Since September I've travelled over 5000 miles with my rig (FJ + Bambi 16)
Great pic...nice rig!
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
Tao, I think the 16' would be better suited to the FJ with it's wheelbase and weight capacities. A good point by sos as well about water consumption (lower) with the wetbath of the 16' if the majority of your camping is boondock.
Good luck and enjoy!
brad.
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We raised over 1.3 Million dollars for Cancer Reseach this year. Great job team!!
You are right for asking about WD/anti-sway -- dealers will install all sorts of off brands and charge you just as much. You definitely don't want a friction antisway setup. It would come down to a Reese Dual Cam or an Equal-I-Zer. I have a Reese but the Equal-I-Zer should get a lot of your attention. The Reese High-performance installation is cleaner than installing u-bolts around the frame. You couldn't go wrong with either one.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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Computers manufactured by companies such as IBM, Compaq and millions of others are by far the most popular with about 70 million machines in use worldwide. Macintosh fans note that cockroaches are far more numerous than humans and that numbers alone do not denote a higher life form. -NY Times 1991
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.
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! ;-)
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