FJ Cruiser Towing Capacity
The Toyota FJ cruiser towing capacity has turned into an SUV because of its limited production and excellent off-road capabilities.
If you are one of the fortunate few that bought an FJ Cruiser, or if you have discovered a good one in excellent condition, you will want to know how much it can tow.
The FJ Cruiser can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds when braked, and 1,700 pounds when unbraked.
The 2014 FJ Cruiser is the only exception since it has a braked towing capacity of 4,700 pounds.
FJ Cruiser In The United States
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was first presented at the 2003 North American International Auto Show as a mid-size retro SUV.
The public response was extremely positive, and Toyota decided to move forward with the plan.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was created by Hino Motors, a Toyota business unit.
The FJ Cruiser was built on the Prado platform and was designed by Hino Motors.
The FJ Cruiser is unlike its sibling, which shares the same platform, in that it is more focused on durability and off-road performance than a luxury.
The short wheelbase, stocky body, and front mask style are reminiscent of the original FJ40, with design features including three windshield wipers and the Toyota wordmark on the grille.
The FJ Cruiser was accessible in the United States from 2007 to 2014 before being discontinued, most likely due to poor sales.
Toyota distributed over 55,000 FJ Cruisers throughout the first two years, but afterward, sales began to drop at an alarming rate and never even came close to reaching the first numbers.
The FJ Cruiser’s failure was due to a lack of excitement after the initial novelty wore off, fierce competition from Jeep in an oil crisis.
Toyota attempted to keep the FJ Cruiser afloat with a mid-cycle engine update but eventually discontinued it in 2014.
The SUV was temporarily discontinued in other nations, such as Australia in 2016 and Japan in 2018, but it is still available in the Middle Eastern market, where the Toyota brand is highly regarded.
FJ Cruiser Towing Capacity
There is some uncertainty regarding the FJ Cruiser’s towing capacity.
The braked and unbraked 5,000-pound capacity is consistent throughout the production run, but the 2014 model has a 4,700 pound braked capacity that should not be there.
I can explain what happened.
I have read posts on the Australian forums where Jeep owners are discussing recalls that will reduce the towing capacity, but I have not seen any evidence of it.
The 300-pound difference is not significant, but if I was buying a 2014 FJ Cruiser, I would want a picture of the vehicle information plate.
It is also vital to note that there is more to towing than simply the braked and unbraked tow capacities.
Let’s take a look at the most important FJ Cruiser towing and load capacity statistics.
Curb Weight
The curb weight rating indicates the FJ Cruiser’s total weight without passengers and other accessories.
To determine the real weight of the vehicle, you must consider the weights of people, goods you have brought with you such as snow chains and fire extinguishers, as well as any extra equipment.
According to Motor Trend, FJ Cruisers are powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque.
The curb weight of the FJ Cruiser without fuel is unclear, but I can’t say for sure whether there is any wiggle room, so take it easy just in case.
Because of the additional differential in the 4WD model, it is somewhat heavier.
GVWR
The maximum load limit of the FJ Cruiser is calculated using its gross vehicle weight rating.
To determine the real capacity, remove the curb weight, passengers’ weight, and equipment from the GVWR.
For both the 2WD and 4WD versions, subtracting just the curb weight from the total vehicle weight results in 1,280 pounds.
That is the maximum load of everything within and above the FJ Cruiser.
GCWR
The gross combined weight rating, as the name implies, incorporates all of the material, trailer, and cargo into one.
It establishes a hard limit on how much weight can be hauled regardless of the 5,000-pound limitation.
Let’s look at the numbers from a different perspective to get a better idea.
We have a 9,500-pound combined weight limit and a curb weight of 4,290 pounds (4WD model).
The difference is 5,210 pounds. The remainder of the 5,210 pounds is divided as follows:
- The driver
- The passengers
- Luggage
- Trailer
- Vehicle or Cargo placed on the trailer
Although the FJ Cruiser can go up to 5,000 pounds, you will not be able to tow that much unless you are driving alone.
A couple with light baggage might weigh 400 pounds, so the maximum towing capacity is now 4,810 – 400 = 5,100 pounds.
The limit decreases as the weight of the car rises until it reaches a GVWR of 5,570 pounds (4WD model).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to tow a boat in a Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The FJ Cruiser can tow boats with a combined weight of up to 5,000 pounds, which is approximately 4,500 pounds.
What is wrong with the FJ Cruiser?
The FJ Cruiser’s most prevalent issues are shuddering and slipping gearboxes, as well as seat belt retractors.
The first two problems are caused by the transmission, whereas the seat belt retractor malfunction was a big recall.
The recall data also suggests that FJ Cruiser had a number of issues, including string steering shafts, fuel pumps, front lower ball joints, and a few other more minor difficulties.
The SUV was only recalled 15 times over the course of eight years, which is not terrible considering how frequently today’s vehicles are recalled.
Are FJ Cruisers a good investment?
The value of the FJ Cruisers has been steadily increasing.
Because FJ Cruiser has not been available for eight years and was initially available in only a few locations, it has become a highly sought-after and uncommon SUV.
If you want to acquire an FJ Cruiser, now is the moment since you will not be able to get it for less in the future.
Is the FJ Cruiser or the Toyota 4Runner the better vehicle?
The Toyota 4Runner has a better reputation and is typically manufactured in greater numbers, which I believe gives it the edge.
While the FJ Cruiser is great both on and off-road, it is a rare vehicle that may be too pricey to buy, especially when compared to the Toyota 4Runner.
Is the FJ Cruiser gas efficient?
One of the FJ Cruiser’s most common flaws was its poor fuel efficiency.
In the city, the FJ gets between 14 and 17 miles per gallon, while on the highway it can get up to 21 mpg.
Because of the gasoline crisis, at one time appeared to be a minor drawback, but now that it no longer exists, it may appear to be more significant.
Is it possible to tow a camper behind an FJ Cruiser?
The FJ Cruiser is not designed to tow a fifth-wheel trailer, but it can carry a regular camper without issue.
You will also be able to transport fishing boats, jet skis, ATVs, and other small automobiles.
Is it possible to drive an FJ Cruiser off-road?
The FJ Cruiser is a capable off-road vehicle, as it is constructed on the Prado Land Cruiser platform.
The FJ Cruiser, like the original FJ40, is highly capable with the potent 4.0L V6 and 4WD.
Summary
When you include the weight of the passengers and goods, the FJ Cruiser’s towing capacity is only around 4,500 pounds.
The factory limit is set at 5,000 pounds, and the vehicle can easily manage that load.
