I just towed a Uhaul trailer (4x8) filled 3/4 of the way with my 4runner. I was very happy with it besides the fact that uhaul trailers suck. I'm going to be moving to Arizona within the next few weeks and I'm looking to see how it does with a sightly bigger trailer.
If I remember right there was a thread about towing (having OD on/off, seemed like mixed replies about it). I just had my ect button on and it did fine. Should I have just had OD on or off?

 

Tow with OD off, dont tow any more than about 3500lbs or so if you have a 3.0 or 22re runner and 5,000 if you have a 96+.

it wont help you much either way, stability isnt there with any of them besides the tundra/t100.

 

I towed the uhaul 5x8 from VA to AZ last year. Had about 4000-4500 lbs in it. Keep OD off. I wouldn't haul a larger trailer or much more weight, especially if you'll be in mountains. Good luck. Hope you have a tranny cooler.

 

I have pulled a loaded 6x12 Uhaul from Jacksonville, FL to Boone, NC as well as my trail rig from Boone to Harlan, KY and back. Tow with OD off. My 99 does even better now that it has the Tundra brake upgrade. I tested it out tonight by hooking up to my buddies 21ft featherlite with the SCCA car on it. Did awsome.

 

Would my 4runner be okay if I towed a 5x10 uhaul trailer?? It's unload wieght is something like 1250 lb and I'll probale add about that much weight.

How do you know if it has the tranny cooler. Isn't it just a small radiator attached to the main radiator??

What gas mileage did you guys get? I'll have one or two mountain passes to traverse and the rest is basically down hill.

96 4runner 4x4 3.4L

 

isn't that the tandem axle? As I stated in my other post, I wouldn't go beyond 5x8, especially in mountains. It might pull it, but good luck stopping it. And your rear axle will be riding on the bumpstops... trust me.

Auxiliary tranny cooler is usually installed in front of the radiator/ac evaporator. They're cheap and (in my opinion) mandatory if you're going to tow and want to prolong the life of your tranny. If you aren't comfortable installing one, any trans shop can do it for you. $200 for cooler vs. $2000+ for tranny.

If you need to ask about gas mileage while towing... um... thats really the last thing you should be thinking about.

 

I probable won't go that big. The 5x8 is all that I really need I was just throwing the other one out as an idea.

Ya, I know I shouldn't worry about gas because I already know tat it is going to suck. I check to see if I have the tranny cooler tommorrow.

Thanks

 

edited...

 

Yep! I have a trans. cooler!

 

I have the 3.4L V6

 

Should I carry a back up gas can?? I'll be traveling though the desert a there gas stations are few and far between. If I got a back up gas can where should I store it (in the trailer, on the tougne of the trailer, where)?

 

Water is impotant as well.

 

if your going on a long haul, id bring some water and coolant, extra gas, oil, and some tools!

 

I just returned from a 10 day camping/exploration trip between Calgary and the Sunshine Coast. The 18 foot travel trailer was loaded and was probably 3,700 lbs total weight. The truck was close to 5,400 lbs with people and supplies, etc (and the bumper, winch, skid plates).

The 4Runner handled the mountains surprisingly well. Hottest tranny temp was 230 for about 2 minutes near the top end of the Rogers Pass Summit and the water temp was 211 for the same length of time. Average temps would have been closer to 175 and 180 respectively. Highest RPM's were in the 3,800 to 4,000 range which still gave me about 65 km's up the steepest hills in 2nd.

Sway was non-existent even when the truckers blew by me at the start of the long hills (amazing how much speed they build up to make it up the hills). Downhill braking was not an issue even near the steep and windy roads near Golden. I felt the trailer tires at every gas stop (and wow, were there a lot LOL) and they were comfortably warm but not even close to hot. Truck tires were surprisingly cool.

The nicest surprise was getting back to Calgary last week and realizing that the 3.4l with 225,000 km did not use a single drop of oil.

Please note that the 4Runner is supercharged, has a trans cooler and I'm using weight distribution bars. With a proper set-up the 4Runner was very adept at towing on an intermittent basis. If I were making the trip more than just every once in a while, I would be looking at a bigger truck.

Extra fuel was not a consideration because there were gas stations at least every 60 miles. Take your time, be sure you have everything adjusted properly (insufficient trailer tongue weight is apparently the number one cause of sway). Leave extra braking room and you should be fine.

James

 

Somebody has bigger cajones than I.

 

Rogers Pass is a SERIOUS pass in BC.

Those ARE big cajones.

 

I got to looking at the Uhaul site some more and gave it some more thought and I think I should be fine with the 5x10. Like I mentioned earlier I only have about 2 small mtn. pass (at the first) to cross and the rest is down hill.

 

I reserved a 5x10 today and I'll let you guys know how it does.

 

Good luck....just be sure that the trailer brakes are operating, and watch the tongue weight (too much is better than too little). I don't know whether the 5x10 trailer has a w/d option but it really makes towing much easier. I've attached a picture of my truck and trailer to show that properly set up, there is minimal sag in the back-end of the truck.



Keep us advised...

James

 

What's a w/d option?