Towing a FJ60 with FZJ80

[Montana Cruiser]

I need to tow my FJ60 about 1200 miles next week and am wondering how exactly to go about it. I need to tow it with my FZJ80. I searched and found some information, ie. The OE hitch is class 3 on the 80, so that should be ok, but in my searching I read about some things I didnt consider.

1. I was thinking about renting a tow dolly to have the front wheels of the 60 up in the dolly and both sticks in Nuetral - Would this be safe for each truck?

2. I do have to cross two mountain passes, are the 80's stock (new a few months ago) brakes safe to be stopping the total weight?

It seems the 80's engine and tranny are up to the task, so I am not worried there, I just dont want to hurt either truck OR endanger anyone on the road because I am not towing safely. I was not able to find much info on this specific scenario when searching. Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[MoJ]

Brakes would be a concern for me. I would look for a car hauler with brakes. A few miles across town, no problema. 1200 miles with mountain passes and I'd try to do it right.

 

[Doc]

I bought a 80 and a 60 at the same time in Chicago. I live in Eastern Iowa. 8 Hour drive in a car.

I rented a car trailer from U-haul, not the front tire dolly, but the flat bed type. I put the 60 on the trailer, and pulled with the stock hitch on the 80.

I didn't have two mountain passes to cross, but some pretty steep hills. The 60 did fine. The only trouble I had was that I blew out the headlight fuse somehow and drove for 20 minutes with the wifey infront of me so I could get to a gas station safely to purchase new fuses. So, carry some spares.

Also, the stock tires on the 80 were nearly bald, so stopping was tricky. I nearly slid through a wet intersection once. Keep it straight when you stop and you'll be fine. Dont' try to turn.

I didn't know about the Power button on the 80 at the time, so I didn't get to use that to help pull, also didn't use low range at all to go up some pretty steep hills. I'd suggest using both, if you have the center diff lock switch button installed you can avoid drive line wind up in low.

Don't expect to set any land speed records, I topped out at about 55-60 mph. Don't forget to de-select the overdrive feature.

I HIGHLY recommend the tow trailer over the tow dolly. For me, the price difference was less than $20, and MUCH safer in my book.

 

[robbie]

One clue on the tow dolly, say it is for a 4/runner instead of a land cruiser. I know that U-haul will say the cruiser is too big for the dolly and will not allow you to haul it. I would also make sure the tranny fluid is fresh, the brakes on the 80 are in real good shape (near new). Make sure your cooling system is up to snuf (read the archives about fan clutch, coolant, radiator problems).
I would also not atemp this with out a trailer and trailer brakes. later robbie

 

[Doc]

One clue on the tow dolly, say it is for a 4/runner instead of a land cruiser. I know that U-haul will say the cruiser is too big for the dolly and will not allow you to haul it.

I did not have that problem. I told U-haul I was pulling a land cruiser with a land cruiser and they did not take issue with it at all. the 80 is rated for such a large towing capacity that they didn't even blink.

Of course, I made the reservations on-line too, maybe that's the difference?

 

[robbie]

I tried to tow a 60 with a 80 at a u-haul dealer in santa fe and was told the 60 was too heavy according to the chart in the book. She showed me the book and said sorry. I then went to another u-hual dealer and told them it was for a 4/runner and all was ok. I saw that the book said it was OK weight wise. Just my personal experence.
I re read the orginal post and if this cruiser is really new to you I really would get a handle on all the maintaince and see if the cooling system is a problem before you tow. I can leave you pissed off on the side of the road if not taken care of. later robbie

 

[RavenTai]

Would it be advisable on the 80 to use the lower gears 3(OD off)/2/1 for compression braking when towing? It seams with a 60 pushing you a long down hill could overheat the brakes warping the rotors or possibly in extreme cases boiling the fluid cause a loss of all brakes

If it has not been done lately a brake bleed to get new moisture free fluid in might be a good idea

 

[DieselROCKS]

Yeah, that's just what I was going to suggest...just slip it into second gear or third (I'm not sure how the gearing is on those auto trannies) and take a nice easy coast down the mountain.

