Towing with an FJ

4Runner4Christ · 02-07-2007, 06:33 AM

I am considering the FJ as my next vehicle (Automatic Tranny, 4WD). How does the FJ compare to a 3rd Gen 4Runner when it comes to towing? My 3rd Gen serves any occasional light towing needs that I have well and I am hoping that the FJ does at least as well. Even though both have a towing rating of about 5000lbs I am guessing the FJ would do slightly better than the 4Runner as there is more power. Thanks for any input!

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***Corey*** · 02-07-2007, 07:10 AM

Shoot member WillsFJC a PM.

He tows a racecar trailer and racer with his FJ Cruiser, and he has mentioned to me it pulls it with ease and he can hardly tell it is on there.

KD7NAC_07FJ · 02-07-2007, 10:20 AM

I tow my sled/trailer and my friends double with 2 and sometimes 3 sleds.

My little single trailer and sled I keep looking in the mirror to see if it's still there because I can't tell it's back there at all but it's only about 1200lbs.

The double is about 2500 lbs with the 2 sleds and just over 3k with all three. The only time notice it is when I go over a big bump and it bumps back. Don't notice it on the road at all with exception of the steep part of the pass. I have to shift out of 6th but my friends old Tahoe barely topped out at 50 with the same load and it was a V8.

I have no complaints about my FJ's towing capability.

4Runner4Christ · 02-07-2007, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the info...I figured it would do a pretty decent job. The only worry I had was with the length of the wheelbase. The FJ looks shorter than a 3rd Gen so I was wondering if the size of the FJ made towing unpractical. I'll probably tow a few motorcycles with it one day and wanted to make sure it was up to it.

***Corey*** · 02-07-2007, 03:54 PM

The FJ Trails teams have been hauling their gear trailers all over the country.

The wheel base should be the same as the 4th gen, same frame, but the body is shorter by 6" I think.

KD7NAC_07FJ · 02-07-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Runner4Christ

Thanks for the info...I figured it would do a pretty decent job. The only worry I had was with the length of the wheelbase. The FJ looks shorter than a 3rd Gen so I was wondering if the size of the FJ made towing unpractical. I'll probably tow a few motorcycles with it one day and wanted to make sure it was up to it.

It is way easier to manuver then my suburban

Espically backing up.

sbechtold · 02-07-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corey

The wheel base should be the same as the 4th gen, same frame, but the body is shorter by 6" I think.

The FJC wheelbase is 4" shorter.

FJC = 105.9"
4Runner = 109.8"

I have a 4800# boat and did a little towing test with the FJC. IMO, 4800# is too much for the FJC. Stopping was no fun even with 4 wheel disc on the trailer. At speed it's like the tail wagging the dog down the freeway. I have a 3/4 ton Chevy tow vehicle, so my FJC will see little if any towing time. I personally would not want to tow anything over about 3500-4000# for any distance with my FJC. But, then again I'm used to towing with my truck so I may be a little biased towards a larger tow vehicle.

DEWFPO · 02-07-2007, 06:07 PM

Is the 4800# both the boat and trailer? Were you using a brake controller?

DEWFPO

sbechtold · 02-07-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEWFPO

Is the 4800# both the boat and trailer? Were you using a brake controller?

DEWFPO

4800# was the boat, trailer and gear. The trailer has tongue activated hydraulic brakes with 4-wheel disc brakes.

rasta4x4usa · 03-12-2008, 09:37 AM

Have you guys seen the winch mount on www.rasta4x4usa.com? they have an internal winch mount.

toyo22r · 03-12-2008, 11:25 AM

I just noticed this is an old post... but i'll add my 2 pennies anyways. I tow a ski boat with tandem axle trailer... boat and trailer together weigh 5200lbs. I know because i live close to a quarry with a scale that is operational when they are closed... It has surge brakes but the master cylinder was bad when i bought it and just havent replaced it yet. So i tow it as is and have no problems stopping it. I attribute this to the 4 massive disc brakes on the FJ. Pulling it, i have no issues either. I normally pull it about 60mph, but have gone up around 70 in the passing lane with no problems... my old 4Runner (3.0) struggled like hell pulling 3000lbs at 60mph...

