Toyota FJ towing Shadow Cruiser 225 RBS

If you want comfort and Toyota get a Tundra double cab small 8 with tow package. Very smooth ride. Too big for a 4Runner. I know I tried a 19ft Airstream. TW 550 Dry 3852 loaded 4500 You are in the Tundra class.

My wife has one. A 4k trailer is pushing it. The engine has plenty of power, but the wheelbase is so short that it makes it no fun to tow. We towed our pontoon boat with it a couple of times, but it was fairly short distances. You would be better off with a 4Runner or a Tundra.

Since you have the trailer already, go get it weighed and find out it's true tongue weight.

Then, figure out if what you typically carry and the tongue weight will be under the FJ's specs.

It all starts with math, IMO.

What comforts does an FJ Cruiser have over any <10 year old pickup? Have you seen some of the features in the LTZ, Denali, Platinum, Laramie trim levels? A pickup won't be as agile off road as the FJ, due to wheelbase.

4200 pounds dry means over the 4700 pounds tow rating when loaded for a long weekend trip. 5000-ish pounds of TT means 500-700 of TW against the 1130 pounds(max) of payload. Verify weight of family and gear.

Towing with any naturally aspirated engine after your experience with the CTD might be painful. Cruisng at 2500-3000rpm with 5000rpm up hills is fine for the engine, but not the mind of many people.

gon2dadawgs wrote:
Firstly who is gonna pack 3115 in a camping trailer!?

My wife!

No way an FJ would do it. I looked into the FJ's a lot too. The wheel base is too short for one. Seccond, you are already maxing out the tow limit. Third, payload is going to be an issue. Forth, big tires with side wall will squat you'll be all over the road.

Not too many people towing 20'+ TTs with an FJ. Sucks, because I wanted one too.

Like the 4 Runners the FJ's do not make good TV's. Stability is the issue. You will need to look at connection systems like the Pro Pride or Hensley no sway hitches.

Thanks for all the thought out replies! Funny cause Tundra was in second place. Time to compare capacities, years, engines....and so on.

Oh yes, going from 165" wheelbase?, DRW, Cummins....gonna be a big change...its the one ton suspension and mechanical (P7100 pump) noisy diesel. 230/605 TST plate, lots of power, but we were pulling 10k.

Michael

you do know that the FJ has a max towing capacity of 5000lbs., right?

and the bogus "dry" weight of the trailer is 4210lbs., which DOES NOT include the weights of "options"(oven, microwave, spare tire, a/c and awning, to name a few), battery, water, propane or cargo.
my HTT had a similar brochure "dry" weight, but its actual weight from the factory, was 400lbs. more than the "dry" weight.

so, as it sits on the dealer lot, it'll weigh over 4500lbs. before you add anything in it.

so, loaded for camping, you'll easily be over the FJ's 5000lbs. max amount.

gon2dadawgs wrote:
Thanks for all the thought out replies! Funny cause Tundra was in second place. Time to compare capacities, years, engines....and so on.

Oh yes, going from 165" wheelbase?, DRW, Cummins....gonna be a big change...its the one ton suspension and mechanical (P7100 pump) noisy diesel. 230/605 TST plate, lots of power, but we were pulling 10k.

Michael

Very happy with my Tundra for both comfort and towing ability.