Towing with a Cruiser? (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Threads
16
Messages
389
Location
Attleboro, MA
Just curious but does anyone tow a trail rig with a 60 or 80 series Cruiser? Heidi is going to be looking to replace her 4Runner soon and we'd like something that can tow the Mini Beast.
 
I know people have done it but its not something that would personally do. Or at least not regularly. I towed an FJ40 over 300 miles with my Tacoma (I know its not a LC) and it just got pushed around alot. I'm not sure what the towing capacity of the LC's are but I would believe around 3500lbs. I assume that you would get a trailer and not flat tow. Just make sure that the total weight isn't over what the vehicle is supposed to carry or if in the event there is and accident you would be in some serious trouble

Convince her to get a Tundra :flipoff2:


Edit: If you are going to do it get a 93+
1993 - 1997 5000lbs FZJ80
1991 - 1992 3500lbs FJ80
1988 - 1990 3500lbs FJ62
1981 - 1987 3500lbs FJ60
 
I towed a 16 ft car trailer with a minitruck parts rig on it from PA to CT.

It SUCKED and the temp spiked numerous times on the hills.

I think a 100 series would do better since it has a V-8 but I have no personal experience doing so.

Mike
 
Pretty much what I was thinking, but just wanted to confirm. The truck with trailer would probably be clocking in at over 5K pounds, so it doesn't look like this is an option. Thanks guys.

I'd LOVE to get a Tundra, but we're still looking at houses and don't want (read: can't afford) a new truck payment at the moment. Becasue of the kids I need something that can comfortably hold 5. We're looking at some previous gen Tundras ( 05-06 with double cabs) but they're still in the $20K range.
 
I've towed my mini truck on a 16ft trailer with my 80 several times. The 80 is rated to tow 5000 lbs and I think I'm close to that. Other than a lack of power, it seems to do fine here in the midwest. Not sure that I would want to tackle mountain passes, tho... Just make sure you use a trailer with brakes on at least one axle and a good brake controller.

Also, a good idea to make sure your cooling system is in good shape. Any problems will become readily apparent when you add the extra load.
 
I will give a different view point (no surprise here):p

The more functions that a vehicle can perform the less capable at each given function they are...

My suggestion would be to seperate the tasks and get a Family hauler and a seperate tow rig properly equiped to do such, you would be surprised just how much the GCVW is when loaded up and ready to travel.

Matt
 
Eventually we'll end up there. But trying to get something that can fit both for a least a little bit of time until my truck is ready to be replaced. At that point the diesel Tundra should be out. :drool:
 
i have towed a few mini trucks home with a full sized u-hall trailer with my 98 T100 3.4 v6 and barely noticed i was towing anything might want to consider one if your looking for a tow rig
 
I tow my zuk on a trailer (approx 5k lbs combined) with my FJ Cruiser which has the 4.0 v6 found in the newer tacos and 4runners and its great. obviously more power would always be better, but I am able to easily maintain speed using 6th and sometimes 5th gear on hills.

make sure the trailer is loaded right and get a good brake controller and trailer brakes if you are close to the towing limit on your tow rig.
 
I tow my zuk on a trailer (approx 5k lbs combined) with my FJ Cruiser which has the 4.0 v6 found in the newer tacos and 4runners and its great. obviously more power would always be better, but I am able to easily maintain speed using 6th and sometimes 5th gear on hills.

make sure the trailer is loaded right and get a good brake controller and trailer brakes if you are close to the towing limit on your tow rig.


I think I saw you a week or 2 ago towing you zuk in Schenectady.... the FJ thingy was dragging its ass like a dog with worms:eek:. Seemed like way too much on that poor thing to me.


I have to agree with Matt. By a used rig specificly for towing. Find a good 3/4 or 1 ton with a diesel and be done with it. It will tow whatever you want and it will be able to do it safely.
 
I think I saw you a week or 2 ago towing you zuk in Schenectady.... the FJ thingy was dragging its ass like a dog with worms:eek:. Seemed like way too much on that poor thing to me.

so it "looked" like it was too much :rolleyes:

I did a 5 hour trip down and back to Rausch a few weeks ago and had no problems whatsoever. tows perfectly straight, brakes work great (electric brakes on both axles with a good controller) and that was loaded heavy with camping gear.

heres a pic of my rig before i bought my trailer, and when i still had the 33s on it. yes its sagging a little, but not too much IMO.
towrig.jpg
 
Yeppers, that's the one.....

Trust me on the towing thing...... I am a CDL A driver, I know how to set up a tow rig and how to do it safely. Just because it can tow it dosen't mean that it should.... But do as you will, most people don't know the difference anyway:rolleyes:
 
Until you drive my rig and experience it for yourself rather than seeing it drive by you on the street, your opinion really isn't valid.

Is my FJ the ideal setup? of course not. but it definitely gets the job done until I can afford to swap it for something else.


you dont need a cdl license to know how to setup a tow rig.
 
besides, he's only towing a matchbox car....:flipoff2:
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom