Increasing Towing Capacity

[Punani]

Hello everyone,

As far as I know the max towing capacity of an Fj40 is around 3000 lbs - 1360 Kg.

From what I have read most people discourage towing a weight like that.
Could somebody explain correctly why?
Is this because of the Swb or are there other restrictions?

And what can I do to increase the towing capacity? (to the max)

- Engine (read power)?
- Brake ?
- suspension ?
- Other options? idea's?


I would like to tow something like this:

It has it's own braking equipment and by the construction there isn't mutch ball pressure.
So it sounds to me that the lack of power would be the biggest issue?

Kind regards,

Simon

 

[Dieseler]

The 3 you listed are the main reasons as well as the short wheel base plus there is a calculation GVW vs trailer weight don't recall the exact figures but the trailer max weight has to be no more than 80% of the towing vehicles GVW something like that...I am sure the rest will chime in soon.

 

[StaleAle]

Using a drop hitch can also bend the rear cross member, but short wheelbase, limited braking capacity, and weight distribution are all solid reasons to look elsewhere for a tow vehicle.

 

[cjgoode]

short wheel base, tow something big and heavy with one and you will quickly no why. Before increasing the towing capacity I would increase the rollbar and seatbelt protection.

 

[Punani]

short wheel base, tow something big and heavy with one and you will quickly no why. Before increasing the towing capacity I would increase the rollbar and seatbelt protection.

Could you explain what I can expect ?
I seriously have no idea how this turns out to be.

 

[Weber Sarge]

The biggest issue towing something heavier than 3k is the brakes and wheel base length . If for any reason you have to stop quickly it gets really ugly . A hydraulic tongue-actuated brake will help a lot but the trailer brakes have to be in top shape . Be aware also that tongue steered trailers can get really weird behind short wheelbase tow vehicles easily - long wheelbase is almost a dead requirement .
Sarge

 

[cjgoode]

I have owned a lot of pickups and fj40's and cj7's and towed boats and other trailers. I would much rather tow a heavy trailer with a light Toyota pickup then a heavy fj40. Short wheel base vehicles are a little squilry on the road without a trailer, and you will never feel 100% safe if you have to slam on the brakes while driving one, add a ton of weight pushing and pulling on the back of that and it is much much worse, just driving straight down the road is sketchy with a heavy trailer, and if you have to brake real hard expect to need new underwear. If you did a 5th wheel attachment so the pushing and pulling was directly over the rear wheels like semi trucks have that would help but that is not really an option.

I towed an olds 98 a giant car with a cj7 because we needed to pull the 455 motor out of it for a boat, going down the highway at under 40mph was the scariest thing I have ever done, once we got off the highway and onto the side roads we probably never went over 20 because it just felt so unsafe. We had enough braking power to stop it, enough motor to pull it, but you just had a real hard time staying in your lane.

One thing I noticed is the shorter the trailer the worse the effects were driving but seemed better when stopping. A longer trailer like a boat trailer where the first wheels are much further back made it much better towing but much much worse when trying to slow down.

 

[Punani]

Thanks, I can visualize it better know.

This picture with an early 40 towing a boat is far from realistic if I understand correctly :

Even with some preparation it would be scary as hell, or are there some tricks to make it happen?

Does anbody has some experience with towing behind a Fj43?
Does the 5 inch extra wheelbase make a difference?
Or does the extra length between the rear axle and the pintle hook have negative consequences?

I Fj45 isn't a option for me.
Fj43 is something that I would consider

 

[Coastline]

What is it that you plan to use that trailer for and why couldn't / wouldn't you use another tow vehicle. I tow my Off Road Trailers with my 40 and the biggest issue I have is getting up to the speed limit on flat ground. With 20 gallons of water and supplies my largest trailer weighs under 1600 pounds.

 

[SouthMS40]

If you're going to be pulling a trailer like the one you posted the picture of with four wheels at the corners you should be ok. If your trailer is more like what everyone is thinking like a boat trailer that has a single axle I wouldn't do it. The single axle type is more likely to try to pass you, spin you around, in a hard braking situation. The trailer with wheels at the corner seems more like you would be flat towing another vehicle and want to track straighter. In a hard braking situation I think it's just going to try to push you straight instead of trying to come around you like a single axle.

