Towing with an FJ Cruiser

[jkust]

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.

Funny these are the reasons I will only buy used, American. High quality, very dependable and very low resale. Still waiting for something to go wrong on my 1997 or my 2000 American vehicles. If I was the type of person to buy new, I would look at foreign because of the higher resale but I agree resale on American is really atrocious. It is interesting that we really can't have a similar conversation for boat hulls.

 

[TBTOsterman]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

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!

The FJ has plenty of power to pull your 3200lbs - and yes, you will get pushed around a little.

I have an 08 FJ and often pull my 20' Caravelle around town and on short highway trips. The FJ has plenty of power but you will feel the push and pull of your boat. I also own a Nissan Armada and primarily use it for the 70 mile trips to the lake. If I didn't have the Armada, the FJ would be just fine.

If you want a good place for info, check out fjcruiserforums.com. There are pages of great help including many threads on towing.

Feel free to send a PM and will give you all the ups and (few) downs to the FJ's.

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Years ago I towed my 18' MFG with my CJ7. It actually handled better with the little tandem axle trailer behind it than without it.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

Talking about resale value and trading a car in shouldnt even be in the same sentance, evenyone knows dealers compensate customers horribly for trade in's.
130k miles, problems and quality all in the same post as well.

Keep reading consumer reports and basing opinions on a diesel moldsmobile you drove 27 years ago.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

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.

To Detroit you said???
Probably it goes in extravagant bonuses to some executive and from there to a company mailbox in the Kayman Islands at which point not only are there no taxes paid but federal bailout out money will accompany the profits to the Kayman Islands as well.
Are you going to buy the cars that GMC is planning to build in China and then import to the USA? Oh by the way,the production lines in China will be build with ,you guessed it,federal bailout money.

 

[dnifedem85]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

When I said "problems" I meant items like the starter, timing belt, antenna motor, paint wear, etc. I the truck were made by the Big 3 problems would include transmission, drivetrain issues, expensive engine repair which require many hours with the mechanic. Major issues like those.

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

When I said "problems" I meant items like the starter, timing belt, antenna motor, paint wear, etc. I the truck were made by the Big 3 problems would include transmission, drivetrain issues, expensive engine repair which require many hours with the mechanic. Major issues like those.

I would have to classify your timing belt problem as an expensive engine repair, not a minor problem.

Other than normal maintenance items like, brakes, shocks, tires, batteries, light bulbs etc. Here's how my big 3 vehicles have held up.

My last truck, a Dodge Dakota had 159K when I traded it in. The only repairs were a water pump and U-joints.

My current Ford F250 with 129K has had a new U-joint, a fan belt and idler pulley.

My wife's last vehicle, a Ford Explorer had 149K when it was totaled. It had U-joints replaced. Her current Explorer with 70K has only had 2 EGR valve components replaced and a new head light switch.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Towing with an FJ Cruiser

I think you will be fine,
the short wheelbase makes things a bit different but after a bit you get used to it. I tow with a two door GMC Jimmy(not the K5) It may jerk a bit and on backing up you have to make more course corrections but it works fine.
Good luck with the FJ. I think they are cool.