Tow Bar Towing FJ40 with a 4runner

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Plan your route @Nickb876 and pick up a U-Haul trailer along the way. Nothing says you have to pick it up at YOUR starting point.....just saying.

I drove a whopping 40 miles out of my way to pick up the double axle trailer for a ‘73 roller and dropped it off at a different location.
 
Comet said:
Plan your route @Nickb876 and pick up a U-Haul trailer along the way. Nothing says you have to pick it up at YOUR starting point.....just saying.

I drove a whopping 40 miles out of my way to pick up the double axle trailer for a ‘73 roller and dropped it off at a different location.
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That was the plan.. but several uhaul offices are saying my wheels won’t fit I have 33” Mickey Thompson’s on the 76’ fj40
 
Nickb876 said:
That was the plan.. but several uhaul offices are saying my wheels won’t fit I have 33” Mickey Thompson’s on the 76’ fj40
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I've had "good" experiences with UHaul flat beds and FJ40s on several ~50mi trips on flat highway and through construction zones. I didn't have issues through the variable lane heights/levels. Pretty sure if I used a dolly or flat towed, the 40 would have tail wagged into a concrete barrier.

Last one had 31" by 10.5inch tires. Not sure on the rim backspacing. I seem to remember having a couple inches on either side of the 40. Loaded it up solo.
 
Roller tires may be in your future. Used tire store and beat up rims.
 
I flat towed a Cruiser for years between Augusta Ga and Tellico Tn. I was young and dumb at the time. I remember the time I was pushed by the 40 thru a four lane intersection, coming off a hill at about 45 MPH, while my light was red. Towing with a Montero, and a heavy tow bar. The Montero did not even slow us down!

As for the tires turning the wrong direction, I put shims under the spring pac, and it followed like a good dog for years.

I would NEVER do it again!
 
Here's mine earlier this year with a tow trailer. On the way home from Valley Hybrids (Georg @orangefj45 - BTW - Very Recommended!) Had thought of towing with a tow bar but decided against it based on recommendations here on Mud
33 BFG's which actually measure out more like 32's - just enough strap to connect and tighten comfortably. The Tundra was a very capable tow vehicle.

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777Gage said:
Here's mine earlier this year with a tow trailer. On the way home from Valley Hybrids (Georg @orangefj45 - BTW - Very Recommended!) Had thought of towing with a tow bar but decided against it based on recommendations here on Mud
33 BFG's which actually measure out more like 32's - just enough strap to connect and tighten comfortably. The Tundra was a very capable tow vehicle.

View attachment 2490996

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Looks great!
For me it is looking like I will have to flat tow the fj40... the trip is approximately 860 miles.

the only other option is to just drive the fj40 the 860 miles while my wife drives our 100series...🤔

what do you guys think?
 
If you are crazy enough to flat two the '40 that far, at least completely remove the rear driveshaft so that bad things don't happen while flat towing (which they do...). You mentioned '50 mph' - are the roads in Mexico friendly to 50 mph driving?
 
SteveH said:
If you are crazy enough to flat two the '40 that far, at least completely remove the rear driveshaft so that bad things don't happen while flat towing (which they do...). You mentioned '50 mph' - are the roads in Mexico friendly to 50 mph driving?
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Yes 45mph, 50mph is common but most people don't follow these rules of course.

We will just have to drive slow and cautious. We are going to break up the entire trip into 4 days of about 4-5 hrs of driving per day so we can take our time towing... Is this very dangerous? Its very common to see here in mexico.

Alternatively, i could just drive the old fj40 back up and deal with the wear and tear issues... Its currently running nicely but it's a long drive for that truck for sure.

We will definitely be removing the rear drive shaft if we decide to flat tow.
 
777Gage said:
Here's mine earlier this year with a tow trailer. On the way home from Valley Hybrids (Georg @orangefj45 - BTW - Very Recommended!) Had thought of towing with a tow bar but decided against it based on recommendations here on Mud
33 BFG's which actually measure out more like 32's - just enough strap to connect and tighten comfortably. The Tundra was a very capable tow vehicle.

View attachment 2490996

View attachment 2490997
Click to expand...

How well did the Tundra handle that? No big deal?
 
Thanks. Good to hear. I have a Tacoma, but need an upgrade to tow my 40 long distances. I think 2022 brings a new Tundra, maybe I’ll wait to see what that is like.
 
Curtice said:
Thanks. Good to hear. I have a Tacoma, but need an upgrade to tow my 40 long distances. I think 2022 brings a new Tundra, maybe I’ll wait to see what that is like.
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For reference mine is a 2014, the 2022 should be awesome - we sure wait a while for them to redesign these.
 
We will just have to drive slow and cautious. We are going to break up the entire trip into 4 days of about 4-5 hrs of driving per day so we can take our time towing... Is this very dangerous? Its very common to see here in mexico.

It sounds like you're going slowly and taking steps to be safe - good thinking! Going slowly gives you a lot more time to correct problems. Most people want to tow stuff at 75 mph, which sometimes isn't safe or prudent.
 
I don’t want to come off as being rude or insensitive, but a lot of consternation over something really pretty simple.

You’re trying to move a 40, 900 miles...hook it up to your ’98 4Runner and move on.👍. But then I read your post 49...and you say just driving the 40 is another option.

Maybe I missed it but I did not realize that was an option for you. Good grief man, get in the 40, turn the key and get on the road.

And please... I really do mean it when I say I’m not trying to be rude...but driving your 40 900 miles really isn’t that big of a deal.👍🎯
 
John McVicker said:
I don’t want to come off as being rude or insensitive, but a lot of consternation over something really pretty simple.

You’re trying to move a 40, 900 miles...hook it up to your ’98 4Runner and move on.👍. But then I read your post 49...and you say just driving the 40 is another option.

Maybe I missed it but I did not realize that was an option for you. Good grief man, get in the 40, turn the key and get on the road.

And please... I really do mean it when I say I’m not trying to be rude...but driving your 40 900 miles really isn’t that big of a deal.👍🎯
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not Being rude at all!

I should have mentioned I’m traveling with my wife. She would prefer we be in the same car and not caravan.. so looks like I will flat tow the 900 miles. I only voice my concern after reading what other members on here have to say about flat towing the fj40..

I would honestly love to just drive the 40 back to Texas. I drove it down here! Just trying to please the wife and make sure I’m not putting us all in danger while doing so.
Thanks
 
Kool and I understand all too well about pleasing the wife.

But I’m thinking it..you and your family...would be far safer driving the 40 and caravaning than flat towing a 40 900 miles.
 
John McVicker said:
Kool and I understand all too well about pleasing the wife.

But I’m thinking it..you and your family...would be far safer driving the 40 and caravaning than flat towing a 40 900 miles.
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This is the type of repsonse i was looking for. Just looking for honest opinions on the two options.. Towing would be nice for us all to be together in one vehicle for the trip but if it's a safety issue than of course i would opt fo driving the fj40.

I think i might just hook up the fj40 to the 100 series and do some test runs... make a gametime decision.


Thanks again!
 
My thoughts on flat towing or any kind of towing for that matter, it can certainly be safe, but there is no doubt in my mind that is is inherently not as safe as just driving and not towing.🤷

Vastly increased braking distance, more difficulty backing up, trying to avoid something that darts in your path etc etc, nothing new here. And the odds are in your favor of a safe journey if you do tow...but not towing is even safer.

Weigh out everything just as you are doing and have a safe journey with your family.👍🎯🇺🇸
 
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