TFJ-4runner · 03-12-2008, 12:05 PM

My friend pulled my 95 240sx with his FJ. We used a Uhaul trailer. I was going to pull it with my 2000 4runner but they said it wasn't able to. He pulled it with no problems. There trailers are 1500 lbs.

raymondkruse@npimari · 06-09-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyo22r

I just noticed this is an old post... but i'll add my 2 pennies anyways. I tow a ski boat with tandem axle trailer... boat and trailer together weigh 5200lbs. I know because i live close to a quarry with a scale that is operational when they are closed... It has surge brakes but the master cylinder was bad when i bought it and just havent replaced it yet. So i tow it as is and have no problems stopping it. I attribute this to the 4 massive disc brakes on the FJ. Pulling it, i have no issues either. I normally pull it about 60mph, but have gone up around 70 in the passing lane with no problems... my old 4Runner (3.0) struggled like hell pulling 3000lbs at 60mph...

Hi, I am putting a hitch on my FJ. It did not come with one and i am concerned weather or not i will need a transmission cooler or can i just get towing?

DominicG · 06-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I flat towed a 2600lb vw bug about 100 miles.. I honestly forgot it was back there a few times.

vwfastg60 · 09-23-2009, 03:46 AM

Towed my frame and trailer 160 miles @ 75 in colorado and i didnt even notice it.

02-07-2007, 07:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Shoot member WillsFJC a PM. He tows a racecar trailer and racer with his FJ Cruiser, and he has mentioned to me it pulls it with ease and he can hardly tell it is on there. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

02-07-2007, 03:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
4Runner4Christ Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Midwest Posts: 401	Thanks for the info...I figured it would do a pretty decent job. The only worry I had was with the length of the wheelbase. The FJ looks shorter than a 3rd Gen so I was wondering if the size of the FJ made towing unpractical. I'll probably tow a few motorcycles with it one day and wanted to make sure it was up to it. __________________ Black 99 4Runner 4WD . Mods: 1" Cornfed lift with LT265-75 AT's, Deckplate mod, Rear Diff Breather mod, 100% Amsoil, FIAMM horn mod, Husky's, '01 taillight mod, & others. <>< Got Eternity?

02-07-2007, 03:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	The FJ Trails teams have been hauling their gear trailers all over the country. The wheel base should be the same as the 4th gen, same frame, but the body is shorter by 6" I think. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

03-12-2008, 12:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
TFJ-4runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Newnan, GA - Stillwater, OK Posts: 499	My friend pulled my 95 240sx with his FJ. We used a Uhaul trailer. I was going to pull it with my 2000 4runner but they said it wasn't able to. He pulled it with no problems. There trailers are 1500 lbs. __________________ "If you refuse to stand behind our troops, then please...by all means feel free to stand in front of them." 1994 Toyota 4runner 4X4-

09-23-2009, 03:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
vwfastg60 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Longmont Colorado Posts: 725	Towed my frame and trailer 160 miles @ 75 in colorado and i didnt even notice it. __________________ 87 longbed, 3rz, tacoma dash, bobbed, SAS'ed, gears and more. My build----HERE More web wheeling- Just getting started so come join us Asphaltsux

02-07-2007, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
KD7NAC_07FJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Everett Posts: 285	I tow my sled/trailer and my friends double with 2 and sometimes 3 sleds. My little single trailer and sled I keep looking in the mirror to see if it's still there because I can't tell it's back there at all but it's only about 1200lbs. The double is about 2500 lbs with the 2 sleds and just over 3k with all three. The only time notice it is when I go over a big bump and it bumps back. Don't notice it on the road at all with exception of the steep part of the pass. I have to shift out of 6th but my friends old Tahoe barely topped out at 50 with the same load and it was a V8. I have no complaints about my FJ's towing capability.

02-07-2007, 06:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
DEWFPO Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 27	Is the 4800# both the boat and trailer? Were you using a brake controller? DEWFPO

03-12-2008, 09:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
rasta4x4usa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	Have you guys seen the winch mount on www.rasta4x4usa.com? they have an internal winch mount.

03-12-2008, 11:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
toyo22r Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Missouri Posts: 81	I just noticed this is an old post... but i'll add my 2 pennies anyways. I tow a ski boat with tandem axle trailer... boat and trailer together weigh 5200lbs. I know because i live close to a quarry with a scale that is operational when they are closed... It has surge brakes but the master cylinder was bad when i bought it and just havent replaced it yet. So i tow it as is and have no problems stopping it. I attribute this to the 4 massive disc brakes on the FJ. Pulling it, i have no issues either. I normally pull it about 60mph, but have gone up around 70 in the passing lane with no problems... my old 4Runner (3.0) struggled like hell pulling 3000lbs at 60mph...

06-10-2008, 01:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
DominicG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: orange county, CA Posts: 5	I flat towed a 2600lb vw bug about 100 miles.. I honestly forgot it was back there a few times.

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