Towing with an FJ Cruiser

[dnifedem85]

I am about to trade my 4Runner in for an FJ Cruiser. The tow rating for the FJ is 5,000 pounds. The wheelbase for the FJ seems kind of short. Does anyone have any experience towing with an FJ Cruiser? I am worried I may get pushed around a bit with the FJ's short wheel base. My boat, trailer, motor and tank of gas weigh in at 3,260 lbs. total. Thanks for any help!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I tow a 15-foot aluminum runabout with a Suzuki Grand Vitara...which is a short wheelbase. Takes some getting used to...on cornering and backing the rig...otherwise okay. Your FJ should be okay. Check your overall visibility for blind spots.

 

[salty87]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

i've only driven an FJ a few times, wouldn't want to own one and def wouldn't want to tow with one. it's like a cave, windows are small and in weird places.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I am about to trade my 4Runner in for an FJ Cruiser.

Sorry, but I can't resist asking why you're trading your 4Runner for an FJ? Our 4Runner has been marvelous. I'm sure there's a good reason; just curious.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

It will handle the load fine. I drove one with a heavy enclosed box trailer when I worked at a Toyota dealer...... you really do have to get used to the blind spots...... plenty of power. Yes my wife drives a 4runner now and I enjoy that.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Short things make terrible tow vehicles. IMO factory tow ratings are based on advertising and total crap. I have Explorer Sport that is rated to tow like 5200lbs and with 4000lb back there it makes you want to crap your pants. Horrid tow vehicle for alot of reasons but top of the list is because it is too short wheelbase.

Keep the 4 runner.

 

[dnifedem85]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Sorry, but I can't resist asking why you're trading your 4Runner for an FJ? Our 4Runner has been marvelous. I'm sure there's a good reason; just curious.

I really like my 4Runner and that is why I am buying another Toyota. The 4Runner is a 1999 and is starting to have small things go wrong and has 130,000 miles. Thought about getting a Tacoma instead, but want something that has some interior storage. I also want something that will handle some rough terrain, and that is why I am not getting another 4Runner. Plus, I want a change in vehicles. If I get another 4Runner it would be more of the same.

I have heard from other FJ owners online that the blinds spot will go away with some convex mirrors.

Thanks for you opinions! Any other foreign vehicles I should consider before I buy the FJ?

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

"Thanks for you opinions! Any other foreign vehicles I should consider before I buy the FJ?"
Why must you buy a foreign vehical?

 

[dnifedem85]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

"Thanks for you opinions! Any other foreign vehicles I should consider before I buy the FJ?"
Why must you buy a foreign vehical?

I know what I am about to say will cause turmoil, but I will say it anyways. I only buy foreign because of quality, resale value and dependability. Every American car/truck from the Big 3 that I have owned has been horrible in all three of the above categories. I sold Chevy, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep while in college and would not like to own any of them. The only time I would ever buy from one of the Big 3 is if I needed a big truck to do some serious hauling, but I don't see that in my future.

Lastly, many of the foreign car companies now-a-days have more cars built in America than what is built by the Big 3 (Fords are built in Mexico). Many of the components for the Big 3 are not American made too.

Okay, I am done with my rant.

 

[skargo]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

You do know the running gear in a 4runner, and an FJcruiser are virtually identical, and a 4runner can go anywhere an FJC can go, right?

 

[Ficht Guy]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I know what I am about to say will cause turmoil, but I will say it anyways. I only buy foreign because of quality, resale value and dependability. Every American car/truck from the Big 3 that I have owned has been horrible in all three of the above categories. I sold Chevy, Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep while in college and would not like to own any of them. The only time I would ever buy from one of the Big 3 is if I needed a big truck to do some serious hauling, but I don't see that in my future.

Lastly, many of the foreign car companies now-a-days have more cars built in America than what is built by the Big 3 (Fords are built in Mexico). Many of the components for the Big 3 are not American made too.

Okay, I am done with my rant.

Even if our cars are built elsewhere the profits still come to detroit. Same thing with the foreign cars (toyota & such) which are built in the USA, profits still go to Japan and what not.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

well I don't know what dnifedem85 does for a living but we know a unemployed American auto worker wont be buying his companies product or services. And hopefully that unemployment wont spread to his business. Or paying taxes, just will have to draw more benefits from unemployment and government subsidy while we all struggle to recover this economy.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Lastly, many of the foreign car companies now-a-days have more cars built in America than what is built by the Big 3 (Fords are built in Mexico). Many of the components for the Big 3 are not American made too.

Plus, I want a change in vehicles. If I get another 4Runner it would be more of the same.

I know for a fact the 4Runner is 100% contented and built in Japan. Not sure about the FJ Cruiser, but it might be the same.

The 4Runner is on its 4th generation and is quite different than the '99 you own now. The rear seat folds almost flat, so there is lots of storage potential. The rear pillars have convex mirrors on them to help when backing out of parking stalls, and the ride comfort has been improved dramatically (everyone who rides in ours comments on the fabulous ride).

