Yeah, the vehicle is ultra capable, but I think the main concern whether ambient temps are triple digits or not is how hot your fluids get while doing serious work.
Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (19 Viewers)
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Very fair assessments. Im hoping to hook up in the next week or two and head north to some cooler temp. Thinking Logan or Bear Lake. I haven't had it attached yet, and have the WD hitch and scanner being shipped now. Brake controller was installed yesterday. The SC has definitely given the rig some pep and climbability. I know that temp monitoring will be key for sure especially during summer run, especially going south.
All your input has been helpful. Thank you! Please keep it coming!
All your input has been helpful. Thank you! Please keep it coming!
100%
You've probably already found some of my posts. Your trailer is close to the same weight class of my trailer. I'll cautiously say yes, it can work. YMMV. The reality is that towing closer to the limits means there's much less margin and all the variables that could impact performance have to be really right for it all to work.
I'll try to capture the biggest variables at play
- Power is not the issue. As you're already aware, heat, power sustainability, and efficiency are ultimately going to be larger factors to good towing performance. Heat at elevation might be something to pay attention to.
- Highly recommend expanding transmission cooling
DIY Aux Transmission Cooler
As the stock 200-series already has an aux tranny cooler, perhaps this is better described as installing an aux aux cooler. The stock cooler is solid. I imagine this is niche for the heaviest of rigs or those that do more aggressive off-road running that really loads up the torque converter...
forum.ih8mud.com
Cruiser Brothers 12.5 LRA Aux Tank Install in LX570
I must have been good cause Santa brought me a LRA subtank for X'mas. Kicking off the install today, paying close attention to potential LX570 installation issues. Talking to Georg and Ward, this might be the first so I'm a going in a bit tentative. Potential issues really is down to the AHC...
forum.ih8mud.com
Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser
Help confirm my next step in adjusting my weight distribution hitch... I took my 2015 LC to the scales and weighed without the trailer (but with full tank of gas and two kids): Front Axle: 3400 lbs Rear Axle: 3680 lbs ... then I (and the two kids and virtually full tank of gas) went through...
forum.ih8mud.com
- Good that you have BBKs. Though you'll also need really good gearing at this weight level to ensure sufficient and safe engine braking. Can't tell what tire size that is but it does look larger than stock which means gearing and engine braking will be compromised
- Could use airbags but that's not a must either. You may want to understand if this rig has an AHC sensor lift. And you'll want to appropriately augment AHC for the heavy tongue weights
LX570 Augmenting for Load
I added a 10mm spacer to each spring at the rear axle. Intent is to add a bit more support to the AHC system, as I tow a heavy 27' Airstream travel trailer. This exact same mod could be done to an LC too, but will result in lifting ~1/2". While the LX570 never asked for it, this is a well...
forum.ih8mud.com
- I prefer WD hitch styles that avoid the chain. As they usually require tools.
- I'd caution bikes on the rear until you're comfortable the setup is really dialed in and stable. I do have a rack on mine too but still, would keep that as light as possible as it has the possibility to dramatically invite sway instability
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This whole time I thought you were really brave to tow this setup but as soon as I noticed your tandem bike I realized it’s more than just courage…you truly chase the impossible and must have one heck of a spouse.You've probably already found some of my posts. Your trailer is close to the same weight class of my trailer. I'll cautiously say yes, it can work. YMMV. The reality is that towing closer to the limits means there's much less margin and all the variables that could impact performance have to be really right for it all to work.
I'll try to capture the biggest variables at play
- Power is not the issue. As you're already aware, heat, power sustainability, and efficiency are ultimately going to be larger factors to good towing performance. Heat at elevation might be something to pay attention to.
- Highly recommend expanding transmission cooling
- Limited stock range and fuel efficiency. The trailer aerodynamics will play into this further. Aux tank may be something to put up high on the list.
DIY Aux Transmission Cooler
As the stock 200-series already has an aux tranny cooler, perhaps this is better described as installing an aux aux cooler. The stock cooler is solid. I imagine this is niche for the heaviest of rigs or those that do more aggressive off-road running that really loads up the torque converter...
- Super important to bring the ball as close to the bumper as possible
Cruiser Brothers 12.5 LRA Aux Tank Install in LX570
I must have been good cause Santa brought me a LRA subtank for X'mas. Kicking off the install today, paying close attention to potential LX570 installation issues. Talking to Georg and Ward, this might be the first so I'm a going in a bit tentative. Potential issues really is down to the AHC...
- Looks like super low offset wheels on your rig which you may want to reconsider. The added track width is going to be a liability in several ways. You're going to be above rear GAWR and the offset is going to put more load on the axle and bearings. Steering geometry on the front axle is going to create pull and make it fatiguing to drive, in gusty winds, passing rigs, or even just putting down power or brakingTowing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser
Help confirm my next step in adjusting my weight distribution hitch... I took my 2015 LC to the scales and weighed without the trailer (but with full tank of gas and two kids): Front Axle: 3400 lbs Rear Axle: 3680 lbs ... then I (and the two kids and virtually full tank of gas) went through...
- Good that you have BBKs. Though you'll also need really good gearing at this weight level to ensure sufficient and safe engine braking. Can't tell what tire size that is but it does look larger than stock which means gearing and engine braking will be compromised
- Could use airbags but that's not a must either. You may want to understand if this rig has an AHC sensor lift. And you'll want to appropriately augment AHC for the heavy tongue weights
- The 200-series is hugely maneuverable and an asset I use a lot to get into more creative locations
LX570 Augmenting for Load
I added a 10mm spacer to each spring at the rear axle. Intent is to add a bit more support to the AHC system, as I tow a heavy 27' Airstream travel trailer. This exact same mod could be done to an LC too, but will result in lifting ~1/2". While the LX570 never asked for it, this is a well...
- I prefer WD hitch styles that avoid the chain. As they usually require tools.
- I'd caution bikes on the rear until you're comfortable the setup is really dialed in and stable. I do have a rack on mine too but still, would keep that as light as possible as it has the possibility to dramatically invite sway instability
View attachment 3947732
LOL. The relationship accelerator.
Just got back from a 16 day 3500 mile east coast run. Starting in NE FL up through SC, WV, PA, Niagra, VT, ME, MA, MD/DC, NC and back.
Our 2020 LC HE performed phenomenally through all of it. IMO it did show it's weaknesses in range and mountainous terrain. Traveled with a Chevy 2500HD towing a similar camper and a Class A and the LC impressively held it's own. Drafting is your friend...makes a HUGE difference in mpgs.
2020 LC HE
- 275/70/18 Falken Wildpeak AT4
- OME 2720s (rear)
- Firestone Coil-Rite air bags
- Blue Ox SwayPro WD hitch
2024 FR r-pod 202
- 25' length
- 4,868 lbs dry weight
- Curt independent Suspension
Our 2020 LC HE performed phenomenally through all of it. IMO it did show it's weaknesses in range and mountainous terrain. Traveled with a Chevy 2500HD towing a similar camper and a Class A and the LC impressively held it's own. Drafting is your friend...makes a HUGE difference in mpgs.
2020 LC HE
- 275/70/18 Falken Wildpeak AT4
- OME 2720s (rear)
- Firestone Coil-Rite air bags
- Blue Ox SwayPro WD hitch
2024 FR r-pod 202
- 25' length
- 4,868 lbs dry weight
- Curt independent Suspension
I've got a 2014 570 with the 20" rims and factory size tires. I have for the past 5 years towed a uhaul car trailer with my built lx450 on the back and all my gear and tools. I'm at max capacity. It's around a 4 hour trip up into the NC mountains and back down into TN. I usually average 12 mpg going and 11mpg coming back. Never had an AHC issue. I will say I did have a tire blow out while doing 55 passing a semi around a corner down a steep grade and the semi realize I was in trouble and backed off. The trailer yanked my vehicle around pretty good with the stability control working overtime but I got it off the road and safe. Other than that it feels super safe on the road and braking hasn't ever been a problem.