 

[Weber Sarge]

A twin axle trailer , even with brakes will try to jacknife under hard braking unless it's brakes are set up perfectly .
Does the trailer pictured earlier use a tongue-actuated hydraulic brake system or is it electric ?
Either way , anything much over 3,000lbs is really dangerous .
Sarge

 

[addicted56]

Thanks, I can visualize it better know.

This picture with an early 40 towing a boat is far from realistic if I understand correctly :

Even with some preparation it would be scary as hell, or are there some tricks to make it happen?

Does anbody has some experience with towing behind a Fj43?
Does the 5 inch extra wheelbase make a difference?
Or does the extra length between the rear axle and the pintle hook have negative consequences?

I Fj45 isn't a option for me.
Fj43 is something that I would consider

I think the 5 extra inches will help but I can't imagine a ton. I'll let you know one of these days

But there are plenty of people who have stretched their 40s who might be able to join in. Problem is most of those are lifted and doubt they tow much. I used to tow our 19' 1991 blue water boat with single axle trailer with an 89' Bronco. I can say that thing was pretty damn squirly and it has a wider wheel base and longer as well.

I have also towed with a Touareg and with the adaptive trailer control and V10 Twin Turbo diesel you never knew anything was back there.

Answer...buy FJ43, add expensive after market trailer control from newer F150 and hit the roads

 

[Punani]

I would like to tow as mutch as possible: boats, cars, stones etc everything up to 7716.179176 Lbs (with trailer brakes)

In Holland it is legal to let an Fj40 towing this weight.
But I think it would be impossible to make it safe to tow a weight like that

 

[crushers]

legal does not make safe ...
if you are a farmer moving a load of hay from one farm to another then you could easily be moving 8000 lbs ... but if you are a smart farmer you will look at the terrain and would drive in low range and slow to a stop a long ways back.
i have towed 40s behind a 40 in the past. can be done but not recommended.
you need to look beyond what the legal requirements allow and think about the results IF something was to go wrong. trailer brakes fail, can you stop the load you are towing with just the cruiser? or are you relying on the trailer brakes alone?
is your 40 in tip top shape? steering, clutch, brakes? or could you run into an issue.
is your engine up to the task? if you have hills to contend with are you going to be able to climb them easily and safely with your set up?

you kill yourself, you are to blame and you suffered.
if you kill a family and you live, are you going to accept you screwed up and live with the consequences?

you are SHARING the road with others, remember that when you head out. they have as much right to a safe travel as you do.

 

[cjgoode]

If the fj40 brakes slow the fj40 down much quicker then the trailer brakes slow down the trailer in an slight urgent braking issue you will be looking at the trailer out the side window.

 

[crushers]

proper adjustment is crucial

 

[Punani]

Technical the rig needs to be in excelent condition before I tow anything.
I'm going to search for solutions to upgrade the brakes and gear ratio's etc

What would be the max to tow safely ?
- fj40 like new
- upgraded brakes etc

The main priority is to tow a small boat now and then.

Kind regards

 

[crushers]

book tow rating or comfortable towing rating?
how far you towing the boat? how much does it weigh?
terrain? how fast?
might sound stupid but if the boat weighs 3500 lbs and you are towing when rush hour is over so you can stay a comfortable distance back from the vehicle in front of you and on realitivly flat ground then you should be fine.
if it is rush hour Calgary and heading for Salmon Arm then it might not be advisable

 

[Punani]

thanks for the good help so far.

Distance is about 35 miles max.
Only flat tarmac roads, no rush hour driving.
Just cruising in the weekend or maybe in the evening?

I don't have an boat at the moment, expecting weights around 4500 lbs.

Is it a no go?

 

[crushers]

4500, it can be done ... trailer brakes adjusted properly
keep the speed down, don't tailgate
i would probably do it but don't recommend it.