Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (13 Viewers)

[FrazzledHunter]

As heavy as it is, it must be built like a tank!

Yeah I'm not too sure why it's so heavy since there is no black-water tank and the fresh/gray tanks are 30 gallons. We're trying to get to see one but the nearest dealer that has one is 3 1/2 hours drive away. But this impressed me; I've NEVER seen this done:

Skip to 10:30:

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Anyone know anything or own an Xplore X22 from Imperial Outdoors?
All they had was a toy hauler but they have a new model, the X22, out that looks great for us.
Their dry weight is reported as 5370lbs and max weight as 8820 lbs.
Any thoughts on the weight?

I was intrigued by these trailers for:

• All fiberglass construction including (I think) the roof.
• Insulation & what looks like a good approach to mold prevention which is a layer of insulation behind the inside panels and structural menbers that conduct less heat.
  • Unfortunately, we know about mold and how it gets into trailers.
• Off-road capability. It seems great as per the videos but we'd never go that extreme.
• Ability to air up/down similar to a LX.

XploreRV XR22 | Imperial Outdoors | United States - https://www.imperial-outdoors.com/xplorerv-xr22



XPLORE EXTREME OFF-ROAD TEST (2021) Off roading a large travel trailer RV camper overland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmIGnX_a4zk

Don't put too much emphasis on the "off road capability" of this unit. At that size, weight, and clearance, it won't be doing any off roading beyond the basic forest service roads shown in the videos. And that's likely perfectly fine for 99% of people (me included).

The interior layout looks nice. I don't like the windows they are using - I had the same ones on my last trailer and they 1) condensate a lot, 2) have poor lock-out and latching methods. I mean, they work, but they could be much better.

If you want a truly winter capable setup, you should look into Total Composites: Travel Trailers - Total Composites - https://totalcomposites.com/travel-trailers/. But their products come empty and require a full interior build out.

 

[rcork]

Yeah I'm not too sure why it's so heavy since there is no black-water tank and the fresh/gray tanks are 30 gallons. We're trying to get to see one but the nearest dealer that has one is 3 1/2 hours drive away. But this impressed me; I've NEVER seen this done:

Skip to 10:30:

I've not watched the videos past where the guy throws gas on the fire and jumps back. But look at the roof rack bowing under the weight of that hot tub. I'll withhold judgment on the quality of the camper, but the persons making the videos seem like jack weeds.

 

[dcs111]

Yeah I'm not too sure why it's so heavy since there is no black-water tank and the fresh/gray tanks are 30 gallons. We're trying to get to see one but the nearest dealer that has one is 3 1/2 hours drive away. But this impressed me; I've NEVER seen this done:

Skip to 10:30:

I need a trailer with a hot tub on the roof!

 

[dcs111]

Don't put too much emphasis on the "off road capability" of this unit. At that size, weight, and clearance, it won't be doing any off roading beyond the basic forest service roads shown in the videos. And that's likely perfectly fine for 99% of people (me included).

The interior layout looks nice. I don't like the windows they are using - I had the same ones on my last trailer and they 1) condensate a lot, 2) have poor lock-out and latching methods. I mean, they work, but they could be much better.

If you want a truly winter capable setup, you should look into Total Composites: Travel Trailers - Total Composites - https://totalcomposites.com/travel-trailers/. But their products come empty and require a full interior build out.

We are planning to purchase a trailer and we struggle with use case... to me this seems to be oriented more towards the rugged and off the beaten path use, but you are right- at that weight/ size it would not be nearly as capable as the more nimble AT trailer offerings. I think we are leaning towards a well built trailer such as offered by ORV or Lance and will save the fully rugged deployments for tents/ trailer rentals on Outdoorsy...

 

[eatSleepWoof]

We are planning to purchase a trailer and we struggle with use case... to me this seems to be oriented more towards the rugged and off the beaten path use, but you are right- at that weight/ size it would not be nearly as capable as the more nimble AT trailer offerings. I think we are leaning towards a well built trailer such as offered by ORV or Lance and will save the fully rugged deployments for tents/ trailer rentals on Outdoorsy...

Figuring out the use case is a critical first step. I recently had a small travel trailer (link in signature) which I modified to be more capable and hauled down to some pretty rough spots. The trailer quickly proved inadequate in quality, and limiting in size. And it was noticeably smaller and half the weight of the unit above.

