Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser

[InvertedDriving]

@FergieAndJesus for the weight you are planning to tow - a completely stock setup will be fine. Truck weighs much more than what you are towing. A WD hitch is overkill. If you see an undulation in the road, slow down and you won't bottom out.
And again, get the anti-rattle hitch pin, and add any pin-lock (that fits) to it. That makes the biggest difference towing.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Not to overload you with “data” but if you get a locking hitch pin I would suggest that one with the lock at 90 degrees is a lot easier for me to use. The inline locks take two hands in an awkward position to open when “sticky”. Master Lock - https://www.masterlock.com/products/product/1469DAT

The one I linked doesn't actually lock, per-se. It's a spring mechanism that fixes the blue part in place, but has no key. Very easy to use, even with one hand.

 

[FergieAndJesus]

I really just want to "tow like a friggin champ”

 

[Fisher23]

Towing my diesel boat just fine.

 

[Catskills]

Hey all, towing/transmission question for you.

Last spring, Toyota swapped my transmission after it threw numerous codes and they determined it needed one. Since then, I've driven it more than 8k miles towing my 4500 lb camper.

Until my last trip, I never had an issue with the transmission. On the last day of my trip, I felt the transmission slip twice. This was after driving at highway speeds for three hours then slowing down heading into town traffic. I was in 2-3 gear, between stop lights. Temp was in the 50s. No codes.

Had Toyota check that the fluid was correct and it was.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Catskills]

"Slip" is probably too strong a word. Hesitate is better. In any case, I'd never felt the truck do it.

 

[clrussell]

Make sure it’s under warranty.

Drive it like you stole it

 

[Sandroad]

Hey all, towing/transmission question for you.

Last spring, Toyota swapped my transmission after it threw numerous codes and they determined it needed one. Since then, I've driven it more than 8k miles towing my 4500 lb camper.

Until my last trip, I never had an issue with the transmission. On the last day of my trip, I felt the transmission slip twice. This was after driving at highway speeds for three hours then slowing down heading into town traffic. I was in 2-3 gear, between stop lights. Temp was in the 50s. No codes.

Had Toyota check that the fluid was correct and it was.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

"Slip" is probably too strong a word. Hesitate is better. In any case, I'd never felt the truck do it.

If more of a hesitation, is it possible its engine related and not transmission?

 

[Catskills]

Make sure it’s under warranty.

Drive it like you stole it

Warranty is already out; it was installed last May.

If more of a hesitation, is it possible its engine related and not transmission?

I really don't know. I guess I'll just keep monitoring temps and see if it happens again.

 

[TeCKis300]

That's concerning. Did they ever get to root cause as to why the original transmission failed?

What mods do you have? Bigger tires? Armor?

Heat is generally the primary culprit for transmission issues. As 4500 lbs is well within capacity.

Monitoring temps would be important for a modded rig if having tranny issues. Do you have a OBD tool to see pan, torque converter temps, and lockup status?

Do you live in a hilly area?

Driving habits can contribute to heat too. Important not to use overdrive gears to get lockup. With load and hills, use rpm and HP, rather than keeping rpm low and driving with torque. In parking lot speed maneuvering, use low range so as not to ride the torque converter.

 

[Catskills]

That's concerning. Did they ever get to root cause as to why the original transmission failed?

What mods do you have? Bigger tires? Armor?

Heat is generally the primary culprit for transmission issues. As 4500 lbs is well within capacity.

Monitoring temps would be important for a modded rig if having tranny issues. Do you have a OBD tool to see pan, torque converter temps, and lockup status?

Do you live in a hilly area?

Driving habits can contribute to heat too. Important not to use overdrive gears to get lockup. With load and hills, use rpm and HP, rather than keeping rpm low and driving with torque. In parking lot speed maneuvering, use low range so as not to ride the torque converter.

I'm a conservative driver. I've been using engine braking as well as my brake assist coming into stops. Always in 4th or lower while towing. I monitor coolant temps as I drive with BlueDriver but thinking I should get something more comprehensive. Coolant temps were fine pulling up passes in CO and through TX in summer traffic.

Truck is lifted with front bumper, roof rack, rear drawers, stock size tires but more aggressive tread. I agree, 4500 is easily doable.

Yep, I'm in a very hilly area.

Last year, I actually thought it could have been solenoids, but at the time my other truck was in another shop and I was looking at renting a car while this happened. I was also reading here about mixed results from folks who started out fixing a solenoid issue and then having other issues pop up, leading to transmission replacement after trying to avoid it. I was also fretting about the calendar, since I was about to be on the road all summer towing with it. So, bit the bullet thinking I would get another 200k out of it.

Nope, Toyota had no idea what went wrong. The tech had no info. And the service advisor told me I was probably pushing the truck towing the weight I was. That should tell you all you need to know about how knowledgeable they are.

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm a conservative driver. I've been using engine braking as well as my brake assist coming into stops. Always in 4th or lower while towing. I monitor coolant temps as I drive with BlueDriver but thinking I should get something more comprehensive. Coolant temps were fine pulling up passes in CO and through TX in summer traffic.

Truck is lifted with front bumper, roof rack, rear drawers, stock size tires but more aggressive tread. I agree, 4500 is easily doable.

Yep, I'm in a very hilly area.

