Towing with a 200-series Toyota Land Cruiser (7 Viewers)

[skrypj]

I posted in this thread a while back because I have been on the hunt for a better tow rig than my GX460 but is smaller than my F150. I sold my GX460 this week. I poked around a few other options recently, mainly the Gladiator Ecodiesel and 2023 Colorado ZR2. I did NOT like the ZR2 during the test drive. I was really close on the Gladiator Ecodiesel, but when I dug in some more on the towing capabilities a TON of people had issues with them overheating. The diesel was strong but the cooling package in the Gladiator is just too small due to the how narrow the frame rails are and the shape of the jeep.

Anyways, I am back. I test drove 3 2018 LX570's in the last 24 hours and I think I am getting really close to pulling the trigger. Anything I should look out for on them with regards to towing?

The ones I looked at were fully loaded. I really liked how the 8 speed shifted and how responsive it was compared to my GX. The GX never wanted to downshift unless you really got on it. I also like that there is the 12.5 gallon LRA tank available to keep the spare under the truck. With the GX, I was going to have to buy a LRA, and buy something to relocate the spare tire on the back.

 

[Nothinghead]

I posted in this thread a while back because I have been on the hunt for a better tow rig than my GX460 but is smaller than my F150. I sold my GX460 this week. I poked around a few other options recently, mainly the Gladiator Ecodiesel and 2023 Colorado ZR2. I did NOT like the ZR2 during the test drive. I was really close on the Gladiator Ecodiesel, but when I dug in some more on the towing capabilities a TON of people had issues with them overheating. The diesel was strong but the cooling package in the Gladiator is just too small due to the how narrow the frame rails are and the shape of the jeep.

Anyways, I am back. I test drove 3 2018 LX570's in the last 24 hours and I think I am getting really close to pulling the trigger. Anything I should look out for on them with regards to towing?

The ones I looked at were fully loaded. I really liked how the 8 speed shifted and how responsive it was compared to my GX. The GX never wanted to downshift unless you really got on it. I also like that there is the 12.5 gallon LRA tank available to keep the spare under the truck. With the GX, I was going to have to buy a LRA, and buy something to relocate the spare tire on the back.

Fluids are really important when towing with something that was not engineered to tow all the time so you might want to see if there's records of prior fluid services on the LX (eg. trans, diffs, t/case). Consider changing to different spec gear oils. I assume you'll be towing something kind of heavy so you'll want a good weight distributing hitch that is well set up. Beyond that, just get a good brake controller and mirror extensions. I had a Tekonsha P3 which worked well on my GX but I always hit my knee on it. I like the RedArc for how discrete it is.

Oh, and be ready for the terrible MPG.

 

[TeCKis300]

I posted in this thread a while back because I have been on the hunt for a better tow rig than my GX460 but is smaller than my F150. I sold my GX460 this week. I poked around a few other options recently, mainly the Gladiator Ecodiesel and 2023 Colorado ZR2. I did NOT like the ZR2 during the test drive. I was really close on the Gladiator Ecodiesel, but when I dug in some more on the towing capabilities a TON of people had issues with them overheating. The diesel was strong but the cooling package in the Gladiator is just too small due to the how narrow the frame rails are and the shape of the jeep.

Anyways, I am back. I test drove 3 2018 LX570's in the last 24 hours and I think I am getting really close to pulling the trigger. Anything I should look out for on them with regards to towing?

The ones I looked at were fully loaded. I really liked how the 8 speed shifted and how responsive it was compared to my GX. The GX never wanted to downshift unless you really got on it. I also like that there is the 12.5 gallon LRA tank available to keep the spare under the truck. With the GX, I was going to have to buy a LRA, and buy something to relocate the spare tire on the back.

Glad you passed on the Gladiator Ecodiesel and I think you're headed in the right direction.

Diesels only advantage these days is efficiency in MPG. Not necessarily even fuel cost efficiency as it's priced in. They may have more immediate torque without downshifting, but they work hard with incredibly high cylinder pressures to muster what they've got. Passenger car diesels like the Ecodiesel aren't suited for big jobs and don't have enough HP with only ~260hp. At freeway speeds or climbing, torque is only part of it, but HP is the name of the game. Sure, a gasser has to rev more, but the brawny 5.7L ultimately delivers way more torque and power at the wheels where it really matters.

 

[skrypj]

Glad you passed on the Gladiator Ecodiesel and I think you're headed in the right direction.

Diesels only advantage these days is efficiency in MPG. Not necessarily even fuel cost efficiency as it's priced in. They may have more immediate torque without downshifting, but they work hard with incredibly high cylinder pressures to muster what they've got. Passenger car diesels like the Ecodiesel aren't suited for big jobs and don't have enough HP with only ~260hp. At freeway speeds or climbing, torque is only part of it, but HP is the name of the game. Sure, a gasser has to rev more, but the brawny 5.7L ultimately delivers way more torque and power at the wheels where it really matters.

