Looking at getting a travel trailer (could be in the 4000 to 5000 lb range when all said and done) and have a feeling I'm going to have to give up the 80 for something that's a little more capable. For those who have towed with an 80 and a 100, was there much difference? Just curious if a 100 series would be much more capable at this weight and how well it would handle it. Keep in mind this is in East Tennessee so fairly hilly terrain.
Towing capabilities 80 vs 100
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Threads galore on the goods and bads of towing in both the 80 and 100 section.
How often and far will you be towing a 4-5000 lb trailer?
How often and far will you be towing a 4-5000 lb trailer?
We have a few hills out here too. When I decided to go to Alaska last summer I sold my Locked 1993 and bought a 1999 100 to pull my 17' HI-lo Trailer. There is no comparison for towing but the 80 will be missed in Moab. My trailer weighed 3500 to
4000 lbs. and I got 12.8 mpg for over 7K miles. I think that 5000 lbs. is a stretch for the 100. I added airlift bags in the rear. Hope this helps.
4000 lbs. and I got 12.8 mpg for over 7K miles. I think that 5000 lbs. is a stretch for the 100. I added airlift bags in the rear. Hope this helps.
IIRC both the 80 and the 100 can tow about the same weight wise. It's the motor that makes the difference. We towed small trailers with our 80 and even with a supercharger it had a hard time on passes. With the 100 things towing something like a tent trailer is like it's not there.
If it's just occasional towing, just get an older used 3/4 ton pickup.
If it's just occasional towing, just get an older used 3/4 ton pickup.
Towing difference is night and day. We have a 4500# travel trailer (no slideouts) and our 80 would struggle over 60mph on the flat roads of South Florida. 4-speed transmission didn't help either.
Ended up buying a 100 with the 5 speed. Tows our trailer great the few times a year we go camping BUT like most on here have stated, if you tow often, I would look elsewhere.
Ended up buying a 100 with the 5 speed. Tows our trailer great the few times a year we go camping BUT like most on here have stated, if you tow often, I would look elsewhere.
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I did do some searching on the topic. Found a lot of "can I tow my 40 from A to B with my 80" one shot deal type of things. Wanted more feedback from those who have regularly towed with an 80 and a 100 and how big of a difference it is. I guess my main question does boil down to the capabilities of the 100, as I don't think the 80 is ultimately going to perform like I want. Hate to part with the 80, since I know it inside out, but figure I'd have to upgrade the motor to get it close to what I'm wanting for towing.
Donno, but if I drop 10 to 15k on a travel trailer, want to be able to take it on several weekenders a year and maybe a long trip once every year or two.
Thanks for the feedback. Have a feeling there's a Tundra or F250 in my future, but day-to-day I'm not crazy about having a truck as my daily driver.
I never had an 80, but I tow a lot with my 100 and my 4Runner. The bigger and heavier 100 makes for far more stable towing than the 4R. Larger wheelbase and more weight on the tow vehicle are key. You would not get good gas mileage with the 6 or the V-8, but both engines can easily haul 5000 lb.
I vacation with my hotel room behind me - a 26' travel trailer with slide out at about 5500 lbs. Get the airbags, they make all the difference. Just like you, I don't want to drive a pick up everyday, so driving the LC a little slower on mountain passes once in a while is worth it.
I vacation with my hotel room behind me - a 26' travel trailer with slide out at about 5500 lbs. Get the airbags, they make all the difference. Just like you, I don't want to drive a pick up everyday, so driving the LC a little slower on mountain passes once in a while is worth it.
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Follow-up question:
Anyone know why the tow capacity for the LX's are typically less than the same year Land Cruiser? For instance, a 2005 LX470 is listed at 5000 lbs, but the same year Land Cruiser is rated at 6500 lbs.
Anyone know why the tow capacity for the LX's are typically less than the same year Land Cruiser? For instance, a 2005 LX470 is listed at 5000 lbs, but the same year Land Cruiser is rated at 6500 lbs.
Hydraulic suspension on the LX.
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Well we have few mountain passes here in Colorado.. most famous probably Vail Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel, both on I-70. Towing the same camper, the 80 would get down to 30mph towards the top of those, occasionally needing to drop to FIRST GEAR to maintain that. The 100 can do both passes and never get below 50mph, where it's pretty happy in 2nd around 3500-4000 rpm's. Huge difference. In fact, one of the big factors that influenced the decision to sell the 80 and keep the 100.
Downside is the 100 is wider than the 80, and the gate to my back yard is pretty skinny.... so much so that it takes me a few more tries to back the camper in the yard in the 100 than it did in the 80, I just barely miss the mirrors on both sides. I also miss the open center diff in low range for those maneuvers, but that's a mod away I just need to do it..
Downside is the 100 is wider than the 80, and the gate to my back yard is pretty skinny.... so much so that it takes me a few more tries to back the camper in the yard in the 100 than it did in the 80, I just barely miss the mirrors on both sides. I also miss the open center diff in low range for those maneuvers, but that's a mod away I just need to do it..
Rated towing capacity is pretty much all over the place as it is any number the car company wanted to throw out. In Australia, they rate the 98 LX with AHC at 3500kg (7700 lbs).
Finally, for the 2013 model years, there is an SAE standard test/rating for towing capacity that many manufacturers have agreed to use... but I don't think it is mandatory just yet.
Edit: Looks like the new SAE towing rating applies to pick-up trucks. Not sure if they'll test SUV's the same way.
Finally, for the 2013 model years, there is an SAE standard test/rating for towing capacity that many manufacturers have agreed to use... but I don't think it is mandatory just yet.
Edit: Looks like the new SAE towing rating applies to pick-up trucks. Not sure if they'll test SUV's the same way.
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I'll confirm that the 100 does pull our popup trailer (about 2500lbs loaded) substantially easier than the 80. There is a significant difference in the real world, numbers aside.
(Edmund says that our 03 can tow 6500 lbs -when properly equipped, whatever that means- vs 5000 for my 80 -no fine print-...)
(Edmund says that our 03 can tow 6500 lbs -when properly equipped, whatever that means- vs 5000 for my 80 -no fine print-...)
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Similar to Eric, a smaller popup, probably 2500-2800 pounds loaded.
You must have a really skinny camper to be more concerned about the mirrors in your gate
. I have to use mirror extenders to tow the travel trailer and even my old pop ups were at least as wide, but you could see more because they were not a 10 foot tall wall behind the truck.
What year is your LX470? I'm guessing '05 based on your tow experience but the wheel's make it look to be an '06? Guess I'm really trying to figure out if you a VVTi motor.
I towed my Lexus IS300 for a track day (~3450 lbs) + U-Haul car carrier (~2450 lbs) and it towed this combination effortlessly. Granted it's not as brick like aero as a camper. That's 6000lbs on my '06 VVTi LX470 which is only just under it's 6500 rated capacity.
I was able to hold 70+ mph up pretty good size grades with ease and still be able to accelerate. This is on 33's as well. The AHC held the load without issue. And everything was more stable and effortless than I could imagine. Based on that experience, I don't think I'd hesitate to tow something even larger/heavier.
Guess if someone really wants to tow a significant load with the 100, the premium of an '06/'07 model with VVTi may be justified.
Yeah, my 100 (99 4 spd w/o vvti) would be a dog with that... I have to down-shift up the very steep passes with my 3500lb trailer, however that's also loaded with the whole family and gear...