25' Safari, FJ Cuiser combo

[Joyce and Jim]

Re: FJ Cuiser/Safari 25' combo. Because we have not yet picked up the 25' Airstream, we are considering going one size down to 23' International. It decreases our weight to pull somewhat but we are still nervous that we are playing with #'s that are a bit tight for safety.
Thanks for your comments are they a helping a lot.

[Joyce and Jim]

As I stated before, we have made a mistake in research and by mistake bought an FJ Cruiser to tow a 25' Safari on which we have a deposit. On to plan two - could we safely tow a 23' International? We really wanted the larger trailer, but the car is new off the lot, so we are in a bind. We just want to be safe.

Thanks from JOyce

[moosetags]

You're still somewhat marginal, even with a 23 footer hooked to the FJ Cruiser. The 23 will probably go over 5000# when road ready. That's still out of my comfort zone (see my post in your other string).

By the way, are you considering buying the 23 footer from the same idiot who told you that you can easily tow a 7500# Airstream with a short wheelbased vehicle that is factory rated to tow a maximum of 5000#?

Brian

[CanoeStream]

I'm inferring a question based on your previous post. Cute and hunky as it may look (in a midsized kind of way), I suspect a FJ Cruiser would feel maxxed out pulling a good size popup camper. I must go back to a post yesterday:

Originally Posted by moosetags

I just went on toyota.com and found the the max towing capacity for an FJ Cruiser is 5000#. The prevailing wisdom is not to exceed 80% of the manufacuters limit. Therefore, an FJ Cruiser would be comfortable towing 4000# or less. Unfortunately, a late model 25' Airstream loaded for travel will be somewhere around 7500#. That's not a TT/TV combo that I would want to take on a long trip. The FJ is also a fairly short wheelbased vehicle, which will only serve to add to the drama.

A 23' International is still 4695#. And that's without weight distribution gear installed on the A-frame. And without LP in the tanks. Without any personal bedding, clothes or kitchenware aboard. Food? How about a bag of crisps?

See http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search for other discussions of FJ Cruisers at AIR Forums. Unless a 16' or 19' won't work for you I feel you'd want a bigger tow vehicle in the big hilly west. Many normally recommend that one select the Airstream they want, and then really get a tow vehicle that works for it. I really do wish you well in working through your current fix.

[rickandsandi]

I know you have been getting a lot of bad news about towing with the FJ but numbers don't lie! We are towing our 22' Safari with a Tahoe 5.3 with the HD towing package and more than once I have felt under powered. Of course we have traveled over 15K and then some from the east coast up and down out to Yellowstone over the Rockies and to the top of Big Horm. Beside the little 6 cyl. I can tell you if you were ever to be in the wrong place at the wrong time the FJ could never get you stopped in time nor does it have the power to get you out of a bad spot. We are talking about a lot more than just towing here, we are talking about safe towing and the welfare of thos in the TV.

[Silvertwinkie]

With a 105.9" wheelbase and a rated 5000lb tow capacity, this unit would be hard pressed to pull a 19' though anything more than flatland. Keep in mind a 19' Bambi weighs about 4600lbs fully loaded. If you take into account passengers, fuel and any cargo in the FJ, you will have without question, exceeded the tow rating of the FJ with even a 19' Bambi.

I have had both a 19' Bambi and a 25' Safari (still have the 25er). Without trying to come across as rude, towing a 25er with an FJ would lead one to believe you had some sort of death wish. That's how dangerous I would consider the combo.

THe FJ might be better suited to a 16' unit. It would be the only size I could say would be ok, IMHO for the FJ to pull.

[utee94]

Any way to return to the dealer and trade out the FJ for a Sequoia?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Joyce and Jim

Re: FJ Cuiser/Safari 25' combo...

hi j/j and welcome to the forums.

eventually someone from canada will post that the combo works, it's perfect, blah, blah, blah...

and there are a few members towing vintage units or 16s/19s with the fj....

BUT the actual numbers and limits once digested are very clear on this...

here are 3 threads to chew...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ath-23572.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ser-28958.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...cle-26529.html

the list of issues and limitations related to towing with an fj is long.

wheelbase, payload, trailering accessories, engine/tranny, and alxe/tire rating are ALL GROSSLY INADEQUATE...

4 all but 1-2 new a/s models.

and of course that vague caterory of issues called...

SAFETY.

the vehicle will be SO OVERLOADED and MISMATCHED to the task, that all trips should be limited to the driveway.

IF u love the 25 or a 23, trade for an adequate tow vehicle.

yes it's painful and expensive, but others here have done EXACTLY THAT...

and the f/u threads they post of the results suggest happiness and relief with the proper tool..

cheers
2air'

[bobkelly]

Joyce---Sorry to read about this situation. The info already provided in the above posts is accurate and prudent. If you have the means, buy the trailer of your dreams and an appropriate tow vehicle and use the FJ for other family duty If not, then nothing larger than a basecamp or 16ft bambi for the FJ.