Here are the results of my test run towing my FJ Cruiser.
This is my opinion of what I did, and it is NOT A RECOMMENDATION.
After extensive studies I confer with Toyota that I too would most definitively publish the FJ Cruiser as not designed to be towed. It is true, it was NOT designed to be towed, but I found that I can tow my manual 6 speed version safely. ..I need to explain that, don’t I?
The problem is, from a manufacturer’s perspective the chances of an owner towing the Cruiser incorrectly is far too likely. They would suffer numerous cases of drive train damage with the owners claiming they towed correctly and would suffer a lightning fast reputation of having a crappy transmission, … (hey, you guys said it could be towed). The answer is to simply state that FJ Cruisers are not designed to be towed. Now, when someone tows one incorrectly they are on their own. This is very wise of Toyota.
Why is it so likely that an owner would tow one incorrectly? Well, in the past we have become accustomed to towing manual transmission 4x4’s with both the diff and the tranny in neutral. This would be disastrous to the drive train of the FJ Crusier… (thus Toyota’s response). Most idiots would read the part that says it can be towed and go do just that… am I right??? .. never bothering to read how because it is a 4x4 that can be towed….. WRONG!!!!
The transfer case differential in the FJ Cruiser is not like those we have used in the past. The transfer differential is locked in HL (high locked), N (neutral), and LL (low locked). This differential is only unlocked (active) when the transfer case’s shift lever is in the H (highway) position. While in the N position the transfer case does not transfer power from the transmission to the drive shafts, BUT the transfer case’s differential is locked, I can not stress this point enough. This means on pavement the gears will bind up if you do not have the transfer case shift lever in the H position… the exact same thing is true while you drive the FJ Cruiser.
I have now towed my manual 6 speed FJ Cruiser for hundreds of miles with zero damage. I am now convinced that the drive train spins and oils just as it would if it were being powered by the engine. While being towed the primary input shaft of the transmission is not spinning but I believe it is being splashed by sling oil from the secondary (output) shaft. Besides, a non spinning shaft does not need to be lubricated my flowing gear grease….. it isn’t doing any work.
I confirmed this oiled theory by stopping and feeling the transfer case, transmission, and rear members often for many miles to see how the heat was handled and spread. During this control group test, they all warmed just the same to the sense of touch as when being powered by the engine. (The pain threshold of touch with the hand is 130°f.) The members never reached a point in which I could not keep my hands on them for several seconds, (the powered and towed results had no recognizable differences). Plus, the transmission warmed from one end to the other and from top to bottom evenly, this can only be done if the oil is being slung by the spinning secondary (output) shaft in gear grease, bathing the entire inside of the transmission.
Clearly, I will flat tow my FJ Cruiser many times in the future and will expect to get slightly less wear (less work load, they are only spinning their own mass) while in tow than while driving the same miles under power.
I do not recommend that anyone tow their FJ Cruiser for the same reasons I believe that Toyota states they are not designed to be towed. You must make your own decision. If you do tow yours you must understand the severe consequences of placing the transfer case in any other than the H position. You get ZERO CHANCES to make a mistake here … not a task to perform with a beer in the other hand.
To my knowledge the only way to tow ANY automatic transmission powered FJ Cruiser is to have “quick disconnects” installed on the drive shafts, or to remove the drive shafts.
Also, realize, in nearly all states you will be required to have a brake away system to lock the brakes if the tow bar separates. …and …in nearly all states you must have a method that will apply the brakes of the FJ Cruiser if your towing vehicle makes a hard stop.
Now, do you blame Toyota for stating that the FJ Cruiser is not designed to be towed???
I most certainly would have done the same!!!!! AND.. it was NOT designed to be towed, or the transfer case would unlock the differential while the shift lever is in the neutral position.
..added in... when being towed with the key in the acc position to unlock steering, the Odometer did not registor milage.