Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser

[FJRanger]

Android owner here.

The last time I upgraded my phone the Toyota Enhanced PID made it's way over to the new device without having to be repurchased.

 

[linuxgod]

Hey Geoff quick question... I recently had to get a new phone (old one lost its cellular network connection) and I have a new phone now, another iPhone 15. I have done all sorts of restores from backup, etc. but for some reason the Toyota Enhanced PID pack didn't make the cut- last night I fired up OBD fusion and the only gauge that works is the speedometer...

do you know where that file lives? and if it's possible to transfer it somehow? Or do I just need to buy this again.

In the main obd fusion page go to Settings->Purchase Extras and then click “Restore” in the top right corner.

 

[nakman]

In the main obd fusion page go to Settings->Purchase Extras and then click “Restore” in the top right corner.

Ok that was really easy, thank you!

 

[Sandroad]

There is a CAT scale on my regular route here in Michigan and I’d like to weigh my LC/camper rig. I know the tongue weight, but not the whole setup loaded and I’m headed past there on a camping trip next week. How do CAT scales work? Is there an attendant, or is it an ATM-like arrangement?

 

[Boston Mangler]

There is a CAT scale on my regular route here in Michigan and I’d like to weigh my LC/camper rig. I know the tongue weight, but not the whole setup loaded and I’m headed past there on a camping trip next week. How do CAT scales work? Is there an attendant, or is it an ATM-like arrangement?

All the ones I’ve been to are self serve

Just make sure you center it on the front/rear split

Downloads the app, makes it much easier and give you the data right to your phone.

Here’s one of my Ram RV (screenshot of the app)

 

[Ratchey]

There is a CAT scale on my regular route here in Michigan and I’d like to weigh my LC/camper rig. I know the tongue weight, but not the whole setup loaded and I’m headed past there on a camping trip next week. How do CAT scales work? Is there an attendant, or is it an ATM-like arrangement?

The ones I have been to, there is an attendant in the fuel station that you speak with over the intercom and then go in to pay and get your print out.

 

[linuxgod]

If it’s an official CAT scale there’s an app for your phone. I prefer that to having to try to use the speaker at other places because they’re extremely high up and I’ve found I need to stand on my front tire to reach.

It’s $13 for the first weigh, and then a few $ extra if you re-weigh within a certain period. I’ve used that to weigh with and without the trailer, but normally I just do it in one shot and that’s enough data

 

[Boston Mangler]

The ones I have been to, there is an attendant in the fuel station that you speak with over the intercom and then go in to pay and get your print out.

If it’s an official CAT scale there’s an app for your phone. I prefer that to having to try to use the speaker at other places because they’re extremely high up and I’ve found I need to stand on my front tire to reach.

It’s $13 for the first weigh, and then a few $ extra if you re-weigh within a certain period. I’ve used that to weigh with and without the trailer, but normally I just do it in one shot and that’s enough data

Yes, this

Also, believe there’s 2 different prices, one to just weigh it, and one if you need the certified receipt for commerical purposes

 

[Artie]

All the ones I’ve been to are self serve

Just make sure you center it on the front/rear split

Downloads the app, makes it much easier and give you the data right to your phone.

Here’s one of my Ram RV (screenshot of the app)

View attachment 3984574

I wish I knew about this app before, this is far easier than the speaker/going inside routine I’m used to.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

In the great, white, north land of igloos and 20-hour clocks, the scales have displays that simply show you the numbers.

 

[linuxgod]

Off topic but…

I’m considering selling my travel trailer. It’s parked in Denver right now, after leaving my truck at Slee after COTRockies. 2015 Lance 2185 with ~270Ah lithium battery, 450W solar, digital tank monitoring, triple bunks, slide out dinette, memory foam queen bed, liquor cabinet, and some other upgrades. The BlueOx weight distributing hitch would be included.

If anyone is interested PM me. Otherwise I’ll be back in Denver near the end of the month and will end up pulling it back to Chicago, but if I can save the effort (and gas) I’d happily pass the savings on.

 

[GordJ]

In the great, white, north land of igloos and 20-hour clocks, the scales have displays that simply show you the numbers.

I have gone to private scales and received printed tickets with all the info often. Are you referencing the MOT scales?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I have gone to private scales and received printed tickets with all the info often. Are you referencing the MOT scales?

I guess? I'm not sure who runs/operates the scales tbh. This is the one I usually use.

 

[Artie]

We were able to sneak out and go camping this past weekend and it was the first time towing with the new 3.9 gears and Kings. Overall trip was just shy of 300 miles and all secondary roads but it’s a route I’ve taken many times with a few sections where the converter temps would typically hit 250°. This time around the temps stayed well below that, mostly in the 220°’s on those inclined stretches. I did have one time I hit 240° but this was due to someone turning so I lost all momentum which provided a good glimpse into climbing… the gears were killer there as well. I did not experience the dreaded power hole between 2nd and 3rd. I was able to gain or maintain speed on every climb and downshifts kept the revs in the power band which produced a very pleasant driving experience. Massive improvements in all driving aspects, money well spent. We’ll be back out in a few weeks and will hit the interstate so I’ll report back on how they do at speed. Gas MPG was 9.5, which is normal but since it was only one tank I can’t call this representative until I get more miles down.

