'97 FJ80 with 3-6" lift OK to trailer/pull a 22' pontoon???

[tlin]

Shopping as best I can for a '96 or '97 FJ. Rig will be dual-purpose - light-to-medium trail/explorations/hunting as a weekend-er with the family/friends (PRIMARY) with occasional pontoon pulling duties (SECONDARY).

• PRIMARY - The FJ is obviously up to the task. Lockers are essentially a "nice to have" considering my realistic usage. Will NOT be a hardcore crawler.
• SECONDARY - Boat pulling would also be 2X/year to move the combination between winter home and summer get-away (hill climbs YES and planning on doing "after hours" to minimize slow-going up/down big hills).

Pontoon expected to be 22' max in size (4000# MAX combined trailer/boat/motor/misc. weight to be towed).

Does a 6" EMU lift compromise or ruin an FJ's ability to pull said boat? I'm NEW to trailering/towing and do NOT want to buy an FJ if it won't meet our needs (esp. one with a lift). Essentially diving beyond the numbers (towing capacity vs. towing weight) and asking for honest impressions from the experts (YOU).

Sincerely hoping the FJ is up to the task (YES, I've read plenty of posts about people essentially saying it can be done although dedicated towing should be an F-150, make sure it has trailer brakes, etc.). Having said that, I suppose I just want my specific question answered or discussion covered.

Happy Saturday! Thx!

 

[John E Davies]

At what elevation will you be towing? The FZJ80 is grossly underpowered and at higher elevations, say over 5000 feet, it is just too darned gutless to be safe with a two ton load.

You can add forced induction or do an engine swap and fix this issue. $$$$

I wouldn't worry about the lift if it was done correctly.

What size tires?

Stock gears (4:11)?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[tlin]

Appreciate the note.

Yes to >5000' elev; yes to stock gears; rig in consideration is a 3fe motor so probably making this harder on myself.

Majority of towing would be at 6000 - 6500' without climbing involved. 20 mile one way. Doable?

 

[John E Davies]

Appreciate the note.

Yes to >5000' elev; yes to stock gears; rig in consideration is a 3fe motor so probably making this harder on myself.

Majority of towing would be at 6000 - 6500' without climbing involved. 20 mile one way. Doable?

Not by me, no way...... too high, too little power. If you could avoid highways it would be doable. But in no way enjoyable.

Can you just rent a pickup with hitch twice a year?

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[tlin]

can't say enough, sincerely appreciate the feedback.

yes to renting a truck or having a buddy 2X/year help with larger towing duties. staying off highways when up north isn't an option but the roads in our location are ~50MPH max anyways and aren't busy, screaming throughways (mostly 2-lane as well).

taking your feedback seriously, much to ponder - feel free to end this thread with what you've provided so as not to unnecessarily keep this alive longer than needed. i definitely got what i was looking for - THANK YOU!

lots of smilies to choose from, might as well slap one in........everybody's fav:

--t

 

[tlin]

I just realized that frothy-laden post officially made me a Mud forum Regular. Woohoo!!

​

 

[M32H32is]

Ive got a 92with a 3fe and have towed a20' bayliner & a 22' mastercraft. Slow? Yes. Once you get up to speed youre good though. The bayliner didnt have trailer brakes & she stopped just fine. Mastercraft has a single axle trailer with tongu activated brake. Stopped just fine.

Important note: both towed @ sea level. No hills around the gulf coast!

 

[M32H32is]

Here the bay liner. Barely noticed it was back there - nearly 25 mile tow.

I have 2.5 lift & 33's but the anemic 3fe did just fine. Honestly? I couldn't tell either boat was back there.

Of course, if someone has an F250 use that - they can tow a small house.

 

[tlin]

EXACTLY what I needed to read and see. Thx man! I did pick up a 92 so this is relevant.

If you know the gross tow weight of those two setups, that would be helpful.

 

[M32H32is]

The Bayliner/trailer combo comes in between 2700 and 3000 pounds.

The Mastercraft/trailer combo is a pig @ 4,400 plus the additional weight we've put on the boat for extra wake so I'm guessing another 400-600#.

 

[M32H32is]

I have 33's and stock gears as well, to give you a good comparison. I def feel the truck is anemic & honestly on flat ground she wasn't much slower with either boat in tow. I can only speak for my experiences @ sea level and no hills.

Experiences in high altitude with mountain passes would be completely different. In that case, I'd find a buddy with a diesel.

I had a Formula 272 Fast Tech (cigarette boat) and towed it with my dads F250. Couldn't even feel the boat/trailer combo back there & it would slow down my Tahoe considerably. Not to mention rest the frame on the axle.

 

[tlin]

my boat/trailer combo will come in closer to your lighter setup. I've already worked it out with a buddy to do my major towing runs (2x a year to and from second home). my towing with the 92, while at elevation, will generally be flat and relatively short (20 - 40 mins depending on lake).

it'll be a little while before this happens but I'll report back in case this is useful to anyone else. I'm guessing 6 weeks or thereabouts.

thx again!

--iPhone T

 

[FranceJohnson]

Sorry to bring up an old post, but any update on how your rig does towing at altitude? I am about to tow a 12' trailer (about 2300# max gross) from Memphis to Salt Lake City. I am mostly worried about some passes in Wyoming that are about 7200 ft. If my wife's XJ has to bail me out....i don't even know...

 

[tlin]

I never bought the boat......I love my wife!

I have trailered 3000# with my '92 (3FE) in Phoenix without any problems. Given its anemic performance when climbing freeway hills, I've been really leery about any trailer-climbs but haven't done it personally. There are plenty who've chimed in that it simply isn't a good idea with this rig....

It'll do it but it'll be painfully slow. If you're headed in that direction, I'd make sure you know your route well and try to do the majority of your climbing "after hours" - just my $.02. Best of luck....