2001 Lx470 Towing Capacity (1 Viewer)

[mattman615]

Hey Everyone! I’ve got an ‘01 470 with 265k on it. It was a gift from a friend that I do a lot of work for as a bonus. The wife and I decided last week to buy a camper, and my plan was to pull it with the LX. One thing I did not think about was trailer brakes, and or my tow capacity. It seemed to pull ok as long as I kept under 70. The AHC dropped to Lo after I hit a nice bump on these wonderful TN interstates, and it would not adjust back up to N. The GVWR of the camper is 5920 lb according to manufacturer specs, so I know I’m probably pushing the limits of my completely stock truck. My question is 2 fold. What are some things I could do to easily increase the towing capacity without breaking the bank. Also, what can I do about this AHC issue without breaking the bank and without losing my comfortable ride when I’m not pulling this camper. Thanks!

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Towing capacity is 6500 lbs, so you're still slightly under with that camper. A good weight distribution hitch setup would probably help immensely (https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dis..._0GXRVL5osm4Dxrg-iSSxS_aeY2LWap0aAkM9EALw_wcB). @suprarx7nut has some really good threads on here and videos on youtube about servicing/restoring the AHC system so that it functions properly (e.g., AHC Info - https://www.yotamd.com/blogs/news/ahc-info).

 

[suprarx7nut]

Start with the basics that @JunkCrzr89 linked and then look into heavier springs and or air bags. Air bags are a great way to keep AHC and tow just about whatever you can hitch up.

 

[mattman615]

awesome! Looking at the Weight distribution hitch you sent now. Which set would you recommend? The GTW of 6000 Lb?

 

[mattman615]

Is that common for the AHC to drop like that and not level back to N on its own, or even if I manually press the button to raise it?

 

[mattman615]

Is that common for the AHC to drop like that and not level back to N on its own, or even if I manually press the button to raise it?

Sorry, @suprarx7nut I meant to tag you in this.

 

[mattman615]

awesome! Looking at the Weight distribution hitch you sent now. Which set would you recommend? The GTW of 6000 Lb?

@JunkCrzr89 I deleted the repost thread, thought it would still tag you, I was wrong lol

 

[mattman615]

awesome! Looking at the Weight distribution hitch you sent now. Which set would you recommend? The GTW of 6000 Lb?

@JunkCrzr89 I deleted the repost thread, thought it would still tag you, I was wrong lol

 

[JunkCrzr89]

awesome! Looking at the Weight distribution hitch you sent now. Which set would you recommend? The GTW of 6000 Lb?

The 6,000 or 8,000 lbs one.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Is that common for the AHC to drop like that and not level back to N on its own, or even if I manually press the button to raise it?

Yeah. It generally means you're neutral pressures are out of spec (unless you specifically did this yourself or hired someone to do it, you can pretty much guarantee it's out of spec after a few years).

You might also just gave waaaaay too much tongue weight for the vehicle.

Start with neutral pressures without anything in tow and see where you are. Probably time for new springs or spacers, as well as air bags to help when towing.

*to add the "Why": The system measures it's pressure output constantly. It is pretty dynamic, but eventually it will not be able to keep up with added weight. Adjusting the torsion bars or replacing the rear springs is how you control neutral pressures and should be done on a regular basis. Every 5 years at least or as you add weight via a trailer/rear bumper/storage system, etc...

When it refuses H and drops to N or L, it's the AHC computer saying, "I tried as hard as I could, and I still didn't meet your request. I'm going to take it easy in N or L until you fix me. Please love me more in the future. "

 

[JunkCrzr89]

You might also just gave waaaaay too much tongue weight for the vehicle.

I’d think 6k lbs trailer without a WD hitch pretty much guarantees the tongue weight was more than the spec’d 500 lbs!

 

[mattman615]

@suprarx7nut So I’m following you correctly, if I’m still experiencing this same issue once I install the weight distribution hitch system, then I should have the springs replaced? I’m not a mechanic, so I wouldn’t feel too comfy making any changes to the AHC on my own.

 

[mattman615]

@suprarx7nut So I’m following you correctly, if I’m still experiencing this same issue once I install the weight distribution hitch system, then I should have the springs replaced? I’m not a mechanic, so I wouldn’t feel too comfy making any changes to the AHC on my own.

@suprarx7nut also it helps to mention this is my work vehicle and I usually have about 300-500lbs of Construction tools in the back at all times unless using it for a vacation trip lol

 

[mattman615]

@suprarx7nut

 

[suprarx7nut]

@mattman615 You definitely need non-original springs. No question.

With that load out and this being a work vehicle, forget air bags, IMO. If you're constantly carrying 500+ lbs and you tow sometimes, throw in some non-AHC 100 series springs and have someone competent with AHC (not an easy thing to find, annoyingly) to swap out the springs and check neutral pressures (simple task involving a cable and laptop with techstream, takes 5 minutes).

King springs and air bags would probably be fine, but I'd go a step further and get LX450 springs or non-AHC 100 series LC springs. Either should be very inexpensive if you can find them used.

 

[mattman615]

@mattman615 You definitely need non-original springs. No question.

With that load out and this being a work vehicle, forget air bags, IMO. If you're constantly carrying 500+ lbs and you tow sometimes, throw in some non-AHC 100 series springs and have someone competent with AHC (not an easy thing to find, annoyingly) to swap out the springs and check neutral pressures (simple task involving a cable and laptop with techstream, takes 5 minutes).

King springs and air bags would probably be fine, but I'd go a step further and get LX450 springs or non-AHC 100 series LC springs. Either should be very inexpensive if you can find them used.

What do you think all of this would cost? Rough guesstimate?

 

[dieselgeek]

You are defiantly pushing it a bit with towing but in your next of the woods it may be easier than out here in the west. I tow with my 2000 LX a smaller trailer single axle 4500lbs. The best mods so far have been.
1. Because you still have AHC this is #1 mod. Air lift Air bags ($180 ish) These are a real easy install and help significantly
2. Eq. Hitch. Good entry level would be fastaway E2 series in the 6k to 8k range ($400 ish)
3. Trailer Brake controller. On our years you have to run the wiring manually, no pig tail to tap into. It is not that bad to install. I could send some pictures and tips.
4. Buy a scan gauge to keep an eye on vitals and program in the trans temp.

Cheers,
-Dom

 

[mattman615]

What do you think all of this would cost? Rough guesstimate?

You are defiantly pushing it a bit with towing but in your next of the woods it may be easier than out here in the west. I tow with my 2000 LX a smaller trailer single axle 4500lbs. The best mods so far have been.
1. Because you still have AHC this is #1 mod. Air lift Air bags ($180 ish) These are a real easy install and help significantly
2. Eq. Hitch. Good entry level would be fastaway E2 series in the 6k to 8k range ($400 ish)
3. Trailer Brake controller. On our years you have to run the wiring manually, no pig tail to tap into. It is not that bad to install. I could send some pictures and tips.
4. Buy a scan gauge to keep an eye on vitals and program in the trans temp.

Cheers,
-Dom

Thanks! This is a dual axle camper trailer, and the only thing about a lot of the camping spots in Tn is the fact that they are usually a little hilly, so I am slightly concerned about trans temp. This “scan tool” would it just plug into OBD?

 

[dieselgeek]

Hard to see a huge difference with the addition of the airbags. However, not the position of the hitch. I had to lower it to make things level again. Full water and two dogs in the back and things are still level. 15psi in the bags. I ran my air line to the receiver hitch and just fill it with a bike pump. Best $150 spent. Very easy install.

 

[dieselgeek]

Thanks! This is a dual axle camper trailer, and the only thing about a lot of the camping spots in Tn is the fact that they are usually a little hilly, so I am slightly concerned about trans temp. This “scan tool” would it just plug into OBD?

Yes. Scan gauge is like $150ish and OBD. There is a code to plug in to get the Toyota trans temp to show up. On a hard climb I see around 190 degrees. Reg. towing with the trailer I am around 150-170.