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1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62 — question: Trailer feels nervous in crosswinds

JDMLearner79Community StarterMay 28, 20261988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62Las Vegas
Truck is within published ratings, but with a tall enclosed trailer it gets pushed around in wind more than I expected. Before changing trucks, what would you verify: tongue weight, tire pressure, hitch setup, trailer loading, suspension?
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14 replies

TurboRoadie31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 28, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Call your insurer in Las Vegas before you fall in love with the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. If they balk, that's your answer. On “question: trailer feels nervous in crosswinds,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
EVMiles31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. Ask for out-the-door on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser with fees, add-ons, and rate on separate lines. Do that before you talk monthly again. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
QuattroGeek8Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. Two 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. If the VIN lookup is clean I'm still doing PPI.
JDMLearner79Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
Walked a dealership this week on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser and the doc fee was the tell. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
TrailTech93Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Do that first. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
EVMiles31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: A written buyer’s order on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. Just my two cents from doing this recently. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Going to re-read the worksheet tonight.
TurboPilot18Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. Call your insurer in Las Vegas before you fall in love with the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. On “question: trailer feels nervous in crosswinds,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. If GAP is bundled I'm making them unbundle it.
TorqueTravelerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Call your insurer in Las Vegas before you fall in love with the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. If they balk, that's your answer. On “question: trailer feels nervous in crosswinds,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Stop there until you know. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. That's my plan before I call anyone.
JDMScoutCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, two 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Then the comparison gets honest. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Doc fee is the line I'm watching.
QuattroGeek8Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
I'd slow the salesperson down here. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser price probably got worse. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
TurboRoadie31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 29, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. In Las Vegas, insurance quotes flipped a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser comparison for me more than the sale price did. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. I'll update if anything new shows up.
EVMiles31Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 30, 2026permalink
Compare apples to apples or you'll get spun. A written buyer’s order on the 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” If they balk, that's your answer. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Sleeping on the number either way.
ApexDaily36Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 30, 2026permalink
I'd push back a little: Two 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
QuattroGeek8Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 30, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. Two 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser quotes only help if both include tax, title, and the same options. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser in Las Vegas. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Not wiring anything in the meantime.
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