Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (17 Viewers)

[skrypj]

Another log for the fire…the 12.5 / 24 / 40 gallon tanks are all the same price…most people I’ve seen get the 24 gallon installed…for the $$$ what are the reasons to go 12.5 and not at least 24? 40 gallons is probably overkill for most people and bulky for clearance and weight.

Spare tire is why I got the 12.5.

 

[coleAK]

Another log for the fire…the 12.5 / 24 / 40 gallon tanks are all the same price…most people I’ve seen get the 24 gallon installed…for the $$$ what are the reasons to go 12.5 and not at least 24? 40 gallons is probably overkill for most people and bulky for clearance and weight.

Since the discussion is around towing. Some of us (me included) are towing relatively high weight rigs. I’ve thought about it and for me to get a meaningful improvement in range I’d have to go at least 24, that is an additional ~150 lbs behind the rear axle and moving the weight of the spare another 2’ or so further back. Therefore essentially increasing my relative tongue weight significantly

 

[skrypj]

Since the discussion is around towing. Some of us (me included) are towing relatively high weight rigs. I’ve thought about it and for me to get a meaningful improvement in range I’d have to go at least 24, that is an additional ~150 lbs behind the rear axle and moving the weight of the spare another 2’ or so further back. Therefore essentially increasing my relative tongue weight significantly

Thats why you put a steel bumper and winch on the front to counterbalance your LRA and tire swingout

 

[TeCKis300]

Since the discussion is around towing. Some of us (me included) are towing relatively high weight rigs. I’ve thought about it and for me to get a meaningful improvement in range I’d have to go at least 24, that is an additional ~150 lbs behind the rear axle and moving the weight of the spare another 2’ or so further back. Therefore essentially increasing my relative tongue weight significantly

Great points.

To add, the rear swing out also creates dynamic issues as it may force the ball to be setup more rearward for tire and swing out clearance.

That added cantilever creates a lot more stress on the hitch and chassis, reducing tongue weight capacity further on top of the payload already lost with all the installed weight. Because of the way it gives the trailer more leverage to sway and propose, it'll feel like lost effective wheelbase.

Thats why you put a steel bumper and winch on the front to counterbalance your LRA and tire swingout

Which in turn you'll need to upsize to the 40G for weight and aero impacts of counterbalance goodies.

To your point, lots of compounding effects

 

[Artie]

There is definitely big potential for mission creep when adding LRA.

 

[Endurbro907]

Anyone dealt with, and successfully defeated, the infamous fuel boiling issues while towing? Last fall I moved up to a larger trailer (~5k lbs) and I’m getting strong fuel smell in the cab, the vapors can be seen coming out of the gas door, and I even got a CEL on the last trip (P0441). Took it to Toyota the following morning and they tested it and found nothing wrong, just cleared the code.

I live in Utah, not incredibly hot quite yet, highway speeds are generous around here, but overall nothing the vehicle shouldn’t be able to handle. I’m getting a bit frustrated, starting to wonder if I should maybe think moving to a tundra if this will be the norm while towing.

Mods: Slee sliders/skids, ADGU drawers, OME lift w/34s, and an ARB base rack.

Have considered moving to a lighter skid (mostly touring these days with camper), but that seems unlikely to completely resolve the issue but maybe I’m not fully appreciating the heat being trapped?

 

[coleAK]

Anyone dealt with, and successfully defeated, the infamous fuel boiling issues while towing? Last fall I moved up to a larger trailer (~5k lbs) and I’m getting strong fuel smell in the cab, the vapors can be seen coming out of the gas door, and I even got a CEL on the last trip (P0441). Took it to Toyota the following morning and they tested it and found nothing wrong, just cleared the code.

I live in Utah, not incredibly hot quite yet, highway speeds are generous around here, but overall nothing the vehicle shouldn’t be able to handle. I’m getting a bit frustrated, starting to wonder if I should maybe think moving to a tundra if this will be the norm while towing.