I do understand that. But 260hp is plenty for a 5500 lb trailer in all but the most extreme conditions. My F150 Ecoboost will pull pretty much any grade at 3200 rpm, part throttle, where its below 260hp.

 

[TeCKis300]

I do understand that. But 260hp is plenty for a 5500 lb trailer in all but the most extreme conditions. My F150 Ecoboost will pull pretty much any grade at 3200 rpm, part throttle, where its below 260hp.

That's fair if that's the performance you expect. The EB has great boost augmented midrange torque and power. I find it useful to have more reserve for those extreme grades or conditions. To your point, Ecodiesel will be working hard at its max output and max cooling mustering only 260hp.

I do like the OBD Fusion dashboard while I'm towing. One of its metrics is computed torque and HP. At level cruise around 70mph, it takes ~70hp output. Medium grades at least for my weight will get into the 250+ hp range unless dropping speed. The 5.7L is great at maintaining speed into 7%+ grades.

 

[skrypj]

Fluids are really important when towing with something that was not engineered to tow all the time so you might want to see if there's records of prior fluid services on the LX (eg. trans, diffs, t/case). Consider changing to different spec gear oils. I assume you'll be towing something kind of heavy so you'll want a good weight distributing hitch that is well set up. Beyond that, just get a good brake controller and mirror extensions. I had a Tekonsha P3 which worked well on my GX but I always hit my knee on it. I like the RedArc for how discrete it is.

Oh, and be ready for the terrible MPG.

Ive already got a Equalizer hitch and have towed my trailer about 22,000 miles between my F150 and GX. I have a redarc that I pulled from my GX as well before I sold it. Im pretty much ready to go, just need to buy a 200.

All the trucks I looked at were around 50k miles and had all been serviced at lexus dealers. I know one of them did have the tcase and diffs serviced but I would probably do them myself anyways. I still have a bunch of Ravenol MTF-3 from my GX transfer case.

It seems to be the only truly capable "mid-sized" vehicle that can tow and offroad and be decent at both. Anything else seems to be a compromise.

The MPG doesnt bother me. I bought a Chevy Bolt in october and that is what we daily drive. The LX570 would literally sit in the garage unless we go camping or offroading. I dont expect it to get any worse MPG towing than any other V8 or TTV6 out there. My Ecoboost generally say around 8.5-9.5 depending on the conditions I was towing in.

 

[skrypj]

That's fair if that's the performance you expect. The EB has great boost augmented midrange torque and power. I find it useful to have more reserve for those extreme grades or conditions. To your point, Ecodiesel will be working hard at its max output and max cooling mustering only 260hp.

I do like the OBD Fusion dashboard while I'm towing. One of its metrics is computed torque and HP. At level cruise around 70mph, it takes ~70hp output. Medium grades at least for my weight will get into the 250+ hp range unless dropping speed. The 5.7L is great at maintaining speed into 7%+ grades.

View attachment 3548467

Yeah I was using OBDLink(which I think is the same software as OBDFusion) with their enhanced diagnostic addon for my GX. It works really well.

Just based on your screenshot there, are transmission temps and issue with the 200 platform as well? My GX460 hit 250F on the A/T Oil temp 1 before I added a Hayden auxilary cooler.

 

[Nothinghead]

Yeah I was using OBDLink(which I think is the same software as OBDFusion) with their enhanced diagnostic addon for my GX. It works really well.

Just based on your screenshot there, are transmission temps and issue with the 200 platform as well? My GX460 hit 250F on the A/T Oil temp 1 before I added a Hayden auxilary cooler.

I tow a 6,000 airstream around the mountains of utah, idaho and wyoming and I never see AT temps above 220F even with ambient around 100F down south.

 

[TeCKis300]

Yeah I was using OBDLink(which I think is the same software as OBDFusion) with their enhanced diagnostic addon for my GX. It works really well.

Just based on your screenshot there, are transmission temps and issue with the 200 platform as well? My GX460 hit 250F on the A/T Oil temp 1 before I added a Hayden auxilary cooler.

The 200-series stock has pretty solid engine and transmission cooling. I wouldn't characterize it as an issue.

I push my rig pretty hard and I'm over the rated GCWR of 14,920 lbs (scaled 15,620), with 35" tires, often keeping up with passenger car traffic. So hitting 250F on extreme several mile long grades over the Sierras and Rocky mountains shouldn't be unexpected. Fortunately have never hit the A/T overtemp threshold no matter how hard I push it.

Anything less, the stock setup won't break a sweat managing.

It didn't ask for it but to maintain long term performance, I did add a aux tranny cooler

DIY Aux Transmission Cooler

As the stock 200-series already has an aux tranny cooler, perhaps this is better described as installing an aux aux cooler. The stock cooler is solid. I imagine this is niche for the heaviest of rigs or those that do more aggressive off-road running that really loads up the torque converter...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[skrypj]

The 200-series stock has pretty solid engine and transmission cooling. I wouldn't characterize it as an issue.

