FJ's can't tow???

Rsivley [OP] · 12-26-2012, 12:55 PM

Please forgive my rant and banter...

I'm kind of getting sick and tired of people putting down the FJ's ability to tow....
I know it's not the best , it's not a V8 , it's not designed for towing etc...

Just saw like my 5th post where people put down the FJ's towing ability on this forum. I tow around my 22' Bayliner Capri Cuddy Cabin 3,200 lbs. with no problem what so ever. I pulled a Uhaul trailer to WTF FULL of camping gear , and pulled my buddy's 2012 Duelly out of the mud and all the way home with a tow strap....

For a vehicle that can't tow , it sure does an awfully impressive job!

Pics can be supplied to anyone who would doubt but others who know me know better.

jtmroczk · 12-26-2012, 01:30 PM

I agree.

I've towed a couple car and trailer combos at almost 6,000lbs with both by 4x2 and now my full time 4x4 6MT. Tongue weight and driving style go a long way.

Rsivley [OP] · 12-26-2012, 01:38 PM

Sorry if I sounded a lil ugly I just hate seeing people say:

"Get a 4 Runner cause the FJ won't tow Crap"
Or I was going to get an FJ but the under powered V6 and weak tow package.etc...

Makes me wounder if people are considering pulling the NASA shuttle or something. I wouldn't try pulling a 50' RV or a 28' Trailer filled with Construction material but for your everyday towing / pulling I have NEVER had a complaint with mine.

Rsivley [OP] · 12-26-2012, 01:40 PM

Also wounder why this isn't showing in active topics....

**skersfan** · 12-26-2012, 05:16 PM

It is not a horsepower problem, it is a heigth/stopping problem. That is the reason for the restrictive numbers. Safety issue with the government.

I tow a trailer about every weekend, sometimes through the week. It weighs in at about 2400 pounds, and in honesty is about as heavy as I would ever want to go. I do have a 3 inch lift, long travel suspension and 35's. A stocker would be much better for towing no question, but most of do not have stockers any longer. The more modified it gets the less tow worthy it becomes.

The main problem with the FJ is emergency lane change with a 5000 pound trailer. It most likely is not going to get stopped or turned with out it flipping on its side. Have seen it happen once, front tire basically popped off the wheel from turn and braking with the trailer tires locked up and slidding like a sled.

Under most conditions you are fine, just the worst times is when it shows its ugly little tendancies.

**Dave(man)** · 12-26-2012, 06:02 PM

i just towed my sister-in-law's Cadillac CST about 10 miles of city streets (tons of stop lights) with her parking brake on (found out when i went to push it up the driveway) with a towstrap no sweat!!

Banana Boat · 12-27-2012, 01:03 PM

I've had people tell me the same thing, funny thing is none of them even drive an FJ. The guy who told me my FJ was worthless for towing, I had to tow out of a ditch he got his Titan high centered in, and then back home. I also regularly tow a 20 foot chaparral ski boat. I get a few downshifts on hills, but I'm also rolling on 33"s with a smallish lift.
I think a lot of people just love to hate the FJ, most don't know anything about it, or have very liittle experience with one.

sinerasis · 12-27-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

skersfan previously said:

It is not a horsepower problem, it is a heigth/stopping problem. That is the reason for the restrictive numbers. Safety issue with the government.

I tow a trailer about every weekend, sometimes through the week. It weighs in at about 2400 pounds, and in honesty is about as heavy as I would ever want to go. I do have a 3 inch lift, long travel suspension and 35's. A stocker would be much better for towing no question, but most of do not have stockers any longer. The more modified it gets the less tow worthy it becomes.

The main problem with the FJ is emergency lane change with a 5000 pound trailer. It most likely is not going to get stopped or turned with out it flipping on its side. Have seen it happen once, front tire basically popped off the wheel from turn and braking with the trailer tires locked up and slidding like a sled.

Under most conditions you are fine, just the worst times is when it shows its ugly little tendancies.

Listen to this man. For lighter loads it's fine.

Start getting to the 5k limit or more and you'd quickly know how much it sucks if you've ever towed with a regular truck. It's night and day.

tallabe · 12-27-2012, 03:51 PM

I was in flagstaff as for Christmas and a guy got his awd suburban stuck in like two feet of snow... One tow strap and 4 wheel drive and I pulled him out... Like it was nothing... The fj is a beast... Don't let anyone think otherwise....

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Rsivley [OP] · 12-27-2012, 04:00 PM

Also trying to conider what you have to tow to hit 5k lb limit...
2 X people talking about pulling 20' + boats no problem
3 X people tow strapping larger heavier cars no problem

Home Depot build a house kit??? Not planning on buying one or needing a truck for that ( if I did Id just rent there truck for $25 and tear it up )

Still trying to picture a 5k lb load and who needs to tow something like that regularly. If you needed a truck for the most common things ( towing another car , truck , suv , uhaul trailer , or materials from home depot ) the FJ does just fine. If you are trying to pull a 50' Sailboat you wouldn't have bought an FJ to tow it with in the first place....

*** Granted I did just tow dolley a buddies F350 and it was a HUGE pain. That's not the weight of his truck ( FJ pulled it like nothing ) it was that the tongue was trying to lift off my reciever. 2 wheel "dolly" style trailers really aren't designed for vehicles that size.