Hundy or GX for towing stuff?

[jtmosca]

Big surprise, my 80 is a lethargic turtle and doesn't like to tow our (17ft, ~3500lb) camper It does ok on flat ground with a strong wind at it's back but on long hills it is a painful experience.

So I've been toying with the idea of picking up a high mileage 100 series or GX to have as both a third car and camper hauler since they both have the V8. Anyone have any thoughts/experience on how either of these might do?

Are there any year's of either model that I should stay away from?

I keep seeing a high mileage cheap '98 100 series on CL. I know that the later model hundy's picked up some additional horsepower but how do you think the earlier years such as a '98 would do?

Any thoughts / input is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[pkniland]

I have an 02 and tows a 20’ speedboat and 24’ pontoon really well. I also had a 4th gen 4Runner with the v8 that I actually think towed a little better that the hundo

 

[uzj100]

These both are close. The 100 has a 112 inch wheelbase and the GX has a 110 inch wheelbase. The GX will do better because it weights about 800 lbs less than a 100. I have had both and they are close. I always go with 100 because of width and a tailgate. I use the tailgate all the time as a get prepped area for mountain biking, tool bench, and of course a place to sit.

 

[pawwright]

Couple of threads in the 100 forum about towing and weights of trailers, seems to be aok in the weight range - I think the limiting factor could/might/maybe on the 100 is the brakes.......

 

[GLTHFJ60]

800# won't make a difference. His trailer weight probably varies by that much depending on dry/wet weights.

 

[OB-1]

Couple of threads in the 100 forum about towing and weights of trailers, seems to be aok in the weight range - I think the limiting factor could/might/maybe on the 100 is the brakes.......

I just upgraded to Terrain Tamers. Haven't towed with mine, but braking is greatly improved!

 

[lt1fire]

If this is a third car and mainly for towing you may want to think bigger than a yota SUV. 3500 isnt a ton of weight though so if set on either they should do fine.
But there is always a chance down the line you get a bigger trailer, boat, car hauler etc...
2500 suburbans and V10 excursions can be had for pretty dang cheap and are great rigs for towing.

Just might be something you want to factor into your equation and think about will you ever need more.

Before I sold my 98 I asked on here about towing with a hundo before and I got the response of if it is just for towing get a better tow rig which I would agree with. The trailer and bronco would have weighed around 4k and after the other week when I helped a co-worker and her husband tow around 4k with a borrowed 00 cruiser up I'd double up on that. Fine for the flats but around here most places you want to get to requires some elevation and it wasnt great.
I'll be grabbing a v10 ford at some point this year after I shed a few more vehicles.

NC isnt super hilly though, except for western NC and even then not too bad so experiences will vary.

 

[lt1fire]

If you are stuck on those two I'd say it is pretty even, the gx will weigh about a half ton less and most likely have a few more ponies but I dont know what the gear ratio on those are.

With the hundo, the 5 speed models have more hp with the same amount of tq and a better trans but also go from a 4.30 to a 4.10 gear. I think all 100s are rated at 6500 max tow capacity when using trailer brakes.

So I'd imagine there isnt a difference. The gx is rated at 5000 the first year and then 6500 after that.

 

[little_joe]

As much as I love my GX, I will advise you to very very carefully consider having something attached to your hitch and opening the rear door. You may be able to, you may not, the door may hit, etc.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I gotta agree with Al. As much as cruisers and the like are awesome, any number of domestic trucks will tow that load better for less money. Even a 1500 pickup/burb will tow that 3500-4000# load with ease.

 

[NCFJ]

I am also with Al. 3rd vehicle/tow vehicle, last thing on my mind is a Land Cruiser. Personally, I can not live without a pickup so the choice of a tow rig was easy for me. Even with the upcoming 5.3L swap for Heather's 80, towing anything past a camping trailer is not in the cards.

 

[fourtrax]

Get a tundra. Then put a cap or a nice shell on the back. You'll have all the storage you need.

