A Guide To Towing a 100 Behind an RV (1 Viewer)

[GAB]

Have a 2002 LandCruiser that I want to pull behind my MH. What did you do about braking system? Great thread!

 

[KMGHMG]

Have a 2002 LandCruiser that I want to pull behind my MH. What did you do about braking system? Great thread!

We tried the Blue Ox system that fits in the floor under the steering wheel, and it destroyed our brakes! We haven't used anything at all for the past 15,000 miles. Our bus is big enough that we don't actually seem to need brakes on the LC. I know there's a system that works well, and I've reached out to someone who uses it to see what brand it is. If he replies, I'll post it here.

 

[KMGHMG]

We tried the Blue Ox system that fits in the floor under the steering wheel, and it destroyed our brakes! We haven't used anything at all for the past 15,000 miles. Our bus is big enough that we don't actually seem to need brakes on the LC. I know there's a system that works well, and I've reached out to someone who uses it to see what brand it is. If he replies, I'll post it here.

He replied to say that the unified braking system from US Gear works well on his LX470.

 

[Skidoo]

It looks like the UTH-1000 or TVH-1000K from US Gear would work for the brakes.

 

[GAB]

Thank-you very much for the reply. Hope to be pulling (and stopping) my LC behind my Motorhome very soon.

 

[Bryanl]

I borrowed a friends old system but it had a wire pulled out so it wasn't working. I just hooked it up for show in case I was pulled over but it wasn't a problem and even running the speed limit on the million dollar highway. But that could certainly be different upon the braking system of the RV. Regardless I would still rather have a braking system that worked for a panic stop.

 

[Magnaman]

Matt, why is it that none of the air brake systems will work on the lx470 brakes? I'm buying a 2005 LX this week and planned on using my Roadmaster braking system. The air driven cylinder that attaches to the brake pedal and a bracket under the seat. Why won't that work with the LX?

Hey Guys,

Many thanks to those of you who've provided input on another thread where I asked for info about towing my 1999 LX470. I'm starting this new thread to provide a "how to" regarding towing a 100 series behind an RV. In the last six weeks, we've rigged the 100 for towing and have pulled it over 2,500 miles. It wasn't completely without problems. In fact, one mistake cost me over $1,000 in repairs! But, that was not due to any deficiency in the 100. That was caused by an aftermarket braking solution we tried (see below).

((((EDIT ON FEB 2, 2015: After 2,500+ miles towing the 100 behind the RV, plus another 1,500 to 2,000 miles driving the 100, today I drained the differentials and transmission. Everything looked perfect.)))))

There has been much discussion about whether or not the 100 can be safely towed flat. Christo, Muddy Bean, and others have done it successfully, as have we. I feel confident that towing a 100 series on all four tires is just fine. Our average speed has been about 70 mph with extended time at 75+. On our first trip (about 1,000 miles round trip), I stopped at 50 miles, 100 miles, 200 miles, etc and checked all the temps with an IR temp gun. No concerns whatsoever.

To tow the 100, we left the transmission in Park, put the transfer case in neutral, and turned the key to Accessory. Each time I check to make sure the steering wheel turns freely.

Accessories Needed

1. Brake Lights, Turn Signals, Running Lights: We did not want to tap into the LX's wiring, so we installed a new set of lights from Roadmaster. It was relatively simple to install. You just run four-flat wiring from the front of the 100 to the back, cut a one inch round hole in the back of the 100's tail lights (do NOT use a paddle bit!!!!!), install the kit's bulbs, and crimp a few wires. Maybe a 2 hour job. The kit's four-flat plug at the front of the 100 simply connects to the RV's wiring harness using a six- or seven-way to four-flat adapter. We also added an additional 12 volt "umbilical" from the RV to the battery on the 100 to keep it charged up. This was already a part of the wiring harness, so we just connected it to the battery and added a 20 amp auto-resetting circuit breaker in-line near the battery to prevent overcharging.

