Bambi Safari 19 towed by Toyota FJ-Cruiser?

[TIMEMACHINE]

Originally Posted by smccollister

Anyone know if Toyota has future plans for a v8 FJ?

Hopefully this is still on the subject of the thread, but it is my understanding that Toyota will develop a Hybrid version first, staying in line with the company objective of all vehicles having a Hybrid option.

John

[sos10]

As far as I know no V8 is planned, but the new 5.7 v8 the Tundra is getting would make a monster FJ.. to much for my taste..
The Hybrid version is also a big ?? But the FJ has a huge unused space in the back...underneath... ideal placement for batteries.... but it is only guessing.

[ljmiii]

Originally Posted by Tao

I now ask for suggestions on brand/model of WD and Sway Control units.

I use the equal-i-zer with my Toyota Highlander Hybrid and 16' Bambi and have been very happy with it. Others prefer the Reese Dual Cam. I would stay away from other WD systems (except the Hensley, of course).

enjoy,
leo

[SilverCottage]

Tao, if you are still looking for a great deal on a Reese WD And Dual Cam HP Sway Control Kits I got one from these guys for about $425 including shipping. Keep in mind that Reese, Drawtite and Hidden Hitch are all the same brand. I know mine was genuine since it was drop shipped directly from Reese in Livonia, MI the next day.

Here's the link:
Trailer Weight Distribution Trunnion Bar Style And Dual Cam HP Sway Control Kit

All you need beyond this kit is the ball for about $10.

[Silvertwinkie]

You can also do a google search for Reese Hitch and a slew of online dealers can be found. I typically buy some of the gear off eBay depending on price.

I picked up a set of 600 and 800lb weight bars for about $50 shipped I seem to recall. They were the newer style that were compatible with the dual cam. Got a few horseshoes for the chains...something like $10 shipped and a few other odds and ends like drawbar for $13 shipped, etc. I would not buy a ball off eBay though, but the rest of the gear is pretty hard to damage in transit and if buying from a good seller, more times than not, you can get a good deal with gear that is in great shape.

[Tao]

Monday, January 29, 2007

Decision was made and last Wednesday I drove from Atlanta, GA to Lakewood, NJ to the Colonial Airstream dealership. Picked up a new 2007 Airstream Bambi 16 International. Had a local hitch dealer install an Equalizer and headed home. Folks at Colonial were great to deal with - particularily the salesman I worked with - Patrick Botticelli. Nice chap.

Driving up to NJ I averaged 20MPG driving at speeds of 70-73MPH. With trailer in tow mileage dropped to just over 11MPG - this is a very hilly route to travel.

Mileage was actually better when I kept at a speed of 68-72MPH as compared to 60-65MPH. (This is actual MPG per the Garmin GPS, not the speedometer.) I burned mid-grade fuel on the trip both directions.

With the Equalizer hitch and my electric brake controller the trailer towed perfectly and felt very safe.

I was caught in a nasty blizzard with temps in the range of 17 degrees and 30+ MPH winds, white out conditions, on Thursday evening while driving home from Lakewood, NJ to south of the DC area. Never had any trouble with the FJ/trailer on the road.

Thanks for input from all that shared.

Must admit, the Bambi 16 is even nicer than I expected. Will be a great method to enjoy our travels in.

[sos10]

Good you went for the 16' .. Happy trails! and post of pic of your rig!

[smccollister]

Tao / Jack,

Congrats on your new 16 CCD!

Please update this thread from time to time on your towing experiences. While I am hoping that my v8 Explorer holds out for a while, I just love the look of the FJ Cruiser and the 16ft Bambi. I had a v6 Explorer with our Bambi and generally was "ok" - but I do like having the power of the v8 for passing etc.

Still hoping for a V8 FJ option in the future. My brother works for Toyota Corporate - maybe I should push on him! ;-)

Scott

[ljmiii]

Congratulations Tao...the 16' Bambi is a sweet little trailer. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we do ours.

[Tao]

Thanks to all who contributed suggestions/opinions.
Here is info that others considering purchasing an FJ to tow a Bambi 16 might find of value.

Drove FJ from Atlanta, GA to Lakewood, NJ - averaged 19.9 mpg and drove on interstates at 73-78mph. I only burn the mid-grade gas in my car and have never had any pinging or problems.

