dstr8

FWIW, the Timbren bump stops are worth the $. I have had them on the front and rear of my 100-Series Landcruiser for years and can vouch for their performance and durability. I also have 2.5" diameter Radflo (similar to Fox, King, etc.) shocks on the rear and when towing I increase the nitrogen pressure (from 200psi to 400psi) to not only help with supporting the increased hitch weight but also to correspondingly increase the damping. After trying inner coil spring air bags, which provide additional spring rate, the difference was night/day with regard to additional control from the additional control via shock damping.

No, although I could rework the suspension easy enough, it came down to several factors: Price of entry/overall value; still the same stupid (IMO based upon my own experiences with same; ditto for Tundra guys pulling larger yet rated loads) semi-float rear axle system I've had problems with; relatively low hp/torque/mpg/tow rating; some QC & reliability issues that I feel are letdowns given the LC pedigree; and as you stated: No 1VD-FTV for North America (although I'd still prefer the LBZ Duramax + Allison). Here's a pic of how my '99 currently sits.

Related: I have a UZJ100 (Toyota 100-Series) that is heavily modified and customized. I've pulled a variety of trailers (<3,000lbs) with my Landcruiser but now our plans are changing. We will end up with either a Kimberley Kruiser, Oliver or possibly an Escape trailer. I drove an LX570 and although the horsepower and torque were comparatively impressive I still don't feel it is adequate for pulling a 2-1/2 ton trailer especially in the mountain regions. Enter our new to us '07 Chevy Classic HD2500 with the 6.6L Duramax and Allison transmission. Keep in mind I had to break a significant promise made to myself almost 4 decades ago to NEVER own another GM vehicle! But as hard as it is to say this, for a very steeped all things Toyota loyalist, Toyota just doesn't have a product that competes. At least in North America and heavy, capable towing related. Just my 2 cents and possibly all its worth. Dan

FWIW: Almost all our travels, with former off-road worthy trailers, was in "boon docking" fashion. In other words we were generally away from unlimited flow of water in between tank fill ups; sometimes a week or more at a time. So water conservation was key. In addition to an inline pressure accumulator I used a kitchen style sprayer for our shower head. I timed the off-the shelf sprayer, sourced from Home Depot, at 3gpm. I was able to increase the pressure of the shower system substantially by placing a penny into the base of the sprayer that functioned as a flow restrictor. I think I drilled a 3/32" diameter hole in the penny...but worst case it will only take you a few cents to experiment . Now we have a relatively high pressure shower system that flows at only .75gpm thereby allowing good shower water conservation for the times we don't have an unlimited water resource while in the outback. And the sprayer, with its simple on/off trigger allows military style showering...without too much sacrifice. Just an FWIW/FYI.

The Rocktamer style of mudflaps seem to capture/divert about 75% of the gravel road spray from getting to trailers in tow. Coating the front of the Oliver with matching color bedliner would probably be, in combination with the Rocktamer flaps, the best for containing any pitting damage. I've owned a couple off-road trailers and towed them extensively over gravel and dirt trails. The Kimberely Kamper, the last trailer we owned, had a fiberglass nose box that featured, from the factory, a bedliner coating that effectively protected the leading edge of same. Just curious to hear from those that have pulled their Oliver trailers over gravel roads...for more than a few miles. Thank you to all for your replies so far! Dan

Starting to shop for a trailer and discovered the Oliver difference! I have a couple initial questions related to how we use our trailers. Anyone here towing their Oliver on gravel roads? I don't see a factory option to protect the front of the trailer from gravel/grit spray from the tow vehicle: Is there a solution? Thanks, Dan