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Old 12-08-2016, 02:37 PM   #1
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Made a mistake going to Land Cruiser from Suburban 2500

Well.....thought I could justify getting a new Toyota Land Cruiser, as I would use it both for work and towing. I have an older (2003) Suburban 2500 but that's in great condition. Truth is, even though it's in spotless shape, is only worth around $10k.

I did my first short trip with the LC and WOW the difference in the short wheelbase! I knew there would be some difference, but didn't expect that much.

So, looks like I will just hang on to it and use it exclusively as my TV, which is nice to have one that's older and you don't feel nervous about throwing bikes and firewood in it.

Just a heads up if you ever decide to go shorter.
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Old 12-08-2016, 02:49 PM   #2
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What length AS are you towing?
What is your WD / Anti sway hitch?

I tow my 23' with a 2004 4Runner, also a short wheelbase, and I don't have any problems, other than the hills in West Virginia . It handles very well, truck traffic, windy days, all road conditions so far.
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Old 12-08-2016, 03:02 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by richw46 View Post
What length AS are you towing?
What is your WD / Anti sway hitch?

I tow my 23' with a 2004 4Runner, also a short wheelbase, and I don't have any problems, other than the hills in West Virginia . It handles very well, truck traffic, windy days, all road conditions so far.
2009 27FB. Think that's just a tad too long for that wheelbase?
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Old 12-08-2016, 03:15 PM   #4
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I guess it is all personel perception. Pretty happy and comfortable with my JGC and Safari 23 combination. Might feel different towing a larger heavier trailer. I plan on upgrading to a 26U and have a feeling Jeep might be a bit lacking.
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Old 12-08-2016, 03:24 PM   #5
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Exactly. If I hadn't had the 2500 with extra stiff suspension (Secret Service package) I probably wouldn't know any difference.

Like night and day after having it. With the Sub, I don't know it's back there.
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Old 12-08-2016, 04:37 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Exactly. If I hadn't had the 2500 with extra stiff suspension (Secret Service package) I probably wouldn't know any difference.

Like night and day after having it. With the Sub, I don't know it's back there.
And there you have it. The LC is designed as an on-off road luxury vehicle; as such it will have a soft suspension designed for off road wheel articulation and on road soft ride. Your Sub has a very tight suspension designed for loads and towing. Try towing with a Ford Raptor compared to a Ford Super Duty and you will find the same difference. I think the shorter wheelbase had less to do with the towing experience than the suspension set up.

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Old 12-08-2016, 06:50 PM   #7
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As others have said, LC's wheelbase is short and off road suspension is not ideal for towing. However, LC has the engine/transmission/frame/hitch/cooling system of a good tow vehicle. This is an instance, IMO, where a fancy hitch like Hensley/ProPride might be well justified, as you are targeting a specific shortcoming of your vehicle (you are not trying to create a great tow vehicle out of a Miata by using one of those hitches). Those hitches are expensive though, and you already have another nice tow vehicle, so you may not even want to experiment with them. I love Land Cruisers. One of my all time favorite vehicles. I was about to buy a very nice older LC, but it sold 10 mins before I arrived to the dealership
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Old 12-08-2016, 06:52 PM   #8
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Exactly. If I hadn't had the 2500 with extra stiff suspension (Secret Service package) I probably wouldn't know any difference.

Like night and day after having it. With the Sub, I don't know it's back there.
Suburbans are probably the best towing vehicles I ever owned. Nothing comes close. Your '03 is barely broken in.

My Grand Cherokee was a great combo of luxury and utility but I wouldn't tow more than a 23' airstream with it.
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Old 12-08-2016, 07:18 PM   #9
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2009 27FB. Think that's just a tad too long for that wheelbase?
I wouldn't say so, if you have a good hitch setup. I'd rather set up the Land Cruiser with a good hitch because I'd rather have the newer SUV, luxury etc. That's just me. .

I agree with the others, that 2500 is barely broken in. There are many, many trips left in her. If the vehicle is the right fit, even major overhauls can be easily justified over the cost of a new one.

