Can a 40 series be pulled 2400 miles, or must it be trailered?

[TOBASH]

Finally committed to what I will do

I just bought a Demco Readybrake II system as suggested by several on this BB. I figure with 60 MPH Highway I should be OK. Curves and off ramps will be 15-20MPH max.

Gonna be a slow haul. I will post impressions once I am finished and at my final destination.

Best,

T

 

[40's rock]

Good luck with the adventure! My 2006 F-150 4x4 crewcab got around 11 mpg yesterday pulling my 40 with the top off and windshield down on the freeway....just make sure you have plenty of room even with the brake system. I'm sure you will do fine.

 

[pbgbottle]

Saskatchewan what are you learning there ? where are you heading too?

if you are flat towing that thing i hope you are sticking to the main highways .
i just came from our farm in Sask ,traveling on the lesser used highways and they are pretty nasty ,riddled with potholes and sections of gravel

i would trailer it also .

 

[flow2311]

I would always trailer and use electric brakes if given the option. However, I don't have a trailer and flat tow my FJ40 to the trailhead with wife's Honda Ridgeline. It's not a big problem, even going up the mountain to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. The only real issue is braking into a downhill turn. I have to make sure I am slowed to the speed I am taking the curve in or the FJ tries to push the back of the Ridgeline out. The traction control helps and gives me a good indication I am going too fast when it kicks in. That being said, you can flat tow with no problems as long as you stay alert, careful, and take it slow. You aren't going to win any speed contests.

 

[TOBASH]

I would always trailer and use electric brakes if given the option. However, I don't have a trailer and flat tow my FJ40 to the trailhead with wife's Honda Ridgeline. It's not a big problem, even going up the mountain to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. The only real issue is braking into a downhill turn. I have to make sure I am slowed to the speed I am taking the curve in or the FJ tries to push the back of the Ridgeline out. The traction control helps and gives me a good indication I am going too fast when it kicks in. That being said, you can flat tow with no problems as long as you stay alert, careful, and take it slow. You aren't going to win any speed contests.

Yeah, trailering is nice, but it makes the FJ too tall. Also, I don't want to spend 2 grand for a 1 way trailer that adds weight to the back of my 1/2 ton.

I just bought the redi-brake brake assist, so that should help loads. I am also going to do a 120 mile test drive from Brooklyn to exit 52 on the LIE to experiment with highway, on ramps, off ramps, traffic, and such.

As far as speed, I figure lock in at 55 and keep to the right lane forever and ever. Woo-hoo! Not quite speed racer, but slow and steady wins the race. (First time I drove there I used my Saab SPG and averaged 85 MPH. Not gonna happen this time).

I have pulled cars before, and I hate it. (I never had a ready brake though.) That being said, I am safe. I stay to one lane, drive off hours to avoid traffic, and use my cruise control to maintain speed down hills as well as conserve gas. I also have magnetic trailer lights that plug into my truck that allow signaling for change of lanes.

Thanks to all. The trip begins in 2 weeks, more or less.

I will try to keep you all posted.

T

 

[TOBASH]

Saskatchewan what are you learning there ? where are you heading too?

if you are flat towing that thing i hope you are sticking to the main highways .
i just came from our farm in Sask ,traveling on the lesser used highways and they are pretty nasty ,riddled with potholes and sections of gravel

i would trailer it also .

Yeah, main highways. Mainly drive West through the USA, and then make a left at North Dakota. Then just drive straight up to Saskatoon.

Where is your farm in SK? Might be nice to go fro a drive and visit.

Best,

T

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Uh...if you make a left you'll be going back south...just thought you should know

 

[TOBASH]

Hey, "My Wife Said No FJ"...

My Wife Said No BJ.... Don't think she was talking about the Toyota though.

Yeah, the route is pretty simple as long as you have a compass. 90w to 80w to N. Dakota. I will probably bring camping blankets and overnight in the truck stop rest areas on the major highways.

Best,

T

 

[Living in the Past]

I've flat towed cruisers for thousand of miles with no problems. I tow a real rust bucket from Seattle to Phoenix. That was behind a 2001 Tundra. Towed my FJ45 with an extra top, camper sheel and other parts behind my FJ62 from central California to Phoenix I now have a car hauler and the only real advantage of the trailer is the brakes. A trailer is fine if you have a 1 ton deisel pickup. But a durango isn't a 1 ton truck. So you can figure on an extra 1,500 pounds for a trailer plus while your cruiser is narrower than your durango a trailer will be a lot wider. Driving in city traffic not a lot of fun. With flat towing if your tow vehicle is between the lines your crusier is too. That doesn't hold true with a car hauler. If your cruiser is not lifted with close to stock tires and good wheel bearings I would flat tow it. But no mather how you get it there I would make sure it was secured when you stopped for the night. Trailered or flat towed it's already set up for a crook to steal it.

John

 

[pbgbottle]

farm is south east of Saskatoon .between Raymore and kelliher, i might make it back in NOV I'm in B.C. now, you could have a bit fun out there .just over 2200 acres to play on .

Yeah, main highways. Mainly drive West through the USA, and then make a left at North Dakota. Then just drive straight up to Saskatoon.

Where is your farm in SK? Might be nice to go fro a drive and visit.

Best,

T

 

[TOBASH]

farm is south east of Saskatoon .between Raymore and kelliher, i might make it back in NOV I'm in B.C. now, you could have a bit fun out there .just over 2200 acres to play on .

PM me baby, and I am there!!!

I have a friend in Colona (or is it Kolona) and I might be driving there occasionally to visit too.

PM me so I can call you.

 

[TOBASH]

I've flat towed cruisers for thousand of miles with no problems. I tow a real rust bucket from Seattle to Phoenix. That was behind a 2001 Tundra. Towed my FJ45 with an extra top, camper sheel and other parts behind my FJ62 from central California to Phoenix I now have a car hauler and the only real advantage of the trailer is the brakes. A trailer is fine if you have a 1 ton deisel pickup. But a durango isn't a 1 ton truck. So you can figure on an extra 1,500 pounds for a trailer plus while your cruiser is narrower than your durango a trailer will be a lot wider. Driving in city traffic not a lot of fun. With flat towing if your tow vehicle is between the lines your crusier is too. That doesn't hold true with a car hauler. If your cruiser is not lifted with close to stock tires and good wheel bearings I would flat tow it. But no mather how you get it there I would make sure it was secured when you stopped for the night. Trailered or flat towed it's already set up for a crook to steal it.

John

Thanks for the first hand experience info, and for the encouragement! Brake assist in the BJ should help some. Common sense and Helium foot driving should also make a difference.

Theft might be difficult. The drive shafts will be in my Durango. Chains securing rig to Durango will be locked. I will however be vigilant. That is part of the reason I will sleep with the rigs and not in a hotel.

Best,

T

 

[Mace]

Couple of things,
If you pull the rear DS and unlock the hubs there is NO reason to put the tranny/tcase in neutral.

Tying the steering wheel is sometimes necessary. Not having too is the best idea. But, if the caster is off, the car can turn the opposite way as the tow rig in a turn. Makes a lot of noise and generally slows you down. If that happens, tie the steering wheel down and drive away. It is a bandaid for poor alignment. But it is necessary sometimes.

Your 7K tow rating is fine for a cruiser. Just be careful on deceleration. A flat tow bar is one of the most important things.. Any angle will cause a ton of issues. Even in a motorhome.

You got a long drive. Take it slow and steady and you will be fine.

 

[TOBASH]

Drive starts today in 20 minutes. I won't have Internet access, so I want to thank everyone well in advance.

Won't be online for about 2 weeks as I will need to wait for Cable to be re-installed.

Best,

T

 

[BinaryDude]

Good Luck T. let us know how it goes...