Can a S/C '96 LC tow ~9k lbs?

[wileetoyote]

Currently haul ~4k lbs. when camping. wanna buy a toy hauler and quads but don't want to give up my locked up '96 cruiser. I expect to be hauling ~9k lbs. Can the cruiser do this if i slap on the S/C? What do you haul and what does it weigh?

Thread from another forum said 'inadequate brakes' is the real issue. sounds reasonable. what do u think?

Thx in advance.

 

[Josh83]

That is just too much trailer for the truck. Brakes are inadequate and the trailer may try to push the tuck around. Power is the least of your worries. You need a 3/4 ton.

 

[wileetoyote]

thx for the response.

So i've done some comparisons to an F-series...

LC w/SC puts out very similar numbers so power should not be a problem. I believe the LC rear axle is beefy enough to carry the tongue weight and between the 9" r/p and floating axle, sounds like it should do the job. The LC weighs almost 1k lbs more than an F-150 but its rated to tow ~8k lbs (weight distributed I assume) whereas the LC specs say 5K lbs. Is Toyota just being ultra conservative?

Whats the heaviest anyone here has towed and what was their experience?

 

[Josh83]

Width, wheelbase, frame thickness and rear springrate also factor heavily on towing. Personally, I would not tow 9K lbs with an F150 either. Sure, according to the specs you can do it, but that doesn't make it a smart thing to do. If you are pulling more than 6-7K pounds, you need a 3/4 ton.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

We are talking diesel 1 ton(dually a plus)if you are going to be pulling a 9k box trailer. Anything less you are slow and scared.

wileetoyote Im have a SC and live in the Scottsdale and if you slap a SC on your 80 you wont be pulling your 4k trailer around here in the summer.

 

[wileetoyote]

Hhhhhmmm

All good points thus far.

Just moved into my new barbie dream home (w/5 car garage ) and CANNOT afford a to buy a toy hauler, quads, AND a new truck to haul it with.

I figured i could justify, new (stiffer) springs, upgraded tow-hitch (load-balance), pusher fan for tranny cooler, AND the SC. All toll, ~$5k worth of ugrades IF 'ol betsy could tow the new $30k load but there's just no way to squeeze in a tow vehicle on top of that.

Guess there's no Christmas for the little ones this year :whoops:

 

[yomama]

Wileetoyota - I would bet I pull more then most do with thier cruiser. I have a big boat and I would have to guess between the boat/trailer/fuel etc. that I am pulling at least 7000lbs. 9000? No way - I am turboed, power is not the issue. I do have brakes on the trailer as well, but I have to admit there are times when it just seems a little scary. I don't have tow bars or load levelers, maybe that would help some, but no way would I consider pulling more then what I currently am pulling. In fact I have looked at maybe a new rig because of it.

Yomama

 

[cruiserdan]

Towing that much with an 80 is just plain dangerous. WHEN it gets away you would be liable for any and all damage caused by such an irresponsible act.

 

[cary]

It's not a power issue. I have a friend that used to tow a 5000 pound boat (including trailer) with a Grand Cherokee v-8. There was plenty of power, but it felt like the boat was driving the Jeep. He ended up replacing the jeep (because it was scary with the boat) with a F-250 powerstroke. You couldn't even feel the trailer back there, no pushing, wagging or any other problems. The extra wheelbase and spring rate made all the difference. He now uses a Suberban with a 350. It works great with the long wheelbase.

 

[wileetoyote]

so your the one (yomama) I remembered from the SOR bb a couple years back. When they shut it down, I stopped looking around. But I do remember seeing a pic of this big a$$ honkin boat behind a LC and kept that in mind when I started this thread.

So when you say "scary", do you mean 'squirrely" when driving? Do you have an anti-sway bar? And/or do you mean "scary" when braking even though you said you have trailers brakes (which all toy-haulers now have). How long have you been hauling this boat and how often (ie 1/mo, 6/yr, etc.?).