Mods: Slee sliders/skids, ADGU drawers, OME lift w/34s, and an ARB base rack.

Have considered moving to a lighter skid (mostly touring these days with camper), but that seems unlikely to completely resolve the issue but maybe I’m not fully appreciating the heat being trapped?

I have never heard of this issue anywhere. And I pull a 7-8k camper 7-10k miles a summer and have had no issues.

 

[Endurbro907]

I have never heard of this issue anywhere. And I pull a 7-8k camper 7-10k miles a summer and have had no issues.

The fuel boiling issue? Seems pretty common for folks doing low speed climbing in hot temps/altitude/armored, I just don’t do a whole lot of that these days, but started seeing the same description the last few times I’ve towed. I’ve talked to a few others locally with varying degrees of the similar symptoms while towing as well . Seems like my trailer is lighter than a lot of folks so I’m scratching my head as it seems a bit more rare with towing than slow wheeling.

AK may not be the best reference point though, I grew up in Anchorage and the conditions down here in Utah are pretty different with alt/heat/80mph highways with decent climbs

* I found a thread by one of the members who posts in here frequent about some heat wrapping, might have to start there and potentially drop the skids to test the theory of it trapping heat

 

[Artie]

The fuel boiling issue? Seems pretty common for folks doing low speed climbing in hot temps/altitude/armored, I just don’t do a whole lot of that these days, but started seeing the same description the last few times I’ve towed. I’ve talked to a few others locally with varying degrees of the similar symptoms while towing as well . Seems like my trailer is lighter than a lot of folks so I’m scratching my head as it seems a bit more rare with towing than slow wheeling.

AK may not be the best reference point though, I grew up in Anchorage and the conditions down here in Utah are pretty different with alt/heat/80mph highways with decent climbs

* I found a thread by one of the members who posts in here frequent about some heat wrapping, might have to start there and potentially drop the skids to test the theory of it trapping heat

Idk if it matters but what year is your cruiser?

I tow a similar size camper and my cruiser is a built out big fat pig of a truck and we tow in your state on and off road every summer and I have not had the issue you’re describing. I’m always worried that I will have issues though because we also have the 40 LRA and we’ve ran many a trail out there with the camper in tow.

Charcoal canister age could be a factor here, I’m just grasping at straws here so hopefully a more seasoned member can comment on it. All I’m saying is there sounds like there’s more going on here than just moving up to a slightly heavier camper.

The only times I have smelled gas is from changes in altitude. We got gas in Amarillo (3850 feet) and drove to camp outside Clayton, NM (5500 feet), on the climb up it was bad gas smell. It was also our first trip in the cruiser so we weren’t prepared for it. The Jerry can on our camper had expanded a lot, it was filled with gas from Georgia from 1100 feet. It was literally boiling when I released the fumes and let it vent.

All that to ask, has your gas smell come around elevation climbs?

 

[Endurbro907]

Idk if it matters but what year is your cruiser?

I tow a similar size camper and my cruiser is a built out big fat pig of a truck and we tow in your state on and off road every summer and I have not had the issue you’re describing. I’m always worried that I will have issues though because we also have the 40 LRA and we’ve ran many a trail out there with the camper in tow.

Charcoal canister age could be a factor here, I’m just grasping at straws here so hopefully a more seasoned member can comment on it. All I’m saying is there sounds like there’s more going on here than just moving up to a slightly heavier camper.

The only times I have smelled gas is from changes in altitude. We got gas in Amarillo (3850 feet) and drove to camp outside Clayton, NM (5500 feet), on the climb up it was bad gas smell. It was also our first trip in the cruiser so we weren’t prepared for it. The Jerry can on our camper had expanded a lot, it was filled with gas from Georgia from 1100 feet. It was literally boiling when I released the fumes and let it vent.

All that to ask, has your gas smell come around elevation climbs?

