bauerjab

For family reasons, am considering a Toyota Land Cruiser. Currently, I have a 2003 4Runner Ltd. with air suspension that is more than adequate for towing. It weighs in at 4200 lbs and has a V8 with 235 hp and 320 lb torque. I am towing an open wheel trailer with a 2600 lb car.

The Land Cruiser is a pig (you now know where I stand in this family "debate") with the 2008 weighing in at a svelt 5700 lbs but with a hefty engine. See chart below. I would prefer, however, not to shell out 60k for such a swine. That leaves the earlier models.

2008 381hp, 5.7ltr, v-8

2007 265hp, 4.7ltr, v-8

2006 275hp, 4.7ltr, v-8

2005 235hp, 4.7ltr, v-8 (this engine is the same as the 4Runner)

My question is simply whether anyone has experience towing with a 2005-2007 Land Cruiser and whether it is underpowered.

I am not interested in other tow vehicles nor am I interested in hearing that I should buy a longer wheel based truck for safety reasons.

Many thanks and Happy Holidays.

ltc

Sorry, it's all about wheelbase.

racer

What about when gas climbs back to $4-5/gal? Just sayin'... That said, they are fine tow vehicles.

bauerjab

Racer, Have you actually towed with a Land Cruiser. And if so, which year.
As for the gas mileage, I don't live in a coma. I thought it was apparent from my post that I am being forced to buy the Land Pig.

smlporsche

Sorry to hear that Momma wants a land cruiser..

I would get the one with the biggest motor. If it's new you could probably get a smokin deal from the dealer because they sure ain't movin' many of 'em

Astroman

I know somebody who tows a 3000 lb 964 in an enclosed trailer with a newer (not exactly sure which year, not 2008) Land Cruiser. I'm not saying if it's right or not, but he doesn't complain about it.

Circuit Motorsports

I have a 2004 tundra crew cab with the 4.7L.

You shouldn't have any problem pulling that trailer with it. The 5.7 is a much nicer engine for towing and I've heard good things about the transmission but that may be for 2008.

Gas mileage isn't great for sure. Have you thought about the double cab Tundra? I looked at Sequoia, Tundra and Land Cruiser and while my wife started out thinking she liked the SUV she didn't realize that the double cab was the same as the front of the SUV's.

mikew968

It should tow fine. The newer ones with the larger engine actually gets better mileage that the smaller V8 (at least in the Tundra)

APKhaos

I've been towing with my trusty 2000 Land Bruiser for a long time. It's more than strong enough for my 3200# car, spares & tools, and open steel trailer. Its closing in on 200K miles, and in its entire life the only problems it's had have been minor:
- an AC condensor
- a radiator
- a single plug pack
The rest has been typical consumables - brakes/rotors/fluids/ etc.

Obviously, the trailer balance and a good trailer brake & controller sertup are important, but with all that set up correctly its a very capable tow vehicle.

mike1111

friend uses older sequoia with open featherlite with no problems. Has been towing with it for years.

LiveNupe

One of the guys in the POC has a 2004(?) Land Cruiser and and 2006 Range Rover to tow his closed trailer. He likes towing with the Land Cruiser much better. Sorry I can't provide more specifics.

arrivederci

I've been towing with the Lexus version for a couple years without complaints. I have an open aluminum trailer and it feels rock solid up to 75/80 mph. I'm not sure I'd go much over that. It is pretty stable in cross winds, has enough power to climb most hills, and will be fine with a properly balanced trailer and good brakes. While more wheelbase would obviously help, it's a very heavy truck. The air suspension is also nice as it levels the truck out.

First I had a '99, now an '04...also know a few other people that haven't had towing issues with theirs.

magnetic1

2008 tow cap: 8500
2007 tow cap: 6500
2006 tow cap: 6500
2005 tow cap: 6500

You'd be getting pretty close to the tow cap of the earlier models once you load your car, tires, etc. However, if all you are towing is just the car on an open deck steel trailer, it looks like you should be ok.

lawjdc

I have towed a pretty heavy boat with a Land Cruiser - very stable. But one of the major differences between the various model years is the transmission. Toyota made a switch from a 4 speed auto to a 5 speed auto. The 5 speed obviously is much better for towing.

93 FireHawk 968

I've towed my trailex with a Lexus GX470 without any issue's, in fact, you can barely feel the extra weight and consistently handles perfectly. It dioes suck up gas..... averages about 11mpg. The GX470 is based on the same chassis as the 4Runner.