Towing an FJ60

[jdj1971]

I'm considering buying a 60 w/ a bad engine. The only thing I have to tow it with is my HJ60 or fj62. I've looked into tow dolly's and they're only rated up to about 4300lbs at most. I don't want to try and tow it on a trailer I think the weight would be too much. Does anyone have any recommendations? How about those tow bars you see on RV's? I'd prefer to tow it w/ the HJ60. Oh I'd be pullingit some 800-900 miles.

Thanks!
Josh

 

[cruiser_guy]

We've towed an FJ55 with a BJ60 from North Dakota to B.C. Doable but SLOW. We used a tow bar. If the engine is bad why not pull it and sell/dump it before towing. It'll make a dangerous situation slightly safer!!

 

[jdj1971]

I'd like to pull the engine but it's not do-able really since I'd be in another state etc etc. I've towed another cruiser before w/ a tow dolly. Slowly as well but it was only about 50 miles on back highways. I'm actually considering shipping but then the cruiser isn't such a good deal if you throw in the cost of shipping. I've never used a tow bar so I don't know what they 'feel' like when pulling something that weighs as as much as you do.

 

[tlcruiserman]

I have "flat towed" my 42 with another 40 series in the past as will as tow my 42 with my 80 and 100 series. I think you will be fine to "flat tow" a 60 with another 60 as long as you do not make a habit of it. if you want to place it safer have somone in the towed 60, they can help on braking.

Michael

 

[crushers]

when flat towing you MIUST take into consideration bends in the road, road conditions, substantially poorer braking, great loss in power, stress on the tow vehicle.
i have flat towed rigs for about 6 years. i have used cruiser towing cruiser, F250 diesel towing a 60. the F250 being much heavier and having stronger braking and better power was an easy tow. i towed a 60 at different times from Calgary to Colorado with zilch for problems. i towed a 74 with the 250 and darn near lost it twice in one trip due to icy conditions. i towed a Nits behind a HZJ75 and almost lost it a few times on ice, the dead weight on behind pushes you around the bends in the road. i have towed a lifted and locked FJ45 with a HZJ75 with no problems for 6 hours. i have "B" trained a cruiser and a SOA tent trailer behind a 250 with no problems for hours at a time with no problems at all.
it can be done but do NOT drive when tired or distracted, it only takes a second and you will be in the ditch or facing on coming traffic. you need to concentrate ALL the time, it is easy to get lulled into a false sense of security and bang something goes wrong.
BTW when a tire comes off the flat towed vehicle it can get interesting quickly.
i fould recommend borrowing or renting a larger vehicle to tow with.
i hope this all makes early morning sense.
cheers

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I flat towed a heavy FJ40 from Vermont to CHicago with my HJ60. Honestly it wasn't too bad at all, the big thing is breaks and make sure your coolant system is in good shape for any big hills. Go slower if you can because the brakes will be an issue...