 

[jtmosca]

Great input everyone. Thanks for the responses. So what I am hearing is:

1. Either the GX or Hundy/LX option is an improvement over my current situation, and may be passable if I don't move out West or try to tow anything too much heavier. However neither option is an ideal solution.
2. Neither the GX or Hundy/LX drastically outshine the other for this purpose.
3. Even though some later years have some engine improvements, all years of the GX or Hundy/LX are relatively in the same ballpark with each other in regards to performance.

I can see the logic in the 2500/burb/excursion suggestions, however I am a rather prejudice when it comes to other brands. Over the years, EVERY single time I have strayed to other brands I have regretted it. It's a challenge to overcome that mental block but I may have to.

I like the Tundra suggestion too. I had been toying with the idea of that or a Sequoia as well. Don't both of them have the same chassis and engine? It seems that the engines in them were smaller the further back you go. How far back in the line up do you think would be too far?

We also have a 2012 V6 Highlander with 100k, I was also considering selling that and buying the nicest / lowest mileage GX I could find. The wife loves the GX's and it would take the pressure off of my 80. It would also allow us to stick with just a 2 car scenario.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

Any additional thoughts are welcome.

 

[lt1fire]

Great input everyone. Thanks for the responses. So what I am hearing is:

1. Either the GX or Hundy/LX option is an improvement over my current situation, and may be passable if I don't move out West or try to tow anything too much heavier. However neither option is an ideal solution.
2. Neither the GX or Hundy/LX drastically outshine the other for this purpose.
3. Even though some later years have some engine improvements, all years of the GX or Hundy/LX are relatively in the same ballpark with each other in regards to performance.

I can see the logic in the 2500/burb/excursion suggestions, however I am a rather prejudice when it comes to other brands. Over the years, EVERY single time I have strayed to other brands I have regretted it. It's a challenge to overcome that mental block but I may have to.

I like the Tundra suggestion too. I had been toying with the idea of that or a Sequoia as well. Don't both of them have the same chassis and engine? It seems that the engines in them were smaller the further back you go. How far back in the line up do you think would be too far?

We also have a 2012 V6 Highlander with 100k, I was also considering selling that and buying the nicest / lowest mileage GX I could find. The wife loves the GX's and it would take the pressure off of my 80. It would also allow us to stick with just a 2 car scenario.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

Any additional thoughts are welcome.

They are pretty much the same. The big tree has the same tow rating as the hundo or the gx, the tundra a tad better at 7200 or something like that but i'd guess that is the dual cab longer wheel base. Those still command a good amount.

Those are first gen's though and the 2nd gen tundra and tree with the 5.7 is a different animal but also quite a bit more expensive.

I guess its also prudent to ask what your max budget is for this goal?

 

[fourtrax]

The 5.7 utilizes a timing chain and tows very well. The other V8 use a belt so you have a 100k maintenance cycle. There are plenty of 2wds around. Careful on the 4wds most I have seen have come from up North. The look good but rust under bed, rear fender tubs area, might be an issue. 2007 up can net you a 5.7. the tow package has a few extra coolers. But, not needed for the load you mentioned. The Sequoia would also be an equally great option. I think 2010+ has has all the bugs worked out. I have a 08' 5.7 searched around it was a local truck. Picked it up for 10.5 with 180k on it. 4wd didn't work but, fixed it for $400. Runs like a new one.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I didn’t want to chime in...glad Al took the lead in offering some honesty regarding Toyota SUV’s being much of a tow vehicle. I went through this considering a TV for pulling some sort of travel trailer/5th wheel/toy hauler etc, being a bit overly analytical, I dove deep into these waters.

I was stunned how many RV’ers are towing “illegally”, beyond their TV’s rated capacity. How quickly a trailer, gear, people, dogs, clothes, water, bicycles, food, beer...one finds themselves well over their rating as posted on their door panel. This became 1st hand when I made a trip across the country, staying in campgrounds/RV resorts and everything in between. One night specifically, pulled into our spot right next to my exact truck with a HUGE 5th wheel. Yes, the Cummins can pull it, the OEM trailer brake and tow/haul mode make pulling/stopping a dream, yet, I looked at his 5th wheel and knew he was grossly overweight.