Taker easy and keep a open head just incase something lets go

Geoff

 

[Brentbba]

At least see if the flatbed trailer has surge brakes. You are towing ALOT of weight and trailer brakes would be a must IMHO. You don't want to toast your 80's brakes.

 

[robbie]

I would sugest use compression braking during long decents. There again I would reccomend a full trailer with brakes. The tranny will handle it no problems if the fluid is clean, and with surge brakes (most car haulers will have these from the rental companies). Haveing the tralier braking the load in back hauling a load is much nicer. later robbie

 

[IdahoDoug]

I tow 6000lbs of boat and trailer all over the place, but I would not tow 5000lbs of unbraked tow dolly and 60 except for across my (small) town in an emergency. All the comments about the maintenance are spot on. Drop the $500 to have someone change all fluids/oils/coolant flush or do it yourself for $100. And use a trailer with brakes as well as a great deal of care in properly loading the 60 on the trailer for proper weight balance. Not only is this way, way over the unbraked towing capacity of almost ANY passenger vehicle, but on a personal note it's extremely dangerous. You'll be sharing the roads with our wives children, parents and friends.

PS - your insurance company may not cover you in the event of a loss since you're blatantly ignoring not only towing regs, but common sense.

DougM

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Well, I checked out U-Haul online and it said the FJ60 was too heavy ..... but if I input a toyota pickup it says its ok. It does say the it has surge brakes, is there anything special I need on the FZJ80 to make the surge brakes work?

On a sidenote, are there other companies that rent trailers for hauling other trucks, U-Haul wants $351 from Minnesota to Missoula Montana, ouch!!

 

[Brentbba]

Nothing special at all. All the braking mechanisms are on the trailer tongue.

 

[MTNRAT]

Brakes

I wil second the advise on using a trailer with brakes. I towed a 99 durango, no problems. Just slow up hills. You definitely NEED a trailer with brakes.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[ktjensen]

But can you tow an FZJ80 with an FZJ80 and a trailer with surge brakes?

 

[45Kevin]

On a sidenote, are there other companies that rent trailers for hauling other trucks, U-Haul wants $351 from Minnesota to Missoula Montana, ouch!!

You might try pricing the trailer both ways and deadhead on the way there. U-haul has high charges for a one-way rental.

OTOH I have towed my 45 (with a 2500 suburban) with both a dolly and a flatbed, both with no trailer brakes. You need to keep the speed down to 60 and leave lots of room in front of you. It sounds like the route you are travelling is not real busy or full of crowded cities.

I liked the dolly best. It kept the height of the towed vehicle down and made for a more aerodynamically stable tow combination. better milage as well. I pulled the rear drive shaft. By using the dolly I also reduced the unbraked weight by a 1000 lbs or so.

Good luck.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

Holy old thread Batman .... the FZJ80 and the FJ60 made just fine

 

[45Kevin]

I noted the date in the reply section but saw the previous post with todays date. So I responded.

So.. did you use a dolly, or a flat deck and did they it have brakes?

(just trying to save face now)

 

[corsair23]

But can you tow an FZJ80 with an FZJ80 and a trailer with surge brakes?

IMO that would be REALLY sketchy...IIRC the max towing capability/rating of the FZJ80 is 5000 lbs which you will certainly exceed.

That said, I have read posts of people that routinely exceed this weight pulling a boat etc. How far do you plan on towing? Are we talking across town, down the street, or across the country?

 

[Montana Cruiser]

I noted the date in the reply section but saw the previous post with todays date. So I responded.

So.. did you use a dolly, or a flat deck and did they it have brakes?

(just trying to save face now)

Flatdeck with surge brakes, it worked, but I took it slow as I felt like it was bordering on too much, but that was with the soft stock suspension on the FZJ80 at the time.