Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (10 Viewers)

[Artie]

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

Camper van cancer… man, peach!

I think dropping skids and seeing how it does sounds like a solid plan. I’d also be interested in gathering some temp data on trans, torque converter, engine oil, coolant, and maybe even intake air temp just to see a before and after skids as well. Strange things are afoot…

 

[linuxgod]

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

I had it when towing once or twice but it’s when I’m at 10,000’ and then stop. But normally no issues.

I’ve had it in Moab a couple times, particularly on TOTW, which isn’t even that high elevation.

How level is your towing setup? Do you ever top off your tank? I had a few codes last summer when towing after I filled at a slow pump. No boiling but I had to reset codes several times over 2 weeks before it went away. I assumed the slow fill combined with a little squat in the rear from the trailer ended up overfilling the tank

 

[Endurbro907]

Camper van cancer… man, peach!

I think dropping skids and seeing how it does sounds like a solid plan. I’d also be interested in gathering some temp data on trans, torque converter, engine oil, coolant, and maybe even intake air temp just to see a before and after skids as well. Strange things are afoot…

I'm definitely going to get a scan gauge or try to figure out that other monitoring program mentioned, I glanced at it on the other thread and it started to feel like I needed to be a programmer to use it. Definitely need to get something soon though.

I had it when towing once or twice but it’s when I’m at 10,000’ and then stop. But normally no issues.

I’ve had it in Moab a couple times, particularly on TOTW, which isn’t even that high elevation.

How level is your towing setup? Do you ever top off your tank? I had a few codes last summer when towing after I filled at a slow pump. No boiling but I had to reset codes several times over 2 weeks before it went away. I assumed the slow fill combined with a little squat in the rear from the trailer ended up overfilling the tank

Towing setup is very level, I have bags in the back and am pretty OCD about it towing properly, plus it's a fairly light hitch weight on an OME suspension. I never top off when fueling. I definitely need to get a tool to clear codes so I don't get caught in a weird situation. My only working theory is that the short climb up Leeds canyon in the dirt got things boiling and I shouldn't have added fuel without it completely cooling in this scenario that resulted in a CEL, but honestly it's not an isolated incident so I'm spiraling a little bit...

 

[linuxgod]

I'm definitely going to get a scan gauge or try to figure out that other monitoring program mentioned, I glanced at it on the other thread and it started to feel like I needed to be a programmer to use it. Definitely need to get something soon though.



Towing setup is very level, I have bags in the back and am pretty OCD about it towing properly, plus it's a fairly light hitch weight on an OME suspension. I never top off when fueling. I definitely need to get a tool to clear codes so I don't get caught in a weird situation. My only working theory is that the short climb up Leeds canyon in the dirt got things boiling and I shouldn't have added fuel without it completely cooling in this scenario that resulted in a CEL, but honestly it's not an isolated incident so I'm spiraling a little bit...

Highly recommend the $30 Bluetooth veepack type dongles. Put it in the vehicle and leave it, then drop $20 on OBD Fusion and you can clear any code

 

[Endurbro907]

Highly recommend the $30 Bluetooth veepack type dongles. Put it in the vehicle and leave it, then drop $20 on OBD Fusion and you can clear any code

I’ll revisit this, maybe the thread I was looking at was just too in the weeds but the constant references to “jiggering” and custom solutions within the app left me looking elsewhere as I’m not one who enjoys that kind of thing.

 

[Nothinghead]

I’ll revisit this, maybe the thread I was looking at was just too in the weeds but the constant references to “jiggering” and custom solutions within the app left me looking elsewhere as I’m not one who enjoys that kind of thing.

I'm near the top of mill road. If you want to come by and see how mine works, I'd be happy to show you.

 

[Endurbro907]

I'm near the top of mill road. If you want to come by and see how mine works, I'd be happy to show you.

That would actually be super helpful, I’m right downtown so very close.

 

[skrypj]

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?

Same. Also in UT at 6500’ and it was a problem last year for sure.

Considering going back to the stock skid plates and putting heat shields between the exhaust and gas tank.

 

[Endurbro907]

Same. Also in UT at 6500’ and it was a problem last year for sure.

Considering going back to the stock skid plates and putting heat shields between the exhaust and gas tank.

Did you have issues before skids? Which ones are you running now?

 

[skrypj]

Did you have issues before skids? Which ones are you running now?

I don’t really know. I bought it in February and think I had the skids on by June.

Victory4x4

 

[Catskills]

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.

I tried nonethanol in my 200 two summers ago. Towing, passes of 10k.

That worked really well in my 100 in the summer and at high altitudes and my 80 prefers it, so I was really hopeful. But my 2010 200 boiled gas until I worked my way east and the temps cooled off.

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

Plenty of folks are having issues with it.

Interestingly, I had been getting fault codes for years with my truck and Toyota promised I needed a new ECU. So, new ECU. I just towed a heavier camper (4,400 dry) than I had on a trip out west two years ago and am enjoying better gas mileage than I've ever had while with it and ***so far*** no boiling gas. This trip from NY to SC was 800 miles and I'm starting the trip back tomorrow in warm weather. I'm very eager to see how it does.

