Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (8 Viewers)

[Idaho Savage]

Towed my ~4k Conqueror camper this weekend.

I've got a 2021 200 with 34's, RedArc and Airlift airbags. The Conqueror is a relatively short single axle trailer but boxy as hell.

I towed it around 180 miles each way, including two legit passes and a 50 mile stretch of 80mph interstate in a 30mph headwind, ending on a muddy, clay stretch of FS road for the last 15 miles.

The good news is that I was blown away at how well the 200 handles. Given I have airbags and the Conqueror has trailer brakes but even with a stout wind, wet clay roads and dodgy traffic, she handled really well. Power is mediocre....does fine but nothing really notable.

The bad news? I got 6.5mpg on the way there, no joke. That is unbelievable. I knew it would be bad but not armored truck towing a 737 bad. Again, stout headwind, boxy trailer and windy mountain roads for most of the trip but that's insane. On the way home with a dry trailer and no headwind I got 10mpg. For reference, my wife's 2021 Tahoe (5.3L) did the same trip with same trailer and got 15 on the way home.

Also, I'd second the suggestion of tow mirrors.

 

[TeCKis300]

Towed my ~4k Conqueror camper this weekend.

I've got a 2021 200 with 34's, RedArc and Airlift airbags. The Conqueror is a relatively short single axle trailer but boxy as hell.

I towed it around 180 miles each way, including two legit passes and a 50 mile stretch of 80mph interstate in a 30mph headwind, ending on a muddy, clay stretch of FS road for the last 15 miles.

The good news is that I was blown away at how well the 200 handles. Given I have airbags and the Conqueror has trailer brakes but even with a stout wind, wet clay roads and dodgy traffic, she handled really well. Power is mediocre....does fine but nothing really notable.

The bad news? I got 6.5mpg on the way there, no joke. That is unbelievable. I knew it would be bad but not armored truck towing a 737 bad. Again, stout headwind, boxy trailer and windy mountain roads for most of the trip but that's insane. On the way home with a dry trailer and no headwind I got 10mpg. For reference, my wife's 2021 Tahoe (5.3L) did the same trip with same trailer and got 15 on the way home.

Also, I'd second the suggestion of tow mirrors.

Curious if you're hand calculating the mileage or looking at what the ECU is reporting? Still won't be great mileage but it makes a difference with 34s, as the ECU isn't accounting for that factor.

 

[christianleeboy]

ECT PWR is your friend, especially if you have 33"+ tires

If you've towed before there's nothing special with the LC. (With the LX there'd be some minor AHC considerations)

I've towed with my 16' LC200 and the ECT helps a lot. Now I will be towing a 24' travel trailer with my wife's 18' LX570. It will be my first time towing with the LX, the trailer will weigh 6,500-6700 lbs (fully loaded)... What do I need to consider with the AHC on the LX? I read on the manual that the AHC needs to be set at "low" and AHC or the LX must be turned off when attaching the trailer. And once the trailer is attached, turn on the AHC, set to N (normal) with the vehicle running. Please advise. -chris

 

[prwillard2]

I've towed with my 16' LC200 and the ECT helps a lot. Now I will be towing a 24' travel trailer with my wife's 18' LX570. It will be my first time towing with the LX, the trailer will weigh 6,500-6700 lbs (fully loaded)... What do I need to consider with the AHC on the LX? I read on the manual that the AHC needs to be set at "low" and AHC or the LX must be turned off when attaching the trailer. And once the trailer is attached, turn on the AHC, set to N (normal) with the vehicle running. Please advise. -chris

@TeCKis300 is the LX tow guy.

LX570 Tow Report

Got some miles under my belt now towing my current setup: '09 LX570 with '07 Airstream 27FB International Ocean Breeze. Wanted to give a report for others attempting to tow things in the same weight/length range. LX570 mods: 33" AT Load Range E tires (Falken Wildpeak AT3W 305/55/20), 1"...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[04UZJ100]

Towed my ~4k Conqueror camper this weekend.

I've got a 2021 200 with 34's, RedArc and Airlift airbags. The Conqueror is a relatively short single axle trailer but boxy as hell.

I towed it around 180 miles each way, including two legit passes and a 50 mile stretch of 80mph interstate in a 30mph headwind, ending on a muddy, clay stretch of FS road for the last 15 miles.

The good news is that I was blown away at how well the 200 handles. Given I have airbags and the Conqueror has trailer brakes but even with a stout wind, wet clay roads and dodgy traffic, she handled really well. Power is mediocre....does fine but nothing really notable.