My truck is a 2019 w/43k miles on it. It seems like lately it’s much more of a constant issue, but I’m almost always towing now because we bought a 250 for the wife and we’ve been using that when the trailer stays home, so it may not be the cause, but it’s certainly not helping with the heavier trailer? Like you, I’m grasping at anything.

It has happened a few times on climbs both on road and slow dirt trails. Several times were bad enough that we had to actually go park the car and wander around an area while it cooled/aired out. A few days ago was the first time I’ve ever had a CEL pop up while it was happening.

Not sure how familiar you are with this area, but since you mentioned driving in Utah I’ll share the route: We had driven down from Heber, filled water in StG, did a quick drive into Leeds canyon to look for an easy spot with the sun setting but struck out, so we came back down and headed towards pine valley, but around Veyo the CEL popped up. I don’t carry a code reader in this truck so I ran through Toyota the next morning and they said everything was good to go. The truck really had no symptoms aside from heat/fuel smell, but wanted to be sure.

Appreciate your thoughts, seems like a random issue that doesn’t effect everyone.

 

[Artie]

My truck is a 2019 w/43k miles on it. It seems like lately it’s much more of a constant issue, but I’m almost always towing now because we bought a 250 for the wife and we’ve been using that when the trailer stays home, so it may not be the cause, but it’s certainly not helping with the heavier trailer? Like you, I’m grasping at anything.

It has happened a few times on climbs both on road and slow dirt trails. Several times were bad enough that we had to actually go park the car and wander around an area while it cooled/aired out. A few days ago was the first time I’ve ever had a CEL pop up while it was happening.

Not sure how familiar you are with this area, but since you mentioned driving in Utah I’ll share the route: We had driven down from Heber, filled water in StG, did a quick drive into Leeds canyon to look for an easy spot with the sun setting but struck out, so we came back down and headed towards pine valley, but around Veyo the CEL popped up. I don’t carry a code reader in this truck so I ran through Toyota the next morning and they said everything was good to go. The truck really had no symptoms aside from heat/fuel smell, but wanted to be sure.

Appreciate your thoughts, seems like a random issue that doesn’t effect everyone.

I’m not a super familiar but I’ve crisscrossed Utah a few times. St George elevation where you filled up water is 3000 feet give or take, Pine Valley, if I’m looking at the correct area, is around 7000. I’m not saying that elevation is causing your issue but it is a possibility. What places did you get gas? Filling up at a lower elevation then climbing up a bunch of twisty roads sloshing gas around could be the culprit? It’s like mid 80°’s out that way, even with the added heat from towing idk if it’s only heat that’s causing your issue.

We have a ‘21 with 30k miles… I’m always thinking about this fuel vaper stuff when we are out there on our big summer trip. It’s always strange to me how you can run without issue then all of a sudden have some weird stuff start to happen. At 30k mine started leaking gear oil out of the rear locker manifold. Searching on here I found others with the same issue after roughly the same miles. I’ve read about owners on here replacing charcoal canisters… dare I say this is the next (grab your popcorn) routine maintenance item?!?

Also, I recommend getting a Bluetooth obd dongle for the obd fusion gauge thing on your phone. It also reads and clears codes, very handy tool if you’re towing or running trails. You may find a trend with engine or transmission temps, elevation, and this fuel vapor situation.

 

[Nothinghead]

My truck is a 2019 w/43k miles on it. It seems like lately it’s much more of a constant issue, but I’m almost always towing now because we bought a 250 for the wife and we’ve been using that when the trailer stays home, so it may not be the cause, but it’s certainly not helping with the heavier trailer? Like you, I’m grasping at anything.

It has happened a few times on climbs both on road and slow dirt trails. Several times were bad enough that we had to actually go park the car and wander around an area while it cooled/aired out. A few days ago was the first time I’ve ever had a CEL pop up while it was happening.

