Towing capabilities 80 vs 100

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I tow my 4runner with my 2000 LC and it does fine. Most of the time I leave the overdrive off and the pwr button on. I have driven from San Diego area to Moab twice as well as San Diego to Tahoe twice with this setup and would not hesitate to do it again although this thread makes me feel like I may be testing fate. I think I may be towing around 7000 lbs trailer included.

[URL="https://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pFraTikxF5k1I4SohiDsPbCtc9OiG16KFiQVNk1mALOIXWWnOPMGcZUKDEl2JyIKXE0ARr0IMr7KnYoRG9M_JMw/towingshare1.JPG?psid=1"][/URL]
 
TeCKis300,

I have an 06 too and it works perfect for my current needs. Towing the travel trailer was very stable like you metioned. Not sure I would use "effortlessly" to describe acceleration and overall towing as but it was definitely good. I even took the ScanGauge out of the 80 to monitor water temp and it would read the same temp as when not towing most of the time.

However, if I had to tow a heavy load for more than 250-300 miles more than once a month, I would most likely buy a dedicated diesel tow truck.

I knew from the start that I would be towing the travel trailer and that's why I ended up going with an 06+ VVTi engine. Not sure how much of a difference it makes but gives me peace of mind.
 
So when you quote 4500#, is that the trailer dry weight? And fully wet, with family and gear, would it would be roughly the same weight I was pulling? It must come down to the aero properties of a travel trailer vs car+carrier.

It’s good to have another data point as I’ve considered renting a 23’ 6k lb travel trailer. Guess the tow won’t be as easy as I anticipate? Though I’m only going 200 or so miles.
 
TeCKis300 said:
So when you quote 4500#, is that the trailer dry weight? And fully wet, with family and gear, would it would be roughly the same weight I was pulling? It must come down to the aero properties of a travel trailer vs car+carrier.

It’s good to have another data point as I’ve considered renting a 23’ 6k lb travel trailer. Guess the tow won’t be as easy as I anticipate? Though I’m only going 200 or so miles.
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The TT will have both weight figures on the tag on the front left or the frame near the hitch. You are right about aerodynamics - it makes as much difference as the weight, but there is no formula for measuring it. Don't load the water tanks until you reach your destination.

What it all boils down to is that you can easily pull that 6k lb trailer (I do it lots), but it may be a little slower than you are used to and if it is windy or mountainous, a little more stressful on you the driver. Patience is a virtue. The 100 can handle it fine mechanically, the rest is skill and nerves.:cheers:
 
Tow weight is not the only factor. I think you need to also consider total allowed gross vehicle weight. Mr T has a set limit but don't have my owners manual in front of me to reference.
 
liveoak said:
I tow my 4runner with my 2000 LC and it does fine. Most of the time I leave the overdrive off and the pwr button on. I have driven from San Diego area to Moab twice as well as San Diego to Tahoe twice with this setup and would not hesitate to do it again although this thread makes me feel like I may be testing fate. I think I may be towing around 7000 lbs trailer included.

https://public.bay.livefilestore.co...0ARr0IMr7KnYoRG9M_JMw/towingshare1.JPG?psid=1https://public.bay.livefilestore.co...0ARr0IMr7KnYoRG9M_JMw/towingshare1.JPG?psid=1
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Not tempting fate. I tow similar loads regularly with various cars but specifically with a 100 series and before with an 80 series. While they are not my favourite towing vehicle they handle 8000lb trailers all day every day with no problem.
My favourite tow car is the '91 manual transmission diesel 3.1 Isuzu Trooper/Bighorn for up to 6600lbs FWIW.
 
TeCKis300 said:
p126681789-4.jpg
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Looking at your pic it looks like the IS300 (V8 right?) has it's motor (heavy end) behind the trailer axle. I'm pretty sure to have a stable safe trailer at speed you need to have the center of mass in front of the trailer axle. Nice looking set up though!
 
gaylon said:
What mirror extenders are you using?
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x2 I just bought a travel trailer and need some towing mirrors.

I have not towed the same trailer with both the 80 and 100 but can tell you there is a night and day difference the V8 makes a huge difference just remember to keep it out of overdrive.
 
AimCOtaco said:
Looking at your pic it looks like the IS300 (V8 right?) has it's motor (heavy end) behind the trailer axle. I'm pretty sure to have a stable safe trailer at speed you need to have the center of mass in front of the trailer axle. Nice looking set up though!
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It’s a twin turbo iron block inline 6 – which is likely heavier than an all-aluminum v8.

Unfortunately, this was the only way to load the car given how low it is. The front end wouldn’t clear the wheel stops. Luckily, the car is rather short. So 60% of the length of the car was ahead the imaginary line between the two axles of the trailer. Maybe the LX470 can take some credit here, but the setup was exceedingly stable.
 
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