The Kings are also a big improvement over the BP51’s that they replaced. We had some time on dirt roads and it’s noticeably smoother. My wife commented on having less head bouncing this time around. The gear/shock combo has 2500 miles on them so shocks should be operating as intended. Ben @Fillthy said to not adjust until after 500 miles or so and I figured it would be best to do so while towing and hitting some dirt to get a good feel for for things. They came set to the 5th click and I’ve added 5 clicks firmer to where I’m at now at 15. This has made an improvement making the truck feel smaller with each adjustment, the softer the suspension the more unstable things felt. This was exacerbated by the camper shocks I’m currently running while waiting on a rebuild of the Foxes I usually run… the ones on there now are softer than I like. All that to say that the Kings are great and I’m happy there as well. A solid alignment also makes things a lot better to drive as well.

For those of you towing with Kings, or adjustable shocks in general, how firm are you going? They are easy enough to change but a setting that I can run while towing or not is likely achievable. Idk, the BP51’s were not easy to change, especially if your on dirt or in a Utah parking lot in July… maybe switching settings around depending on what I’m driving on is what I should be doing with these since it’s convenient to do so.

 

[marcfj60]

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm thinking about buying a 200 that can tow my newish travel trailer. I currently own a '99 LC100 that I had been using to tow my 2008 Jayco Baja popup for the past 10 years. Its dry weight was about 2600 lbs and the LC did ok most of the time except on steep mountain passes in NM and CO. The '99 LC has slightly oversize KO2s, MetalTech Sliders, BIO rear bumper, Gamiviti @nakman Roof Rack, Airlift 1000 rear airbags. So it's overweight from stock, gearing isn't ideal with the bigger tires, and only putting out 230hp mated to the 4spd transmission.

The '99 LC just isn't cutting it with the 2022 Jayco JayFeather Micro 166FBS I bought in April. Its dry weight is 4,200 lbs and gross is 4,995 lbs. I like setting up a base camp somewhere, sometimes off-grid/boondocking and then exploring forest roads and trails in the area. I'm not really interested in a full-size truck due to size on trail. Seems like a 200-series would meet my needs as long as it's reasonable for towing my new trailer. With the airbags and WDH with sway control on my '99, it's very stable and rides well. It just doesn't have the power and gearing to be able to hold a reasonable speed up steep mountain passes or if there is a headwind on level ground.

 

[TeCKis300]

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm thinking about buying a 200 that can tow my newish travel trailer. I currently own a '99 LC100 that I had been using to tow my 2008 Jayco Baja popup for the past 10 years. Its dry weight was about 2600 lbs and the LC did ok most of the time except on steep mountain passes in NM and CO. The '99 LC has slightly oversize KO2s, MetalTech Sliders, BIO rear bumper, Gamiviti @nakman Roof Rack, Airlift 1000 rear airbags. So it's overweight from stock, gearing isn't ideal with the bigger tires, and only putting out 230hp mated to the 4spd transmission.

The '99 LC just isn't cutting it with the 2022 Jayco JayFeather Micro 166FBS I bought in April. Its dry weight is 4,200 lbs and gross is 4,995 lbs. I like setting up a base camp somewhere, sometimes off-grid/boondocking and then exploring forest roads and trails in the area. I'm not really interested in a full-size truck due to size on trail. Seems like a 200-series would meet my needs as long as it's reasonable for towing my new trailer. With the airbags and WDH with sway control on my '99, it's very stable and rides well. It just doesn't have the power and gearing to be able to hold a reasonable speed up steep mountain passes or if there is a headwind on level ground.

I took the same journey coming from an '06 LX470 that had the benefit of more horses and an extra gear. It would do the job but strained taking on heavier loads.

That's where the 200-series shines. It's everything the 100-series is, but with a stronger motor and drivetrain. It'll handle up to the limits of what's reasonable for a 1/2-ton truck.

I'm not sure if you're looking for an LC or LX. Even if the LC has more towing capacity on paper (due to less options and base curb weight against the same GVWR), the LX will have quite a few advantages towing due to the suspension alone. With some tweaks, it'll handle 2k lbs tongue weight without complaint.

The 2016+ 200-series have an 8-speed (versus 6-speed for earlier) model years. Not saying it's necessary, but could be a benefit.

 

[marcfj60]

I took the same journey coming from an '06 LX470 that had the benefit of more horses and an extra gear. It would do the job but strained taking on heavier loads.

That's where the 200-series shines. It's everything the 100-series is, but with a stronger motor and drivetrain. It'll handle up to the limits of what's reasonable for a 1/2-ton truck.