Not sure how familiar you are with this area, but since you mentioned driving in Utah I’ll share the route: We had driven down from Heber, filled water in StG, did a quick drive into Leeds canyon to look for an easy spot with the sun setting but struck out, so we came back down and headed towards pine valley, but around Veyo the CEL popped up. I don’t carry a code reader in this truck so I ran through Toyota the next morning and they said everything was good to go. The truck really had no symptoms aside from heat/fuel smell, but wanted to be sure.

Appreciate your thoughts, seems like a random issue that doesn’t effect everyone.

Also from Heber and we tow a 5-6k trailer (though almost always on pavement) with our ‘17 LX. We just finished a trip to escalate, Sedona, south rim Grand Canyon, Kanab and then home and are going in the Unitas through the summer. I’ve not had any Gabor’s or fuel boiling issues. I do use OBD fusion on CarPlay to monitor temps:

I really try to back off once the torque converter goes above 240° or the pan is 220°.

Engine temps have never been a concern. I wonder if your skids are affecting air leaving the engine bay and instead directing it to the fuel tank. Try tracking temps and maybe even carry an infrared thermometer and take a reading off your fuel tank when you get the smell.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

+1 on no fuel smell issues when towing my ~5,500 - 6,000lb trailer. Summer or otherwise.

(That's probably because the fuel disappears from my fuel tank before it even has a chance to give off a smell.)

 

[Endurbro907]

Also from Heber and we tow a 5-6k trailer (though almost always on pavement) with our ‘17 LX. We just finished a trip to escalate, Sedona, south rim Grand Canyon, Kanab and then home and are going in the Unitas through the summer. I’ve not had any Gabor’s or fuel boiling issues. I do use OBD fusion on CarPlay to monitor temps:


View attachment 3883819

I really try to back off once the torque converter goes above 240° or the pan is 220°.

Engine temps have never been a concern. I wonder if your skids are affecting air leaving the engine bay and instead directing it to the fuel tank. Try tracking temps and maybe even carry an infrared thermometer and take a reading off your fuel tank when you get the smell.

Howdy neighbor, I’m gonna snag a scan gauge so I can track temps on next trip. Also will be removing the skids, regearing, and potentially tossing on a snorkel to see if I can push some cooler air I guess…

Otherwise I fear it’s time to reconsider my tow vehicle, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

 

[coleAK]

The fuel boiling issue? Seems pretty common for folks doing low speed climbing in hot temps/altitude/armored, I just don’t do a whole lot of that these days, but started seeing the same description the last few times I’ve towed. I’ve talked to a few others locally with varying degrees of the similar symptoms while towing as well . Seems like my trailer is lighter than a lot of folks so I’m scratching my head as it seems a bit more rare with towing than slow wheeling.

AK may not be the best reference point though, I grew up in Anchorage and the conditions down here in Utah are pretty different with alt/heat/80mph highways with decent climbs

* I found a thread by one of the members who posts in here frequent about some heat wrapping, might have to start there and potentially drop the skids to test the theory of it trapping heat

Last summer it was >95F when I was on the Dalton highway in August, it only got down to mid 80’s at night. In Fairbanks (and the interior) we see temps in the 90’s fairly regularly.

 

[Endurbro907]

Last summer it was >95F when I was on the Dalton highway in August, it only got down to mid 80’s at night. In Fairbanks (and the interior) we see temps in the 90’s fairly regularly.

Wasn’t discounting your experience, I spent 2 decades of my life up there before enlisting, and still visit family frequently, so I’m definitely tracking on the weather. That being said, the triple digit heat, altitude, and much higher speed limits, which are generally followed by steep dirt climbing above 10k to campsites away from the camper vans down here seemed (at least to me) to be a perfect storm.

Based on everyone who has weighed in, it’s gotta be something to do with my setup though, appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences, helpful for sure!

 

[coleAK]

Wasn’t discounting your experience, I spent 2 decades of my life up there before enlisting, and still visit family frequently, so I’m definitely tracking on the weather. That being said, the triple digit heat, altitude, and much higher speed limits, which are generally followed by steep dirt climbing above 10k to campsites away from the camper vans down here seemed (at least to me) to be a perfect storm.

