Visit our Popular Forums

cooter · 09-08-2009, 07:59 AM

We have an '07 19 ft Bambi and tow with an '07 fj. We went to Alaska summer before last, from NC, via the Alaska Highway traveling 11,034 miles. No trouble, only one flat tire on the fj. The trip took us 60 days, really not enough time so we're planning to go back next year. Good luck. The fj is an amazing vehicle. Coot

bjenkins · 09-08-2009, 10:17 PM

thanks cooter! man that sounds like an amazing trip!

any special hitch used on that trailer?

cooter · 09-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Yo, we use a reese equalizer hitch with sway bar, worked great. We're leaving at the end of the month for the Grand Canyon and back around the country. I'm sold on the fj. Coot

GettinAway · 10-03-2009, 06:38 AM

I know this is a old thread, but fyi.. We puller our 19' Bambi from St Louis out to CO and back with a Tacoma.. Same 6 cyl as the FJ. No problems at all.
I like getting 22+ mpg with out the trailer.. 10-13 mpg pulling it.
Plus the Tacoma was very capable on all the 4 wheel drive trails thru the mountains. We did the Alpine Loop from Lake City, Co while we were there..
I would think you could pull a 19' Bambi with a FJ, because it was so easy with the Tacoma..

Mike91208 · 09-17-2011, 12:52 PM

Recently picked up a 19' Bambi Intn'l CCD and towed it with an FJ Cruiser from Tampa to Los Angeles without any problems whatsoever. Had it up to 80 mph across flatlands in TX and felt comfortable. Strong crosswinds in AZ and it handled nicely! Even survived a severe blowout on the trailer tire in 110 degree heat and the rig handled fine.

cooter · 09-18-2011, 12:22 PM

Mike, we have the same rig, a 19 ft. Bambi and '07 fj. Our first year we towed it from NC to Alaska and back, 11,000 miles. Since then we've
been to the Grand Canyon and all over the southwest. No problems. We have one more trip before we winterize and then we're heading to the keys next April. Hope to see you on the road. Coot

GettinAway · 09-19-2011, 05:42 AM

We tow our Bambi with a Tacoma.. Not that different. I'm curious about the Alaska trip with the Bambi (sorry to hijack the thread)
We are going to make that trip, and I have been very concerned with the roads up there (construction, frost heaves etc.) thinking I needed a 2nd axle.
Did you have any tire, or clearance issues with the Bambi?

Thanks
Jeff

Mike91208 · 09-19-2011, 12:23 PM

Hey Coot,
Let me know next time you're out West and we'll hook-up.

Mike

Kathleenh · 09-19-2011, 02:32 PM

For what it's worth, we have a 19 ft. Bambi (2001) which we tow with a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder V-6. We have a stabilizers and a Reese and have had no problems whatsoever. We drag it behind us through the mountains of coastal Oregon which can be pretty steep and our ride is smooth.
We'll be headed to Tucson in January, which will be a repeat of last year's trip. We don't carry water but plenty of gear. The tow rating on the Pathfinder is 6,000 lbs and we try to keep the weight down to 4,800 lbs, bearing in mind the 'twenty percent rule'.
Happy trailering.

RangerJay · 09-19-2011, 03:23 PM

GettinAway:

We also tow our 19' Bambi with a V6 Pathfinder and have just returned from a 12,000 KM trip to Alaska and back. We tended to tow with a full water tank to give us the flexibility to camp where we wished. Our hitch is a Hensley and the only issues were getting off two ferries - both ferries had quite a drop-off at the end of the ramp - the Hensley hangs a bit lower and the spring bars rubbed on both ramps. Road conditions? - yes there are some rough spots but if you drive to match the conditions you will have no problems (we did the U.S. side of Top of the World between the border and Chicken pretty much in 2nd gear - sometimes 1st). We also cut and taped those blue closed-cell sleeping pads to protect the stainless steel stone guards (and above) - we got this idea from elsewhere on this forum and it was a good one - glad we did it.

Jay

GettinAway · 09-20-2011, 04:12 AM

Jay,
Thanks for the info. Maybe I was being too cautious about Alaska.
We have been through Colorado's passes the last three years without issues.
It's the huge potholes and frost heaves that had me concerned.
Just like anything else, with a little common sense (in this case, slowing down) you can avoid problems..
Thanks again.. When we do go to Alaska, it'll be for the whole summer..

Jeff

cooter · 09-20-2011, 05:37 PM

Jeff, the roads are what they say they are, rough. Take your time, enjoy the experience. If your rig is up to standard; new tires, vehicle in good shape, all the homework done on what you will be up against, you will be fine. We had such a grand time We're heading back next spring. See you on the road. Coot