Towing Report

Said in another thread that I would post up a report on my experience with towing with the 100 at max capacity. I did not have it weighed on a scale.

2002, Bone Stock, 46k, 89 Octane
Curtis Weight Distributing Hitch
Air Lift Coil Spring Inserts
Anderson Car Trailer: curb weight 1,800#, tongue weight empty 300#


First Leg- CT to FL

Rav4: curb weight 3,200#, honest 1,000# of my daughters belongings stuffed inside. Tongue weight #750.

The equalizing hitch leveled the rig without the air lifts. With 25# in the air lifts any jounce or twitchiness in the rear was eliminated. Very comfortable tow.

Pulled fine at the speed limit 65-70 in cruise control............if you watched the road and clicked out of overdrive for the grades. One long grade (I-84 Port Jervis NY) required a shift to second gear with an extended 4,000 rpm, 50 mph climb. Mainly because I had to slow for the trucks and didn't have enough power to step out around them. Averaged over 1,300 miles: 12 MPG

Second Leg- FL to CT

FJ40: curb weight 3,700#, with 34's and a Warn 12k .......... 4,500#? Tongue weight #750.

Same deal with the equalizing hitch and air lifts.

Pulled fine at 65 mph in cruise control............if you watched the road and clicked out of overdrive for the grades. Hit a brick wall at 70 mph. It just didn't want to pull it, I'm guessing since the 40 was so tall on the trailer it was like dragging a parachute. Same deal on the grades, fine if you clicked out overdrive. If I didn't get mixed up with trucks and could pull at 3,000 rpm no downshift was necessary. Averaged over 1,200 miles: 11 MPG

I had changed the oil before I left, Mobil 1 10-30 was a little darker on return. Engine temp never rose above normal, air temp averaged 90*. No complaints, it did what it was supposed to, and we rode in comfort. Remember this was stock, right down to the Dunlop Grandtreks, I would think mods would change the picture.

Oh yeah, the 100 in it's natural environment. Even with a trailer, a classy rig.

Additional Report -
Around 4,000 miles with a trailer about 2,800 lbs. Over the continental divide at least a half dozen times and down 8% grades with ease. Averaged 13mpg when I was brave enough to calculate.

New trailer immediately burned out the factory trailer converter and the converter was replaced. The POS wind deflector on the sunroof broke apart when buffeted by a triple-trailer combination and the OEM Panasonic finally gave up the ghost and had to be replaced. All minor all pretty much expected.

Definitely a classy tow rig.

adding to that:

Towed a pop-up through Alberta and BC in 2002. Just over 1,800 miles "up and down" and averaged 14.7 mpg (always running regular) with four adults, a big dog, and TWO curling stones (picked up at thriftstore in Revelstoke).

Now boat (just out of storage) messed up converter. Will replace with powered one this time (too many lights on boat trailer).

NMuzj100 said:

New trailer immediately burned out the factory trailer converter and the converter was replaced.

Click to expand...

I didn't have the tow package and was surprised to find the wiring there and a converter somewhere..........since it was working. No problem with mine, but it's just the taillights and one set of running lights on the trailer.

Cruiser_Nerd,

What does that 750# feel like to the cruiser with the distributing hitch?

CrusrDug said:

Cruiser_Nerd,

What does that 750# feel like to the cruiser with the distributing hitch?

Click to expand...

Like there isn't even a trailer behind you. First time I've used a distributing hitch. It's hard to describe, your tow rig just feels "all around heavier", but not "overloaded in the rear heavier". Like the entire 100 is being pushed to the ground........which it is.

Thanks for the report!