Without being too much of a d!ck, we chatted and he rattled off all the advice he’d been given and felt comfortable. I’d never put myself in his shoes, legal liability can be held, insurance walks away because someone bought the wrong TV from the start. This is why I chose the “horse” (2015 Ram 2500 Cummins 4x4 quad w/tow package) knowing the limits it puts on the “buggy” (5th wheel/travel trailer) and went as far as renting the Airstream we planned to buy for a trial trip through the Rockies. The next day we drove past a travel trailer involved wreck, it’s unbelievable the pile of toothpicks is leftover, not implying anything, just understand the risks one takes attached a couple tons (or 5, or 6...) to the back of their vehicle.

The hard truth is SUV’s are not the best TV, Toyota Land Cruisers not being one of the best, even if it is within the door jamb limits, it is slow and sucks fuel like...well I won’t make a bad joke. Great advise given, you’ll be fine but I’d suggest looking at your real weight (CAT scales are easy to find and well worth knowing what you really weigh) and see where you really land in a Toyota SUV ratings.

Here is a link to a database of vehicle ratings, hope this link works to the Toyotas...

Vehicle Towing Capacity Guide & Lookup Tool 2009-2018

Complete guide to towing capacity - definitions, example calculations & table of maximum trailer weights for vehicles sortable by make and model for 2009-2018.

axleadvisor.com

I’m very happy we got the right horse although I’m now looking at pushing my payload limits of the 2500 when I bring my side-by-side with me while towing the Airstream. I need to do exactly as I suggested to you is hit the nearest CAT scale to know exactly where I stand also. I’m close enough that a set of Firestone airbags will make up for the couple hundred pounds I may be over if I’m fully loaded (with generator, propane, fresh water tank full) but the scales will tell the truth and may be looking at an upgrade to a 3500...

 

[roadstr6]

I don't need a 2500 for my uses, but I do need at the bare minimum a damn stout 1500. Two or three times a year I tow a 7000# Airstream behind my old '03 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. It does okay but it struggles in the mountains. This last mountain trip we took, I borrowed my mother-in-law's '17 Tundra 5.7 just to see how it would tow the Airstream. I was seriously impressed. My next truck will be a Tundra. I wouldn't tow anything more than a small boat or a utility trailer behind any of my LC's, including the wife's GX.

 

[weejub]

Definitely avoid the A340 transmission for towing. That would be 2004 and lower Tundras and Sequoias. The A750f is a solid towing transmission when using Drive without Overdrive for lighter weights. I am a compulsive transmission temperature watcher and can tell you that there is a big difference in temperatures between the two.

The A340 is not to be confused with the A343 on the 100 series - whole different animal, much bigger.

Also - toyota rear springs on the trucks are pretty light weight, btw - you are looking at probably needing an add a leaf for a Tundra at least if not a whole new rear set of leaf springs.

GX470 and all 4th Gen 4Runners have the A750F. The 100 moved to the A750F in 2003, I believe (@uzj100 or anyone who knows).

 

[jynx]

Arent the newer Tundras rated at 10k#?

And I would be another vote for a dedicated tow rig. I bought a used 1997 F250HD big block truck a few years ago to tow with, and after driving a v10 f650 over the weekend (Uhaul) I'm now leaning towards seeing what I can find in the higher gvwr rigs used. As has been mentioned, it's not hard to overload a tow rig if you start actually adding up all the stuff.

 

[stevezero]

You should think about how fast the little ones become not so little. If you plan on keeping it for a while, and using it for a daily driver, get what ya want. Depending upon your budget, you could look at a later model sequoia, or even a 200 or tundra. If you want to stay toyota.

Or go with one of the above domestics, and have auto parts store availability anywhere. I'd prob go domestic for a family hauler tow vehicle. Deals to be had on those.