Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (11 Viewers)

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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?

View attachment 2742465

I don't tow in the Rockies but I'm in an out of the Sierras all the time, having visited many of the most extreme grades. 30 minute slogs at 7+% grades, or steeper grades at elevation. The LX570 tows my 8000lb Airstream with authority. With 35 large tires and 15k+ full rig weight.

Yes, grades, elevation, and wind will all affect performance. Like any naturally aspirated engine, will lose some good oomph with altitude. Probably more than the F150 being boosted. But the 5.7L has deep reserves and will have no problem maintaining the speed and performance you demand of it (and are willing to feed it in gas). It won't sweat doing it, even in hot weather, while keeping 4-zone comfort with cooled seats.

One great thing you might see is that it'll engine brake much better on grades than the F150 as that's a common knock of the smaller displacement Ecoboost. The LX will have better stability than either GX or F150 being full time 4WD, prodigious curb weight, and strong bones. The AHC suspension can be an asset for towing as it maintains the perfect ride, constant height regardless of load, adapting damping and spring rate for laden or empty nicely. All the way up to 2000lbs payload if you need. Variable height to hitch up or leave hitched at site while being able to level fore/aft.
 
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?

View attachment 2742465
The LX is a great tow rig, but the gas mileage is...poor. We've covered around 10k miles over the last 2.5 months traveling from the west coast to the east coast towing a 5k lb trailer, plus Trekboxx drawers, fridge, big doggo, gear, etc. We haven't encountered any issues moving uphill at speed and at higher elevations in places like OR, ID, MT, or WY.

We use an Equalizer WD hitch and the rig is super stable, even over frost heaves, semis flying past in the opposite direction, crosswinds, etc. You will have to downshift going up steep grades, sometimes into 2nd gear, which for us means around 5k RPM sustained for a bit. We have not struggled at all with keeping up with the flow of traffic, which is important when the semis are going 80 mph.
 
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...
Just purchased the ORV 18 RBS. It is heavy....and the tongue weight is definitely more than advertised. I got quite a bit of sag even with my Dobinson 547 springs. I am now considering air bags. I got 7mph on my purchase trip from Fairfield CA to Boise, not what i was hoping for. Will be living in it for most of the fall hunting season, i will let you know how it goes, this is my first TT....
 
Just purchased the ORV 18 RBS. It is heavy....and the tongue weight is definitely more than advertised. I got quite a bit of sag even with my Dobinson 547 springs. I am now considering air bags. I got 7mph on my purchase trip from Fairfield CA to Boise, not what i was hoping for. Will be living in it for most of the fall hunting season, i will let you know how it goes, this is my first TT....
Would love to hear how things work out for you. We've been looking for a place that has a 21RD on the lot that isn't 2000+ miles away. The 21RD is a tiny bit lighter but the 8250 GVWR is a concern.

By any chance did you get an actual weight of your trailer?
 
Update: OEM wire harness and trailer plug receptacle purchased ($156) from local Toyota dealer, installed by me. ✅
Hey there can you provide the part number for this, or a link? and can anyone tell me if all 200's have a harness in back ready to go for trailer lights? Or is this a bigger endeavor than just plug & play? I am hoping all I need to do is plug something into what's already there. wishful thinking?

sorry for the total noob question... and yeah I have a 200 series now, so howdy fellas. :cheers:
 
Would love to hear how things work out for you. We've been looking for a place that has a 21RD on the lot that isn't 2000+ miles away. The 21RD is a tiny bit lighter but the 8250 GVWR is a concern.

By any chance did you get an actual weight of your trailer?
You will be fine with a ORV 21RDS. I have a ORV 22BHS mentions all over this thread that we have loaded to max all the time.
 
Hey there can you provide the part number for this, or a link? and can anyone tell me if all 200's have a harness in back ready to go for trailer lights? Or is this a bigger endeavor than just plug & play? I am hoping all I need to do is plug something into what's already there. wishful thinking?

sorry for the total noob question... and yeah I have a 200 series now, so howdy fellas. :cheers:
Welcome. The part number is 82169-60080, includes the 7 wire receptacle and the two attached pigtails with male connectors that plug into the truck's wiring harness female plugs, found up underneath, inboard of the rearmost frame crossmember. It is "plug and play", plus screwing in the two bolts to attach the bracket (supplied in the kit bag).

Apparently when you buy a new LC you get this wiring harness plus a trailer brake controller wiring harness, but my CPO LC came with neither (despite the fact that it had been used for towing). I don't remember this from my 2009 LC, as I never tried to tow with that one.
 
You will be fine with a ORV 21RDS. I have a ORV 22BHS mentions all over this thread that we have loaded to max all the time.
Thanks! I've been following your posts for a while as they're very informative and I'd love to see one. But the wife just can't get time off from work for us to get away for a few days. BTW, we just looked a the Black Series last Friday for the first time and ALMOST bought a HQ-15 but the I think the ORV's would be better for us. At least I'm very reluctant to commit to buying until I do get to tour an ORV.
 
