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05-19-2022, 10:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Western, Colorado
Trailer: 17b
Posts: 148
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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
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05-19-2022, 11:36 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Escape While You Can
Also, any thoughts on using a WD hitch? I'm kind of confused, as some say you shouldn't with a unibody (?) vehicle.
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There are few vehicles that aren't unibody these days.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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05-19-2022, 12:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Trailer: 2022 Escape 17A, 2021 F-150 3.5L Ecoboost
Posts: 250
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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.
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05-19-2022, 12:24 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
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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
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05-20-2022, 07:33 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Western, Colorado
Trailer: 17b
Posts: 148
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Thanks everyone for the replies - very helpful.
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05-21-2022, 07:50 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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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.
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05-22-2022, 12:04 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Sunset Valley, Texas
Trailer: TBD 21NE
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Walter
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.
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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
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05-22-2022, 01:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Welcome Chris, to our little Escape world....
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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05-22-2022, 01:14 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Sunset Valley, Texas
Trailer: TBD 21NE
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
Welcome Chris, to our little Escape world....
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Thank you!
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05-22-2022, 02:37 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Mid Left Coast, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21
Posts: 5,122
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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.
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