Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (5 Viewers)

[catastrofe]

Does anyone have experience towing while also using a hitch mounted bike rack on their LC, either with an add-a-receiver type device or with a Wilco Hitchgate? Trying to see how towing dynamics might be affected with 100lbs of bikes/rack hanging rearward over the trailer tongue.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Does anyone have experience towing while also using a hitch mounted bike rack on their LC, either with an add-a-receiver type device or with a Wilco Hitchgate? Trying to see how towing dynamics might be affected with 100lbs of bikes/rack hanging rearward over the trailer tongue.

Most of such accessories are either not rated for towing, or greatly decrease the towing capacity. Worth double checking.

 

[coleAK]

Does anyone have experience towing while also using a hitch mounted bike rack on their LC, either with an add-a-receiver type device or with a Wilco Hitchgate? Trying to see how towing dynamics might be affected with 100lbs of bikes/rack hanging rearward over the trailer tongue.

Here is about 160 lbs of bikes on the back. Done this for easily 30k miles. No issues.

 

[catastrofe]

Here is about 160 lbs of bikes on the back. Done this for easily 30k miles. No issues.

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Thanks, but I meant between the LC and the trailer...

 

[catastrofe]

Most of such accessories are either not rated for towing, or greatly decrease the towing capacity. Worth double checking.

Yeah, some specifically mention a reduction in tongue weight capacity while others (like the Wilco) are silent on the issue. Dissent has an option for an extra receiver on a swing-arm for their rear bumper, so there's no impact to towing ratings, so maybe I need a new rear bumper...

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Dissent has an option for an extra receiver on a swing-arm for their rear bumper, so there's no impact to towing ratings, so maybe I need a new rear bumper...

That's how I had my custom bumper built for my Tacoma. It worked well.

Personally, I wouldn't tow anything heavier than a light utility trailer with a couch on it using swing-outs like Wilco.

 

[TeCKis300]

Does anyone have experience towing while also using a hitch mounted bike rack on their LC, either with an add-a-receiver type device or with a Wilco Hitchgate? Trying to see how towing dynamics might be affected with 100lbs of bikes/rack hanging rearward over the trailer tongue.

The bike with trailer is always a bit of a connundrum.

Depending on the size of trailer you're talking about, this may work okay. For a larger trailer, I would not recommend it for a number of reasons.

One of critical towing geometries is how far the tow ball is past the bumper. Because it gives the trailer added leverage on the tow vehicle, it compromises a number of things:

1) Tongue weight and porpoising are exascerbated.
2) Sway stability
3) Shifts more load onto the rear axle (and taking more weight off the front axle)
4) Needs more rear spring rate or more WD tension to avoid sag

It also has the perceived effect of reducing the wheelbase, as this compromises the wheelbase to rear overhang ratio.

Not sure what kind of trailer you're talking. I went the route similar to @coleAK , which has it's own compromises to be aware of. Checkout a Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk to see if that may work for you?

 

[catastrofe]

The bike with trailer is always a bit of a connundrum.

Depending on the size of trailer you're talking about, this may work okay. For a larger trailer, I would not recommend it for a number of reasons.

One of critical towing geometries is how far the tow ball is past the bumper. Because it gives the trailer added leverage on the tow vehicle, it compromises a number of things:

1) Tongue weight and porpoising are exascerbated.
2) Sway stability
3) Shifts more load onto the rear axle (and taking more weight off the front axle)
4) Needs more rear spring rate or more WD tension to avoid sag

It also has the perceived effect of reducing the wheelbase, as this compromises the wheelbase to rear overhang ratio.

Not sure what kind of trailer you're talking. I went the route similar to @coleAK , which has it's own compromises to be aware of. Checkout a Stromberg Carlson Bike Bunk to see if that may work for you?

Thanks. A receiver on the rear of the trailer (Kimberley Kruiser) is not an option due to the trailer design. Originally, something like the Bike Bunk was an option, but Kimberley enlarged the storage pod and apparently there isn't enough room on the tongue for a rack.

I may just need to bite the bullet on a rear bumper, as it will also allow me to add an LRA aux fuel tank.

 

[Dunbar]

Thanks. A receiver on the rear of the trailer (Kimberley Kruiser) is not an option due to the trailer design. Originally, something like the Bike Bunk was an option, but Kimberley enlarged the storage pod and apparently there isn't enough room on the tongue for a rack.

I may just need to bite the bullet on a rear bumper, as it will also allow me to add an LRA aux fuel tank.

Or throw the bikes on the roof of the truck. I use old yakima load warriors and never a problem.

 

[catastrofe]

Or throw the bikes on the roof of the truck. I use old yakima load warriors and never a problem.

That’s our fallback plan, but towing mpg already sucks without two carbon fiber sails on the roof. Also, easier said than done with me being 5’4” and my wife at 5’0”. We’ve experimented with getting them up there but it’s certainly not ideal.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

That’s our fallback plan, but towing mpg already sucks without two carbon fiber sails on the roof. Also, easier said than done with me being 5’4” and my wife at 5’0”. We’ve experimented with getting them up there but it’s certainly not ideal.

There's a Kimberley Kampers group on Facebook with lots of Kruiser owners - I bet they'd be a good resource for you. Recently asked some questions there myself.

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[catastrofe]

There's a Kimberley Kampers group on Facebook with lots of Kruiser owners - I bet they'd be a good resource for you. Recently asked some questions there myself.

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Yeah, thanks, I'm all over that (and two other) Kimberley FB pages/groups.

