FJ cruiser pulling a 230?

[perry386]

Hi guys, my son is debating between a chevy avalanche and a Toyota FJ Cruiser. I know the Avalanche would pull our 230 but I was wondering if he could pull it with a 4X4 FJ. We only live about 2 miles from the marina and there are no hills. I know it will be close but do you think there is any chance of this working?

[BrennanK]

For 2 miles at slow speeds yes.

So many people think that if the vehicle can move the load it is safe to haul it. The big problem is stopping the load, and to a lesser extent with boats is the truck handling the weight of the load. Personally, I don't think a FJ has the wheelbase for the job or the brakes. It is just too short. The FJ is rated at 5000 lbs, and the 230 is 4,400 dry, so factor in a trailer, gear, and people and you are pushing it for any kind of distance or speed. I don't know but I would say 6,500 lbs isn't unreasonable for a fully loaded 230.

Again, I think you can do it, but I would not want to go on the highway with it. In a panic stop that 230 with shove that FJ all over the road.

[jmo]

How many times a summer will you go back and forth to the lake? If its just once to launch in the spring and once in the fall to pull the boat just borrow a friend's truck instead of taking the risk.

IMHO, based on the math the answer is clearly no given you will be at least 1,000 lbs over the FJ's max tow capacity and with passengers in the FJ it will be even worse from a GVWR perspective. Think about how you will feel if in panic stop you lose control and get into a major accident and someone gets hurt, even if the accident wasn't caused by you, you will still be cited for being over the limit. Why take that risk?

Another scenario to consider is if a cop pulls you over and discovers your over the limit, you at best will have leave the boat on the side of the road until you can retrieve with a properly equipped vehicle, or worse watch some idiot tow truck company haul it off to the impound!

Yes, I am extremely paranoid about things like this...

JMO

[AirTool]

Absolutely not if it has surge brakes.

Also, if you have a wreck and injure someone ....and you were over your capacity. Its gonna hurt.....

[jsta281]

2 miles? I'd be more concerned getting it up the ramp. I would concur that if tragedy struck in your 2 mile drive bring over towing capacity would not look good on a police report, but I would pull it every day two miles and not worry about a thing.

[shag]

No. Around the yard, ok. On the road, no.

[perry386]

Ok, so it sounds like this won't work with an FJ. I guess he will just have to borrow whatever truck I decide on next year (probably GMC Sierra). Which will definitely pull it.