You're good with either one, you'll just need to find a dealer with some knowledge about getting that hitch set up correctly. There are people in here that tow 25s and 27s with a Sienna or other mini van. You just have to get the hitch right.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:27 PM   #10
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In addition to giving up wheelbase, how much cargo area did you give up in the TV? We tow with a Yukon Denali XL, and that would be a problem for us.
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Old 12-08-2016, 09:54 PM   #11
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We towed our Airstream with a Ram 1500 reg cab 120" wheelbase with two different hitches using friction sway control. It was the semi's passing, gusting winds, and ruts in the roadway that wore me out getting pushed around. We got a Hensley/ProPride style hitch and it was like driving the truck solo down the interstate, maybe better. Rock solid.

This is because these hitches do not depend on wheelbase to control trailer yaw forces, but project the yaw forces forward to the truck's rear axle where they are stabilized rather than transferring them to the steering axle. Not unlike a fifth wheel trailer setup.

However towing expert Andy Thomson at Can-Am RV can achieve excellent stabilization using an inexpensive Eaze-Lift hitch and separate sway control bars. His is a complete professional setup involving tires, shocks, shortening of the stinger, and hitch reinforcement if needed, and experienced installation that usually includes such techniques as tilting the hitch head downward to stabilize the tow vehicle in turns and bring the trailer back to center afterwards.
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Old 12-09-2016, 10:44 AM   #12
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In addition to giving up wheelbase, how much cargo area did you give up in the TV? We tow with a Yukon Denali XL, and that would be a problem for us.
EXACTLY! The LandCruiser gets small quick...you don't realize til everyone is in there!
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:04 AM   #13
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EXACTLY! The LandCruiser gets small quick...you don't realize til everyone is in there!
I used to fill the cargo area and rear seats of my GC with stuff, for just two of us and a 19'. Now everything and then some fits in the truck bed.
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:08 AM   #14
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There's nothing like a 3/4 ton Suburban.

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Old 12-09-2016, 11:12 AM   #15
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So...
Keep towing with the Suburban and keep the Land Cruise too?
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:26 AM   #16
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Towing 33' SOB trailer with BMW X5 and ProPride hitch. The setup is rock solid. ANY Airstream would tow even better than my SOB trailer due to lower center of gravity and independent suspension. It is not about wheelbase!
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:32 AM   #17
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I'm towing a 2004 25 footer with a 4x4 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited that has tow package and weight distribution hitch. Solid, stable and not at all prone to swaying. Powerful enough also with 5.7 liter engine and tow/haul mode. A good combination.
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:32 AM   #18
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I had an '05 Yukon (with 220k miles), and have a 2012 Tahoe (108k miles). Used both as TVs for my little 20ft FC. After having been slung around one time...on dry ground with no discernible reason (wonder to this day what caused it), I traded in the Yukon for a 2011 2500 Suburban, and will never use the Tahoe to pull Daisy again. Like others said above, what a great and safe TV. Safe travels. jon
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Old 12-09-2016, 11:37 AM   #19
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Since I switched back to a trailer from my classic motorhome I have only towed with a large SUV and none of the compact models like the Suburban so I cannot comment on those; however, I want to comment on using a vehicle for tow only. My King of the SUV, Excursion is a tow only vehicle. It is not friendly for city driving and I live in the city. The X is wider than the lines painted on most parking lots and taller than the roofs of most parking ramps. Street parking in the city means putting money in two meters. As a tow only I either have to take it out regularly for exercise or store it properly when not in use. Sadly, I do neither and admit my shortcomings and for this I have paid dearly for the oversight with frozen calipers on two separate trips. A brake job on a vehicle with both drums and discs is costly. Now before each trip it goes to my corner mechanic who lubricates everything, refills the oil my 7.3 has shed and makes the X roadworthy. If it was not the best tow vehicle ever produced I would find something more practical.
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Old 12-09-2016, 12:06 PM   #20
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"I have only towed with a large SUV and none of the compact models like the Suburban"

You tow with an SUV like a Suburban?
Or a Suburban is a compact SUV?
Hmm...


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