, v6, automatic transmission. The truck also has the toyota tow package with a class IV hitch, transmission cooler, preinstalled wiring. I would get an electronic brake controller for the tacoma.

The FJ40 is running 35" tires, has a 2F, SM420, full roll cage, soft top. I know FJ40's are pretty heavy, but the curb weights I have found, coupled with the trailer weight of ~2000lbs would be pretty close to the 6500lbs limit of the Tacoma.

I know that a 3/4 ton or 1 ton full sized truck would be ideal, however, I only need to tow the FJ40 a couple of times a year.

Will the Tacoma suffice?

FluByU · 02-06-12, 11:23 PM

When I bought my 40 I towed it on a flatbed for about 70 miles or so. Maxed out the truck gross weight and definitely could feel it back there but the truck handled it fine other than the brakes, stop early. Tow bar on the front bumper might be a better option.

Tigerstripe40 · 02-07-12, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluByU

When I bought my 40 I towed it on a flatbed for about 70 miles or so. Maxed out the truck gross weight and definitely could feel it back there but the truck handled it fine other than the brakes, stop early. Tow bar on the front bumper might be a better option.

I do have a tow-bar on my FJ40 'just in case'.

I tried towing it with my Taco around the block and it did just fine, but around the block is one thing. 300 miles on an interstate highway @ 65mph is another... I'd feel better about the towed vehicle having brakes of some sort (hence wanting trailer brakes).

cruiserjunkie · 02-07-12, 04:18 PM

Make sure tires on trailer are rated for that weight the ones that came on mine were not and three separated coming down I 70 in the Colorado mountains got hot holding trailer back on grade. Luckily I was close to a town and they went and got some tires for me. Also that cruiser is going to be a giant wind block I think your taco will struggle on any up grade

Poser · 02-07-12, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerstripe40

I am considering getting a tandem axle flatbed trailer (with electric brakes) to use to tow my FJ40, as well as haul stuff to the dump on occasion.

I have an '08 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport (limited slip rear end w/ 4.56 gears)with a double cab, long bed, v6, automatic transmission. The truck also has the toyota tow package with a class IV hitch, transmission cooler, preinstalled wiring. I would get an electronic brake controller for the tacoma.

The FJ40 is running 35" tires, has a 2F, SM420, full roll cage, soft top. I know FJ40's are pretty heavy, but the curb weights I have found, coupled with the trailer weight of ~2000lbs would be pretty close to the 6500lbs limit of the Tacoma.

I know that a 3/4 ton or 1 ton full sized truck would be ideal, however, I only need to tow the FJ40 a couple of times a year.

Will the Tacoma suffice?

Awful lot of weight behind a little truck.

Would not see me doing it.

.

Mace · 02-07-12, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poser

Awful lot of weight behind a little truck.

Would not see me doing it.

.

Yep..

Adventure Copan · 02-08-12, 03:32 AM

I used to use my 02 V6 extended cab Taco to tow my 16' trailer w/brakes hauling my 80's 4Runner around...the only issues I had were on super steep inclines (a little struggle from the engine, but we made it up). I've also had a 04 Taco V6 and used it similarly and no issues there either. Just get a trailer with brakes and put a brake controller in the truck of course.

Take your time and brake early or you could always borrow someone else's bigger truck.

Tigerstripe40 · 02-08-12, 01:00 PM

I've got access to a 98 diesel ford f350 though the owner, my father, is into riding horses on the weekend and the f350 is his nag hauler.

Fast Eddy · 02-08-12, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluByU

Tow bar on the front bumper might be a better option.

Behind a motorhome. It would be suicide behind a Taco.

Sharing weekends with your father-in-law is just the ticket. Or just drive the fj40...

ntsqd · 02-08-12, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Behind a motorhome. It would be suicide behind a Taco.

Sharing weekends with your father-in-law is just the ticket. Or just drive the fj40...

I don't know about suicide. A guy I know used to tow his Early Bronco behind a crewcab Taco. Back and forth into the local mtns. (Big Bear, Ca) several times w/o trouble. Now Highly ill-advised? I strongly support that.

Borrow the nag hauler.

Fast Eddy · 02-08-12, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntsqd

I don't know about suicide. A guy I know used to tow his Early Bronco behind a crewcab Taco. Back and forth into the local mtns. (Big Bear, Ca) several times w/o trouble. Now Highly ill-advised? I strongly support that.

Put one round in a wheel gun. Spin the cylinder. Point it at your head. Pull the trigger. Just because it didn't kill you doesn't mean it was a good idea.

Take your Taco, hook up something heavy with a tow bar. Get it in a gravel lot. Get up to about 20mph. Turn a bit. Hit the brakes hard. Decide if it's a good idea.

FluByU · 02-08-12, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

Put one round in a wheel gun. Spin the cylinder. Point it at your head. Pull the trigger. Just because it didn't kill you doesn't mean it was a good idea.

Take your Taco, hook up something heavy with a tow bar. Get it in a gravel lot. Get up to about 20mph. Turn a bit. Hit the brakes hard. Decide if it's a good idea.

