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Old 04-10-2012, 08:50 AM   #1
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1975 Argosy 24
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Toyota FJ Cruiser for Towing?

Anyone have any comments about a Toyota FJ Cruiser to tow a 24 ft. airstream? Not the 6 cylinder, the 8.

Thanks.
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Old 04-10-2012, 09:04 AM   #2
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Power isn't the problem with the FJ, it's simply a short wheel based SUV. I've towed a 22' and a 28' foot with mine and it can be a bit dicey. For short hauls, I think it's fine but I swapped my second vehicle out for a Yukon to tow the 28'.

When I got my airstreams it's not what I wanted to hear but the FJ is marginal in the 22' to 24' range and a no go for greater lengths, in my opinion.
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Old 04-10-2012, 09:51 AM   #3
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I towed a 19' Bambi with an FJ and it did just fine, but I wouldn't want to go longer than that. You might want to contact Can-Am as they can make things work with creative hitching. Here's their website:
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Old 04-10-2012, 10:04 AM   #4
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To overcome the short wheelbase/stability issue you may want to consider a Pro Pride or Hensley Hitch. Power wise you should be good to go.
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Old 04-10-2012, 10:11 AM   #5
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Rivet FJ Cruiser

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglemate View Post
Anyone have any comments about a Toyota FJ Cruiser to tow a 24 ft. airstream? Not the 6 cylinder, the 8.

Thanks.
hmmm all FJ's I see are 6 cyl, not V8s

I towed a 22 Argosy in Maryland and the hills of Pennsylvania and loved it. Plenty of pep and got 15 mpg with the 6cyl. As on all trailers you have to have it leveled and the right anti-sway setup, (ideal one I found was the Reese dual cam). I have a 30 airstream now with a Ford Expedition and handling is the same after fixing the ball to high situation recommended by Andy. (7000 lbs versus 4000 was to much a stretch for the 6cyl).

Oh and by the way the FJ is a wide track vehicle which adds stability and only 3 inches shorter on length between axles, all the sheet metal overhang is useless, only tires on road matter.
Toyota 105.9 axle length 63.2 width
Ford 109.0 axle length 66.9 width
torque 271 ft lbs on new FJ and 365 ft lbs Ford

with that said the 80% rule kicks in if the loaded trailer does not exceed 4000 lbs you'll be happy if above it'll pull but performance is compromised and stopping ability if a brake failure occurs on the trailer is a hoot.
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Old 04-10-2012, 10:15 AM   #6
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We have an FJ and love it... But for a TV,, the short wheel base is going to be a major battle with anything over 20 foot in my view.. We have a 27 foot Overlander and would not think one second to pin it up to our AS..

When one looks at the axle,, hp,, and such it matches up with most Toyota pu's just fine.. Just the short wheel base it could become a hand full in my view..

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Old 04-10-2012, 11:42 AM   #7
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I have an FJ Cruiser, a V6....didn't know they made a V8, if they do. I really like the vehicle. Anyway, I've towed several boats with it, and a 17' Casita, and it does very well. I am using one of the light duty single bar WD hitches with the friction sway control. The wheelbase is not an issue. But, I wouldn't want to tow much more travel trailer than the 17'which weighs about 3500 loaded and ready to go..... YMMV.
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:20 PM   #8
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OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglemate View Post
OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
As mentioned above, have a look at the Can Am RV website; they have videos of all sorts of TVs that are not trucks - it's most educational.
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:27 PM   #10
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OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
Porsche cayenne.

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Old 04-10-2012, 03:34 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglemate View Post
OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
You have an Airstream so there are so many choices. How about a Jag? Hemi Charger? Porsche Sport SUV? We tow with an Infiniti sport sedan. You will need to talk to these guys as they have the know how to set it up and make it happen.... Can-Am RV :: Towing
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:48 PM   #12
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What about the H3 Hummer, the smaller version? OK, I realize it's a testosterone-driven beast, but I am a smallish woman, so what the hell,right?
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:56 PM   #13
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What about the H3 Hummer, the smaller version?
Yawn... we thought you wanted something sexy??
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:56 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglemate View Post
OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse would do it.

If you want loaded, go with the Enclave. We like cheap so went with the Traverse.
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Old 04-10-2012, 03:59 PM   #15
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Old 04-10-2012, 04:27 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaglemate
OK, so let's just get to the heart of the matter. I am sick of the Suburban and look alikes. Trucks don't really do it for me, what I really want is something sexier. Does anyone have an offering that fits that bill to pull my 24 ft. airstream?
BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Jeep, Volkswagen, any thing that has the turbo Diesel since they get excellent fuel economy towing and have more torque than a hemi v8.
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Old 04-10-2012, 04:51 PM   #17
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H3 is not beastly

It's chev colorado in wolfes clothing. Not a bad thing in fact I like them. For power though they are barely pushing themselves with 5cyl motor. H1 is beastly with diesel motor, H2 is joke. I like toyota products but think FJ is kind let down. If it was more like wrangler I would give it thumbs up. No top down, kind boring. Maybe can am could build you wrangler to pull it in 4dr flavor and new 2012 motor.
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Old 04-10-2012, 04:59 PM   #18
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Quote:
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BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Jeep, Volkswagen, any thing that has the turbo Diesel since they get excellent fuel economy towing and have more torque than a hemi v8.
You made me go and look all of these up! You are correct, the diesels have gobs of torque....
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Old 04-10-2012, 08:03 PM   #19
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Just traded my FJ in for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I tow a 19' Bambi International. Power was not the problem. The Fj has a 19 gallon tank and the best mpg I could get was 11, so I was constantly looking for fuel. the other issue is that while the FJ has a 5000lb tow rating it was limited to a 500lb tonge weight. The bambi has a 550TW. Once you start loading gear in the trailer and FJ it starts to put a strain on a load leveling hitch. I looked at the after market auxilary fuel tank available for the FJ but that just adds to the TW. The FJ was one of the most fun vehicles I have owned, but I can only have so many toys.
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Old 04-12-2012, 07:24 PM   #20
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I am towing with a 2011 Infinity QX56 (which I bought specifically to tow my 2012 Intl CCD). I think it is sexy! And, it sure pulls beautifully. Most definitely not cheap, but when I'm not towing it is a great SUV -- towing I hit around 11 mpg, get 14-15 around town without the trailer. Best part: it has 22" wheels. (Yup, 22"....this gives me a lot of tread on the road and capacity.)
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