For me, being able to go down fairly rough forest service roads and not have every screw in the trailer back out in the process is very important. Similarly important is having enough space and amenities for us to be comfortable. I’ve yet to find a working solution. Everything on the market is either junk, or lacking basic features that we require.

Perhaps an Australian-made option such as a Kimberley Karavan, or the Bruder. But those price tags are like a second mortgage…

 

[catastrofe]

Figuring out the use case is a critical first step. I recently had a small travel trailer (link in signature) which I modified to be more capable and hauled down to some pretty rough spots. The trailer quickly proved inadequate in quality, and limiting in size. And it was noticeably smaller and half the weight of the unit above.

For me, being able to go down fairly rough forest service roads and not have every screw in the trailer back out in the process is very important. Similarly important is having enough space and amenities for us to be comfortable. I’ve yet to find a working solution. Everything on the market is either junk, or lacking basic features that we require.

Perhaps an Australian-made option such as a Kimberley Karavan, or the Bruder. But those price tags are like a second mortgage…

My Kimberley is due to hit US soil on 8/9.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I've not watched the videos past where the guy throws gas on the fire and jumps back. But look at the roof rack bowing under the weight of that hot tub. I'll withhold judgment on the quality of the camper, but the persons making the videos seem like jack weeds.

I saw the roof rack bowing. Our last trailer would have been crushed to flat with a hot tub on it. So it caught my eye that the trailer would stand up to it even if the roof rack bowed. As for the guys in the video...I dunno. I thought they were at least moderately informative.

 

[Artie]

Perhaps an Australian-made option such as a Kimberley Karavan, or the Bruder. But those price tags are like a second mortgage…

What we found when looking at off road campers is the cost really comes down to you get what you pay for. IMHO at this point in time, if you want to get to those hard to reach spots you should be looking at the Australian or South African offerings. We ponied up big time and went with a South African Conqueror and it will out live us. The Kimberlys or Bruder weren’t here yet but what I’ve seen about the Kimberly they look legit. We’ve found pulling ours that the lower weight you can be the better and a independent suspension really helps. We have 35 gallons of fresh water tanks and no gray or black tanks which really help with weight and space as well. Some of these off road campers try to replicate the amenities of a regular RV for off road and it always ends up being far to heavy.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Don't put too much emphasis on the "off road capability" of this unit. At that size, weight, and clearance, it won't be doing any off roading beyond the basic forest service roads shown in the videos. And that's likely perfectly fine for 99% of people (me included).

The interior layout looks nice. I don't like the windows they are using - I had the same ones on my last trailer and they 1) condensate a lot, 2) have poor lock-out and latching methods. I mean, they work, but they could be much better.

If you want a truly winter capable setup, you should look into Total Composites: Travel Trailers - Total Composites - https://totalcomposites.com/travel-trailers/. But their products come empty and require a full interior build out.

What they did in those videos is WAY WAY WAY beyond anything I would attempt. They also have more truck/engine than the LC 200 I think.

What finally killed our last trailer was the EPDM roof disintegrating and mold. So any trailer with a non-EPDM roof and an approach to moisture/mold will get my attention.

Mold got a few of our friends too with it getting behind the interior paneling due to water condensing between the interior paneling and the moisture barrier. They seem to have addressed that issue specifically. At least that's what the guy in the video says. I'm skeptical so I want to see one.

 

[stonekutters]

Learned of Kimberly Kampers from this thread, wow they are expensive!

 

[catastrofe]

Learned of Kimberly Kampers from this thread, wow they are expensive!

Here's some more information: Kimberley Kampers USA - https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/kimberley-kampers-usa.219756/

 

[FrazzledHunter]

Here's some more information: Kimberley Kampers USA - https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/kimberley-kampers-usa.219756/

These Australia RV's look great. But on what side of the trailer is the door? It looks like it's on the driver's side or maybe the photos are the Australia models?

 

[linuxgod]

What they did in those videos is WAY WAY WAY beyond anything I would attempt. They also have more truck/engine than the LC 200 I think.

What finally killed our last trailer was the EPDM roof disintegrating and mold. So any trailer with a non-EPDM roof and an approach to moisture/mold will get my attention.

Mold got a few of our friends too with it getting behind the interior paneling due to water condensing between the interior paneling and the moisture barrier. They seem to have addressed that issue specifically. At least that's what the guy in the video says. I'm skeptical so I want to see one.

