towing a trailer

[jenna]

My husband is going to drive our 1987 FJ60 from CA to NC next week. We were thinking about buying a trailer - but we do not know about the total weight the cruiser can pull, we were hoping around 5000 lbs. He also has a 3 inch heavy duty lift kit with greasable shackles on the the cruiser . WE read and we were told toyota says 3500 lbs. Is there any other way to pull more? Please Advise:cheers.
Thanks Jenna

 

[60wag]

I pull a 1500 lb popup trailer around Colorado with my 84FJ60 - recently rebuilt engine, stock gearing. It works but it definitely slows me down. Driving up some of the steeper mountain passes are an excerise in patience. Once you're on flatland east of Denver the trailer is really no big deal when going fast on interstate highways - but its only 1500 lbs. I'd try a 2000lb rig if it was available... over that weight, the trailer will be real drag - literally. I'd try towing a heavy trailer with your rig before seriously considering buying it. I used to have 31" tires and am now on 33x10.5s. I could noticeably stay in 3rd gear longer on the 31s than the 33s. Now I have to drop to 2nd more often when climbing. If you've never trailered before, I wouldn't start with a 4000 mile trip.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I've pulled a flatbed with an FJ55 shell on it (maybe 2000 lbs total trailered weight) and it does slow you down. We've also flat towed an FJ55 with all the running gear (probably 3000 - 3500 lbs) and I'd say that's pushing it.

Whatever you do, make sure the trailer has surge brakes. You don't want it pushing you down the hills in the Sierra Nevada's or through Colorado!

btw. We pulled with the BJ60 which is likely better for pulling with the diesel engine.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Youre going to have to find a gear it is happy with on hills and just keep it there. It may mean 35mph, but so be it.



TB