Folks, i'm heading west from St Louis, MO to Eugene, OR...

I'll be towing a 12x8 trailer...

my '98 4R has 202K on it...and here's my laundry list of to-do before i head out:

Timing belt
Water pump
Coolant flush
All belts
MAF clean
Transfer and Dif fluids
Trailer Brake system (need help on this one - only have standard 4 wire setup at present)

Any thoughts on what I might be missing on the to-do? Transmission was flushed about 130k - fluid still looks nice and clean. Thoughts? THANKS!

 

Check the diferential fluid, and what about the brakes, are they in good shape ?.

 

Good one re: dif and transfer case...i'll add that...

Brakes are REAL new up front, and maybe 15k in the rear...

 

just how much is that trailer gonna weigh?

it is equipped with brakes and your 4runner has a brake controller correct?

 

DNK yet on the trailer weight- going to be mostly household goods - minus furniture (selling all that) - W.A.G. - 4000 #'s?

The trailer DOES have brakes - and my '98 is sans a brake controller ... so, guess i know what i need to add to the list!

 

how low is the trailer? will it make the rear of your Runner sag much?

 

if an auto make sure you have a tranny cooler.

make sure your trailer weight is distributed correctly,

Not sure if the tow limit on your truck is 3500 or 5000.

edit-make sure you have at least a class 3 hitch

 

tranny cooler - CHECK!

weight distrib, check!

Tow limit is 5K, IIRC.

class 3 check!

Re: sag - 12footer - shouldn't sag too much- i pulled a 10 footer last year from Eugene to St Louis and it didn't even make the 4R sit level!

 

If and when you go to buy the trailer brake control - spend a few bucks more and get either a pendulum or or fully programable one. Many of the basic units use simple timers to increase the braking force and can really play havock with the handling of your smaller truck when trying to stop smoothly or quickly.

A unit with a pendulum will automatically adjust the braking effort on the trailer based on your rate of decent (simular to surge brakes)

I believe your 4runner has 5000 lb towing rating provided you have a well rated hitch installed.

Are you renting the trailer? Regardless look for a trailer with an equalizer hitch which will spread the tongue weight more evenly over the front and rear axle of your truck. This will save a lot of wear and tear on the truck as well as be safer. If the trailer is going to weigh over 3500 lbs this should be a manditory item. You can add this to most trailers as an accessory kit. Look to spend $700 for this type of setup but it will add that much value to the trailer if and when you go to sell it.

 

I'm actually buying the trailer - it's a tandem axle w/ brakes...

thanks for the thought on the equalizer hitch - I'll give that a look into!

 

Might be simple but just a thought grease the chassis and all moving parts. Minor i know but if you have yet to do it and it's been awhile it might save you from a head ache later. Also if i'm headed on a long trip i'll put the truck up on stands and spin all the tires to check for cracks on the tread, free movement throughout the drive line, and any play in the suspension. Simple yes again i know but it has saved my butt a couple times.

 

good call re: grease points, etc....

 

well, due to a total....might be pulling said trailer with a '99 stocker 4R...130k, fully up to service, stock tow package.

Question - any good write-up on installing a 7-pin trailer adapter and brake controller?

 

ouch that sucks sorry to hear that.

 

yah...i know! Blackie did make it out to OR at least once in her life!

the '99's pretty cherry...and the better 1/2 has a '02 Taco....so, i'll be in the family!

-aaron

 

Got any pics of the new ride?

 

Did you get a hold of Victor?

 

No on pics - i'm buying it from my mom...so, one owner grandma 4R - 1999 in red...stock and not much to see.

i DID get to talk to Victor yesterday - thanks for the digits...i'll know more once i hear from teh INS co today on the $ of it all. Dunno if i'm going to entertain buy-back yet...