That's stupid behind anything, whether Taco or a semi. I towed my FJ a short distance with my DC taco. I wouldn't do it routinely, but if you brake early and leave considerable distance between you and other cars, you aren't playing Russian roulette. Toyota didnt rate the Taco for a 6400 lb tow rating by pulling a number out of their ass. There was R&D involved. it's been done, people are still alive to tell about it and we have established it isn't a good idea. It's up to the OP to decide what is an acceptable risk to him.

Fast Eddy · 02-08-12, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluByU

That's stupid behind anything, whether Taco or a semi. I towed my FJ a short distance with my DC taco. I wouldn't do it routinely, but if you brake early and leave considerable distance between you and other cars, you aren't playing Russian roulette. .

With a towbar, or on a trailer? With a Taco you don't even need a parking lot to try my experiment. Do it in a paved lot. In an emergency braking situation, in a turn the fj40 will push the little Taco around like a kid throwing a frisbee. There's no weight on the rear wheels.

I preach about this because it happened to me in a fully-loaded Suburban with good tires, 2wd, not lifted. That f'er probably weighed 7000lbs and it came right around going 20mph on wet pavement and I didn't even hit the brakes very hard. $4000 damage to the Suburban from the bumpers coming together and hitting a light pole going backwards. The 40 would have flipped if I didn't have a mighty tow bar. It taco'd one steel wheel against the curb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluByU

Toyota didnt rate the Taco for a 6400 lb tow rating by pulling a number out of their ass. There was R&D involved.

They canvas that using the phrase "properly equipped". That means trailer brakes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FluByU

it's been done, people are still alive to tell about it and we have established it isn't a good idea. It's up to the OP to decide what is an acceptable risk to him.

And I'm here to help him decide that it is not. It might be ok on a trailer with good brakes. It is not ok to flat tow it with no brakes.

inthewall · 02-08-12, 08:32 PM

Lets not forget the old trailered, downhill, death-wobble. I have a dbl cab 09 tacoma, I wouldnt do it unless it was a short distance. With a trailer you need tongue weight, the taco just cant handle much of it.

FluByU · 02-08-12, 08:33 PM

I agree with you that there has to be some sort of additional braking. Then only reason I would do it with a tow bar because it cuts down on the additional 2000 lbs worth of trailer. Now I would definitely substitute some sort of aux braking ie: RV towbar with integrated brakes. Those are about a grand but it's cheaper than a dual axle trailer with brakes. I used a friends 20' trailer with brakes, I almost bought me a benz because a blonde retard cut me of then slammed on the brakes, even with the brakes it pushed more than I expected but still controllable. I contribute that to the trailers brakes.

ntsqd · 02-08-12, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast Eddy

And I'm here to help him decide that it is not. It might be ok on a trailer with good brakes. It is not ok to flat tow it with no brakes.

We're all here to help him decide that, but frankly your confrontational attitude sucks hind tit. Try toning it down a little as you're not doing your cause any good.

The EB was flat towed and without 'trailer' brakes. It worked, was far from ideal, and he only did it a couple of times. With care it's possible, even with the LA traffic that he towed in. Highly not recommended, strongly not recommended, but possible.
Here in the States we tend to forget or don't know how the rest of the world, particularly the Third World, gets by. Granted, they don't have the blonde idiots....

Adventure Copan · 02-09-12, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntsqd

Here in the States we tend to forget or don't know how the rest of the world, particularly the Third World, gets by. Granted, they don't have the blonde idiots....

AGREED!!!! Some people wouldn't believe what I've seen done in other countries...

To the OP the Ford is the best solution, second best is the Taco and trailer w/brakes, third and at your own risk is the Taco and the tow bar.

You can get a decent double axle trailer w/brakes for a grand...at least here in Texas.

Best of luck...We obviously all care!

Fast Eddy · 02-09-12, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntsqd

With care it's possible, even with the LA traffic that he towed in. Highly not recommended, strongly not recommended, but possible.
Here in the States we tend to forget or don't know how the rest of the world, particularly the Third World, gets by. Granted, they don't have the blonde idiots....

Contradict yourself much?

Jetboy · 02-09-12, 10:58 AM

You might consider a tow dolly with brakes. That would keep the weight down and still have brakes on the trailer. Plus you could probably back it on and lock the steering wheel so the front wheels will be rolling.

Tigerstripe40 · 02-09-12, 12:23 PM

Thanks for your replies.

My biggest problem using the towbar is that I have the bar mounted to a bumper which is in turn bolted to the frame of my FJ40. I boxed the frame of the FJ40 and welded in 4 1/2" captured nuts on the front of the frame, which the bumper is bolted to. I've pulled out several stuck trucks using my recover points on that bumper, and nothing has failed, however, my welding skills aren't the greatest. Its one thing to trust something questionable on the trail, totally another to trust something like that on the street.

The tow dolly is definitly something to consider if I have to use my tacoma. I've talked to my father about using his F-350 and he's fine with it as long as I give him plenty of notice (cruise moab is plenty far enough in the future).

Now its a question of finding a tandem axle flatbed... I'd prefer to buy one, but its a choice between buying a flatbed trailer or doing a spring over on the fj40...