The bad news? I got 6.5mpg on the way there, no joke. That is unbelievable. I knew it would be bad but not armored truck towing a 737 bad. Again, stout headwind, boxy trailer and windy mountain roads for most of the trip but that's insane. On the way home with a dry trailer and no headwind I got 10mpg. For reference, my wife's 2021 Tahoe (5.3L) did the same trip with same trailer and got 15 on the way home.

Also, I'd second the suggestion of tow mirrors.

Any pictures? Sounds beef.

 

[GordJ]

I've towed with my 16' LC200 and the ECT helps a lot. Now I will be towing a 24' travel trailer with my wife's 18' LX570. It will be my first time towing with the LX, the trailer will weigh 6,500-6700 lbs (fully loaded)... What do I need to consider with the AHC on the LX? I read on the manual that the AHC needs to be set at "low" and AHC or the LX must be turned off when attaching the trailer. And once the trailer is attached, turn on the AHC, set to N (normal) with the vehicle running. Please advise. -chris

I put my truck in Low, back up under the hitch and set it to Hi and get out to ensure proper position. I then close the door, walk back and hook up chains and brakes while the truck is going up. Lock the hitch, install the WD hitch bars while it’s up so the bars are preloaded and drive away.

 

[coleAK]

I've towed with my 16' LC200 and the ECT helps a lot. Now I will be towing a 24' travel trailer with my wife's 18' LX570. It will be my first time towing with the LX, the trailer will weigh 6,500-6700 lbs (fully loaded)... What do I need to consider with the AHC on the LX? I read on the manual that the AHC needs to be set at "low" and AHC or the LX must be turned off when attaching the trailer. And once the trailer is attached, turn on the AHC, set to N (normal) with the vehicle running. Please advise. -chris

I’ve towed my 22’ 6800 lb camper over 50k miles with my ‘13 LX. Just hook up and go. I only use AKC low if it makes hooking up/unhooking easier. Only time I turn HAC off is on the initial WD set up which I will add is much easier/more effective when you have access to CAT scales.

 

[TeCKis300]

The experienced hands have it. Nothing to worry about with AHC, other than use it to your advantage to hitch up. The LX takes care of the rest.

Couple interesting interactions:
- You can use AHC high to your advantage to on the fly decrease WD tension, for things like entering or traversing driveway or drainage ditches, or unimproved campgrounds
- The auto lowering at ~65mph works nicely to increase WD tension for more stability into higher speeds

It's good to about 1800lbs payload (tongue weight + passengers and gear) so it has plenty of headroom stock. It'll work beyond that too but will no longer be constant height and AHC will put some load back onto the coil springs with reduced ride height (just as normal suspensions do).

Just got back from another great weekend camping trip. LX does it with ease, confidence, and luxury.

 

[christianleeboy]

Thanks all for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I’ll let the LX do its magic with the AHC and just enjoy the ride

 

[coleAK]

Last week I was finally able to the last of the snow/ice off my driveway. Brought the camper home from winter storage today. Putting on new stabilizing jacks all the way around and de-winterizing.

 

[GordJ]

Ooops, I forgot to mention that when getting on or off the ferries in the Yukon I would raise the truck for more clearance at the hitch and then hit Lo for more clearance at the rear of the trailer. Same idea Tecky mentioned.
Boy, the guy that invents a usable stabilizer jack will be rich. I tried greasing and found out about gravel and grease. Its fun raising the jacks with the impact gun at 6 in the morning and having the gun rattle away for the full length of the screw.

 

[coleAK]

Ooops, I forgot to mention that when getting on or off the ferries in the Yukon I would raise the truck for more clearance at the hitch and then hit Lo for more clearance at the rear of the trailer. Same idea Tecky mentioned.
Boy, the guy that invents a usable stabilizer jack will be rich. I tried greasing and found out about gravel and grease. Its fun raising the jacks with the impact gun at 6 in the morning and having the gun rattle away for the full length of the screw.

Try WD40. I keep a can in my front compartment and spray the Jack screws screw regularly.

 

[linuxgod]

Try WD40. I keep a can in my front compartment and spray the Jack screws screw regularly.

Silicone spray lube is my preference. WD40 will attract grime over time.

 

[LC2014]

So we bought a 2014 LC about a month ago and will be going on a family vacation where I will tow our 4200 lbs boat for about 6 hours (in flat Florida). I normally tow with my truck and have read through some of this thread but seems like topic are wide ranging haha. Are there any basics of towing with the LC I should be aware of?

