Towing

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

NicB

NicB

10 Year
Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Threads
26
Messages
123
Location
Louisville
Hi all,

I recently acquired a 2002 Land Cruiser and would like to haul an e46 BMW (~3,000-3,100 lbs) with a Uhaul Auto Transporter (~2,200 lbs) about 1,000 miles. The trailer has four wheels and surge braking. Uhaul says the use of stabilizers are discouraged with this particular trailer.

I purchased a Reese hitch with 2" drop rated at 7,000 pounds and a Reese 2" ball rated at 7,500 pounds. I also bought a pin with lock/key.

I plan to increase tire pressures in the LC to 32/35 as recommended.

The route we are taking is relatively flat, just a couple spots with some small hills near Nashville, TN. Gross towing weight will be approximately 5,300 pounds. Uhaul indicates everything should be fine, but I thought I'd double check with the forum.

Any special considerations or precautions I should make? The two things I want to avoid are any potential whipping (I'll drive sub-65 the whole way) and/or overheating of the transmission.

Thanks!
NicB
 
I'm assuming you know how to use overdrive correctly?
 
^^Yes, I do.

One other thought. Should the stock transmission cooler be up to task? I'm thinking it should be given the tow capacity of the vehicle. Also will be towing in colder temperatures (sub-40 F).
 
I towed my 4100 lb 4Runner on my carhauler (total towed weight = 5500 lbs) and it was fine. This was at elevations ranging from 4500-11000 feet in Colorado. It was a little slow, but even over Monarch Pass I didn't drop below 50 mph. I think that's an excessive load to tow with an LC all the time, but I wouldn't think twice about doing it just once, especially at lower elevations and over relatively flat ground.
 
Sounds like it will be fine. I pay extra attention to stopping distances since the 100 is already a little poor in that department. I usually turn off the overdrive after I notice the transmission hunting. Pulls strong with overdrive off.
 
I've towed a couple different cars about the same weight as your E46 with the uhaul transporter. Solid and stable. Nothing stability wise to worry about with the wide stance and tank like heft of the LC even at 70-75 mph. Uhaul has a newer aluminum auto transporter that is slightly lighter than the old steel one that might help, but the old steel one works great as well. They are very solidly built units that track straight as an arrow behind the LC without any sway control.
 
If you have the time beforehand, and a hundred bucks, the Airlift air bags installed in the rear coils REALLY help. I occasionally tow a couple of horses behind my 100 (probably ~5500+ lbs horses, tack, trailer, water, etc) and they really help with the rear end droop. Cheap, easy, and only impact ride when you need them.
 
Does Uhaul have any electric brakes on their trailers? I've never been a fan of surge brakes. I had them as default on our old Airstream. When I put a new axle on I had it equipped with electric drum brakes. I much prefer the electric brakes as I like being able to control the trailer brakes independent of the cruisers brakes...
 
Guys, I'm having a problem. The hitch on the Cruiser says 5,000 / 6,000, weight bearing / weight distributing, respectively. I cannot find a hitch for the LC with a higher rating, which I think is odd since the tow capacity of the truck is 6,500. My issue is the Uhaul trailer is 2,200 lbs and the BMW is 3,100 lbs.

Any advice? I'm going to call Uhaul to see if the Auto-Transporter is on a weight distribution setup, but I don't think it is. Help please!

EDIT: Actually, I found this hitch made by Toyota: PT228-60033. Now I just have to find a place that sells it locally and can install it.
 
FWIW, I purchased my hitch from a wrecking yard. It was original equipment on a 99 LC and the sticker on it says it is good for 6600 lbs.
 
NicB said:
Guys, I'm having a problem. The hitch on the Cruiser says 5,000 / 6,000, weight bearing / weight distributing, respectively. I cannot find a hitch for the LC with a higher rating, which I think is odd since the tow capacity of the truck is 6,500. My issue is the Uhaul trailer is 2,200 lbs and the BMW is 3,100 lbs.

Any advice? I'm going to call Uhaul to see if the Auto-Transporter is on a weight distribution setup, but I don't think it is. Help please!

EDIT: Actually, I found this hitch made by Toyota: PT228-60033. Now I just have to find a place that sells it locally and can install it.
Click to expand...

Many of the guys remove the hitch when prepping their trucks for offloading (the hitch limits clearance). Post up a WTB on the classifieds. I did that years ago and found one for $50. OE is best, in my opinion.

BTW, to your original question - your truck will tow just fine. I have towed Porsches across the Rockies with a fully loaded truck many times. No issues at all. O/D is a pain and you will mostly turn it off. And gas mileage sucks.
 
My concern is the hitch shows the following:

Weight Distributing: Max Gross Trailer Weight - 6,000 lbs / Max Tongue Weight - 750 lbs
Weight Carrying Ball Mount: Max Gross Trailer Weight - 5,000 lbs / Max Tongue Weight - 500 lbs

I don't believe the Uhaul Auto Transport trailer is weight distributing, so the lower threshold applies. Do I add the 5,000 and 500 lbs together for a total of 5,500 lbs?

I need to tow approximately 5,300 pounds behind the vehicle, so even though the truck is capable, I'm wondering if the hitch is capable.
 
I tow a lot more than 5k on the stock hitch. Never had a problem. I'm not saying you should, just saying I haven't had an issue:

20131011_095516_zps4hcnlyvw.jpg

ResizedImage951362457062616_zpscac45d1e.jpg
 
Thanks for showing that. Thing is, the hitch is not stock. I figured out the hitch I have is this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Draw-Tite/75095.html

It's a class III hitch rated to 5,000 pounds. I am having an OEM hitch rated up to 7,200 pounds installed by Toyota tomorrow. Should be enough to tow most cars.

The hitch on the vehicle might work, but I'm not willing to risk a serious accident and my loved ones on the chance it will work.
 
NicB said:
Thanks for showing that. Thing is, the hitch is not stock. I figured out the hitch I have is this:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Draw-Tite/75095.html

It's a class III hitch rated to 5,000 pounds. I am having an OEM hitch rated up to 7,200 pounds installed by Toyota tomorrow. Should be enough to tow most cars.

The hitch on the vehicle might work, but I'm not willing to risk a serious accident and my loved ones on the chance it will work.
Click to expand...


I apologize, I must have read that incorrectly. I'm glad you went with the OEM hitch!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom