LC towing newbie here with a question on towing with the 100

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derek0177

10 Year
Joined
May 1, 2011
Threads
5
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16
Location
Indiana
Hey everybody.... so it looks like I'll be needing to move across the country here in the near future (IL-CA). Due to the strange nature of my move and uncertainty of where I will be moving to, I'm kicking around the idea of just buying a car mover trailer to put all of my things in (including a motorcycle) and just moving myself with my 06 LC instead of hiring movers or renting a uhaul. I'm looking at either a 7'x16' or an 8.5'x20' dual-axle trailer, depending on how much stuff I get rid of before the move. I'll probably just sell the trailer once I arrive in California.
...Anyway, my question is: does anybody have any experience towing a trailer this large with their LC? I'm looking at probably somewhere around 4k-5k lbs. My LC is in great condition as far as I know, but does have slightly high mileage (138k miles) and has an aftermarket Curt hitch (mine came without the factory hitch). Would it be possible to tow a trailer like this across the country with the LC... would it be smart?
Any opinions or shared experience would definitely help!
 
Also a side note... I have Goodyear Duratrac 275/70/18s on right now... I'm not sure if that affects tow-ability.
 
That would be slow going. I don't think the weight is a problem but the 20' length is questionable unless the proper equipment is not used. You will need a brake controller and I would highly recommend a WDH. And it's possible that items can shift in transit, which could affect your towing.

I have posted this before but this is from a 23' travel trailer where the tail wagged the dog. He had a BC, WDH, everything that one could do to make it safe. So even with those items, drive slow.

in short, I think you will be OK with the proper equipment

upload_2016-3-11_11-43-21.webp
 
Every big rig that passes you can "wag the dog" with your trailer. Cross country would be interesting at the least. Uhaul is way easier than making your Landcruiser into a longhaul towing vehicle.
 
My camping trailer is 7X16 and about 8 feet high. It weighs about 3700lbs going down the road. I use an Andersen weight distribution hitch, a Tekonsha Prodigy 3 brake controller (both trailer axles have brakes) and I run in 4th gear at 60 mph max. Once I installed Airlift air bags in the rear coils to fix the saggy rear, it's been great. Keep the tongue weight to at least 10% of the total trailer weight to reduce any tendency to sway. Watch the weather and don't go on extremely windy days. Make sure your shocks are in good condition, your truck all maintenanced, and the trailer tires are pumped up to the maximum on the sidewall. I would not do a 5000b 8.5X20 trailer for that far with the Land Cruiser. That's a lot of frontal area, weight, and it's way longer than the truck. Keep it reasonable and follow good towing practices and it will do fine; enjoy the trip out!
 
Sandroad said:
My camping trailer is 7X16 and about 8 feet high. It weighs about 3700lbs going down the road. I use an Andersen weight distribution hitch, a Tekonsha Prodigy 3 brake controller (both trailer axles have brakes) and I run in 4th gear at 60 mph max. Once I installed Airlift air bags in the rear coils to fix the saggy rear, it's been great. Keep the tongue weight to at least 10% of the total trailer weight to reduce any tendency to sway. Watch the weather and don't go on extremely windy days. Make sure your shocks are in good condition, your truck all maintenanced, and the trailer tires are pumped up to the maximum on the sidewall. I would not do a 5000b 8.5X20 trailer for that far with the Land Cruiser. That's a lot of frontal area, weight, and it's way longer than the truck. Keep it reasonable and follow good towing practices and it will do fine; enjoy the trip out!
Click to expand...


Thanks for the good response. After seeing everybody's advice, I think I'm going to just go with a 7'x16" dual axle trailer with a brake control and WD towing system. I'll take it slow and hopefully that should do it!
 
I tow a 24 foot 5000lbs camper with mine with the brake controller and wd tow hitch and I don't see it being a problem. I stay at 55-60mph usually. I think you should watch your tongue weight.
 
Factor in the 8 MPG into your rental cost comparison. I tow horse trailers in state. A cross country trip like you're planning would be slow, expensive, and stressful. Rent a uhaul truck with car trailer, tow the 100, go slow, and don't worry...
 
I think it's a good idea and compromise given that you don't know exactly where you are going to be renting.

It'll tow just fine. I've done a 25', 5k+ lbs airstream. Contrary to popular belief, a longer trailer is actually more stable. Your 06 will man handle it fine. 4th gear, with your slight overdrive cause of taller tires, will be great for cruising. It's like that magic 4.5 gear.

Just be sure you set it up correctly. It's important that the trailer sits level. And that it has sufficient tongue weight for stability. Newbies will improperly try to keep tongue weight light, which is one of the most detrimental variables to making sure the tail doesn't wag the dog.

I have a prodigy P3. Great controller. Also make sure setting up, the trailer has sufficient brake bias. The trailer should not feel like it's pushing your LC. If it does, turn up the gain. This is especially critical when going downhill, on curvy roads. Braking with the proper brake bias/gain should stabilize the rig. Improper bias will again, have the tail wagging the dog.

I personally would not hesitate to tow even the larger trailer. The VVTi motor is great for it and makes all the difference.
 
