Ilovemountains

I have always been afraid to really tow anything with my truck because of horror stories I’ve heard of people killing their OD or the entire Trans. My truck has 153k on the stock trans, its a 3.slow so it can never really decide what gear it wants to be in anyway,,,OD no wait 3 no that’s ok OD again oh ˟˟˟˟ back to 3rd, this will throw him off 2nd, then OD back to 3rd, or my favorite, 1st, 3rrrrd, back into 2nd,,,,,,then OD! WTF is up with these auto transmissions! Anyway I have a small trailer that I built myself, its basically a 5x6" flat bed. I took an old pop up camper that I came across one afternoon at a yard sale for free and removed everything down to the bare frame, axle and wheels. Then I cut and bolted some deck 5 quarter boards to it for a floor, wired it with some new lights and got a fresh set of tires. I built it to haul my 4 wheeler, I really hate pulling it up into my truck, it’s a big 4x4 Polaris and barely fits! It fits perfectly on my trailer though. I am just worried that I am going to kill my Trans towing it. I can feel the trailer back there empty and it can’t weigh more than 200 pounds. I just want to make sure that towing isn’t chewing my trans up. I would rather not use my truck to tow with, but I’m going to our mountain cabin this weekend and its about a 150 mile trip with half of it up and down mountains. I was told its OK as long as you don’t use OD while towing, I refuse to let my engine sit at 3500 rpms in 3rd! I wish I had a damn 5 speed.

Doc279

I don't know anything about the 1st generation transmissions but I
would guess that I have the same transmission in my 1990 V-6 2nd generation. I regularly pull my 4000 lb 20ft Sea Ray boat, my 12 ' body
pop up camper or a 6 X 8 utility trailer loaded with firewood - with no problem. Turn the OD off if you plan on running highway speed - I use the ECT button always - stays on.

As funny as it may sound - my runner actually seems to run better pulling a load - I towed the Sea Ray home from Chicago and once up to speed - the load kept me running better - I know that is strange but it is true !

I would pull your trailer and the 4 wheeler without even having to think about it. Unlesss your transmission is slipping - you will not have any problems.

I hope that is helpful !

91 4Runner

In the winter I regularly haul a 2 up trailer with 2 500lb sleds (no fuel) on it about 190km 1 way with no issues... All in all the trailer and sleds weigh about 1400lbs or so....Probably 1600lbs with extra fuel, and all the other gear.... I leave OD on (with the ect on),because the computer knows more than I do (even if it can only count to 1)..... Mine is also a 90 V6 with the A340H....

HondaTec521

i have a utility trailer (5'x8') and use it to tow dirt bikes.I do turn off OD on hills and try to keep the rpm's under 3500 (60-65 mph) Really steep grades (towing) i've had to use 2nd(40mph)but that was going to Tahoe.On flat ground it easily cruises at 75. (1990 runner 4x4 3.0 auto)

Ilovemountains

Cool, thats what I needed to hear! Now about my hitch... I bought one of those receiver box hitches that mounts to the bottom of the bumper, I should have bought a class 3 hitch but wasnt thinking at the time! I hope my bumper holds up, the brackets and bumper are in good shape with only minor surface rust but if you hook the trailer up to the hitch and stand on the tounge the bumper bends down! Anyone have a class 3 hitch for sale!?!

CappyKD

You should put on a auxillary trans cooler with a thermostat and fan. That will help protect your tranny while towing.

CappyKD

I've got a 1st gen class 3 hitch for $50 It is a draw tite. I just took it off of my runner to put a new rear bumper on. The only problem is that its heavy. So shipping may be a bear.