Tow Brake Controller and Rear Droop

[chilibit]

I am new to this forum. I've had FJ40 and a triple locker 80. Now I am considering a 13 FJ200. I need to use it to tow a trailer and race car over the mountains. Is there a jack for a standard (P3 for instance) brake controller? My tongue weight is 350lbs or so. With the 3rd row seats out if that going to cause the rear to droop with the stock suspension? I tow with a Tundra now and I consider the brakes soft but OK. The trailer has electric brakes on both axles so its impact on the 200 should not be too severe. Yes? Is there a tow mode to change shift points on the 200? Total trailer/load weight is only about 4K. I am reading posts to catch up but any thoughts would be appreciated. Most seem to respect ATRAC but on my Tundra it is not impressive. Frankly, I was startled by the lack of factory lockers. But time marches on and I have softened up a bit as well. Thanks in advance.

 

[elkaholic]

Is there a jack for a standard (P3 for instance) brake controller?

Yes, there is a thread in this forum with instructions to locate the plug. Basically, it is behind the switch panel on the left hand side of the steering wheel (where the mirror controls are). The truck will come with a pigtail but the Tekonsha direct wire pigtail for a Tundra works perfectly. I have a Prodigy in my 2013.

My tongue weight is 350lbs or so. With the 3rd row seats out if that going to cause the rear to droop with the stock suspension?

You will get some squat since the rear springs of the 200 are a bit soft for the first couple inches of compression. If you are hauling a race car, I will assume that you understand the physics at play and realize that any load will compress the rear springs

That said, I have hauled a trailer (enclosed m/c trailer) with approximately the same tongue load and the squat was not really noticeable from a handling perspective. My car hauler is very tongue heavy when empty (almost 500 pounds of tongue weight on a 2,000 pound trailer) because of the tongue box with tools and spares and it. It is noticeable behind the 200 when empty, but otherwise OK.

If you are used to a Tundra, yes, the rear suspension of the 200 will squat a bit more than your Tundra.

I tow with a Tundra now and I consider the brakes soft but OK. The trailer has electric brakes on both axles so its impact on the 200 should not be too severe. Yes?

Opinions will vary. The 200 brakes are more heavily loaded than the Tundra and they are smaller. I have no real issues with the brakes when I tow, I simply turn up the boost level on my controller.

I also drive completely differently towing ... more like I do when I am behind the wheel of our 33,000 pound RV..

Is there a tow mode to change shift points on the 200? Total trailer/load weight is only about 4K.

No tow mode, but there is a Power Mode and you can shift manually. I have not experienced any issues.

Most seem to respect ATRAC but on my Tundra it is not impressive. Frankly, I was startled by the lack of factory lockers. But time marches on and I have softened up a bit as well. Thanks in advance.

I think for the majority of users of the 200, the traction control system with terrain select (dials in the amount of slip allowed) and CRAWL control will more than suffice. Yes, there are times when all the electronic wizardry seems to get in the way, but it does work amazingly well. I came at the 200 from a 100 so I had gotten used to the ATRAC and had the same concerns as you.

Does it work as well as lockers in hard core rock crawling where you will have tires in the air? No. But since you are talking about a '13, are you really going to push an 80K USD rig that hard? I know I am not. I am going to use it ... but not for hardcore trail use.

BTW, welcome to the forum. Obviously, you have the addition.

 

[chilibit]

elkaholic,

Appreciate the insights. I understand your comments. I am disappointed about the brakes. Towing seems to be something of an afterthought as well. A more aggressive set of cooling packages in a full up towing option would encourage me to use the engine braking more. But, perhaps it is understandable given the nature of the vehicle and it would be unfair to expect much more than it offers. Did you have to splice the Prodigy in or did the connectors match? Thank you for your time.

 

[elkaholic]

I do not think that towing is an afterthought ... the receiver is integral with the frame ... it is just that folks have become very spoiled by the advances in braking performance in cars and trucks over the last couple of decades. Just my $0.02

The trailer brake connection requires no splicing. The tekonsha pigtail is a plug and play operation ...

Here's the thread detailing the location of the plug https://forum.ih8mud.com/200-series-cruisers/361992-trailer-brake-controller-connector.html

 

[bjowett]

Overall, the 2007 and up Tundra (I'm assuming you are speaking of this model) will outdo the 200 Series in towing. The main reason is wheel base. The Tundra also has more gear, 10.5" 4.30 vs 9.5" 3.90, and more front brake, 14" vs 13.4".

The cooling systems are essentially the same on both vehicles... the 200 will have better trans cooling during low speed maneuvering.

Lockers, brakes, and gears can be dealt with... just ask.

 

[chilibit]

Thanks for the link Elkaholic.

Brian-thanks for the comparisons. Yes, I have the 07 5.7. Tows fine.

I am likely fussing with nits too much here. If it needs tweaking down the line, that is doable.

I appreciate all the help provided here. I will try to return the favors going forward.

Vince

 

[chilibit]

I picked up a new 200 series. I like it. Many of my Tundra complaints are no longer issues. I am working on trailer and installed the 7 pin and modded the received to accept my gear. Now the P3 controller. I have the Elkaholic post. I removed the first panel (two screws and three clips). Now I just don't seem to see how to remove the next one. Is it a very large panel? I see the little flap on the left but nothing on the the right. Storage in this rig is skimpy isn't it. Can stick stuff under seats or all my usual places. I will have to adapt. But first, I need even more help to get to the controller jack. Any help appreciated.

 

[elkaholic]

I picked up a new 200 series. I like it. Many of my Tundra complaints are no longer issues. I am working on trailer and installed the 7 pin and modded the received to accept my gear. Now the P3 controller. I have the Elkaholic post. I removed the first panel (two screws and three clips). Now I just don't seem to see how to remove the next one. Is it a very large panel? I see the little flap on the left but nothing on the the right. Storage in this rig is skimpy isn't it. Can stick stuff under seats or all my usual places. I will have to adapt. But first, I need even more help to get to the controller jack. Any help appreciated.

The switch pane with the mirror controls will pull straight out. Goto the thread I linked in my post 3 or 4 up. The first post in that thread covers everything and has good pictures

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