New member here but have been a member of the other FJ forum. We have our FJ set up to tow behind our motorhome. We installed a Remco driveshaft disconnect, a Roadmaster towing brackets and aux brake system. Just to let you all know that it can be done.

Cool and welcome to the site. So how does it work? because I can tell you pulling and reinstalling a drive shaft every time you want to move really blows.

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Please Click for Sarah's Wish

Go to Remco.com. They make the driveshaft. The original driveshaft is replace by theirs which comes balanced. A push pull cable allows the driveshaft to be disconnected and reconnected in a few seconds. Easy to do.

Nice first posts. Welcome!

I joined the site five minutes ago and fond exactly what I needed. I brought home my new FJ on Wednesday and started looking for a few add ons and one at the top of the list was a way to tow it behind my Motorhome. Perfect!

So how ya liking your FJ so far?

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Please Click for Sarah's Wish

Hello everyone, My name is John and I just came across this website while searching for some information on the FJ Cruiser. I also noticed that there seems to be lots of request for information on the "towability" of the FJ.
Here is the lowdown.... If the FJ is equipped with a manual transmission (it has ALL WHEEL DRIVE) and cannot be made towable at all not even on a dollie, with one exception that I will discuss later......
IF your FJ is automatic, then it can be towed on all 4 wheels BUT.......
you have to either disconnect the rear driveline manually or use a remco driveshaft disconnect
a) the transfer case remains in 2 HI
b) transmission in park
C) driveshaft disconnected

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TOW IT WITH TRANSFER CASE IN NEUTRAL

Any attempt to circumvent these procedures will result in SEVERE transfer case/ transmission failure

One more tidbit of information.... for those of you that use or will use a brake system (required in 48 of the 50 states if vehicle weighs over 3000# )
YOU CANNOT USE A DEAD PEDAL BRAKE SYSTEM.... ie Brake buddy, M&G, Brake master,Apollo, Even brake, Auto Stop etc
The brake system in the FJ is live and fully active with the engine off, just like the H3 Hummer.
Any attempt to use these brake systems will result in an uncontrolled skid of the FJ when the brake system is activated.
If anyone has any questions or needs more info dont hessitate to e-mail me.

Happy Wheelin
Stay safe
John
hard2hitch@aol.com

John:

Thank you for the above info on towing the FJ. I was wondering what the opinion would be using the Remco disconnect to disengage the driveshaft AND then subsequently using a tow dolly equipped with it's own brakes (either electrically activated or surge style), and towing the FJ with front wheels off the ground?

So the setup would be (if I'm following this correctly)

a) tow dolly (steerable with brakes, e.g. Demco Kar Kaddy or similar)
b) Remco driveline disconnect installed and activated (rear driveshaft disengaged)
c) Transfer case in 2H
d) Transmission in Park.
e) Ignition key OFF

Would this be a good long term solution for those with (ahem) an older motorhome that can barely stop itself let alone an additional 4k worth of weight ?

Cheers,
Budd

Hello there, Towing behind a motorhome with a dollie can only be done like you stated, transmission in park, transfer case in 2HI, driveshaft disconnected (remco) or removed from the rear end ....
However you mentioned older motorhome with marginal ability to tow additional 4k pounds.... remember if you are concerned about that, then you need to tow it on all 4s not on a dollie that weighs another 600 lbs or so. the cost of a dollie with brakes (mandated due to combined weight) is equal to cost of towing on the ground with a towbar..... and much easier than towing with a dollie that must be retrieved with the FJ the removed and then attached to the motorhome, only to drive the FJ onto the dollie, secure with straps, then chains..... then you will need a drink and chair cause you have not left yet and you are wiped out !!!!
Figuratively speaking
Good Luck, I hope this helps you.
thanks in advance
John

Point taken John-- yes, using the dolly has some disadvantages in the hassle and added weight. Given my 96 Bounder 34' Class A has adequate braking capability for itself (but marginal for any additional towed weight), I was looking for a way to "assist" in braking. Since you mentioned that the "Brake Buddy" and similar brake actuator products would cause the live system of the FJ to lock up and skid (despite that FJ being turned off), I was looking to the dolly itself to have the added braking capacity needed.

I would much prefer a Blue Ox or Falcon setup for towing flat-4, but in my particular situation, I still would like that extra braking capacity added. Hence, I was looking at the electric braked tow dolly in combination with the Remco disconnect as an alternative for towing my FJ on the family trips.

Thanks for the input! I would have made the wrong decision with the Brake Buddy gear had I not read your earlier post. Although not optimal, I think I'm on to a solution that will work for me, not damage the FJ, and allow for reasonably safe towing behind my older motorhome.

I am curious about the brake system on the FJ locking up violently when brakes are applied yet the system/vehicle is off. Is this common nowadays on vehicles, or particular to our FJ?

Cheers,
Budd