Visit our Popular Forums

collyerwood · 01-09-2008, 10:15 AM

Hi everyone,
Does any one know if a 1989, 2 ton ,toyota landcruiser 4 litre, 6 cylinder diesel would tow a 29 foot 1973 ambassador?
If not do you know of any vehicles that would, that are available in the uk.
the uk doesnt seem to have many big pickup trucks good for towing airstreams. maybe i need to buy a small truck!
who knows,
any info much apreciated. chow

wkerfoot · 01-09-2008, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collyerwood

Hi everyone,
Does any one know if a 1989, 2 ton ,toyota landcruiser 4 litre, 6 cylinder diesel would tow a 29 foot 1973 ambassador?
If not do you know of any vehicles that would, that are available in the uk.
the uk doesnt seem to have many big pickup trucks good for towing airstreams. maybe i need to buy a small truck!
who knows,
any info much apreciated. chow

Is that the Land Cruiser station wagon, with a longer wheelbase, or the short one? I would be concerned about the short wheelbase of the short LC.

Bill

collyerwood · 01-09-2008, 10:38 AM

its the longwheel base station wagon, hj or fj model.
do you know roughly how heavy the 29'trailer would be?

wkerfoot · 01-09-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collyerwood

its the longwheel base station wagon, hj or fj model.
do you know roughly how heavy the 29'trailer would be?

Here is all of the information you want on trailer weights: http://www.airstream.com/docs/weights-1.pdf

Bill

overlander63 · 01-09-2008, 11:38 AM

Here in the US, the FJ is a bit short on wheelbase to tow that large and long a trailer. If it is the same vehicle where you are, you may want to look into some really good weight distribution gear for your hitch, Reese Strait-line and Hensley Arrow come to mind.

Mikethefixit · 01-10-2008, 07:34 AM

Forget GVRW How much does that LC weight?.My own feeling is, it better equal the trailer. Short wheelbase and lite TV to me = disaster
Just my feeling, Do what you think is safe and you are comfortable with.
Best of Luck to U

rideair · 01-10-2008, 07:56 AM

That is the tow of choice in the land "Down Under". But, from what I understand, they tend to use trailers 26' or less. My guess, you are speaking of a FJ60 model. Here in the USA, that was sold only in a gas model. I would check some of the Crusier sites in the land down under for more info. They will know what can and cannot be done.

AlbertF · 01-10-2008, 09:54 AM

It's hard to find good specifications, but if the engine produces about 240 Nm (about 200 ft lbs of torque) at 2000 rpm, and has a 5 speed manual with a 3.70:1 final drive, I think you will find initial pulling fine but highway going rather slow.

There are plenty of European vehicles that will do the job, (Mercedes ML and BMW X5 come to mind) but you will have trouble finding a hitch receiver designed for a weight distributing hitch that meets EU requirements.

AlbertF · 01-10-2008, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikethefixit

Forget GVRW How much does that LC weight?.My own feeling is, it better equal the trailer. Short wheelbase and lite TV to me = disaster
Just my feeling, Do what you think is safe and you are comfortable with.
Best of Luck to U

Curb weight of the Land Cruiser wagon should be about 4800 lbs.

collyerwood · 01-10-2008, 04:00 PM

hey,
thank you all very much,
it sounds like its a bit tight on weight, 2.1 ton of vehicle and the trailer about the same. will look for a smaller trailer.
anyone going to burning man this year?

Sierrapapa · 01-16-2008, 08:22 AM

I see the posts on the Toyota LC. Odd because I am on the verge of ordering one to tow my 25 FT international SS. I have a crew cab powerstroke F-250 now. When I stay out and go for a hike or a bike ride my wife thinks it is too awkward to drive into town. I have always wanted a LC and thought I would splurge and get one before the final bell tolls.

All this talk about them being too short and etc is making me nervous. Just reading the specs I thought the unit would be optimal. Any thought on one of these newer ones?

ckeysor · 01-16-2008, 09:43 AM

Sierra Papa

I have a 2007 Land Cruiser and have used it to tow my 1986 Sovereign 25'. It is a fine vehicle in every aspect including towing. It feels solid going down the road, brakes are already over sized, the turning radius is incredible and it is a heavy vehicle. Also, the suspension is soft enough and doesn't cause a lot of stress on my trailer.

I am a pretty conservative driver with my precious little ones in the car and I have never had an issue or felt out of control.

For 2008 they have replaced the 4.7 V8 I have with the 5.7 from the Tundra. The 4.7 was fine but once again I am not trying to win a race up the hills.

With that said, I was close on the gross combined vehicle weight of 12,400 when fully loaded and I don't feel comfortable throwing the 800 lbs of tongue weight on such an expensive vehicle. So I mostly tow with my Silverado.

BTW, I think your wife would feel very comfortable driving the land cruiser. It is, by far, my wifes favorite car and she feels very comfortable driving it.

monocoque · 02-19-2008, 12:46 PM

Greetings,

We're in the same boat here. And I have the same questions posed and discussed in this thread. I just purchased a 1975, AS, Ambassador International, 29 foot. I have a 1999 Landcruiser with the V8 which I am presently using as a tow vehicle for short distances in my local area. During the 10 mile trip from the point of sale to my residence I didn't notice any sway under ordinary, flat, dry conditions. I pulled up to speeds of 60 mph without a hint of sway. However, yesterday I was visiting the local rv trailer dealer for bid on having the LC wired for towing and the "boys with experience" there all concurred that the short wheel base on the LC made it less than an ideal TV. Two of the older mechanics said they would be "afraid" of using the LC as a tow vehicle on a 29 foot trailer. They suggested using a Hensley Arrow at the very least for added safety should I continue with the LC. At least in the short run I only plan on short distance trips in the local area so for I'm staying with the LC and plan to drive slow and be extra careful.

Todd

redtinman · 02-19-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collyerwood

Hi everyone,
Does any one know if a 1989, 2 ton ,toyota landcruiser 4 litre, 6 cylinder diesel would tow a 29 foot 1973 ambassador?
If not do you know of any vehicles that would, that are available in the uk.
the uk doesnt seem to have many big pickup trucks good for towing airstreams. maybe i need to buy a small truck!
who knows,
any info much apreciated. chow

I tow a 31' sovereign with LWB HJ60. It works but gets warm. A diesel LWB LC Amazon has 50hp+ extra; it will positively enjoy the job!

ckeysor · 02-20-2008, 11:02 AM

I have seen this picture a number of times. I think this group thinks the Land Cruiser makes a great tow vehicle.

maxandgeorgia · 02-20-2008, 01:04 PM

We had a '96 LandCruiser which we used as tv for a 25' SOB before we bought our longer Airstream and subsequent 2500 Silverado diesel truck. We have never enjoyed a vehicle as much as we did that LC, but it was not adequate as a tv. Granted, we vacation in the Rockies, but it was sloooow on the up grades and felt like it was being driven by the trailer on down grades and curves. In the infamous headwinds of Wyoming/Montana, it nearly stood still on the highway and sucked fuel like babies suck bottles. Luckily, we did not have to see how it would do in a fishtailing scare. I don't think it would have safely seen us through the situation. Sadly, we found a good home for the LC and chose the more than adequate 2500HD truck. Best wishes on making your choice. Just thought I'd share our LC as tv experience with you. ~G