Who tows 5k+ with their 80?

[CruisinGA]

I pulled a 8x20 trailer over 11K combined weight per the scales on 33's with stock 4.10 gears, airbags in the back, even coming back empty it was difficult to get over 55 because of the air resistance , had good electric brakes, several round trips from GA to FL, If I had to do it regularly I would look at a 2500 diesel truck. the 80 is not a tow platform,

That's a big a$$ trailer. This trailer is very heavy duty but not nearly that big.

That's a long way at 55 mph, especially several trips.

I would love to get a 2500 diesel truck (or better yet put the drivetrain in my 80), but I am simply stuck with the 80 for now. Being a student, there's no income to make up for the difference in what I would get for my 80 and what it would cost to get a 2500 truck.

 

[CruisinGA]

Pak-

Thanks for the info. Looks like with 4.88's, I could tow my 40 on a trailer and get around the same mileage I get now flat towing (~10).

Swapping the transmission to synthetic sounds easy, but that is a lot of money when we're talking about an A440F.

I haven't installed the 4.56's, so it's looking like 4.88's are in order. I have a feeling the 80 will feel like a new truck with the 4.88's vs the snail it's been the last few years.

 

[josharre2000]

I would get the 4.88s. I tow my boat/trailer combo which is about 7000-7900lbs depending on fuel/gear load. I have 285s with stock gears. I plan on upgrading the gears to 4.88s when I get my 315s this summer. I might even upgrade the rear springs to 863s.

My trailer has 4 wheel disk surge brakes (which are awesome, btw). Overall, the LX pulls/stops pretty well considering the load. If I were to pull longer distances I wold seriously look at getting more of a load distribution hitch and some stabalizer bars for the trialer arms.

 

[Ebag333]

My trailer has 4 wheel disk surge brakes (which are awesome, btw).

I hate surge brakes. They are a pain if you are ever backing up a hill, or even going down one.....

 

[CruisinGA]

I would get the 4.88s. I tow my boat/trailer combo which is about 7000-7900lbs depending on fuel/gear load. I have 285s with stock gears. I plan on upgrading the gears to 4.88s when I get my 315s this summer. I might even upgrade the rear springs to 863s.

My trailer has 4 wheel disk surge brakes (which are awesome, btw). Overall, the LX pulls/stops pretty well considering the load. If I were to pull longer distances I wold seriously look at getting more of a load distribution hitch and some stabalizer bars for the trialer arms.

Saw those pictures over on TeamTalk. I have the same handle there. Just getting into the boating/Mastercraft thing and having a blast.

I'm suprised your X45 weighs that much. I thought my X9 would weigh a lot more than it does, but the manual states 2500# dry. Add in the trailer and I'm at maybe 3500. It towed fine behind my 80 on 35's with stock gears.

I hate surge brakes. They are a pain if you are ever backing up a hill, or even going down one.....

In general, yeah surge brakes are not as good as electric brakes. IMO mostly from a lack of adjustability and maintenance standpoint. They just don't seem to stay in good working condition nearly as long as electric brakes without some work.

But, the Mastercraft trailers like the one posted above all have electronic lockout, with a 5-flat plug, the 5th wire being wired to your reverse lights.

 

[josharre2000]

Saw those pictures over on TeamTalk. I have the same handle there. Just getting into the boating/Mastercraft thing and having a blast.

I'm suprised your X45 weighs that much. I thought my X9 would weigh a lot more than it does, but the manual states 2500# dry. Add in the trailer and I'm at maybe 3500. It towed fine behind my 80 on 35's with stock gears.


In general, yeah surge brakes are not as good as electric brakes. IMO mostly from a lack of adjustability and maintenance standpoint. They just don't seem to stay in good working condition nearly as long as electric brakes without some work.

But, the Mastercraft trailers like the one posted above all have electronic lockout, with a 5-flat plug, the 5th wire being wired to your reverse lights.

the 45 is a beast. I forgot to mention that last time I pulled it I forgot to empty one of my ballast tanks, which is why the 7900lbs. I am probably around 7000 when fully loaded with fuel and gear. I LOVE the X9. MC hit the nail on the head when they came out with that boat (perfect for all watersports).

If you are ever in NW Arkansas, hollar and we can go out for a session.

 

[Pak Meul]

Regarding the trans fluid, yeah it was spendy compared to conventional. I shopped around and found Mobil 1 for about $5 per quart as I recall, but consider it money well spent when I saw the difference it made on my previous vehicle. Definately cheaper than a trans rebuild.

