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

[Artie]

Picked up the new trailer last weekend and spent a few days in the Pine Valley (Utah) area on the way home from Vegas. Red arc brake controller, bags in the rear, on an OME nitro charger lift. Loving the set up overall!

Wondering if I should be monitoring temps, if so, any suggestions?
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The off road trailer scene is getting crazy, I haven’t even heard of these yet.

If you’re towing off road it’s not a bad idea to watch the trans temps, especially if you’re in an already built and heavy cruiser. Sure, it’s not struggling and you’re probably fine but it’s always nice to be able to dial back if you see your converter temp on the rise.

 

[Endurbro907]

The off road trailer scene is getting crazy, I haven’t even heard of these yet.

If you’re towing off road it’s not a bad idea to watch the trans temps, especially if you’re in an already built and heavy cruiser. Sure, it’s not struggling and you’re probably fine but it’s always nice to be able to dial back if you see your converter temp on the rise.

Oh man, I saw this one at expo a year ago and have kinda lusted over it for a bit. XGrid Campers down in Vegas hooked me up. They’ve been around for over 25 years, but think this is #4 stateside.

I was just poking around, I have a scan gauge on my 80, is there a better option or is that still one of the best/simplest?

Cruiser isn’t too heavy, skids, sliders, drawers, and 34s, but definitely in the mountains/trails.

 

[Artie]

Oh man, I saw this one at expo a year ago and have kinda lusted over it for a bit. XGrid Campers down in Vegas hooked me up. They’ve been around for over 25 years, but think this is #4 stateside.

I was just poking around, I have a scan gauge on my 80, is there a better option or is that still one of the best/simplest?

Cruiser isn’t too heavy, skids, sliders, drawers, and 34s, but definitely in the mountains/trails.

I’d check out this thread to get you going down the rabbit hole on obd scan tools. In there you’ll find some dashboards that you can download, which I found incredibly handy. Massive props to the mudders who put in the work and share it on this forum.

Looking at the AOR website now, they have some cool options. The Aussies really have a grasp on how to do the off road camper thing. You’ve likely blown your expectations for camping off the charts and haven’t realized it yet. You’ve leveled up, enjoy it.

We’re 4 years into exotic off road camper ownership and it’s been great. The major downfall is the complete lack of support. Idk about yours but for our South African built Conqueror, we’re on our own. Mods and repairs require creativity and “knowing a guy” for machining or welding if it comes to that. All that to say that we knew that going in and it adds to the adventure and fun hat comes with a complex piece of gear like this.

We’ve drug ours to some absolutely beautiful places and the cruiser is probably the best option to do this with. You’ll be surprised at how remote you can get and still have a butt naked outside hot shower with no one for miles around.

 

[Endurbro907]

I’d check out this thread to get you going down the rabbit hole on obd scan tools. In there you’ll find some dashboards that you can download, which I found incredibly handy. Massive props to the mudders who put in the work and share it on this forum.

Looking at the AOR website now, they have some cool options. The Aussies really have a grasp on how to do the off road camper thing. You’ve likely blown your expectations for camping off the charts and haven’t realized it yet. You’ve leveled up, enjoy it.

We’re 4 years into exotic off road camper ownership and it’s been great. The major downfall is the complete lack of support. Idk about yours but for our South African built Conqueror, we’re on our own. Mods and repairs require creativity and “knowing a guy” for machining or welding if it comes to that. All that to say that we knew that going in and it adds to the adventure and fun hat comes with a complex piece of gear like this.

We’ve drug ours to some absolutely beautiful places and the cruiser is probably the best option to do this with. You’ll be surprised at how remote you can get and still have a butt naked outside hot shower with no one for miles around.

We actually looked at those at ROA here in Utah, very stout trailers. A large part of why we bought from AOR is their history and trusting XGrid to support us in the event that something breaks, Loren is the man.

We had a mission overland as a “gateway drug” and really enjoyed it, but this thing is on another level. Noticeably more heavy when loaded up, which led me to ask here.

 

[TeCKis300]

To add for off-road towing, it's optimal to use low range judiciously. That's going to help the torque converter generate less heat and transmission stay cooler, and keep fluids circulating. Keeps the engine RPM up which keeps those fluids moving, which is also what drives the engine connected radiator fan. In turn provides more airflow through all the radiators and engine bay.

