Does the 80 series LC have enough power to tow an overland trailer and family?

[ommd]

Hello,

I am new to the overland community and this year attended the Overland Expo in Flagstaff, AZ. I was intrigued by the off-road teardrop trailers. I will be using a 1997 LX 450 as our family overland vehicle (wife and 2 kids). I wanted to get the opinion of this community, the experienced overlanders as to whether pulling an off-road tear drop with all the accessories might be too much for the mighty in-line 6.... Should I abandon the idea and just build up the LX 450 to do the job?

Thank you, Omar

 

[ChuckB]

Welcome! I haven't owned an 80 but, I think the consensus from the group will be that it is capable. It will just be slow going.

 

[mtnbike28]

I prefer my '93 when I take my Compact (~1400 pounds) over my '02 Taco. I know another member who has the same 2 trucks I do and prefers the Taco.... I turn off the OD and turn on the Power button and it did good through the mountains of WV. My 80 is still stock tires and gears.....

 

[Rot Box]

Ditto what ChuckB said. Correct me if I'm wrong but it gets really hot in Texas... I'd recommend taking the time to make sure your cooling system is in tip top shape and the radiator, AC condenser and trans cooler are clean and clear of any debris.

 

[coax]

I think as others have mentioned, there are really a number of factors to consider: How much weight you will have total, including your build on the cruiser (IE bumpers, winch, etc) + the trailer and cargo. Tire size, gears, elevation you will be driving at, steepness of grades.

Most of my driving happens at 8k+ feet on steep grades, and I'd hate to ever tow a trailer. At that elevation I think the HP loss is about 25% of an already undersized HP engine :| On the flats at 1k feet would be completely different i imagine.

hth,

 

[hoser]

+1 on cooling system. Then add supercharger.

 

[yotacrawler83]

I have a 91' 80 series with the 3fe it's sitting on 35" BFG tires 230k on the clock. Arb bumper with warn winch, roof rack, snorkel etc. I have regeared it with 5.29's and pull a Bantam TC-3 trailer sitting on 33" tires. I have it setup for camping with 2-20liter gas cans, 9 gallon water tank, EZ up canopy,solar panel, Honda generator, tent, fridge, cooler, all other misc camping gear....basically everything but the kitchen sink. Lol and it tows just fine you just have to be okay with semi trucks passing you on pretty much all mountain passes or big hills. It will tow just fine though. But like the others have said just do your basic PM and you should be fine, you'll just be really slow. Hope this helps!

 

[ommd]

Thank you for the advice!!

Thanks guys for all your advice. Completed modifications include 285/75/R16 BFG all terrains, OME suspenion kit 850/863, ARB front bumper, Superwinch Talon 12,000 lbs with synthetic line, ARB dual compressor, ARB front and rear air lockers and a Slee rear bumper with ladder and tire carrier. Future modifications include a storage system, hopefully something like Wagon racks which are no longer made however a local welder will build and sliders either from Slee or Metal Tech. I am looking at purchasing the Moby 1 XTR trailer in the 60" width with all the accessories. Still unsure where to place the RTT, on the trailer or on the LC. Thank you.

Oh forgot.. I am doing all the PM. Purchased the vehicle with 112K, currently 115K and loving it. I will post a few pictures tomorrow.

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

Thanks guys for all your advice. Completed modifications include 285/75/R16 BFG all terrains, OME suspenion kit 850/863, ARB front bumper, Superwinch Talon 12,000 lbs with synthetic line, ARB dual compressor, ARB front and rear air lockers and a Slee rear bumper with ladder and tire carrier. Future modifications include a storage system, hopefully something like Wagon racks which are no longer made however a local welder will build and sliders either from Slee or Metal Tech. I am looking at purchasing the Moby 1 XTR trailer in the 60" width with all the accessories. Still unsure where to place the RTT, on the trailer or on the LC. Thank you.

Oh forgot.. I am doing all the PM. Purchased the vehicle with 112K, currently 115K and loving it. I will post a few pictures tomorrow.

I hate to be slow, my dailey drive is a V8 4runner 4x4, and I come from sport cars, so I like to get up and go! So......

I basically have the same setup as yours, but I tow a lighter trailer then the Moby, I however drive at 75 mph and 65 mph on the mountains I shift to second gear thru the mountains and I have no problems at all on 100 degree plus weather! I have done all my PM so I never have an issue, but you never know when it can happen,stock gears and also have 140k miles on my Lexus with 295 mud terrain tires!

Looking forward to your pictures!

 

[Westy]

Keep the 80 light, it makes a world of difference. Ladders, racks, unnecessary gear, overweight armor take a toll on these trucks big time.

 

[Sgt Grunt]

YES!!!!!!!!

 

[REDrum]

The answer comes from pretty simple math. A FZJ80 has an OEM towing and cargo capability, if your truck is stock, just be sure you stay relatively within it. Exceeding will strain many of the trucks systems, for short hauls you may be lucky, for longer durrations your luck will run out. Cooling, brakes, electrical, and driveline will fail first. People often forget that things like bigger tires, bull-bar bumper, winch, sliders, dual battery all add load, not hard to add 500# in armor alone. I haul near 1500# over stock weight in/on mine on a regular basis, but have increased cooling, brakes, and geared down to 4:88. That said a towed load is a better way to go, even better if the trailer has its own brakes.

 

[Box Rocket]

Works fine for me. Wife and 4 kids and gear all along for the ride.

 

[TexasD-90]

I have a 97 with 5.29s and 37s. The truck will drag my expo trailer with all our gear, RTT on trailer and the whole family 80-85 mph all day long. Just have to turn off overdrive in the mountains. Our last trip we put the RTT on the cruiser and left the trailer at home. I had a hard time running 70-75 on the flat roads in Texas. I guess just the wind resistance. My thought is a well set up trailer will work great. Don't get it too toung heave!