New member - which series & model for pulling a camping trailer? (1 Viewer)

[jonathanj]

Hello everyone, I'm looking into getting a 70 or 80 series Land Cruiser for family trips. Having lived in Australia and New Zealand, my wife and I love the look and character of the 70 series. However, we are realistic that a vehicle with a bit more creature comforts, like coil suspension, might take precedence. So maybe the 80 series is for us. We would be pulling a ~3,000lb ~21ft camping trailer (with brakes) a couple times a year. We are a family of four, our experience is largely from Tacomas and Ford Transits, and the speed at which we travel is not important. Safety and having fun is. We would like to have decent access to trailheads, so basic 4x4 is fine. No crawling or wheeling here.

I wish I could test drive a couple models, but I'm not sure how. I reached out to our local TLC meetup group, but haven't heard back. I've been watching BringATrailer and wonder if anyone ever flies to see a vehicle before bidding on it, then driving it back cross country?

Is there certain models which I should be on the lookout for?

Our needs are:

As basic as possible, without being a nuisance driving for hours over the road
4x4 for forest roads and trail access
Pull a basic camping trailer
Manual transmission
A/C that actually works
LHD to safely pull a trailer

I realise that needing LHD severely limits the options to european and middle eastern imports, and some central american.

I'd love to test ride a 70 series Trooper and a 1990's era 80 series, to see ourselves what the ride difference is. How could I go about this?

Thanks for listening and any advice!

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Your post would get more views if in the Chit Chat, 80 series or 70 series section of this forum.
I'm afraid a 70 series would be lacking adequate power and braking for your towing needs.
For that matter, an 80 series could also be slightly underpowered. In the US the 80's only came with automatic transmissions.
It shouldn't be a problem finding someone with an 80 for you to test drive, while 70 series are somewhat rare.
Possibly check with Land Cruiser shops in the PNW such as Torfab or Land Cruisers Northwest for their advice and possible connections to solid used vehicles for sale.
Another consideration for a family of 4 is the safety and comfort factor. Having owned a FJ62 for 20 years and now an Lx450, the latter is significantly superior in these categories. I'd imagine a 70 series is fairly similar to 60 series.
Actually, if you could stomach having a more modern Land Cruiser the 100 might be the ticket.

 

[Fj80oregon]

100 series would suit your needs much better!

 

[jonathanj]

Thanks for the replies. I really do just need to see them in person some how, with my wife. I'll keep looking for examples for sale near me to go see in person.

Can a moderator move this thread to one of those other subforums you suggested, or should I repost there myself?

 

[jonathanj]

Your post would get more views if in the Chit Chat, 80 series or 70 series section of this forum.
I'm afraid a 70 series would be lacking adequate power and braking for your towing needs.
For that matter, an 80 series could also be slightly underpowered. In the US the 80's only came with automatic transmissions.
It shouldn't be a problem finding someone with an 80 for you to test drive, while 70 series are somewhat rare.
Possibly check with Land Cruiser shops in the PNW such as Torfab or Land Cruisers Northwest for their advice and possible connections to solid used vehicles for sale.
Another consideration for a family of 4 is the safety and comfort factor. Having owned a FJ62 for 20 years and now an Lx450, the latter is significantly superior in these categories. I'd imagine a 70 series is fairly similar to 60 series.
Actually, if you could stomach having a more modern Land Cruiser the 100 might be the ticket.

Doesn't the 80 series come with an engine similar in towing capacity to my 2016 Tacoma with a 4.0 V6? That was plenty of power for us.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Doesn't the 80 series come with an engine similar in towing capacity to my 2016 Tacoma with a 4.0 V6? That was plenty of power for us.

Yes, I believe so. If you're one of those rare folks like myself who doesn't require a lot of power then perhaps an 80 could suffice for your needs.

 

[mudgudgeon]

speed at which we travel is not important. Safety and having fun is

If safety is important, do a new as you can afford. Neither 70 or 80 have awesome safety credentials in a rollover.

100series or the Lexus version (LX450?) are better in terms of safety and have more power.
100series will comfortably do everything you say you need.
Comfortably for the vehicle, comfortably for the occupants.

I've been watching BringATrailer and wonder if anyone ever flies to see a vehicle before bidding on it

I get the impression BAT are selective with what they'll list, so you'd be looking at the upper end of the market.

Personally, I wouldn't spend money to fly to see something that is being auctioned. More so if you're looking at buying a car your unfamiliar with.
For an auction, the outcome is too unpredictable, unless you're going to bid to win at any cost.

With a private sale, you can at least seek an assurance from a seller that the car will be available if you fly. BUT, how good is the word of a stranger on either side of that deal?
"Money talks, bullsh¡t walks. 1st come, 1st served., etc etc" vs " I'm flying on saturday" (Sunday comes, and . . . . . )

I personally wouldn't hold a car for a tire kicker flying in from wherever unless they put money down to hold it.

Build some rapport and communications with a seller of you're gonna fly. Get s much info, pictures, gauge on the seller and the vehicle before flying.
My ex wanted me to fly interstate with our son to look at a "great deal" on a very average car. I said no, so he flew interstate with his step dad.
They paid too much for a car they could have bought locally, without dropping hundreds on airfares. The first CEL occurred in the drive home, and he went on to have problem after problem with it.
Personally, i think the pressure to make a decision to buy vs spending hundreds more to fly home empty handed got the better of them.

I'd love to test ride a 70 series Trooper and a 1990's era 80 series, to see ourselves what the ride difference is

70 series are super basic. They are also kind of cramped if you're much more than 5'8".
They are leaf sprung and designed to carry a load and will shake your kidneys out on a rough road.
Seats are extremely basic, especially in the Troopies.
Bank on wife and kids not being stoked after hours of road tripping in basic seats in a leaf sprung vehicle.
Safety features are nonexistant, as are creature comforts.

Can long road trips be done? Sure.
Compared to a modern family car, the contrast in comfort can be stark.

80s, compared to 70 series are way more spacious and comfortable. They ride better, are quieter, handle better. Seats are definitely better.
If you're tall or large boned, the driver seat may be lacking for long hours of driving.