The change to the config is new this year...I've got the second one built so no one has experience with my issue.

 

[coleAK]

That’s our fallback plan, but towing mpg already sucks without two carbon fiber sails on the roof. Also, easier said than done with me being 5’4” and my wife at 5’0”. We’ve experimented with getting them up there but it’s certainly not ideal.

I carry bikes on the roof sometimes when we need to put a big cargo tray on the rear of the camper. Bikes on the roof will not affect your mpg at all. I am 5’8”and my son is 5’10”even at that we carry a three step step ladder get the bike on and off the roof

 

[nakman]

Hey can any of you towing experts confirm that I bought the right stuff today from Redarc? I searched here and I think I got the right part numbers, but am just curious as I'm a little under the gun to get this brake controller installed.

I purchased the Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller and the Toyota suitable Tow-Pro Brake Controller Harness (TPH-021). Hoping this will all just plug in. I went on etrailer but got confused as they had one kit for vehicles with the towing package, another kit for vehicles without it... did we all get the towing package? My 200 already has the receiver hitch, and 7-pin connection in back. I just need to power some brakes.

Also I have an extra 7-pin connector harness if anyone needs one... total idiot move I ordered it then when I went to install realized I already had one... and by now I've tossed the packaging and it's too late to return. hit me up if you need to plug in some lights!

 

[catastrofe]

Hey can any of you towing experts confirm that I bought the right stuff today from Redarc? I searched here and I think I got the right part numbers, but am just curious as I'm a little under the gun to get this brake controller installed.

I purchased the Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller and the Toyota suitable Tow-Pro Brake Controller Harness (TPH-021). Hoping this will all just plug in. I went on etrailer but got confused as they had one kit for vehicles with the towing package, another kit for vehicles without it... did we all get the towing package? My 200 already has the receiver hitch, and 7-pin connection in back. I just need to power some brakes.

Also I have an extra 7-pin connector harness if anyone needs one... total idiot move I ordered it then when I went to install realized I already had one... and by now I've tossed the packaging and it's too late to return. hit me up if you need to plug in some lights!

These are the items I ordered from eTrailer back in 2019. IIRC, the harness was provided by Toyota (sitting in the glovebox) as part of the towing package.

You’ll need to mount the Redarc control dial in your dash, so you may want to pick up the mounting panel insert.

 

[linuxgod]

Hey can any of you towing experts confirm that I bought the right stuff today from Redarc? I searched here and I think I got the right part numbers, but am just curious as I'm a little under the gun to get this brake controller installed.

I purchased the Tow-Pro Elite Electric Brake Controller and the Toyota suitable Tow-Pro Brake Controller Harness (TPH-021). Hoping this will all just plug in. I went on etrailer but got confused as they had one kit for vehicles with the towing package, another kit for vehicles without it... did we all get the towing package? My 200 already has the receiver hitch, and 7-pin connection in back. I just need to power some brakes.

Also I have an extra 7-pin connector harness if anyone needs one... total idiot move I ordered it then when I went to install realized I already had one... and by now I've tossed the packaging and it's too late to return. hit me up if you need to plug in some lights!

All US cruisers come with the towing package. The only question is the 7 pin connector, which I believe gets installed at the port so occasionally it seems to get missed. If you're stuck with it, maybe post on ebay - I've had surprising success selling things you wouldn't expect like my factory roof rack rails and running boards for far more $ than you'd think.

I installed mine following the instructions below, but it was a couple years ago so I'm hazy on the details of how I wired it. IIRC I just spliced my Tekonsha wiring harness into the Redarc one, since I was upgrading the brake controller, not starting from scratch.

Trailer Brake Controller Connector

I put together the following write-up on my install of a RedArc Brake controller. The content below is a synopsis of a larger story I was going to have via a blog on another site, but unfortunately that site is having issues with their platforms: Redarc boxing by weaselox posted Aug 7, 2017 at...

forum.ih8mud.com

TPH-021 should be the right harness according to this thread. If it doesn't fit then TPH-015 is the right one

RedArc Tow Pro Brake Controller

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[mud400]

That’s our fallback plan, but towing mpg already sucks without two carbon fiber sails on the roof. Also, easier said than done with me being 5’4” and my wife at 5’0”. We’ve experimented with getting them up there but it’s certainly not ideal.

This is what we do on and off. With four bikes and a big pod, the milage is the same as just towing our trailer. I think when you are pulling 6000-7000#'s, it really doesn't matter what you have on the roof.

 

[Dunbar]

Just finished this thread over a week or so of browsing. What is the best tow mirror for the 200? If there were a OEM quality telescoping replacement with all the bells and whistles I'd get that. I think the replacements are not Toyota quality so I don't mind hanging a bolt, strap, snap or duct tape on tow mirror but want the known best.

 

[linuxgod]

Just finished this thread over a week or so of browsing. What is the best tow mirror for the 200? If there were a OEM quality telescoping replacement with all the bells and whistles I'd get that. I think the replacements are not Toyota quality so I don't mind hanging a bolt, strap, snap or duct tape on tow mirror but want the known best.

There are OEM telescoping mirrors available from Australia but they are manual and lose the power adjust and defrost functions. Nothing that does both

 

[Dunbar]

There are OEM telescoping mirrors available from Australia but they are manual and lose the power adjust and defrost functions. Nothing that does both

Which is apparently true but a bummer. So then my question is which is the best other option? I imagine those in this thread have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 that are above the rest in quality.