Land Cruiser for towing?

[Damdifino]

I'm seriously looking at a late-model Toyota Land Cruiser to tow my 22 foot Arctic Fox. The trailer has a GVWR of 7500 lbs, but I doubt if I'll exceed 7000 lbs, with a hitch weight of about 750 lbs when fully loaded. That's well within specs for the Land Cruiser, but I'm looking for anyone with real-world experience with this kind of setup. How does the LC take to a weight distribution hitch? How does the LC "active suspension" factor in? I realize the LC is a fairly exotic vehicle, but I'm hoping someone can help.

[Fordlover]

Damdifino wrote:
I'm seriously looking at a late-model Toyota Land Cruiser to tow my 22 foot Arctic Fox. The trailer has a GVWR of 7500 lbs, but I doubt if I'll exceed 7000 lbs, with a hitch weight of about 750 lbs when fully loaded. That's well within specs for the Land Cruiser, but I'm looking for anyone with real-world experience with this kind of setup. How does the LC take to a weight distribution hitch? How does the LC "active suspension" factor in? I realize the LC is a fairly exotic vehicle, but I'm hoping someone can help.

I've been pleased with my setup (in the sig) My TT weighs in around 5,600 loaded up. My biggest concern is the tongue weight, as I'm right at my limit of 700 lbs. and can never load anything in the SUV. These modern SUV's are very capable when used within their limitations.

[APT]

Watch the payload and receiver ratings. Half ton SUVs (and pickups) can have pretty low payloads, and loaded up ones even less.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi and CRD limits are about 7000 pounds. Also check out the VW Touareg TDI, 2011+ it what I recommend.

[jspringator]

I didn't know that. How much can a 07-08 diesel Grand Cherokee tow? That may be worth an ebay search.

[Hammerhead]

VW, Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Jeep sell diesel-powered SUVs in America. In 2007-2008 Jeep also sold a diesel Grand Cherokee in the 45 states that don't use California emission standards.

Damdifino wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:

We get a V8 Diesel Land Cruiser that will easily to that.

Sigh. You Aussies can get the diesel, whereas our benevolent government won't permit us to have it in the States. Still, the 5.7L V8 gasser has plenty of tug power. I'm more worried about how the suspension behaves under that kind of load, and you've helped assuage my concern there.

[RobertRyan]

Damdifino wrote:
I'm more worried about how the suspension behaves under that kind of load, and you've helped assuage my concern there.

Not a problem with that. Normal load for a V8Diesel LC.

[rjstractor]

Those Arctic Fox trailers are HEAVY, but if you have the 5.7 V8 and can manage tongue weight/payload it should handle it well.

[bmanning]

Since you said late model I assume you're looking for a 200 series, which'll have the 5.7L V8 & 6-speed Automatic.

I have a 100 series (my 2nd, and had an 80 series in the past) and the single thing I like best about Land Cruisers is their rock-solid feel. I'm not convinced that there's a better put-together vehicle out there, yes including everyone's beloved 3/4 and 1-tons. My 99 with nearly 160k miles is, literally, squeak and rattle free, which is pretty amazing.

Without knowing, I'd think the 200 would be a great tow vehicle within reason, keeping in mind you're using an SUV that doesn't have the wheelbase and width that a longbed pickup boasts.

[Damdifino]

RobertRyan wrote:

We get a V8 Diesel Land Cruiser that will easily to that.

Sigh. You Aussies can get the diesel, whereas our benevolent government won't permit us to have it in the States. Still, the 5.7L V8 gasser has plenty of tug power. I'm more worried about how the suspension behaves under that kind of load, and you've helped assuage my concern there.

[RobertRyan]

Damdifino wrote:
I'm seriously looking at a late-model Toyota Land Cruiser to tow my 22 foot Arctic Fox. The trailer has a GVWR of 7500 lbs, but I doubt if I'll exceed 7000 lbs, with a hitch weight of about 750 lbs when fully loaded.

We get a V8 Diesel Land Cruiser that will easily to that.

[hbillsmith]

My 2010 Mercedes GL450 with the Anderson tows my Kodiac 242RESL just fine. TV is rated 7500#, 600# hitch weight. Kodiac is 5100# dry, 520# hitch. Scales when traveling are 5800#, 600# hitch. TV engine is 320hp V8, 6 speed auto tran. Tow pkg includes self leveling airbags. Anderson throws 150# to front axle and 225 back to trailer. I use a prodigy wireless brake controller.

[donn0128]

Won't be happy. Towed a 19B with a Tahoe and it had to work to do it.