We bought our 4Runner in November of '08. It was built in August of '08 when the value of the dollar was about 127 yen. By November it had fallen to 118. As of this writing a dollar gets you only 95 yen. I don't think they've raised the price of 4Runners for '09, so if you're in the market for new you might be getting at least a 20% discount from 2008 just on the currency trade. The same would be true for the FJ if indeed it is also 100% contented and built in Japan. -Ken

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I towed a Kawasaki Teryx with an FJ many times last year. The ride was ridiculous and you never felt very safe. But it did have the power to move it.
The FJ has way more off-road ability than a Tacoma or 4Runner, way more. I used to work for a land developing company and we had 4Runners, Tacoma?s, F150's, Suburban?s and FJ's they were all 4 wheel drive. The FJ was so much better in the mud that I would not even say the other vehicles even came close to matching it. We drove them off-road every day in all sorts of conditions.
I?m the opposite when it came time to buy a new vehicle. When my wife?s Nissan Titan was ready to be traded in, we agreed we would only buy American. The GMC we bought does everything the Titan did but better and more quietly (the Titan would get thrashy sounding when pulling 7000lb loads).
For the price of a nice FJ you could buy a full size truck. A truck is so versatile, one day you can haul a load of manure the next day tow a trailer or take the kids to school. Once you own a full-size truck everything else will feel inadequate (I?m talking about full size trucks not the little trucklets).

 

[skargo]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I towed a Kawasaki Teryx with an FJ many times last year. The ride was ridiculous and you never felt very safe. But it did have the power to move it.
The FJ has way more off-road ability than a Tacoma or 4Runner, way more. I used to work for a land developing company and we had 4Runners, Tacoma?s, F150's, Suburban?s and FJ's they were all 4 wheel drive. The FJ was so much better in the mud that I would not even say the other vehicles even came close to matching it. We drove them off-road every day in all sorts of conditions.
I?m the opposite when it came time to buy a new vehicle. When my wife?s Nissan Titan was ready to be traded in, we agreed we would only buy American. The GMC we bought does everything the Titan did but better and more quietly (the Titan would get thrashy sounding when pulling 7000lb loads).
For the price of a nice FJ you could buy a full size truck. A truck is so versatile, one day you can haul a load of manure the next day tow a trailer or take the kids to school. Once you own a full-size truck everything else will feel inadequate (I?m talking about full size trucks not the little trucklets).

There is NO difference in offroad ability, believe me, I know. I rock crawl with a REAL FJ, and old FJ40.
The drivetrains are IDENTICAL.

Here's my real off road rig. LT1 powere, full hdro steering, 3 links suspension etc.
I laugh when FJcuisers with lift kits tr and hang with us.

 

[sportsmanphil]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Dont know what kind of terrain you will be in (mountains/coast) but weight wise you will be fine.

The most important thing is that the boat/weight is loaded right. With a short wheelbase and too much tongue weight, it will lighten the load on the front wheels too much, which is about 70% of your braking power.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

SKARGO,
Drivetrains might be the same but wheelbase and weight are different. We have had them in the field at the same time, and there is a difference. Toyotas goal was to make the new FJ the most capable off-road vehicle in the market (even the Wrangler). Unless you know something Toyota engineers did not know, I would say you are missing something.
BTW, thats a nice rig in that picture.

 

[skargo]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

SKARGO,
Drivetrains might be the same but wheelbase and weight are different. We have had them in the field at the same time, and there is a difference. Toyotas goal was to make the new FJ the most capable off-road vehicle in the market (even the Wrangler). Unless you know something Toyota engineers did not know, I would say you are missing something.
BTW, thats a nice rig in that picture.

As an active offroader, I do know a thing or two. The FJC can't be as capable as a wrangler for the simple fact it has IFS, and the wrangler has a solid front axle.

Yes, the runner and taco have a longer wheelbase, that makes them better than the FJC at climbing. The FJC is better at tight trails. To say they are WAY better one way or the other doesn't make sense as the drivetrain is identical, besides WB and maybe a slight weight diff.
Toy enginers knew there are many trendy people and they would sell a ton of FJCs, ala new beetle, new mustang, mini cooper, challenger, camaro, etc

Thanks for the compliment, I've had this rig for 7 years, it replaced my old tacoma, seen here. Back in my muddin days. Talk about a long wb, this was 122".

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Skargo,
As far as I know IFS is only a drawback if you rock crawl and need the articulation. For mud its better to not have the front diff dragging thru the mud. If IFS was a drawback the military would not have used the Humvee (independent front and back).
We will just agree to disagree.
I myself do some off-roading for fun and like I said I use to get paid to go off-road. My current machine is a 93 full size Bronco (the official Jeep recovery unit) with a 4" lift lockers and some cheap mud tires. I picked up a second Bronco that?s going to get solid front and rear 9" diffs (8.8s stink) and 44" tires and a bunch of other things that will not let it be street legal.

 

[skargo]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I hear ya, my FJ40 hasn't been street legal in years! I tow it everywhere.