My new tow vehicle

[cpaharley2008]

Traded in my 2011 Jeep and got a 2012 Toyota FJ cruiser with tow package. Specifications are 5000# and t/w 0f 500# for the new suv. The Jeep although rated the same had a older 210 hp v6 and when I hooked the Escape up it really squatted the 20" wheels and narrow tires.It also drove like a "lead sled"! The FJ hitch is another 4" higher and hooked up it does not budge. It has the same bullet proof v-6 motor used in Tacoma and Forerunner- 265 hp- a lot more pep and better gas than the Jeep.Plus it is the right color to match the Escape decals.

[David Tilston]

Very nice!

[DannyH]

Looks great. Are you going to match the graphics from the Escape on the TV?

[Mike Magee]

White, good choice! I would buy one of those in a heartbeat if they would just put a small diesel under the hood.

[honda03842]

Is this going to be the tow vehicle for the CA run? By 'better gas' do you mean Reg versus Premium gas or better mpgs?

Best of luck with your new TV, we once considered an FJ.

[cpaharley2008]

both use regular but I think the FJ gets 2-3 more mpg than the jeep

[honda03842]

Glad the mpgs are better. We've been home 2 weeks and gas has gone up $0.20 a gallon.

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

both use regular but I think the FJ gets 2-3 more mpg than the jeep

Hi: cpaharley2008... More grunt...less gas and suicide doors too???
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by honda03842

Glad the mpgs are better. We've been home 2 weeks and gas has gone up $0.20 a gallon.

Hi: honda03842...Ours goes up that much o'er nite!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Perry J]

Hi Norm & Ginny.
I was In Bakersfield yesterday and had an In-Out Burger for lunch. Thought of you.
Gas has gone up over 50 cents a gallon in the last week in Bakersfield.
It's now $6.00 a gallon in some areas of Los Angles.
John

[kootenaigirl]

I'd really like to see a pic of it pulling your Escape when you are next using it. Looks very nice.

[gmw photos]

Jim,
Great looking SUV ! I look forward to hearing your eval of it as a traveling and tow vehicle. Toyota builds nice vehicles for sure, I'm betting you will like it.

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Alf S.

Hi: honda03842...Ours goes up that much o'er nite!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

Yup see it every Friday morning - goes up twice that if its Friday before a long week-end.

[Raz]

Interesting, while the Tacoma and the Fj Cruiser use the same engine, according to Edmunds the horsepower and torque number are different, as are the mpg numbers. I wonder why? Raz

[ThomasE]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

Interesting, while the Tacoma and the Fj Cruiser use the same engine, according to Edmunds the horsepower and torque number are different, as are the mpg numbers. I wonder why? Raz

The FJ Cruiser and 4-Runner on which it is based has the dual VVT-i technology which features variable valve timing for both the exhaust and intake. The Tacoma engine is VVT-i for the intake side only, which accounts for the lower output.

[BCDave]

Different cam for the different torque/HP requirements for the different applications

[Raz]

Mystery solved. Thanks, Raz

[Borden]

We rang in this area from 122.6 liter to 132.9 X4 $4.90 to $5.31 US gal so better mileage helps

[ruscal]

Jim,
Nice looking rig! Let us know what kind of towing mileage you come up with. Last year I was at a meet in the California desert and a friend had towed his twenty something foot long stickie with a new FJ. He had that thing loaded to the hilt with way more than 500 lbs. tongue weight. It was sagged way down in the back, but the engine pulled the load with no problem. It looked like it would handle a 16' egg with relative ease.
Russ

[cpaharley2008]

I believe my t/w is around 345#, will check it this week and report about the first tow next weekend while going to the fall rally here in Burnt Cabins,Pennsylvania, the leaves are just starting to turn.