Towing Across Country

[nautiq544]

My wife and I are moving from Orlando to Seattle in December. This is over 3,000 miles away. We are looking to buy an 80 or LX450 before the move.

We are probably going to load up a 14’ Enclosed Dual axle trailer with all of our stuff. (Bed, Couches, Clothes, 600 Books, Dishes, Etc.)

Can a 10-year LX with 140K pull for that long? Do you think it will be too heavy? Should I upgrade to heavy springs? Is there anything I can do to guard the transmission?
My previous 80 was a little weak towing so I’m a concerned.

 

[cartercd]

Here is what I would recommend:

1. Make sure this setup will not exceed the towing capacity/GVWR of the truck.
2. Ensure the trailer is equipped with brakes (either controlled from the truck or through a surge coupler on the tongue
3. Ensure all of the baseline maintenance is done to the truck, especially the brakes. Some would probably suggest you repack your rear wheel bearings.
4. You could go with heavier springs, but you could also install poly air bags in the coils which will allow you to level the truck out via air pressure. I'm not familiar with load distributing hitches, so that is something else you could investigate.

Regardless of what you do, you will not have fun going over mountain passes along the way. This is not the 1FZFEs forte. You will get passed by motor homes!

You could also look into renting a U-haul truck and shipping the Cruiser out. Shipping that far would easily cost a grand.

Good luck.

 

[semlin]

i recently towed a 4500 lb boat 1100 miles from wyoming to washington in a 1993 with 155k. it was hard on the truck but it did it fine and i was able to average 60 mph.

i would flush your coolant system, tune things up, and invest in the raventai responsive temperature gauge modification and the landtank fan clutch modification.

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Make sure the trailer is loaded properly, otherwise it will be miserable. I towed a 12' tandem axle trailer w/ my 80 loaded up w/ all my stuff to move back to school, and anything above 55mph would have me swaying like a belly dancer. It was absolutely horrible. Since it was only 300 miles I stuck it out and kept the speed down, but had I been embarking on a 3000 mile journey, I would have had to stop and repack.

Good luck!

 

[IdahoDoug]

All the above plus have quality tires on it. Search for "airlift" here for info on the rear poly airbag supplemental springs. Best $100 and 3 hours I've ever spent for safe towing.

These trucks are rated at 7700lbs in other countries, 5000 in this country in deference to our lawyers. With proper maintenance, safe driving, good equipment and absent a need to be first up the pass you'll do fine if the trailer stays close to 5000lbs.

DougM

 

[cartercd]

Make sure the pesky heater hose is part of that baseline PM. It is much easier to change in the garage than the side of the interstate in freezing weather. You could probably get away without doing the fan clutch mod. You will be driving in the winter and most of your driving will be above 30mph where the fan doesn't really provide much use. The temp gauge mod is a great idea.

 

[semlin]

You could probably get away without doing the fan clutch mod. You will be driving in the winter and most of your driving will be above 30mph where the fan doesn't really provide much use.

au contraire. It would not even engage at under 30 mph unless you were stuck in traffic in summer in a hot place. I can tell you first hand that it provides a lot of use on long hill climbs with a trailer load in cooler weather at higher speeds. a lower outside ambient air temp definitely helps, but a properly functioning and adjusted fan clutch will stop temp increases on long hill climbs that would otherwise occur. you most definitely want an effective fan clutch to do that trip in any season, and chances are he does not have one right now whether he has the new or old fan in there.

and ditto on the PHH

 

[nautiq544]

Well I bought an LX450 today!
140K Lockers, and kinda scratched up!

I inspected it really well with my local mechanic and everything looked great. Have records of service done and everything was done at the right time. Happy with it. Now I need to start getting it ready to go across the country.
Thanks for all the infor so far I will post pics later.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Congrats!!!

DougM

 

[gtwood2]

towing

Not sure if you've done this trip yet, but I've been pulling my 52-5700lb (depending on amount of gear on-board), 25ft Airstream w/ my '97 for the past 2.5 yrs. We live in Central Cali, we've pulled to Washington State (about 1300 miles 1-way to the northern-most-tip) once, passing over the mountains in N. CA & OR. We've also gone over local grades, frequently over 2-3k ft passes on 6-7% grades & it does fine. It ain't fast, but the fat-lady ain't a speed demon bone dry. Expect to hit 30-35mph going up some of the grades. You could proably do 40-45mph if you keep it pegged, but I don't believe in running balls-to-the-wall, so I'd rather piss-off a few travelers than burn something out!

Now I haven't gone thru the Rockies YET! My opinion; A load-equalizer is a MUST w/ these guys. The cruizer has the guts to do it, but w/ the short wheel-base (ideal for off-road; not so much for towing) you'll not have nearly enough control or that nice secure feeling that you want in an emergency handeling scinerio.

I'm using a Eaz-Lift hitch, w/ load-equalizer bars and an anti-sway bar, keeps things nice & straight going down the high-way (see pic below). I use a Reese trailer brake setup, though I'm saving up for a Peridigm; they react by how much pressure you're putting on the peddle vs. my Reese that is mannually set and takes constant baby-sitting. I belive that the Lexus has a little softer suspension than the Toy, so this would probably be even more important.

Hope this helps!

 

[robjam]

Did the WY to NC drive with a 12' tandem fully loaded and LC fully loaded. Had to be every bit of 8,000 lbs. Used 3rd gear most of the way, 9mpg overall. It made it! Needed a new fuel pump when I got back.....worked that sucker hard for 3 days straight! I totally recommend changing all your fluids prior to launch if they are even close to their life expectancy or you do not know the history. Tuned mine and checked the brakes! Again, I made it and it wasn't that bad except for steep hills.....chug, chug, chug though. Have a safe trip!

 

[lt1fire]

ok this is actually going to pertain to me next year... i'm moving from LA to charlotte NC... about 3k miles..... i have a 92 though (under powered 3fe) with what by then will be about 210k on the motor and a the slee 6 in lift with and 36 in tires. i'm missing a rear bumper and do not have a tow hitch... Where is a good place to get one one these... about how much can i actually tow.... i would much rather drive the 80 with a trailer than rent a uhaul and ship the 80. Since the 3FE is so underpowered... would beefing it up (chip, headers, exhaust) help in the towing capacity.... i could justify spending the money on that to my fiance with the money we'd save on the uhaul.

 

[semlin]

ok this is actually going to pertain to me next year... i'm moving from LA to charlotte NC... about 3k miles..... i have a 92 though (under powered 3fe) with what by then will be about 210k on the motor and a the slee 6 in lift with and 36 in tires. i'm missing a rear bumper and do not have a tow hitch... Where is a good place to get one one these... about how much can i actually tow.... i would much rather drive the 80 with a trailer than rent a uhaul and ship the 80. Since the 3FE is so underpowered... would beefing it up (chip, headers, exhaust) help in the towing capacity.... i could justify spending the money on that to my fiance with the money we'd save on the uhaul.

no amount of beefing up that old 3FE is going to help you. are you regeared? I would hesitate to tow much over 2500 lbs on that rig and i would not want to tow anything over a mountain pass in it.

 

[lt1fire]

Well you just crapped on my parade =) j/k I will be regeared by then

anyone have an 80 3FE that has tried this???

 

[GXO]

Don't tow with the 3FE. Rent a U-haul with a 4 wheel in the air car hauler and off you go!

 

[lt1fire]

it's an option but that would be about a $3k one

 

[GXO]

Sell all your stuff and drive light, then buy new stuff

 

[semlin]

rent a regular penske truck. drive it there. drive it back. get in your 80 you and drive it there.