I push my rig pretty hard and I'm over the rated GCWR of 14,920 lbs (scaled 15,620), with 35" tires, often keeping up with passenger car traffic. So hitting 250F on extreme several mile long grades over the Sierras and Rocky mountains shouldn't be unexpected. Fortunately have never hit the A/T overtemp threshold no matter how hard I push it.

Anything less, the stock setup won't break a sweat managing.

It didn't ask for it but to maintain long term performance, I did add a aux tranny cooler

DIY Aux Transmission Cooler

As the stock 200-series already has an aux tranny cooler, perhaps this is better described as installing an aux aux cooler. The stock cooler is solid. I imagine this is niche for the heaviest of rigs or those that do more aggressive off-road running that really loads up the torque converter...

forum.ih8mud.com

Great thread.

Is there any difference with the 8 speed cooling setup?

Also, is the transmission cooling loop thermostatically controlled? My GX460's was, and so even when I added the Hayden cooler, it still ran around 200F daily driving. The difference was when you put it under heavy load towing it would pretty much stay within 200-205F whereas the stock setup would spike up to 230+ without much effort.

 

[TeCKis300]

Great thread.

Is there any difference with the 8 speed cooling setup?

Also, is the transmission cooling loop thermostatically controlled? My GX460's was, and so even when I added the Hayden cooler, it still ran around 200F daily driving. The difference was when you put it under heavy load towing it would pretty much stay within 200-205F whereas the stock setup would spike up to 230+ without much effort.

Great question on the 8-speed and I don't have any firsthand experience. Others might be able o chime in?

Yes, the LX's tranny is thermostatically controlled.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I just re-scanned this thread for tow mirror ideas and it seems that the Milenco Aeros are well thought of.
Our RV dealer had the Grand Aero3's in the showroom and highly recommended them.
There's a Grand Aero4 that seems to be its successor.
Anyone have this model?

Milenco Grand Aero 4 Towing Mirror - Milenco, Europe's leading manufacturer of award winning caravan products - https://www.milenco.com/products/mirrors/milenco-grand-aero-3-towing-mirror

 

[skrypj]

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series Towing Mirrors | Folding Mirrors

Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series mirrors include the Clearview Original, Next Gen and Compact styles. Clearview Towing Mirrors to suit the LC200

www.clearviewaccessories.com.au

Any chance these would work?

I almost pulled the trigger on the Prado version for my GX460, I know a couple of people were using them on the GX460 here in the US and they worked.

 

[Dunbar]

I thought about getting those but saw that they lacked heat defrost. I got the above mentioned clamp ons and am very pleased with them. They are rock solid when mounted and do not over stress the mirror housing. They can quickly be mounted and removed, as soon as i drop the trailer i pull them off, even if I'm going to hook up again later. If i was in the bush for months on end with a caravan I'd get those posted.

 

[skrypj]

I thought about getting those but saw that they lacked heat defrost. I got the above mentioned clamp ons and am very pleased with them. They are rock solid when mounted and do not over stress the mirror housing. They can quickly be mounted and removed, as soon as i drop the trailer i pull them off, even if I'm going to hook up again later. If i was in the bush for months on end with a caravan I'd get those posted.

They say they do on the landing page but then on the actual purchase pages I dont see it.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

They say they do on the landing page but then on the actual purchase pages I dont see it.

I also saw this and didn't quite follow:
"Heated Mirrors. When the side mirrors are fogged up, they can be cleared by turning on the rear window demister."

They sy they're a drop in replacement but if you watch the video you have to transplant the camera.
So, they're actually not???

 

[linuxgod]

A few things to check if you’re considering the clearview mirrors. They’ve added features but I’m not sure they have everything:

Mirror defogger ?
Electrochromatic automatic tinting ?
Mirror memory function ?

Last time I checked #3 was lost and I think #2 as well. It’s been a while though

 

[FrazzledHunter]

I took a hard look at Clearview.
However, Clearview's website reminds me of a snow-job meaning buried under an avalanche of features.
They tell you they have features A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z.
So you might say hey, that's a lot, sounds good.
What they DON'T say is we have all features EXCEPT H & Q.
This would be an exclusionary way of presenting the features.
I see this snow-job approach all the time in certain types automotive and other service contracts which, if presented that way, I don't buy either.

 

[skrypj]

Does anyone have any input on what the cooling loop for the 8 speed transmission looks like? Im probably picking up my truck tomorrow and then ill be going camping in 2 weeks and just wanna make sure I order a cooler if I need too.

 

[skrypj]

Does anyone have any input on what the cooling loop for the 8 speed transmission looks like? Im probably picking up my truck tomorrow and then ill be going camping in 2 weeks and just wanna make sure I order a cooler if I need too.

This is what Rock Auto shows, so it seems like at least a somewhat decent size cooler. Ill see how it does.