Over here in The Netherlands the number one towing vehicle is the Land Cruiser. So I think it is very capable for towing. We bought our Land Cruisers to tow three axle trailers and we would never choose another vehicle. The trailers are about 12m (39') and have a maximum weight of 3500kg (7700lbs). Sometimes we load our trailers with a load of 6 tons (13000lbs) and it the Cruiser can still easily handle it. Since everyone liked it so much we even bought three extra Land Cruisers and two extra large trailers. Now all of our transportation is done by Land Cruisers and trailers. So with a lot of experience we can say that Land Cruisers are very capable of towing.
There even is a special law in Holland in which a Land Cruiser can tow trailers up to 11tons (24000lbs). The restrictions for this is that the Land Cruiser needs to have an airbrake system for the trailer, and the trailer needs to have airbrakes. Sadly we do not have this system because this law is not valid in other countries.

F1 HungaroRing 2009 - 002.webp

The 100 towing

LC.webp

The 200 and 100 towing together

foto 1.webp

And also towing some cars
 
And what engine do these 100's have at The Netherlands... don't you guys have diesels in them, which have more torque and can tow better than the gas cousins that we have here in the U.S.
I still wouldn't do it with a 100. That's why we have full size American diesel trucks, for jobs like that...
 
aljogav said:
And what engine do these 100's have at The Netherlands... don't you guys have diesels in them, which have more torque and can tow better than the gas cousins that we have here in the U.S.
I still wouldn't do it with a 100. That's why we have full size American diesel trucks, for jobs like that...
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That, and no 8,000' mountain passes to tow up, and get pushed down... my daughter just bought a 7.3L diesel crew-cab, long-bed to tow the horses. That'll relieve the LC from the over-5K towing duty. Much better platform. Though for flat terrain, if equipped right (air bags, brake controller) the LC did the job...
 
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We drive diesels so they have more torque, but the transmission and the drivetrain are the same. And off course are those big diesel trucks better at towing, but I still think the petrols are still very capable but they will only be a little slower.
 
TeCKis300 said:
I think it's a good idea and compromise given that you don't know exactly where you are going to be renting.

It'll tow just fine. I've done a 25', 5k+ lbs airstream. Contrary to popular belief, a longer trailer is actually more stable. Your 06 will man handle it fine. 4th gear, with your slight overdrive cause of taller tires, will be great for cruising. It's like that magic 4.5 gear.

Just be sure you set it up correctly. It's important that the trailer sits level. And that it has sufficient tongue weight for stability. Newbies will improperly try to keep tongue weight light, which is one of the most detrimental variables to making sure the tail doesn't wag the dog.

I have a prodigy P3. Great controller. Also make sure setting up, the trailer has sufficient brake bias. The trailer should not feel like it's pushing your LC. If it does, turn up the gain. This is especially critical when going downhill, on curvy roads. Braking with the proper brake bias/gain should stabilize the rig. Improper bias will again, have the tail wagging the dog.

I personally would not hesitate to tow even the larger trailer. The VVTi motor is great for it and makes all the difference.
Click to expand...


X2 on what was said above. I've towed a 18', 20' and 24' ft trailer with my former 80 series and also my current 100 series, and have nearly 15K worth of towing miles under my belt in those vehicles and many more towing miles in other vehicles. With the correct tongue weight and a decent trailer w/brakes, you won't have any issues.

I towed an identical setup as to what you're getting (7'x16" dual axle trailer) from Mexico to Wash, DC with right around 5500 lbs and had no problems keeping up with traffic, merging onto ramps, etc. I'm not sure why people are saying it will be slow and stressful, I did it without trailer brakes or a WD hitch (did have rear airbags though) and it wasn't much different than any other towing trip I've been on.

Bottom line, you'll be fine and your truck will be fine as long as you load the trailer properly (tongue weight), keep the tires aired up (most trailer tires are crappy), and don't morph into Mario Andretti.

If all else fails, load some CW McCall tunes and tuck in with a group of semis:)
 
^^^Yeah that's some some good advice. No trailer brakes and 5500 lbs.

Better to be lucky than safe tucked in with a group of semis and listening to the rubber ducky.:D

You must have been hauling canaries and half of them were flying.
 
DutchCruiser said:
Over here in The Netherlands the number one towing vehicle is the Land Cruiser. So I think it is very capable for towing. We bought our Land Cruisers to tow three axle trailers and we would never choose another vehicle. The trailers are about 12m (39') and have a maximum weight of 3500kg (7700lbs). Sometimes we load our trailers with a load of 6 tons (13000lbs) and it the Cruiser can still easily handle it. Since everyone liked it so much we even bought three extra Land Cruisers and two extra large trailers. Now all of our transportation is done by Land Cruisers and trailers. So with a lot of experience we can say that Land Cruisers are very capable of towing.
There even is a special law in Holland in which a Land Cruiser can tow trailers up to 11tons (24000lbs). The restrictions for this is that the Land Cruiser needs to have an airbrake system for the trailer, and the trailer needs to have airbrakes. Sadly we do not have this system because this law is not valid in other countries.

View attachment 1225200
The 100 towing

View attachment 1225206
The 200 and 100 towing together

View attachment 1225208
And also towing some cars
Click to expand...
That trailer in the pictures is nothing like what the original poster is talking about towing - it has an axle up front. Tell us more about the hitch set up, is it a ball?.
 
Saying you did it without trailer brakes gives a false sense of confidence to the guy who has never towed before.
One panic stop puts everyone around you into the same smoking pile up.
 
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