Welcome. The part number is 82169-60080, includes the 7 wire receptacle and the two attached pigtails with male connectors that plug into the truck's wiring harness female plugs, found up underneath, inboard of the rearmost frame crossmember. It is "plug and play", plus screwing in the two bolts to attach the bracket (supplied in the kit bag).

Apparently when you buy a new LC you get this wiring harness plus a trailer brake controller wiring harness, but my CPO LC came with neither (despite the fact that it had been used for towing). I don't remember this from my 2009 LC, as I never tried to tow with that one.
Sweet thanks! Just what I was hoping for...

And to keep upon the trailer talk we've got a FSX 178BHSK trailer on order, which is under 4k pounds so no match for the 200. Wanted to keep it light though for any potential fuel savings, plus the GX470 is only rated to 6500. A little worried about the tongue weight, will worry about that once we see it. Until then, I'll get to work on the light hookup, thanks again! :cheers:
 
Sweet thanks! Just what I was hoping for...

And to keep upon the trailer talk we've got a FSX 178BHSK trailer on order, which is under 4k pounds so no match for the 200. Wanted to keep it light though for any potential fuel savings, plus the GX470 is only rated to 6500. A little worried about the tongue weight, will worry about that once we see it. Until then, I'll get to work on the light hookup, thanks again! :cheers:

Tongue weight is not a big deal for this platform. For your proposed setup, WD bars should be able to level the rig out nicely.

If necessary, there's many options to further bolster rear spring rate with air bags or uprated springs. I'm at 1200lbs tongue and the 200-series chassis manages the tongue weight well. The LX AHC suspension will deal with that stock even.
 
I don't tow in the Rockies but I'm in an out of the Sierras all the time, having visited many of the most extreme grades. 30 minute slogs at 7+% grades, or steeper grades at elevation. The LX570 tows my 8000lb Airstream with authority. With 35 large tires and 15k+ full rig weight.

Yes, grades, elevation, and wind will all affect performance. Like any naturally aspirated engine, will lose some good oomph with altitude. Probably more than the F150 being boosted. But the 5.7L has deep reserves and will have no problem maintaining the speed and performance you demand of it (and are willing to feed it in gas). It won't sweat doing it, even in hot weather, while keeping 4-zone comfort with cooled seats.

One great thing you might see is that it'll engine brake much better on grades than the F150 as that's a common knock of the smaller displacement Ecoboost. The LX will have better stability than either GX or F150 being full time 4WD, prodigious curb weight, and strong bones. The AHC suspension can be an asset for towing as it maintains the perfect ride, constant height regardless of load, adapting damping and spring rate for laden or empty nicely. All the way up to 2000lbs payload if you need. Variable height to hitch up or leave hitched at site while being able to level fore/aft.

I'd argue with you on the F150 being less stable. The suspension is not as nice, but my F150 probably outweighs a Land Cruiser stock vs stock. It scaled at 6200 lbs empty with a full tank of gas right before I bought my trailer. That and it is a supercrew, 6.5' bed so it has a 157" wheelbase which is extremely helpful for stability. Towing my trailer with my F150 is extremely uneventful even in the worst conditions I have faced. it just doesnt get knocked around by the trailer at all.

But certainly the LX/LC would be a step up from the GX in all of things you mentioned. It does fine stability wise, not as good as the truck, but it just does not have the HP to pull comfortably. If I could get a 5.7L in the GX I would probably wouldn't jump ship.

The only major downside for me with the LX/LC(and also the GX) is the fuel tank size. My F150 has a 36 gallon tank so when I head down to southern Utah where I am driving pretty far into the camp site, having the extra fuel is really nice. It lets me drive around all weekend and get back out to a gas station after. I could see the 24 gallon tank being really tight in a situation like that but there is always the aftermarket tanks.
 
I’m not that familiar with the F150 platform it don’t they come in a range of sizes and weights?
 
I'd argue with you on the F150 being less stable. The suspension is not as nice, but my F150 probably outweighs a Land Cruiser stock vs stock. It scaled at 6200 lbs empty with a full tank of gas right before I bought my trailer. That and it is a supercrew, 6.5' bed so it has a 157" wheelbase which is extremely helpful for stability. Towing my trailer with my F150 is extremely uneventful even in the worst conditions I have faced. it just doesnt get knocked around by the trailer at all.

But certainly the LX/LC would be a step up from the GX in all of things you mentioned. It does fine stability wise, not as good as the truck, but it just does not have the HP to pull comfortably. If I could get a 5.7L in the GX I would probably wouldn't jump ship.

The only major downside for me with the LX/LC(and also the GX) is the fuel tank size. My F150 has a 36 gallon tank so when I head down to southern Utah where I am driving pretty far into the camp site, having the extra fuel is really nice. It lets me drive around all weekend and get back out to a gas station after. I could see the 24 gallon tank being really tight in a situation like that but there is always the aftermarket tanks.

I don't disagree with anything you've said except maybe the curb weight. The top of the range F150 curb weight is rated at if I'm not mistaken ~5400lbs. I do believe your scale weight but is it possible you had gear and occupants? The 200-series is heavy, LX particularly in excess of 6,000lbs spec weight. And only gets heavier from there.

