towing w/ FJ

[kcdee00]

Hey I was considering buying an FJ and was wondering if anyone tows with it...I've got a 1st gen 4runner and would get a light trailer...Do you think the FJ would be ok to tow 2 or 3 times per year within 100-200 miles??

[toyota88]

no, it's not even a 1/2 ton......... towing with my JGC (5.2 v8) wasn't fun at all. Why don't you just tade the fj for a truck?

[kcdee00]

I dont have an FJ yet..I was just wonndering b/c I have seen a few older Tacomas used as tow rigs and their tow rating is less than the FJ according to the website...I dont want a truck b/c I will only be towing 2-4 times/year and I dont want to have to deal with the bad gas mileage of the V8 the rest of the time....plus the FJ's are awesome....I know it would not be the "ideal" setup, but just wondering if anyone is doing it....any more opinions?

[unimog12chicks]

I will post some picks later today. I just pulled 5200 lbs 6 hrs one way. I is more stable than my 1/2 ton chevy was and got better gas milage 2. Don't get me wrong it could use a little more power but i have no complants.

PULLED BETTER THAN I EVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BUY FAR

[kcdee00]

awesome!! This thing wouldn't be a tow rig every weekend, just for short trips to Tellico, Harlan, and such......

[snowchucker]

depends on how heavy your 4runner is.

i have an 03 4runner (same motor,etc as the FJ), and it tows pretty well. Have towed an EB, 55 Ford, some VW's, etc.. no problem.
Put my Tacoma on the back once and i thought i was going to die on the road. The suspension sacks out, not enough weight to control it, braking was impossible, etc... (was about 6500-7000lbs w/ trailer).

[unimog12chicks]

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9481/fjtownigta3.jpg

the buggy and trailer equal about 5000 LBS :D

[12_Volt_Dave]

No worries on the tow capabilities. It tows my trail rig just fine. I just towed the rig down to the Hammers from Pollock Pines and back with no issues. I was doing 65+ all the way over the Tehachapi. Same thing on the Fresh Pond grade coming back from the Con'. It may not be a 1/2 ton but it is rated for 5000 lbs. The only thing I would add is some air lift bladders that fit in the rear coils to combat the sag on the rear end. The kit is already out.

[kcdee00]

thanks all, could I get some specs on the trailers too? Weight, axle weight, brand, etc??

[unimog12chicks]

7000 LBS 2 AXLES 3500 LBS each shipping weight on the trailer wasd 1150 lbs

[wgjeep]

Are you guys using the Toyota hitch or aftermarket?

I am buying an FJ that doesn't have a hitch so I am trying to decide what hitch to get.

[12_Volt_Dave]

Are you guys using the Toyota hitch or aftermarket?

I am buying an FJ that doesn't have a hitch so I am trying to decide what hitch to get.

I used the toyota hitch, it's rated for 5000 lbs.
Mine didn't have one when I bought it so I got the dealer to sell me the hitch for cost as part of the deal.

[Terrys_85_Toy]

Hell, I just say a guy flat-tow his '84 4Runner on 36" TSLs this weekend with an Isuzu Rodeo.:eek: Anything is possible I guess. You've just got to be careful and pace yourself.

[12_Volt_Dave]

You've just got to be careful and pace yourself.

two words:

Trailer brakes. :D