I understand and appreciate everyone's input. What I'm trying to understand is that IF I do use a load leveler, change to OME stiffer springs, maybe add rear airbags (if necessary), upgrade my hitch to class IV, I already have an electronic brake controller for trailer brakes, AND finally add a S/C , whats the maximum tow capacity of this '96 FJ80 would be.

As far as safety is concerned, I believe thats 80% driver. Just to get everyone going, could you (yomama) post that pic of the LC w/the SS Titanic on the back. From what I remember, its very impressive.

Again, thanks for all the great input everybody.

 

[clownmidget]

tow rig

All toll, ~$5k worth of ugrades IF 'ol betsy could tow the new $30k load but there's just no way to squeeze in a tow vehicle on top of that.
Guess there's no Christmas for the little ones this year :whoops:

Wiley - for what you're willing to toss at the 80 in upgrades you are already in the range of early to mid-90's F-250s, and often set up for heavy towing. Folks that buy these trucks usually keep trading up so there's no shortage of them. Seems like a better option than trying to kill yourself and your 80 (and your new toybox)

Good luck
Mike R.

 

[cruiserdan]

I understand and appreciate everyone's input. What I'm trying to understand is that IF I do use a load leveler, change to OME stiffer springs, maybe add rear airbags (if necessary), upgrade my hitch to class IV, I already have an electronic brake controller for trailer brakes, AND finally add a S/C , whats the maximum tow capacity of this '96 FJ80 would be.

5000 lbs.

In addition, it is important to note that Toyota specificly recommends against fitting a load-distributing hitch to an 80 series.

By the way, I am not picking on you here. I am trying to convey the potential ramifications of towing a trailer that is almost twice the weight stipulated by the vehicle manufacturer.

 

[wileetoyote]

There's no debate here, just info sharing. I did read that section about Toyota not recommending the load- distribution setup. Another question to ponder.

What I was looking for was who towed what, how much does it weigh, and with what setup and eqpt as well as their experience in doing so.

My 4k lb trailer gets 'squirrely' without the anti-sway bar but with it, I don't even know its back there except when towing uphill (dog slow). It has imo crappy trailer brakes that needs to be adjusted already because I could notice the difference of its effectiveness since last year.

My current vehicles are
96 LC (Locked up booney camper mobile)
96 Avalon
89 4Rnr (my rock crawler - webpage in my profile)

I used to tow the camper with the 4Rnr but the 3.0 V6 has 250k miles and is just tired. SOOO I bought the LC to tow the camper. Viscous circle I find myself in

 

[Scamper]

Wilee -

As is the custom here, I think folks are trying hard to be kind and not insulting. Allow me to be a bit more direct: they are telling you that you are nuts to tow 9K with a cruiser, no matter how you've outfitted it. Take them at their word on this--it may save your life and those around you.

I realize that you may not want to hear that message, which is why you keep saying that it's "something else to ponder". I don't think there's much to ponder about this. It's dangerous in a big way. It may not fit in with what you hoped for with the cruiser, but at least you'll be alive as will the other passengers in your truck.

 

[Doc]

Take the $5k in upgrades for the LC and buy an older 1 ton pick up or Suburban. Much better idea.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

'....hold my Jim Beam and watch this...'

Why not sell the 4 runner + take the $5K and buy a tow rig with that? I'm not sure what the situation is in the US, but by doing what you are suggesting, you are effectively uninsured (ie completely liable)...which may or may not be a problem.

Cheers, Hugh

 

[jjbodean1970]

agree with all above, it's not a question of power, but stopping and handling that much weight. it's not gonna do any good getting it going if it won't end up where you want it to.

 

[wileetoyote]

CDN_Cruiser,

Have you seen my 4Rnr? I'm quite attached. Done all the work myself (solid axle swap, arb's, R/P , rear bumper, semi-custom roof rack (swappable with the LC too), etc, etc, etc.

 

[sjpitts]

Here is a landcruiser with wheelbase to be a tow vehicle.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4502964501&category=6737

Jared

 

[Gold Finger]

3500 KG on over run breaks is the legal maxim in the UK for this vehicle.