Returning from NJ I averaged 11.1 mpg. I ran tests on different tank fulls. I would drive one tank at 63-65mph and another at 70mph. Turns out the mileage was actually better when I kept my speed in the range of 69 to 71mph - less downshifting and the motor must have stayed in a torque range that it was happier with. The terrain was hilly for the vast majority of the trip and I'm sure that had an impact on the mpg I got.

On the topic of handling, I had an Equalizer brand hitch, 6000# model, in NJ. The trailer behaved perfectly during the entire trip from New Jersey. I did encounter snow (white out conditions for several hours on the NJ Toll Way), ice and lots of traffic coming home. At no time did I feel the trailer and the FJ were not totally compatiable!

In short, I'm very pleased with the matting of the two units. We have not had a chance to get out camping since I pickup up the trailer due to the poor weather. I will advise what my mileage is when driving on less hilly terrain.

Jack

[Poprivet]

Did you end up with a 16' or a 19'

[AZstreamin]

Originally Posted by Tao

We recently sold our 2006 Ford F-250 diesel and Safari 22’ – got tired of feeding the Ford diesel that was running within spec per Ford at 9MPG, and only 12-13 without the Safari attached.

Hey Jack.. Sorry to hear your F250 didn't work out.. Those fuel numbers are terrible! Those number are more typical of the V10 not the diesel...she was a little thirsty....I can't blame you for parting with her.

I guess I've been fortunate.... my '05 PSD gets 11-13mpg towing a 30' AS approx 7800 lbs.. 13-14mpg all in town and 14-17mpg on the highway.. Just went to Tucson last night (190 miles round trip) for a meeting and set the cruise at 83 mph wide open highway... got 15.5 mpg.. not bad for the speed...(BTW this was without the airstream I don't drive that fast when towing )

A good friend of mine has an FJ and LOVES it. Hope your new Bambi is fun.

[Tao]

David Alan - I purchased a 2007 Bambi 16 International. Very pleased with it as well as my dealer, Colonial RV in Lakewood, NJ.

Jack

[gowyn]

Congrats on your setup.

I own a 1990 Toyota Landcruiser HDJ81 imported from Japan. She's RHD and diesel. Low on HP (168) but high on torque (268).

I tow a 19' Bambi with her and have had no problems at all. Quite the site when we pull in to camp sites!

Perhaps we should have that LC Bambi rally some time...

[Road Ruler]

Trailer Life tested the FJ Cruiser for towing a dual axle Hi-Lo. By the pic it looks like a 22'. Here are their comments...

We towed a Hi-Lo Anniversary telescoping trailer to check off-the-line performance and handling characteristics. The FJ Cruiser was a good match for the trailer. With a 5,000-pound tow rating, this SUV should prove very popular with young families hauling a small trailer, and the SUV ground clearance will make this new entry a very popular exploration vehicle once unhooked.

Here is the whole article.. FJ Cruiser

Hi Lo site.... Hi-Lo Trailers

[cooter]

We have a 19 Bambi and Fj and have towed around NC with no trouble. At 60 mph its OK but over that, 65 and 70, you know the Bambi is back there. We have the equlizing hitch and stablizing bar and typically travel with no water in the Bambi thus as little weight as possible. We're heading to Alaska in three weeks for an extended visit. This will really put the Fj through its paces. I'll let you know how it works out. Cooter

[CCD4US]

We have a 16' CCD International and it's towed with an 2007 FJ Cruiser. We have Equalizer Hitch and Electronic Brake controller. This set up works with no problems. I have done a few modifications to the FJ for a little more power. Changed the stock air filter setup to a TRD Cold Air Intake, replaced the muffler with MaxFlow Muffler and use Mobil One oil. With this setup I get 11-15 MPG depending on the terrian and speed. I ususally tow 60 to 65 in 4th gear and avoid using OD. Using this techique eliminates the transmission from hunting for the proper gear. The only time it's in 5th gear is on level terrain. We have towed this setup to the Sierra's, elevation 10,100 FT with no problems.

I'm sure a new Tundra with a 5.7 would be a much better tow vehicle for the CCD but the FJ and CCD always gets great comments from all the camp grounds that we visit.

FJ and 16' CCD can't go wrong with that setup, and besides the FJ is a great off-road vehicle.

[CCD4US]

Here is a picture of our setup

[bjenkins]

guys, am I crazy to pull a 23' safari with an FJ? We will mostly do short (2-3 hours) trips just around north texas......flatlands.

[bjenkins]

I would of course use a stabilizing hitch like the henley arrow