Roadmaster Tail Light Wiring Kit with Bulbs Roadmaster Tow Bar Wiring RM-155

Pollak 7 Pole to 4 Way Connector Adapter Pollak Wiring PK12716

2. Base Plate: We installed a Roadmaster "base plate", kit number 1151-1. It comes with two receiver-type mounts that bolt onto the 100's frame with three bolts. This allows you to connect the 100 to the tow bar on the RV. I don't see how this would work with an aftermarket front bumper. I just kept the stock bumper on the front.

Roadmaster MX Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms Roadmaster Base Plates 1151-1

3. Tow Bar: The Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain works perfectly with the base plate above. Note that in the link below you'll see a crossbar on the tow bar. That is not necessary in this setup.

RoadMaster Sterling All Terrain Tow Bar with Electric Cord - 8,000 lbs Roadmaster Tow Bars RM-576

4. Braking System: We're required by law here in Texas to have a braking system on towed vehicles (at least of this size). We looked and looked, and the ONLY option is a braking system that sits in the floor in front of the driver's seat. After extensive research, the Blue Ox Patriot was our choice. None of the air brake systems will work on the 100 brakes. BEWARE! We destroyed our brakes with this system. In short, installation requires that you place the braking system in the floor, attach it to the 100's brake pedal, and push a button on the Patriot to have it initialize. Evidently, it placed just enough pressure on the brake pedal to cause the pads to touch the rotors...or it vibrated forward a fraction of an inch during highway travel, causing the pads to make contact. Regardless, we didn't notice for many miles, and on one of my stops to check everything I had tons of smoke coming from all four brakes. Long story short, they were fried, as was the grease in the front wheel bearings. It was a very expensive problem. I'm trying to get Blue Ox to pay for the repairs. It's a shame that there are no alternatives to this general type of braking system for 100's. With this exception, the 100 is a fantastic "toad" for an RV. I'm still working on a solution to make sure this doesn't happen again.

BRK2010 / BRK2012, Patriot | Blue Ox

5. Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Purely optional, but we got the Pressure Pro tire pressure monitoring system. That way, if we have a tire problem on either the RV or the 100, we know it immediately. The 100 is about 45-50 feet behind me when I'm driving the RV, and I wouldn't know it if a tire blew without this system.

PressurePro - Tire Pressure Monitoring System HOME

I hope you guys find this info helpful!

Matt

 

[KMGHMG]

I used the Blue Ox system (like a Brake Buddy) that sits in the floor under the steering wheel. It attaches to the brake pedal, and then fits snugly against the driver's seat. It then plugs into a cigarette lighter for power. We installed it exactly as directed. Nevertheless, it did $1,200 in damage to the brakes by putting just enough pressure on the brake pedal to be "riding" he brakes for a hundred miles. If that's the same type of system you're describing, I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Magnaman]

No,

I used the Blue Ox system (like a Brake Buddy) that sits in the floor under the steering wheel. It attaches to the brake pedal, and then fits snugly against the driver's seat. It then plugs into a cigarette lighter for power. We installed it exactly as directed. Nevertheless, it did $1,200 in damage to the brakes by putting just enough pressure on the brake pedal to be "riding" he brakes for a hundred miles. If that's the same type of system you're describing, I wouldn't trust it.[

What I am describing is different. It is an air operated proportional system: It operates directly off of the coach air brakes. It's not electrical at all . Its called the Brakemaster. It's been around for many years. You're Brake Buddy thing is totally different it operates off of inertia.

 

[KMGHMG]

Magnaman,

I think those air brake systems are terrific. My folks use one towing their Suburban behind their RV. I'm not sure which ones will work for you. Last time I checked, none would work with an LC. Maybe that has changed.

 

[Magnaman]

Magnaman,

I think those air brake systems are terrific. My folks use one towing their Suburban behind their RV. I'm not sure which ones will work for you. Last time I checked, none would work with an LC. Maybe that has changed.