 

[Endurbro907]

To add for off-road towing, it's optimal to use low range judiciously. That's going to help the torque converter generate less heat and transmission stay cooler, and keep fluids circulating. Keeps the engine RPM up which keeps those fluids moving, which is also what drives the engine connected radiator fan. In turn provides more airflow through all the radiators and engine bay.

Great tips, thanks!

 

[skrypj]

It looks like you have some water damage. Have you fixed the leaks?
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Yup. From the previous owner. The sealant across the top was questionable.

 

[linuxgod]

Yup. From the previous owner. The sealant across the top was questionable.

I’m a huge fan of eternabond. Ideally even if you’ve replaced the original dicor, cover it with eternabond tape, then seal the edges of that with some more self-leveling dicor for good measure. The stuff is super sticky and in my experience (10 years) holds up better than the sealants do if you get a good clean bond

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I’m a huge fan of eternabond. Ideally even if you’ve replaced the original dicor, cover it with eternabond tape, then seal the edges of that with some more self-leveling dicor for good measure. The stuff is super sticky and in my experience (10 years) holds up better than the sealants do if you get a good clean bond

Lots of people do not apply eternabond properly and then complain that it's a bad product. I've found the using a heat gun to soften it up and a hard roller to apply good force on it and really work it into the trailer is key.

 

[Artie]

We need a leaderboard. This is the result of a terribly paved road with giant pot holes on a steep grade. This was dirt when I was out this way a decade or more ago. Once back in 2nd the converter kicked up and temps plummeted. I was over 250 for 30-45 seconds… good times.

 

[2021 LC200]

We need a leaderboard. This is the result of a terribly paved road with giant pot holes on a steep grade. This was dirt when I was out this way a decade or more ago. Once back in 2nd the converter kicked up and temps plummeted. I was over 250 for 30-45 seconds… good times.
View attachment 3742002

Hi Artie,

On that steep puthole track, how much right foot? Also did you consider using 4 Low to reduce torque and load on the transmission? I must say I do not tend to switch to 4 Low, so I have that in reserve beyond getting initially stuck. I do use 4 Low when I reverse our 7000 lbs travel trailer into a space or our drive way to keep things easy on the transmission.

Your insights please?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Artie]

Hi Artie,

On that steep puthole track, how much right foot? Also did you consider using 4 Low to reduce torque and load on the transmission? I must say I do not tend to switch to 4 Low, so I have that in reserve beyond getting initially stuck. I do use 4 Low when I reverse our 7000 lbs travel trailer into a space or our drive way to keep things easy on the transmission.

Your insights please?

Thanks a lot!

I use 4Lo a lot when towing off road, hundreds of miles for days on end at times. On this particular climb I was 4hi and in 2 and 3rd gear for most of it without issue, converter temp was 220°. Once I arrived to this particular section, I shifted into 1st instead of 4 low because it was about 50 feet long and I figured I would be through it quickly, I was creeping slow with very little throttle input. My thoughts on 1st gear over 2 or 3 was to let the engine breaking ease me into the deeper holes. In hindsight, 4Lo would have been the better choice. Temps went from the steady 220 to 280 in about 10 seconds, it was very quick. In the span my eyes leaving the gauge to focus on a few holes then back again. I immediately shifted up to 2 and the converter locked immediately. I’m not a fan of running in 4Lo on pavement or I would have done so for this particular curvy pot hole filled road. Honestly, 4lo on pavement may be fine in the cruiser, my previous vehicle said to not use 4lo on pavement and that one almost yeeeted the transmission on me so I may be gun shy from driving that Lincoln POS.

Regardless, I’m a fan of 4Lo towing off road, don’t it tons. In 4lo on gravel as soon as I got to it after these holes.

If I do that climb again I’ll be in 4lo or at least 2nd.

 

[04UZJ100]

The highest transmission temp I ever saw was backing a U-Haul trailer down a snow covered alley in Chicago. I put it in 4-Lo and the temperature plummeted.

 

[2021 LC200]

I use 4Lo a lot when towing off road, hundreds of miles for days on end at times. On this particular climb I was 4hi and in 2 and 3rd gear for most of it without issue, converter temp was 220°. Once I arrived to this particular section, I shifted into 1st instead of 4 low because it was about 50 feet long and I figured I would be through it quickly, I was creeping slow with very little throttle input. My thoughts on 1st gear over 2 or 3 was to let the engine breaking ease me into the deeper holes. In hindsight, 4Lo would have been the better choice. Temps went from the steady 220 to 280 in about 10 seconds, it was very quick. In the span my eyes leaving the gauge to focus on a few holes then back again. I immediately shifted up to 2 and the converter locked immediately. I’m not a fan of running in 4Lo on pavement or I would have done so for this particular curvy pot hole filled road. Honestly, 4lo on pavement may be fine in the cruiser, my previous vehicle said to not use 4lo on pavement and that one almost yeeeted the transmission on me so I may be gun shy from driving that Lincoln POS.

Regardless, I’m a fan of 4Lo towing off road, don’t it tons. In 4lo on gravel as soon as I got to it after these holes.

If I do that climb again I’ll be in 4lo or at least 2nd.

Ok, thanks a lot. Seems 280 should still be fine for the electronics. I recall 290 or 300 is when the car starts indicating to you a high temp condition.

Regarding 4 Low and on road use, I do not lock the transfer case, so when I do I thought this allowed the diffs to take up any rotation difference going through corners, i.e. it is fine and can be used like that. Am I missing something?

 

[Nothinghead]

Regarding 4 Low and on road use, I do not lock the transfer case, so when I do I thought this allowed the diffs to take up any rotation difference… Am I missing something?

You’re right. The reason 4Lo should be avoided on other conventional 4x4s is that they use a normal t-case that locks front and rear drive shafts together. Leaving the 200 unlocked keeps sleep between front and rear just like in normal hi range. You just get all the benefits of lower gearing without any id true risks of binding up the drivetrain.

 

[Dunbar]

4 Low, after seeing the above posts, sounds like something I should try launching and retrieving my 8000 lb boat and when moving heavy trailers around on my property. It will also display the overhead camera view.

 

[TeCKis300]

When towing my 8k trailer, I usually go into 4lo the moment I turn into a campground area. Much better fine control, whether accelerating or braking. It doesn't ride the torque converter which does put a ton of heat into it while making my way to the site. Once at site, it's a game changer getting onto levelers with the fine torque control.

Asphalt is no problem in 4lo as it's a full time 4WD system. Just don't be locking the center diff whether high or low range on high traction surfaces.

Specific to the LX, using 4lo automatically enters AHC H. This relaxes the WD bars. I tend to like campgrounds that are more interesting so lots of grades and slopes and the relaxed WD bars is less stress on the hitch and trailer chassis.

 

[Artie]

ROUND 2!

We explored the area without unhitching giving us the option to camp at another location should we find something. In the end we ended up having to take that climb again… I won’t rule out my ego having a hand at this second bite at the apple. 4lo helped but temps were still hot, topping out at 240°. According to my inclinometer it was steady 8° with 12° at the 7 hair pin turns and speeds around 10-15 for some stretches and others crawling along at 5. Long, slow, and pot hole filled crap road. The inability to gain any speed to allow for air flow through the radiator was a big issue.

10/10 will go back.

 

[urinalcake]

Towing U-Haul’s car hauler. AHC keeping it level…

…and what happens when the tongue weight is unladed…

 

[skrypj]

Towing U-Haul’s car hauler. AHC keeping it level…
View attachment 3747011

…and what happens when the tongue weight is unladed…
View attachment 3747020

I towed my Jeep Liberty CRD with a Penske trailer behind a Penske E450 box truck. That trailer put so much tongue weight on the truck that I slid through a red light with the front tires locked up just trying to come to a casual stop. Penske of course required that they setup the trailer. I got home and put the jeep on backwards(to get the diesel motor weight over the trailer tires) and put some wood blocks between the tires and chocks to shift it back. Still was pretty tongue heavy even after that but at least I could stop.

Anyways, just be careful, those trailers scare me now.