Mid May we moved back to the UP with a loaded Uhaul trailer in tow. We were excited to be back in the UP and were planning on living a semi nomadic lifestyle with Julie being an RN and travel nursing while we lived in different places for 3 months at a time. To make this less stressful and easier for a family of three and a dog we picked up a new camper that we would use to live in with the plan of having the FJ and a small dualsport bike as our transportation and modes for doing adventures from wherever we would be living. The FJ as a tow rig? Hmmmm
So we ended up a with a 2014 Freedom Express 230BH. Its a 23 foot camper with aluminum frame construction, composite floors and walls with a bedroom with a queen size bed, a 6 person seatable dinette, full kitchen, fridge freezer, full bathroom with a tub, and a set of bunkbeds. We figured it would be big enough to live in with our family footprint yet still mobile and small enough to tow with the FJ.
Literally a couple of days after we bought it and were planning our escape to Alaska or Nor Cal, an OR position opened up at the hospital 3 blocks from our place in Marquette. So, Jules ends up scoring a good job locally and now we have a really nice home on wheels that we ended up using this summer extensively to go on weekend mountain bike trips up in Copper Harbor and for some outings elsewhere in the UP. Its definately not camping when you have every convenience of home but it gave us some opportunities to give it a good shakedown and learn about RV's. We are planning on doing some big trips with it in the future and using as a basecamp while we spend some time exploring some areas. Here are some more pics...
Kruz digs having a tub to get his splishy splashy time in.
All the fixings of home. Amazing having a place to relax in horrible weather and not feel like you are stepping all over each other. While it is NOT camping, it is a really cool way to basecamp and we are excited to get out and travel a bit with the setup.
Everyone seems to say the same thing to us, that FJ can tow a camper that big? I was a bit skeptical but I can give a resounding yes. I am frankly shocked how well the FJ tows for its size. The trailer has a dry weight of 4,200lbs (the benefit of being an ultralight and not using wood frame construction) and with a full tank of water and our gear onboard we are still well under the FJC's tow rating of 5,000lbs. Tongue weight is about 400lbs and we have a weight distribution setup that actually puts less weight on the back of the FJC than it has when we have it packed for a typical overland trip. While our plan is to put a receiver on the back bumper of the trailer so we can haul bikes back there, for the time being we just put them in the back of the FJC. Works great and keeps them out of the weather. I was thinking of devising a system to keep the bikes IN the trailer for long trips but I think that would make it difficult for pulling off and cooking, eating, sleeping in the camper when not technically camping.
I have been getting between 8-10mpg when pulling the camper so combined with the small tank capacity on the FJC, the downfall is really the range. That said though, the transmission is fantastic. It adapts well and prevents gear hunting. I tend to just stick it in 4th but I found that it manages pretty well just in drive. My only issue towing I have found has been in heavy crosswinds I can get some sway but that was in the case of a good 30mph+crosswind I felt that. We installed a trailer brake controller in the FJ and fast braking is drama free. Power wise we have plenty. I have no problem holding the speed limit or actually 5 over as I have been driving with it. I have to say I really don't feel it tows any worse than my old 2000 Tundra Access Cab with the 4.7. So again, it was a pleasant surprise. Sway bars may be something to consider for a long cross continent tow but for everything we have done so far its been fine.