I can totally sympathize with your feelings about the truck. I love it so much and don't want anything else, not even a newer 200 -- but yes, this problem is maddening.

 

[Nothinghead]

I tried nonethanol in my 200 two summers ago. Towing, passes of 10k.

That worked really well in my 100 in the summer and at high altitudes and my 80 prefers it, so I was really hopeful. But my 2010 200 boiled gas until I worked my way east and the temps cooled off.

Plenty of folks are having issues with it.

Interestingly, I had been getting fault codes for years with my truck and Toyota promised I needed a new ECU. So, new ECU. I just towed a heavier camper (4,400 dry) than I had on a trip out west two years ago and am enjoying better gas mileage than I've ever had while with it and ***so far*** no boiling gas. This trip from NY to SC was 800 miles and I'm starting the trip back tomorrow in warm weather. I'm very eager to see how it does.

I can totally sympathize with your feelings about the truck. I love it so much and don't want anything else, not even a newer 200 -- but yes, this problem is maddening.

What were your codes that led to the new ECU?

 

[Catskills]

What were your codes that led to the new ECU?

Air conditioning codes, abs, p2714. All of these were persistent and while I could clear them they'd come right back.

 

[2021 LC200]

I don’t really know. I bought it in February and think I had the skids on by June.

Victory4x4

While I have not looked at the routing, I would also consider insulating the fuel feed and return lines from engine bay down and past the cats

 

[Dunbar]

While I have not looked at the routing, I would also consider insulating the fuel feed and return lines from engine bay down and past the cats

Has anybody insulated or otherwise done something to cool the return fuel? Could AC lines run to an enclosure under the chassis with a few loops of return fuel line? Surely something simpler can be tried.

 

[2021 LC200]

Has anybody insulated or otherwise done something to cool the return fuel? Could AC lines run to an enclosure under the chassis with a few loops of return fuel line? Surely something simpler can be tried.

There are lines to the rear AC. Not sure the existing fuel lines get any close. And the orifice with cooling effect is obviously at the internal rear evap, so this is not going to be that easy.

I would go with insulating including under the hood and any additional shielding for the cats and exhaust first.

 

[Endurbro907]

I don’t really know. I bought it in February and think I had the skids on by June.

Victory4x4

I popped off my skids today, should be out on another longer trip south in a few weeks. I’ll definitely put it through its paces to see if I can recreate.

 

[TeCKis300]

What an epic 3k mile road trip through Death Valley, Valley of Fire, Zion, and North Rim Grand Canyon.

The 37s have won me over. Gas mileage has suffered a bit more. But she still hauls the mail and does the business. Tires earn their keep for the added comfort and capability offroad.

Hung out with some Tesla's, they were amused.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I couldn’t think of a better thread to ask this because the answer would depend on the size of vehicle, the 200 being the biggest, and a presence of a travel trailer.

We’re headed on a big travel trailer trip this June. There’s refrigeration in the trailer and I have a Dometic 75L dual zone that even though it’s a bit big (note it’s paid for LOL), I’m thinking of also taking it with us.

Some thoughts on why:

• We will be out and about for entire days, who knows maybe overnight without the trailer
• Buying groceries might mean a 1-2 hour trip EACH WAY depending on where we are.
• Depending if we’re not running or running the fridge it can store overflow provisions like cases of beer, hamburgers, hotdogs and maybe even hiking boots LOL.
• I HATE messing with ice. I mean Jack Nicholson hate messing with ice.

So, how many of you that tow a trailer that has a refrigerator-freezer ALSO carry a powered refrigerator freezer like a Dometic in the rear cargo bay of your LC/LX?

 

[Endurbro907]

I couldn’t think of a better thread to ask this because the answer would depend on the size of vehicle, the 200 being the biggest, and a presence of a travel trailer.

We’re headed on a big travel trailer trip this June. There’s refrigeration in the trailer and I have a Dometic 75L dual zone that even though it’s a bit big (note it’s paid for LOL), I’m thinking of also taking it with us.

Some thoughts on why:

• We will be out and about for entire days, who knows maybe overnight without the trailer
• Buying groceries might mean a 1-2 hour trip EACH WAY depending on where we are.
• Depending if we’re not running or running the fridge it can store overflow provisions like cases of beer, hamburgers, hotdogs and maybe even hiking boots LOL.
• I HATE messing with ice. I mean Jack Nicholson hate messing with ice.

View attachment 3892776​

So, how many of you that tow a trailer that has a refrigerator-freezer ALSO carry a powered refrigerator freezer like a Dometic in the rear cargo bay of your LC/LX?

I generally have a bit of redundancy for the sake of flexibility. I always build out my tow vehicle so it can go out solo, I have multiple fridges as a result. Trailer even has a guzzle setup so if I’m by a water source I can pull from there. I like being out away from people for extended periods so it works best that way. Since you have the fridge and room for it, I don’t see why you wouldn’t bring it if you think it potentially adds value.