Last year, I actually thought it could have been solenoids, but at the time my other truck was in another shop and I was looking at renting a car while this happened. I was also reading here about mixed results from folks who started out fixing a solenoid issue and then having other issues pop up, leading to transmission replacement after trying to avoid it. I was also fretting about the calendar, since I was about to be on the road all summer towing with it. So, bit the bullet thinking I would get another 200k out of it.

Nope, Toyota had no idea what went wrong. The tech had no info. And the service advisor told me I was probably pushing the truck towing the weight I was. That should tell you all you need to know about how knowledgeable they are.

Sounds like you're doing the right things.

I wouldn't focus on solenoids as that's not a root issue, rather something that can be affected with heat and other issues. From your symptoms, I would highly suspect a heat (or lack of sufficient cooling) issue.

Check the seals around the radiator to ensure they are all in place so airflow is not bypassing it. The factory skid also has a large foam seal that's easy to lose over time and oil changes. Is the engine cover between the grill and top of the radiator in place?

Do you have a larger picture of the front of your rig?

I see now that you have a front bumper in your avatar. What kind of bumper is it? If I'm honest, I find most front bumper designs very suspect from how they impact airflow to the radiator. Both the bottom of the radiator where the tranny to engine heat exchanger lies. Also blocking the airflow to the aux tranny cooler.

 

[Catskills]

Sounds like you're doing the right things.

I wouldn't focus on solenoids as that's not a root issue, rather something that can be affected with heat and other issues. From your symptoms, I would highly suspect a heat (or lack of sufficient cooling) issue.

Check the seals around the radiator to ensure they are all in place so airflow is not bypassing it. The factory skid also has a large foam seal that's easy to lose over time and oil changes. Is the engine cover between the grill and top of the radiator in place?

Do you have a larger picture of the front of your rig?

I see now that you have a front bumper in your avatar. What kind of bumper is it? If I'm honest, I find most front bumper designs very suspect from how they impact airflow to the radiator. Both the bottom of the radiator where the tranny to engine heat exchanger lies. Also blocking the airflow to the aux tranny cooler.

Should say that the truck threw transmission codes irrespective of towing.

Funny you should mention the bumper; I was already leaning towards pulling it and putting factory back on. If for no other than to lighten it up. It's a Dobinson's.

Seals look good but that foam is pretty depleted.

Thanks so much for weighing in! I really appreciate it.

 

[TeCKis300]

Should say that the truck threw transmission codes irrespective of towing.

Funny you should mention the bumper; I was already leaning towards pulling it and putting factory back on. If for no other than to lighten it up. It's a Dobinson's.

View attachment 4146003

Seals look good but that foam is pretty depleted.

Thanks so much for weighing in! I really appreciate it.

Just to make sure, you can monitor the transmission temps. 1. Pan temp 2. Torque converter temp 3. Lockup. If the bumper is affecting cooling, you will see elevated temps. Pan for the most part should be low 190s to about generally under 200F. I will creek to over 220 to 230 and higher but only under stressful climbs with the trailer. Torque converter will spike normally when unlocked, something like 210-240. But come right back down near pan temps when locked.

Good luck and hope you can sort it out to enjoy those trips.

 

[Nothinghead]

I’ll never financially recover from this:

 

[Artie]

I’ll never financially recover from this:

View attachment 4146972

I try to focus on the positives, like the fun activities that have me towing in the first place.

But yeah, 9mpg is not unusual and that range is pretty pathetic… maybe having more time in between fill ups would brighten your mood? Good excuse for a LRA.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I try to focus on the positives, like the fun activities that have me towing in the first place.

But yeah, 9mpg is not unusual and that range is pretty pathetic… maybe having more time in between fill ups would brighten your mood? Good excuse for a LRA.

Saw 4MPG climbing the Rockies West of Denver doing 45 MPH uphill behind all the trucks.

I've been going back and forth over a 12.5Gal LRA but hear about too many issues.
There's a very reputable outfit nearby in PA that gave me a quote somewhere in the $5K vicinity.
Fewer stops would be great. But $5K will buy a lot of gas.

 

[Artie]

Saw 4MPG climbing the Rockies West of Denver doing 45 MPH uphill behind all the trucks.

I've been going back and forth over a 12.5Gal LRA but hear about too many issues.
There's a very reputable outfit nearby in PA that gave me a quote somewhere in the $5K vicinity.
Fewer stops would be great. But $5K will buy a lot of gas.

There is definitely a pro/con discussion to be had with the LRA. If the range isn’t an issue than by all means, keep it simple and carry a jerry can just in case.

There is also the mission creep that comes along with a mod like that… extra weight could require different springs or you spring for the less troublesome larger LRA’s and need a bumper for your spare… it can snowball into a snorkel quickly, ask me how I know haha.

 

[clrussell]

There is definitely a pro/con discussion to be had with the LRA. If the range isn’t an issue than by all means, keep it simple and carry a jerry can just in case.

There is also the mission creep that comes along with a mod like that… extra weight could require different springs or you spring for the less troublesome larger LRA’s and need a bumper for your spare… it can snowball into a snorkel quickly, ask me how I know haha.

I wouldn’t own my 200 without a long range tank.

In fact I think about buying a newer 570 for the wifey, first mod it would get is a long range tank.

 

[Artie]

I wouldn’t own my 200 without a long range tank.

In fact I think about buying a newer 570 for the wifey, first mod it would get is a long range tank.

We did just that, tank going in in a few weeks. After running the Cruiser with one we’ve spoiled ourselves with that monster range. I’ll be filling up her LX once a month unless we’re traveling in it.