Tow an FJ40 with 1st Gen v8 Access Cab

[woytovich]

I'm toying with the idea of picking up a 1st gen Tundra. I like that it is physically smaller than the later Tundras. I know that also reduces its capabilities as a tow rig.
I'd add air bags, E rated tires, have trailer brakes and maybe an anti sway hitch if needed.

Real world experiences? Thoughts (other than XXX would be better)?

Thanks,
mark

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I have towed Toyota pickups with mine. It’s ok. Certainly not great. There are much better rigs out there for towing, but it’s tolerable if you do it occasionally.

My buddy tows s*** all over the place with his. He probably has 20,000 miles towing vehicles on a trailer (400,000+ on the truck).

I bought my first gen because I didn’t want to drive a full-size truck around, I could buy it with cash, and they are supposedly very reliabile. For occasional towing I give it two thumbs up.

 

[woytovich]

I have towed Toyota pickups with mine. It’s ok. Certainly not great. There are much better rigs out there for towing, but it’s tolerable if you do it occasionally.

My buddy tows s*** all over the place with his. He probably has 20,000 miles towing vehicles on a trailer (400,000+ on the truck).

I bought my first gen because I didn’t want to drive a full-size truck around, I could buy it with cash, and they are supposedly very reliabile. For occasional towing I give it two thumbs up.

Thanks. What do you feel are the main drawbacks for you towing?

 

[BlueCruiser84]

Lack of power. As long as you are ok in the slow lane it’s not a problem.

Braking is ok, but if you are towing another vehicle you DEFINITELY need good trailer brakes.

Towing this pickup was fine. Power was decent, but I didn’t go over 55 mph.

Towing this John Deere was a struggle. I figure it weighed at least 5000 lbs plus the trailer. It had fluid in the tires. I’m guessing around 6500-7000obs total. I only went about 5 miles and wouldn’t want to go any further than that.

Take your time and it’ll be fine, but any modern full size half ton will do it way better

 

[woytovich]

Thanks for the insight. What I really want is a four-door Tacoma that'll I'll tow 7,000 lb comfortably!
Physically smaller than a full size Tacoma.

 

[macdaddy59]

I also tow with my 2000 Tundra and as stated. as long as you have good trailer brakes and take it slow not a problem. However my 2009 Tundra just handles the loads way way better.

 

[EWheeler]

I'm toying with the idea of picking up a 1st gen Tundra. I like that it is physically smaller than the later Tundras. I know that also reduces its capabilities as a tow rig.
I'd add air bags, E rated tires, have trailer brakes and maybe an anti sway hitch if needed.

Real world experiences? Thoughts (other than XXX would be better)?

Thanks,
mark

I towed my FJ40 from Seattle to Moab & back with my father's 1st gen tundra back in 2011 or so. I was so impressed. Trailer was a heavy duty equipment trailer with two 5k axles that probably weighted 2000-2500lb? I wouldn't hesitate to use a 1st gen tundra to tow a 40 a few times a year. That being said, I bought a 2500 when the time came to buy my own tow rig.

 

[Broski]

I got my first gen tundra for the same reasons.
Smaller size with the ability to still tow.
And I could pay cash.
I made sure to get a 05 or 06 because the have a little more power and the 5 speed trans.
For what it is I think it does a great job towing but you have to know it’s lamentations it’s only rated for 7800 pounds max towing.
Mostly I use it to tow my 10K dump trailer but try to keep it under 8k loaded.
I have used it to my equipment trailer with a 80 on it and it did a great job of it.
65 mph was no problem on the highway.

 

[woytovich]

I got my first gen tundra for the same reasons.
Smaller size with the ability to still tow.

I have used it to my equipment trailer with a 80 on it and it did a great job of it.
65 mph was no problem on the highway.

What is the biggest "con" you have experienced?

 

[Broski]

What is the biggest "con" you have experienced?

Just it limitation really, I have a ton of experience towing with many different vehicles and trailers.
Did the 05 Super Duty with a V10 I sold do a better job yes.
The Tundra feel safe and stable towing at its capacity.
Both of my current trailer have 4 wheel brakes and I have 10 ply tires on the Tundra the tires make a huge difference.
I don’t like the anti-sway hitches and I did add over load springs.
The rear springs are to soft on the tundras but most people use them as a car.
The factory hitch is a little wimpy as well.
But I haven’t felt I need to change it.
I would add that there’s always a contractor shell, toolbox and tools on the truck. probably a extra 6 to 8 hundred pounds.

 

[woytovich]

Great info... thank you.
Did you consider airbags instead of overload springs (I think you meant overload leafs)

 

[woytovich]

I got my first gen tundra for the same reasons.
Smaller size with the ability to still tow.
rated for 7800 pounds max towing.

I'm only seeing published towing at 7100 max.

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[Broski]

Great info... thank you.
Did you consider airbags instead of overload springs (I think you meant overload leafs)

Towing with the Tundra.