Most travel trailer roofs seem to be EPDM or similar. Airstream being an exception as it’s aluminum

for those with EPDM roofs I highly recommend cleaning thoroughly, patching any Dicor, and then applying Eternabond tape over everything. That stuff seals tight and is near impossible to get off if applied right.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

These Australia RV's look great. But on what side of the trailer is the door? It looks like it's on the driver's side or maybe the photos are the Australia models?

View attachment 2739021

Well I answered my own question. We drove up to RV Leaders & Camping Outlet in Adamsburg PA. They had about a dozen Black Series trailers and they all had the entrance doors on the passenger side. So that's the end of that bit of confusion. It was great to actually see and get into one. We liked the Black Series HQ-15 the best.

They also had one Xplore X22 but we thought it was kind of cramped and too heavy for us. It really is built like a tank though. It was noticeably cooler inside compared to the other trailers sitting on the lot so there's something to their insulation claims.

 

[Mdog97]

There was a Toyota branded 8,000 pound draw bar in a box with no ball as I remember. Would have to be 2 ⅝” Ball to tow over 5,000 pound trailer. That was in the Toyota miscellanous parts along with afore mentioned adaper cord to attach the brake controller to the Toyota wiring harness I think the steel is one inch thick on the draw bar

Update: OEM wire harness and trailer plug receptacle purchased ($156) from local Toyota dealer, installed by me.

Moved 2" hitch ball from a different drawbar to my leftover NIB 2009 OEM Toyota drawbar (stamped 9,000 pounds capacity).

Installed drawbar into truck hitch receiver.

Found steel sleeve in drawbar parts baggie - uninstalled hitch ball - put sleeve in hole in drawbar - reinstalled hitch ball

New problem - trailer cable (with male end connector) not long enough to reach newly installed female receptable underneath right side of bumper at anything more than ~5 degrees left turn articulation between truck and trailer.

Drive around to 3 local auto parts stores in search of either (a) longer 7 wire cable, or (b) 7 wire cable extension, 3-4' long with 1 female and 1 male end - no joy.

Order $23 4' 7 wire trailer cable extension from Amazon, arrives next day

Rig up bungee cord setup to keep new, super heavy cable extension from dragging on the ground while going straight or turning right.

Commence trailering....

 

[skrypj]

Anyone towing in the Rockies? UT, WY, ID, and what not?

I am considering moving out of my GX460 and into an LC200 or LX570 for towing. My GX does ok handling wise with my 5500 lb trailer. I've done everything from curvy mountain passes at 10,000' to 70mph on I-80 with crosswinds and that is all fine. Where it lacks is in the power department at this altitude. Getting into headwinds and high temperatures is not fun as the truck is just running at its limits.

Just wondering what people think about the 5.7L at higher elevations. Will it pull a full width TT through the wind at 70mph without issue?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Will it pull a full width TT through the wind at 70mph without issue?

Yes.
No.
Maybe.

The LX570 will undoubtably tow better than a GX460. It'll be heavier, more powerful, will push more air due to being physically larger, will have better suspension and auto-levelling for the trailer, etc. - all factors that make it a better towing vehicle.

Whether the experience can be classified 'without issue' will depend on your definition of an 'issue.'

 

[skrypj]

Yes.
No.
Maybe.

The LX570 will undoubtably tow better than a GX460. It'll be heavier, more powerful, will push more air due to being physically larger, will have better suspension and auto-levelling for the trailer, etc. - all factors that make it a better towing vehicle.

Whether the experience can be classified 'without issue' will depend on your definition of an 'issue.'

Without overheating and being able to maintain more than 55mph in a 30mph headwind? Problem is the 18 wheelers out in Wyoming pretty much run at 70mph regardless of conditions, so you need the grunt to be able to pull close to that speed in all conditions. If you start running too much slower you become a rolling road block.

To add to that, my F150 Ecoboost has the grunt to do it but if its too hot out it won't stay cool. My GX stays cool, but doesnt have the grunt to do it.

 

[dcs111]

Yes.
No.
Maybe.

The LX570 will undoubtably tow better than a GX460. It'll be heavier, more powerful, will push more air due to being physically larger, will have better suspension and auto-levelling for the trailer, etc. - all factors that make it a better towing vehicle.

Whether the experience can be classified 'without issue' will depend on your definition of an 'issue.'

There are many that have much more experience than I, but from my experience in towing ~4500lb trailer through vail pass (Atlanta to Moab and back) the LC200 had power left to give... She does get real thirsty though as I think I was around 7MPG at points along the way...