I think that you're Brake Buddy system was not adjusted properly problem and it was riding your brakes. The Roadmaster has been around forever very simple. It runs off the air system of your motorhome brakes. You have to adjust the thing that attaches to the floor and rests on the pedal properly. It will work on almost any vehicle unless you're braking system is active when the engine is not running which some newer vehicles are but as far as I can see the Lexus LX 470 is not one of those. You can tell depressing the brake pedal with the engine off. If the effort goes up considerably after a pump or two you do not have one of these active braking Systems. Even if you do Roadmaster nose makes a pressure adjuster to deal with this as well for the brake master.

 

[KMGHMG]

All,

We decided to add a front bumper and winch, so we had Mike at Bump it Offroad adapt his terrific new 100 Series bumper for that purpose. Here's a pic. The horizontal bar just above the winch hook is from my original tow bar setup. Mike attached that mounting hardware to the face of the bumper, and he added the wiring harness connection to the left of the license plate. Looks great and tows perfectly.

 

[Magnaman]

All,

We decided to add a front bumper and winch, so we had Mike at Bump it Offroad adapt his terrific new 100 Series bumper for that purpose. Here's a pic. The horizontal bar just above the winch hook is from my original tow bar setup. Mike attached that mounting hardware to the face of the bumper, and he added the wiring harness connection to the left of the license plate. Looks great and tows perfectly.

View attachment 1256316

Nice!

 

[Niko1]

Here's a towing update. We've towed the LX from San Antonio to Alaska behind the RV over the past several weeks without a single problem. No doubt, these things can be towed with all four tires on the ground. Here's a pic from Haines, AK yesterday.

View attachment 1110089

Great looking rig. May I ask what size tires you have on the cruiser?? Im upgrading tires soon and this size looks nice on your cruiser.
Thanks

 

[KMGHMG]

Great looking rig. May I ask what size tires you have on the cruiser?? Im upgrading tires soon and this size looks nice on your cruiser.
Thanks

Niko1, we sold that 1999 LC about three years ago and bought a 2005 model. I'm sorry, but I don't remember the size of those tires. My new rig has BFG 275/70 18's, and I love them.

 

[upperblack]

We are planning on towing an 06 LX soon behind our motorhome. We've been towing vehicles for years and kept our set up portable in case we change vehicles - irvbrake2, wireless magnetic lights - we really like both of these.

We use a roadmaster tow bar and my question is will the roadmaster base plate work on an 06. Roadmaster only shows it working up to an 02 but has anything related to baseplate mounting changed in that timeframe for an LX?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[KMGHMG]

We are planning on towing an 06 LX soon behind our motorhome. We've been towing vehicles for years and kept our set up portable in case we change vehicles - irvbrake2, wireless magnetic lights - we really like both of these.

We use a roadmaster tow bar and my question is will the roadmaster base plate work on an 06. Roadmaster only shows it working up to an 02 but has anything related to baseplate mounting changed in that timeframe for an LX?
Thanks,
Mike

It worked on our 2005 LC before we decided to install the Bump It Offroad bumper and towing points.

 

[upperblack]

It worked on our 2005 LC before we decided to install the Bump It Offroad bumper and towing points.

Thank you for the reply and confirming this - I've searched all over and could never get confirmation.
One more question - it looks like the base plate has 3 mounting points, I know 2 are where the tie down hook is, but is there a 3rd bolt hole on the frame?
We don't have the truck yet so I can't look for myself.
Thanks

 

[KMGHMG]

Thank you for the reply and confirming this - I've searched all over and could never get confirmation.
One more question - it looks like the base plate has 3 mounting points, I know 2 are where the tie down hook is, but is there a 3rd bolt hole on the frame?
We don't have the truck yet so I can't look for myself.
Thanks

Yes. There are three holes on either side of the frame. Enjoy! We’ve towed our two 100s about 40,000 miles now. Texas to Alaska twice. Texas to Maine. Texas to the Keys. Texas to Washington twice. It’s been awesome.

 

[kpecks]

This thread is worth its weight in gold. Thanks to all for confirming the 100 series can successfully be towed behind a diesel pusher! Now I just have to secure the vehicle and get her rigger up!