I mentioned that I had a weight distributing hitch but failed to mention that it was also sway controlling. Again, an additional expense, but I feel it is worth it for the increase in safety. Not only is it safer for my family when they are in the Cruiser, but it's safer for everyone else on the road too.

I've never used surge brakes, but I definatley like the adjustability of electric. I have seen a couple of guys trying to back uphill with their trailer brakes locked up. Didn't look fun.

 

[CruisinGA]

Regarding the trans fluid, yeah it was spendy compared to conventional. I shopped around and found Mobil 1 for about $5 per quart as I recall, but consider it money well spent when I saw the difference it made on my previous vehicle. Definately cheaper than a trans rebuild.

I mentioned that I had a weight distributing hitch but failed to mention that it was also sway controlling. Again, an additional expense, but I feel it is worth it for the increase in safety. Not only is it safer for my family when they are in the Cruiser, but it's safer for everyone else on the road too.

For sure cheaper than a trans rebuild. The A440 just takes so much damn fluid!

I thought that Toyota did not recommend weight distributing hitches for 80 series? Do you think that was just a cover their ass move or for some real reason a warranted recommendation?

 

[CruisinGA]

the 45 is a beast. I forgot to mention that last time I pulled it I forgot to empty one of my ballast tanks, which is why the 7900lbs. I am probably around 7000 when fully loaded with fuel and gear. I LOVE the X9. MC hit the nail on the head when they came out with that boat (perfect for all watersports).

If you are ever in NW Arkansas, hollar and we can go out for a session.

45's are big boats fo sho. Have yet to get in one. A whole nother beast from my X9.

Been really happy with the X9. Bought it before I really knew much, and just got lucky that it was the perfect boat for us. Also got a screamin deal, just makes it that much better.

 

[Pak Meul]

I think that the reason I had found on this site was that the factory hitch wasn't rated for weight distributing. When I got my Cruiser the hitch had some rust so I didn't want to trust it anyway. I replaced it with the Reese hitch which was rated for weight distribution. It may have had a little beefier mount to the frame, but not much. My suspicion is that it may have been more for liability reasons that Toyota didn't want to trust the hitches that were bolted on by the dealers.

I found a post here from someone that seemed to have more info on the hitch used by Toyota in the US that was the reason for the reccomendation against the WD hitches.

I've got about 3-4K miles on my hitch combo and haven't found any adverse affects. The only other thing I can think of is that it may put some additional stress on the power steering with the additional weight pushed down over the front wheels.

 

[Flank]

Hijack:

IN HOC!!!

Hijack off.

 

[Ebag333]

I thought that Toyota did not recommend weight distributing hitches for 80 series? Do you think that was just a cover their ass move or for some real reason a warranted recommendation?

Two possible reasons:

1) The 80 isn't built with a WDH in mind, meaning that using one could cause odd forces on the frame, suspension, etc. This to me isn't a huge concern as the FZJ-80 is pretty darn well built, but since Mr. T never designed the 80 with a WDH they can't recommend it. The biggest concern to me is that you're putting a tremendous amount of force on the hitch (and mounting points) in order to acheive the weight distribution.

2) Because a WDH spreads the load between the front and rear axles, overloading the front axle can be a concern. Again with our overbuilt 80's not a huge concern, but it very well could be an issue especially if you have stock springs.


So a legal reason, but based on engineering.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

Like others have said, the 80 is not an ideal tow platform. I have about 4" of lift and true 35's with stock gearing, it's pretty slow. It was extreamly slow and squirly at times when I used to tow my Tacoma to the trails (about 50-60 miles one way). I would tow it with a tow dolley without brakes.

But it can be done, I'm looking to get some 4.88's and I don't plan to do any towing in the future, don't even have a hitch anymore.

In Hoc,

Shane

 

[jeepocabra]

I hate surge brakes. They are a pain if you are ever backing up a hill, or even going down one.....

Or in the snow or other slick conditions. They are simple, but that's it, not to mention rough when they engage.

 

[jasonmt]

I have pulled around some of our equipment/office trailers with my 80 and it did not do too bad. The trailer is around 6K+ with a 20 gallon fuel cell on the tongue and a 15 gallon water tank right behind that so it is quite tounge heavy.

The 80 has a Slee 6" lift and 4.10 gears/35" tyres so it is a less than ideal combination but with some rear bags and a WD hitch I would not hesitate to use it to tow 5K 4-6 times a year. This would be with the caveat that running this combination is going to require more attention and have a smaller margin of error than a heavy duty diesel truck (see picture below the 80 for the regular tow rig) and no mountain towing.

Powerwise I have a 1HD-T diesel 80 so there is no comparison to be made to the gasser.