- Thread starter
- #2,569
Transmission issues last week. I’m at 174k miles. Y’all can debate whether it’s from 50k miles of towing or from off-road use.
forum.ih8mud.com
174k, Transmission lost 2nd gear engine braking and 6th gear
Figured I’d start a new thread on this for posterity, rather than cluttering up my Towing or my Build thread… We were at Cruisers on the Rockies last week, finishing up Poughkeepsie and the wall when I noticed while descending hurricane Pass that my engine was idling at ~1200 RPMs when going...
forum.ih8mud.com
In the middle of a two month trip and both Cruiser and new 25' camper have been great. From the Catskills of NY to Moab and a couple weeks in Colorado and NM.
The 200 has a new ECU and I wanted to make sure this was absolutely true in all circumstances before I got excited and told you guys: It is not boiling gas anymore while towing! And it had all the ingredients already this summer...10k mountain passes, 100 degree temps.
I'm so happy, as this drove me crazy and I was so tired of the dash lighting up. And unlike my 100, feeding it non ethanol did not help.
I'm enjoying a worry-free summer of towing my camper around the country
I can't figure out out how to narrate between pics since this Mud update...but we floated the Colorado with @DRANGED
...and are now in the French Quarter with St. Louis Cemetery #2 next to us.
The 200 has a new ECU and I wanted to make sure this was absolutely true in all circumstances before I got excited and told you guys: It is not boiling gas anymore while towing! And it had all the ingredients already this summer...10k mountain passes, 100 degree temps.
I'm so happy, as this drove me crazy and I was so tired of the dash lighting up. And unlike my 100, feeding it non ethanol did not help.
I'm enjoying a worry-free summer of towing my camper around the country
I can't figure out out how to narrate between pics since this Mud update...but we floated the Colorado with @DRANGED
...and are now in the French Quarter with St. Louis Cemetery #2 next to us.
I saw your earlier post on the ECU. Is it the Fuel ECU or another one?
"Engine control module" 89661-60K82
Unrelated to towing, but my flashing diff light that appeared when it was cold and humid -- and that I took for granted was a typical 200 issue -- is also gone.
How would a new ECU correct for these issues? I had always thought they were a go/no go component that didn’t exhibit intermittent issues.
No idea. But it's the only variable that could have done it.
- Thread starter
- #2,575
I could see this actually. The quick flashing issue isn’t a real failure exactly. There is some sort of self-test happening or some electrical circuit that’s open (or closed) that shouldn’t be when this occurs. It’s not that an ECU would fix this issue exactly, but it might have a different check sequence that said “check 3 times over 10 seconds before failing” or “ignore failure at cold start until it’s happened 3 consecutive times) or something.
Honestly Toyota’s failure modes suck. Check engine light because of an emissions issue? Let’s disable traction control so you skid off the road! Also let’s disable 4Lo even though it has NOTHING to do with emissions! So a default failure mode that renders 4Lo and the CDL useless because of an unrelated test failing wouldn’t shock me.
The diff light was just annoying in that it disabled cruise control.
I should also add that my gas mileage has improved -- towing and not-- albeit slightly.
But the boiling fuel was a completely different animal.
At first I thought it was too good to be true, and in all my searches I didn't see anyone in this forum discuss the phenomenon in relation to the ECU.
But Googling it made me think that it was connected, and at this point, after towing a 5k lb. camper 4k miles with long ascents, high altitude, and hot temps with zero lights and no boiling gas, I'm convinced.
Never seen it mentioned here
But in the Tundra forums, there’s been threads about various Amazon Cheapo ODB2 code reader/tuners damaging ECUs
No first hand experience with this, and haven’t verified it, but….
Ever use a cheapo Amazon ODB2 scanner?
I’ve slowly found myself moving more to manufacturer direct buying and away from Amazon, especially anything car, tool, or 2A related.Never seen it mentioned here
But in the Tundra forums, there’s been threads about various Amazon Cheapo ODB2 code reader/tuners damaging ECUs
No first hand experience with this, and haven’t verified it, but….
Ever use a cheapo Amazon ODB2 scanner?
El cheap’o obd dongles causing ECU issues sounds creepy to me, even a little malicious.
Agreed.