I have used air bags in the passed and I just don't like them. I never had a set that didn't eventually leak. and when they are pumped up enough to carry the load they become stiff.
My trail rig gets towed with this obviously a big difference.

 

[Broski]

I'm only seeing published towing at 7100 max.

I was going on memory and it's been a few years. I'm sure you right.

 

[Broski]

A stock 80 is around 5400LBS and my trailer is 3000 with the tool box on the front. so it was over limit and still does a good job.

 

[Broski]

Active suspension, maintains ride quality but keep the truck from sagging when load is applied.
I have used them on many trucks and vans over the years.

 

[Broski]

I don't recommend that you overload the truck !!!

 

[MoCoNative]

I picked up an 05 double cab last year. I really like the truck, very comfortable, and my growing kids needed a bigger back seat. We were towing a single axle small travel trailer with our 80 Series and T100, (about 4000+ pounds loaded) but I wanted a newer stronger tow vehicle. Then we we bumped up to the next bigger trailer this spring. Trailer manufacturers are such liars when it comes to weights. Trailer is nearly 800 pounds heavier than advertised dry weight, and only normal gear in it, came in at 5040 pounds, then fill up the 50 gallon fresh water tank (425 pounds), cause we are always boondocking and things got heavy real quick.

We did 3000 miles this summer from NW CO to northern California redwoods, up the 101 on the Oregon coast, across WA to Seattle and back to NW CO. Overall the truck pulled great, did fine on the highway and interstate, but the tongue weight was horrid. I used an Andersen WDH, not known for completely lifting a heavy tongue, but they are light and convenient. Never had any sway issues, but we had unnaturally calm winds the entire trip too. I just didn't like the rear end squat that I could not get rid off. Camped over labor day with the same trailer, little less gear, but full water and 400 pounds of ATV in the truck and she was on the bumpstops the whole time, even with hitch dialed up.

I had to put airbags on the 80 and T100, so I guess I will have to do that to the Tundra too. They do stiffen the ride, didn't really want to do it, but I think they would work best, especially when I take my 4wheeler with us. You can see the squat in the pics below. I think towing a stockish 40, short distances on a light trailer is very doable. Also remember, the regular cab was rated at 7000+ plus pounds towing, the Access Cab is less, and the Double Cab is derated clear down to 6700 pounds because of the larger truck and keeping the GVWR about the same across the 1st gen line.

Some pics, we all like pics, 80 in Yellowstone a couple years ago, heavy loaded T100 for a month long hunting trip and the Tundra with new trailer.

 

[Broski]

I picked up an 05 double cab last year. I really like the truck, very comfortable, and my growing kids needed a bigger back seat. We were towing a single axle small travel trailer with our 80 Series and T100, (about 4000+ pounds loaded) but I wanted a newer stronger tow vehicle. Then we we bumped up to the next bigger trailer this spring. Trailer manufacturers are such liars when it comes to weights. Trailer is nearly 800 pounds heavier than advertised dry weight, and only normal gear in it, came in at 5040 pounds, then fill up the 50 gallon fresh water tank (425 pounds), cause we are always boondocking and things got heavy real quick.

We did 3000 miles this summer from NW CO to northern California redwoods, up the 101 on the Oregon coast, across WA to Seattle and back to NW CO. Overall the truck pulled great, did fine on the highway and interstate, but the tongue weight was horrid. I used an Andersen WDH, not known for completely lifting a heavy tongue, but they are light and convenient. Never had any sway issues, but we had unnaturally calm winds the entire trip too. I just didn't like the rear end squat that I could not get rid off. Camped over labor day with the same trailer, little less gear, but full water and 400 pounds of ATV in the truck and she was on the bumpstops the whole time, even with hitch dialed up.

I had to put airbags on the 80 and T100, so I guess I will have to do that to the Tundra too. They do stiffen the ride, didn't really want to do it, but I think they would work best, especially when I take my 4wheeler with us. You can see the squat in the pics below. I think towing a stockish 40, short distances on a light trailer is very doable. Also remember, the regular cab was rated at 7000+ plus pounds towing, the Access Cab is less, and the Double Cab is derated clear down to 6700 pounds because of the larger truck and keeping the GVWR about the same across the 1st gen line.

Some pics, we all like pics, 80 in Yellowstone a couple years ago, heavy loaded T100 for a month long hunting trip and the Tundra with new trailer.

View attachment 3114709View attachment 3114710View attachment 3114715View attachment 3114716

Good feed back.
I think that the first gen Tundras we’re built as more of a people mover as such the rear springs are much softer for a better ride !
With fore people in the cab a ATV in the bed and tongue weight I would say you maxed out !!!

As far as your trailers dry weight, dry weight is just that dry weight.
It does not include any options,( AC , extra battery, Solar panels etc. etc. ) personal belongings or gear.
One has to be proactive to come up with a wet & ready approximate weight !
Quick google search shows that on average personal belongings and gear account for 500 pounds.

Just saying

Cheers