Experience With Pulling A Trailer

[BJ MOTORS]

I have purchased a 24ft Haulmark trailer and weight 3000#'s and am going to be pulling it with a 99 Toyota Landcruiser. Viper weighs 3800/3900 lbs. Has anybody had any bad/good experiences pulling with this vehicle. The Landcruiser I am putting a class 4 hitch with weight & sway distribution hitch. Any advise would be helpfull. I guess my only concern is the wheel base of the Cruiser.

 

[Jim Peffers]

You will probably be able to pull it OK; your real problem may be stopping and maneuvering in an emergency situation. The relatively light weight of your tow vehicle combined with it's short wheelbase could lead to some really nasty problems (sort of like the "tail wagging the dog"). Be very sure that the trailer brakes are working and are proportioned correctly (Very Important!). I pull most of my trailers with a Cummins Ram which weighs close to 7000# and even with that, it gets kinda hairy sometimes. You will find that some of the morons on the highways have no understanding of the laws of physics and think it is perfectly acceptable to pull out in front of you in a little tin econobox (and in one case, stop to make a left turn). When I may have a combined weight of >15,000#, there are limits as to what I can do. I have not had an accident yet, but only because I plan way ahead and have very fast reflexes. Hope this helps - stay safe!

 

[K Adelberg]

Good Luck! Bernie, your car is really not suited for this. It will do it but you will be beating your Toyota a new one. I have a 97 Ford Expedition and towed the same thing you are trying. It towed fine, but hit any kind of hill and its over. Even on a flat road I was pretty much at full throttle to stay at 65 mph. I was getting three miles to the gallon. The main problem is the wind resistance.

You can do it, but you really want a full size pick up. Good job on the wieght distributioning set up. You can even get a sway control set up too.

 

[Matt M PA]

I would suggest that you use a different tow vehicle. I would bet that you will burn up the transmission in short order...plus the safety issue is a real concern. FWIW..I have used a '94 full size Bronco 351, with trailer towing package, weight distributing hitch with sway control for years. Never had a problem getting up hills, or going as fast as I ever wanted to. I have a 22 foot Haulmark enclosed trailer. Oh yeah...and on the raod..with or without the trailer it gets 10-11 MPG.