Tow 19' with FJ Cruiser? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-19-2022, 10:20 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Western, Colorado
Trailer: 17b
Posts: 148
Tow 19' with FJ Cruiser?

Hello everyone. I have a 2007 FJ Cruiser that I once used to pull a 17' Escape. No problems. I'm looking at a 19 footer (1016) and am wondering if I should do this, partly because of the short wheelbase. I've read all the threads I can find on pulling with an FJ and am still not sure.

Also, any thoughts on using a WD hitch? I'm kind of confused, as some say you shouldn't with a unibody (?) vehicle.

Would appreciate any comments. TIA
Escape While You Can is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2022, 11:36 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Escape While You Can View Post
Also, any thoughts on using a WD hitch? I'm kind of confused, as some say you shouldn't with a unibody (?) vehicle.
There are few vehicles that aren't unibody these days.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2022, 12:14 PM   #3
SRS
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Trailer: 2022 Escape 17A, 2021 F-150 3.5L Ecoboost
Posts: 250
FJ Towing

The FJ Cruiser has a ladder frame and you should have no problem using a WD hitch. What may be more important is the towing capacity and tongue weight rating of the hitch. Most importantly how much the rear of your vehicle sags when the trailer is hitched. Some of that info may help you decide if the FJ will tow a larger trailer.
SRS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2022, 12:24 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
I towed my 2013 19' Escape with my 2011 FJ Cruiser for about 7 years from the time we picked the trailer up new until summer of 2020 when I moved on to a 2020 4Runner. I always used a WD hitch and had no issues towing with the FJ. I did use a Scan Gauge to monitor transmission fluid temperatures but did not have an aftermarket transmission cooler. Our current 4R tows the 19' in a very similar manner as did the FJ.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-20-2022, 07:33 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Western, Colorado
Trailer: 17b
Posts: 148
Thanks everyone for the replies - very helpful.
Escape While You Can is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2022, 07:50 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Not only is the FJ Cruiser not unibody, there's nothing wrong with using a WD hitch with a unibody vehicle... just follow the vehicle manufacturer's requirements and restrictions. My unibody Toyota van requires a WD hitch if the hitch weight is over 350 pounds.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2022, 12:04 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Sunset Valley, Texas
Trailer: TBD 21NE
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Walter View Post
I towed my 2013 19' Escape with my 2011 FJ Cruiser for about 7 years from the time we picked the trailer up new until summer of 2020 when I moved on to a 2020 4Runner. I always used a WD hitch and had no issues towing with the FJ. I did use a Scan Gauge to monitor transmission fluid temperatures but did not have an aftermarket transmission cooler. Our current 4R tows the 19' in a very similar manner as did the FJ.
Dave, I have a 2016 4Runner Trail that I am about to put a Magnuson on and have a 21' on order. I plan on running the weight distribution hitch and maybe some bags on the rear. Any thoughts. I dont want to have to buy a dedicated tow vehicle. Chris
Kags1969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2022, 01:00 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
cpaharley2008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
Welcome Chris, to our little Escape world....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
cpaharley2008 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2022, 01:14 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Sunset Valley, Texas
Trailer: TBD 21NE
Posts: 6
Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Welcome Chris, to our little Escape world....
Thank you!
Kags1969 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2022, 02:37 PM   #10
Site Team
 
John in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
The FJ and 4Runner 5th gen are pretty darn similar vehicles, other than cosmetics. both are based on the Land Cruiser Prado J150, sold in luxury trimmings as the 2nd gen Lexus GX in the USA. The Tacoma 2nd/3rd gen share a lot with these from the cab forward, too.
John in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:29 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.