I'm not sure if you're looking for an LC or LX. Even if the LC has more towing capacity on paper (due to less options and base curb weight against the same GVWR), the LX will have quite a few advantages towing due to the suspension alone. With some tweaks, it'll handle 2k lbs tongue weight without complaint.

The 2016+ 200-series have an 8-speed (versus 6-speed for earlier) model years. Not saying it's necessary, but could be a benefit.

I'm not too picky about LC vs LX. My biggest need is to be under $30K, preferably in the $25K range. I've also looked at Tundras and even considered a cheap F150 but then I'd have a pickup that doesn't really get used for anything else and I'm not sure I want to go off-roading with. I have a 5X10 utility trailer that will hold 2K lbs so a pickup bed is not useful to me other than I could haul some extra things when towing the camper. Although, I have thought a cheap F150 with a 5.0 V8 and 10 speed might get good enough highway fuel economy to replace my daily driver.

I'm thinking the 200-series will replace my 2011 4R Trail, which only gets driven about once a week as the extra grocery getter and the family car that my wife rides in and we haul her wheelchair around in. It would be great to get down to three, or maybe even only 2 cars now that kids are moved out or have their own car. Currently I've got a 5th and a 4th gen 4R, '99LC and '08 Lexus ES350. I could sell the two 4R and replace with a 200-series, then just have the 100-series for more serious off-road duty and lighter trailers and the ES for commuting duties.

 

[linuxgod]

I'm not too picky about LC vs LX. My biggest need is to be under $30K, preferably in the $25K range. I've also looked at Tundras and even considered a cheap F150 but then I'd have a pickup that doesn't really get used for anything else and I'm not sure I want to go off-roading with. I have a 5X10 utility trailer that will hold 2K lbs so a pickup bed is not useful to me other than I could haul some extra things when towing the camper. Although, I have thought a cheap F150 with a 5.0 V8 and 10 speed might get good enough highway fuel economy to replace my daily driver.

I'm thinking the 200-series will replace my 2011 4R Trail, which only gets driven about once a week as the extra grocery getter and the family car that my wife rides in and we haul her wheelchair around in. It would be great to get down to three, or maybe even only 2 cars now that kids are moved out or have their own car. Currently I've got a 5th and a 4th gen 4R, '99LC and '08 Lexus ES350. I could sell the two 4R and replace with a 200-series, then just have the 100-series for more serious off-road duty and lighter trailers and the ES for commuting duties.

If you don’t intend to regear but do intend to put bigger tires on and do other mods look for a ‘16+ with the 8 speed. They’ll be harder to come by for under 30k though

If you don’t intend to do any serious mods and aren’t going bigger than a 33 or maybe 34” tire the 6 speed will be ok for most of your usage with a decently sized (~6k#) trailer. IMO a stock LX is better than the LC for towing, but if you want to add a lift (more than a sensor lift) the LC with heavy springs will be the way to go

 

[nakman]

@marcfj60 Hey Marc have you ridden in/driven a 200 series while wheelin? I would suggest doing so before you make the leap... you will use words to describe your 100 series that you never thought were possible... like narrow, and light, and nimble lol. 200's are delightful trucks out on the highway, if you like buying gas they'll tow that camper as fast as you want. But much different story out on the shelf roads, or in the tight trees, etc. dealing with oncoming Jeeps on Engineer pass will be a bit less fun, for example.

I'm probably the odd duck here (you guys knew that) but I've owned 2 200 series and just didn't like the wheeling experience enough to offset the other benefits. It's all a big compromise just like camping in a ground tent vs. RTT vs. camper etc. It's a fun journey though, just do it eyes open.

 

[marcfj60]

@marcfj60 Hey Marc have you ridden in/driven a 200 series while wheelin? I would suggest doing so before you make the leap... you will use words to describe your 100 series that you never thought were possible... like narrow, and light, and nimble lol. 200's are delightful trucks out on the highway, if you like buying gas they'll tow that camper as fast as you want. But much different story out on the shelf roads, or in the tight trees, etc. dealing with oncoming Jeeps on Engineer pass will be a bit less fun, for example.

I'm probably the odd duck here (you guys knew that) but I've owned 2 200 series and just didn't like the wheeling experience enough to offset the other benefits. It's all a big compromise just like camping in a ground tent vs. RTT vs. camper etc. It's a fun journey though, just do it eyes open.

@nakman I appreciate your perspective and experiences. And I have every intention of keeping the 100 for proper wheeling and just use the 200 for light off-roading duties. If I go to an event like Crockies, the plan would be to tow the glamper turdbox with the 200 (or alternate tow vehicle) but have Paige (my daughter for those that don't know her) drive my or her 100 to the event for wheeling/trail leading duties. There's a 2018 F150 with V8, 10spd trans, 4X4, rear locker and tow package I may look at this week. It's only $16k.