Also I havent taken the LC to a mechanic yet. Is there anything specifically I should have them look at before the trip? The LC has 70k miles on it.

I really appreciate yalls thoughts!

 

[TeCKis300]

So we bought a 2014 LC about a month ago and will be going on a family vacation where I will tow our 4200 lbs boat for about 6 hours (in flat Florida). I normally tow with my truck and have read through some of this thread but seems like topic are wide ranging haha. Are there any basics of towing with the LC I should be aware of?

Also I havent taken the LC to a mechanic yet. Is there anything specifically I should have them look at before the trip? The LC has 70k miles on it.

I really appreciate yalls thoughts!

May want to check if the LC has a 7-pin receptacle installed as I believe some may have not gotten that at port? Then a trailer brake controller. Assuming your boat trailer requires these, but if it's surge brakes, may not need.

Otherwise, throw a hitch in and tow away. Easy optimizations is to make sure the ball it close and tight to the bumper. Don't use a shank that puts the ball too far away as that has the effect of decreasing useful wheelbase. Also make sure the boat trailer sits level which may require a drop shank.

Last step is to enjoy the ride, she tows great!

 

[JohnPW]

So we bought a 2014 LC about a month ago and will be going on a family vacation where I will tow our 4200 lbs boat for about 6 hours (in flat Florida). I normally tow with my truck and have read through some of this thread but seems like topic are wide ranging haha. Are there any basics of towing with the LC I should be aware of?

Also I havent taken the LC to a mechanic yet. Is there anything specifically I should have them look at before the trip? The LC has 70k miles on it.

I really appreciate yalls thoughts!

I tow a 3500lb boat weekly with my 2016 LC, it tows great. I’m sure your trailer has surge brakes so a brake controller won’t be needed. I did notice my LC sags a bit more than other SUV’s I have towed with, likely caused by the softer suspension made for off road articulation...I solved that with Firestone Coil Rite airbags which work great. The airbags are not a requirement, even for a heavy boat, but if the rear bumper sagging bothers you then airbags are a great addition.

Otherwise it tows really well in spite of a short wheelbase. In fact the shortwheelbase of the LC makes it very easy to maneuver when backing the trailer down a ramp or fitting it into tight spaces. Use the “ECT PWR” button, and the transmission in S (I believe S4 for a 2014? I use S6 on the 8 speed transmission in my 2016).

 

[LC2014]

I tow a 3500lb boat weekly with my 2016 LC, it tows great. I’m sure your trailer has surge brakes so a brake controller won’t be needed. I did notice my LC sags a bit more than other SUV’s I have towed with, likely caused by the softer suspension made for off road articulation...I solved that with Firestone Coil Rite airbags which work great. The airbags are not a requirement, even for a heavy boat, but if the rear bumper sagging bothers you then airbags are a great addition.

Otherwise it tows really well in spite of a short wheelbase. In fact the shortwheelbase of the LC makes it very easy to maneuver when backing the trailer down a ramp or fitting it into tight spaces. Use the “ECT PWR” button, and the transmission in S (I believe S4 for a 2014? I use S6 on the 8 speed transmission in my 2016).

ECT Power and transmission in S4 while the entire time while towing?

 

[linuxgod]

ECT Power and transmission in S4 while the entire time while towing?

In the 6 speed yes, either 4th or 5th gear.

If you're pulling a 3500# boat or a turtleback which is pretty aerodynamic and you have stock tires and aero you might be able to pull in 5th, especially on flat lands.

If you have a heavier box or travel trailer, or you have larger tires or non-stock aero, just run in 4th. If you try 5th the torque converter won't stay locked most of the time and your transmission temp will run 10-15F hotter on average, sometimes more

 

[JohnPW]

ECT Power and transmission in S4 while the entire time while towing?

Yes, as linuxgod outlined. The top gear(s) are overdrive and it’s best not to use when towing. S mode gear changes are better when towing heavy, even in the lower gears.

 

[GordJ]

As I have stated before, I drive in D with both my travel trailers, my 4,000 lb. jet boat and my utility trailer with over 350,000 total miles on my LX and LC. I’ve pulled my 6,500 lb. travel trailer all over BC and the Yukon without an issue. I understand that some people monitoring tranny temps have had temp spikes but I’ve never experienced any issues at all. If lower gears were necessary wouldn’t it be mentioned in the owners manual?