Based on everyone who has weighed in, it’s gotta be something to do with my setup though, appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences, helpful for sure!

I grew up in northern Nevada, guess we swapped stomping grounds.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

FWIW I haven't had a problem towing a #5500lb trailer - yet.
All our towing so far has been at sea level on the East Coast but we're headed to Utah, Wyoming and Montana this summer.
Would there be a difference in this boiling thing if Ethanol free fuel were used?
Anyone tried it?
Just wondering.

 

[Endurbro907]

FWIW I haven't had a problem towing a #5500lb trailer - yet.
All our towing so far has been at sea level on the East Coast but we're headed to Utah, Wyoming and Montana this summer.
Would there be a difference in this boiling thing if Ethanol free fuel were used?
Anyone tried it?
Just wondering.

There are quite a few threads about it, general consensus was that it isn’t resolved by type of gas. Seems to be prominent in heavy rigs wheeling and not towing, but since swapping trailers I can’t seem to avoid it. Guess it’s an excuse to change my setup a bit and see if it helps. I’ll be headed south in a week or two, so I’ll drop the skids completely to test that theory. Hopefully you stay clear of it on your trip out west!

 

[Endurbro907]

I’m not a super familiar but I’ve crisscrossed Utah a few times. St George elevation where you filled up water is 3000 feet give or take, Pine Valley, if I’m looking at the correct area, is around 7000. I’m not saying that elevation is causing your issue but it is a possibility. What places did you get gas? Filling up at a lower elevation then climbing up a bunch of twisty roads sloshing gas around could be the culprit? It’s like mid 80°’s out that way, even with the added heat from towing idk if it’s only heat that’s causing your issue.

We have a ‘21 with 30k miles… I’m always thinking about this fuel vaper stuff when we are out there on our big summer trip. It’s always strange to me how you can run without issue then all of a sudden have some weird stuff start to happen. At 30k mine started leaking gear oil out of the rear locker manifold. Searching on here I found others with the same issue after roughly the same miles. I’ve read about owners on here replacing charcoal canisters… dare I say this is the next (grab your popcorn) routine maintenance item?!?

Also, I recommend getting a Bluetooth obd dongle for the obd fusion gauge thing on your phone. It also reads and clears codes, very handy tool if you’re towing or running trails. You may find a trend with engine or transmission temps, elevation, and this fuel vapor situation.

Definitely could be a unique scenario in this case which caused the CEL. In this scenario I drove from Heber to StG with a stop in Fillmore. Grabbed water in Leeds at KOA and ran up into Leeds canyon looking for dispersed stuff that was low effort but the camper van cancer had already spread to this location. Little bit of dirt in 4L, low speeds (20mins?), then hit the smiths gas station by downtown StG area. This is where I think we had our issue, tank was half full and the pump shut off after like 15$, which seemed odd, but I never force more gas in so I just rolled with it. Around Veyo the CEL popped up. Pulled over, checked for any visible issue but all was fine so we continued up to pine valley to camp. Next morning pulled code and Toyota found no issues and sent me on my way. No issues since.

This is the first time I’ve gotten a CEL, but not the first boiling incident, I had one so bad on the I70 I had to stop at whatever massive resort town is up there and walk around for 2 hours. Truck was smelling so bad that we couldn’t continue. High heat, alt, heavy traffic in this instance, but no trailer. Other times were on steep canyon paved roads to camp in Tushars (10k) and around fish lake, both of these were towing in summer months.

I’ve had faint fuel smells on other occasions, but these were all times where it was overwhelming and you could see traces from fuel running down side of truck in the dust/dirt.

It’s interesting that no one else is getting it with towing, I’m going to drop skids on next trip and see if that changes anything. Love the 200 but it’s frustrating as hell