Towing Travel Trailer

[jkennedy]

I have a 21 ft outback travel trailer (dry 4300 lbs). I am looking at getting an FJ but need to make sure it will pull the trailer ok. The dealer is letting me hook up a demo to my trailer next week and see how it feels...I have already sold my wife on the FJ (miracle). Somebody please tell me the FJ will pull my trailer ok...I currently drive a 2002 nissan frontier crewcab sc...not quite enough power up hills...anyone have experience towing with the fj?

[mojodog7]

Not sure on this one, but I think the OEM hitch receiver is rated Class III. These numbers are from an FJ spec sheet.

TOWING AND VEHICLE MASS (lbs.)
Curb Weight: 4050 (2WD) | 4290 (4WD M/T) | 4295 (4WD A/T)
GVWR: 5330 (2WD) | 5570 (4WD)
Payload: 1325
Maximum Trailer Weight: 5000
Maximum Tongue Weight: 500
Gross Combined Weight Rating: 9200 (2WD) | 9500 (4WD)

Looks like you may be good to go.

[XLR8R]

I am an rv'er. I'd never tow a 4300 pound (dry) trailer with the FJ. The most I would tow with my FJC would be 3000lbs loaded/wet. Maybe 4000 max. Don't do it!

[ZFJCruiser]

You would need to purchase anti-sway equipment for the trailer. A brake controller is a must! I have a 3240 lb 18' & other than poor gas mileage, no problems. Your trailer is heavier - move forward with the demo test & let us know how it performed.

[Scottg918514]

Your answer is here. Go for it.

Towing Assessment

[Blue Cayouse]

XLR8R previously said:

I am an rv'er. I'd never tow a 4300 pound (dry) trailer with the FJ. The most I would tow with my FJC would be 3000lbs loaded/wet. Maybe 4000 max. Don't do it!

Agree.
I also have towed for over 20 years many different rv trailers xcountry. I think auto companies rate towing by having the trailer push the vehicles downhill. Now if you lived somewhere flat like Florida, maybe. Remember it is not only engine size but also your transmission and your rear end ratios that are equally important in determining towing ability. I would go to the library and look up past issues of Trailer Life.They used to rate tow vehicles. Even some big V8s now have auto rather than truck trannys in order to get better milage so do your homework rather then listen to an auto
salesperson who may have never towed anything in their life and just wants to make a sale.

[Blue Cayouse]

Scottg918514 previously said:

Your answer is here. Go for it.

Towing Assessment

That is also a boat they are hauling. TT's have different issues....for one a whole lot more wind resistance.

[SilverStreak]

Check out the Consumer Reports reviews, the FJ was 3rd quickest or so to 60mph with a 5000lbs trailer.

[mellow-yellow]

A vehicle can tow a lot more then you would think, the question is can it do it on a rain slick road thru a curve on a windy day downhill? Or, can you stop it at 65+ in a heck of a hurry without losing control? The shorter the wheel base, the more it can push you around. Not every stop is on a perfect surface, in a straight line, with room to maneuver and with plenty of warning. I have a 1976 26' Argosy (painted Airstream) that is about 4000lb. The ads show it being pulled by a bicycle. That doesn’t mean I would consider pulling it with my FJC. (by the way, the Argosy is for sale)

[jkennedy]

Alright - thanks for everyones responses. The dealer let me take an FJ (Canadian C Package)for a test run this weekend to see if how it performs while towing an RV trailer.

First of all my trailer weighed in at ~ 4500lbs full (used a landfill scale).
I used a weight distribution hitch, sway bars etc. to hook up to the trailer.

With sensible trailer towing driving the FJ handled great! I drove up and down some long, steep hills, and wanted to make sure it felt ok. I even let an experienced RVer take it for a test drive and he was pleasantly surprised and very impressed with the power! He also said it handled great. The dealer confirmed that he has towed his boat on a regular basis, and had no problem (large - 4300 lbs).

I know a Tundra or even a Tacoma will pull the trailer better than the FJ. If I was using my trailer every weekend, and regularly taking it long distances...I would probably get a Tacoma...my recreational use is perfect for the FJ. After driving for the weekend, I now have to get one! My wife has even flipped and now loves it!

We don't have great options up here in Canada...only the A, B, and C packages...My wife is American...may look at somehow buying one down in Washington through her dad...damn import duty....