I comment on weight as it matters where it's carried. Trucks are really light in the rear where it matters most for stability. Unless the bed is laden. Whereas the 200-series has more weight on the rear where it helps dampen sway.

You're right on everything else with overall geometry and wheelbase easily favoring the F150. Albiet with a relatively crude rear suspension, where things matter the most, using leaf springs to locate the axle. The 200-series has a same crude solid rear axle but located with a best of breed 5-link suspension.

Gas tank size is easily the biggest weakness to the 200-series, and is why I have an aux tank installed.

Pros and cons to each and I think you have the info you're looking for to make a decision.
 
Interesting new video out of AUS on towing with different trailer weight distribution (front, center, rear, both). Also a bit on the differences with speeds, inclines and declines. Note that the call out the 200 series LC as one of the better towing vehicles due to its weight relative to most "campers" (trailers). But that is likely because in AUS they more typically drive smaller, lighter vehicles. BTW, if you have anxiety issues when towing a trailer, you may not want to watch this!

It is a simulation with models but it is still interesting to watch the differences.

(This is not about the use of weight distribution bars. Rather it is about distributing the weight when you load up a trailer. They don't give any rules of thumb like 10-15%.)

 
Interesting new video out of AUS on towing with different trailer weight distribution (front, center, rear, both). Also a bit on the differences with speeds, inclines and declines. Note that the call out the 200 series LC as one of the better towing vehicles due to its weight relative to most "campers" (trailers). But that is likely because in AUS they more typically drive smaller, lighter vehicles. BTW, if you have anxiety issues when towing a trailer, you may not want to watch this!

It is a simulation with models but it is still interesting to watch the differences.

(This is not about the use of weight distribution bars. Rather it is about distributing the weight when you load up a trailer. They don't give any rules of thumb like 10-15%.)


It is interesting to watch the live modeling basically confirm the dos/ don’ts with regard to weight distribution. Thx for sharing.
 
Interesting new video out of AUS on towing with different trailer weight distribution (front, center, rear, both). Also a bit on the differences with speeds, inclines and declines. Note that the call out the 200 series LC as one of the better towing vehicles due to its weight relative to most "campers" (trailers). But that is likely because in AUS they more typically drive smaller, lighter vehicles. BTW, if you have anxiety issues when towing a trailer, you may not want to watch this!

It is a simulation with models but it is still interesting to watch the differences.

(This is not about the use of weight distribution bars. Rather it is about distributing the weight when you load up a trailer. They don't give any rules of thumb like 10-15%.)


That's fun to watch.

The scale probably exacerbates the amount of sway, but it does show the impact. Wish I could put much of the weight in my trailer directly over the axle, but it's impractical.

FWIW I can confirm my trailer feels more stable on the highway when I have water in the tanks (which sit on either side of the axle), though it does increase braking distance and will slosh around in the mountains.
 
Interesting new video out of AUS on towing with different trailer weight distribution (front, center, rear, both). Also a bit on the differences with speeds, inclines and declines. Note that the call out the 200 series LC as one of the better towing vehicles due to its weight relative to most "campers" (trailers). But that is likely because in AUS they more typically drive smaller, lighter vehicles. BTW, if you have anxiety issues when towing a trailer, you may not want to watch this!

It is a simulation with models but it is still interesting to watch the differences.

(This is not about the use of weight distribution bars. Rather it is about distributing the weight when you load up a trailer. They don't give any rules of thumb like 10-15%.)



Something worth keeping in mind is that the trailer in the video has its axle rather far forward... more so than most trailers in North America. Axle position plays a large role in weight distribution and stability.
 
First trip with the travel trailer! 2016 Jayco 23MB pulled with a 2010 LX570.

Start:
IMG_20210827_134404044_HDR.jpg


A blowout after 30 miles on the interstate, changed in 20 minutes:
IMG_20210827_150715286_HDR.jpg


Safe arrival and camp setup:
IMG_20210827_182624821_HDR.jpg

Where's a good place to get all the trailer tires fixed and maybe changed?
 
First trip with the travel trailer! 2016 Jayco 23MB pulled with a 2010 LX570.

Start:
View attachment 2771546

A blowout after 30 miles on the interstate, changed in 20 minutes:
View attachment 2771550

Safe arrival and camp setup:
View attachment 2771551
Where's a good place to get all the trailer tires fixed and maybe changed?
RV shops are easiest.

I’ve ordered my trailer tires online (once off eBay and once off Amazon) and brought the tires and wheels to my local mechanic, which changed them out. But I had to put the truck on jack stands to get all 4 off.

big thing I recommend is to make sure your new tires are at least M speed rated (81 mph). Not sure how fast you drive but older tires are only rated to 62mph believe it or not.

I stepped up from C to D load as well so I could run higher tire pressure but you may not need that buffer. Also as you’ve now seen change your tires every 5-7 years because they will deteriorate.

my recommendation for tires is Carlisle but YMMV. Not a fan of Goodyear given all the issues they’ve had with their (larger) RV tires, and I’d hesitate to run generic brands
 

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