FJ Cruisers of Northern California

TOWING

has anyone towed a vehicle with your FJ??? because I was trying to reserve a two wheel dolley from uhaul to tow a 97 2dr Ford Explorer and supposedly they said its not possible. What do you guys think?

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Permalink Reply by Lonny Winn on January 16, 2010 at 7:42pm

What exactly is a two dulley?

More than likely it is over your recommended towing weight.

They are usually sticklers when it comes to that if you are renting a trailer.

Exploders weigh something over 4000 lbs I think.

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Permalink Reply by A.J.Cruiser on January 16, 2010 at 7:46pm

sorry two wheel dolley...the ones that only has 2 front tires off the ground

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Permalink Reply by Lonny Winn on January 16, 2010 at 7:52pm

Should be under 5k lbs so I dont see the problem. Maybe there's something I dont know about using a dolley with an FJ.

You sure its not the Exploder that can't be towed on a 2w dolley? It's not AWD is it?

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Permalink Reply by DWH on January 16, 2010 at 8:19pm

The FJs brakes are not up to the task. The trailer would need its own electrically or hydraulically operated brakes.

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Permalink Reply by pkelly72 on January 16, 2010 at 8:33pm

If the dolly has an electric brake you can wire an electronic brake controller to the fj. I have never done it with fj just a chevy at work. It was plug and play. I think it cost about $150. It's been a few years.

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Permalink Reply by 4x4CruiserGirl on January 16, 2010 at 9:30pm

You can do it, U-Haul is just weird sometimes. Go to A1 rental. They will give anything to anyone!! lol

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on January 17, 2010 at 3:54am

I have heard this from many others who have tried to rent something from U-haul. I have seen people tow 20+ foot camping trailers that are very close (sometimes over) to the max towing rate of the FJ. I am pretty sure the FJ can tow what you want. OF course DWH is right, Getting it going is not the problem but stopping is. Even when I hook up my M416 I notice a longer braking distance, thats only 1/4 ton when loaded.

I am sure U-hail has been sued in the past for renting things to people who either got hurt or hurt someone else.. Thats why they can be picky..

Also, perhaps because its a six cyl, they may think that it does not have the 5000lbs towing ability. Maybe they are just looking in a book that tells them no. I really don't know about that though..

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Permalink Reply by A.J.Cruiser on January 17, 2010 at 8:20am

thanks everyone...Yea I have faith on the FJ and just do it anyways but since is raining I decided to tow it with the Sequoia LOL. Dammit I wanted to try it out so bad

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on January 17, 2010 at 10:30am

One thing I learned when racing was that there is nothing better than a full size truck and a diesel when your towing anything.. Made the grape vine feel like its was just a small incline...

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Permalink Reply by 5150 Cruiser on January 20, 2010 at 9:13pm

If U-Haul says no, then don't do it. Amanda is right that U-Haul has been sued many times in the past due to renting trailers to vehicles that are not propperly equiped to tow such loads. Like Boss said its not getting the load up to speed, its handling it and stopping it. If you get in an accident and CHP finds out U-Haul didn't give you the OK to use your FJ to tow, you could be automaticly be put at fault. If there's parties that are hurt, its going to get really nasty for you.

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Permalink Reply by Romanski on January 21, 2010 at 11:14am

Make sure you get a dolley with brakes and disconnect the rear drive shaft on the Exploder. FJ can tow a lot more than 5k lbs but like any other manufacturer they quote the tow capability on the safe side. I would be towing the Exploder through the Sierras but if your way is fairly flat, no problem... Just keep your distance and look far ahead to anticipate any problems.