I've got a 98 4Runner w/ the 3.4.

Im planning to tow a trailer about 700 total miles this week. (350 each way)

The trailer is a 6x14 enclosed v-nose w/ no trailer brakes.
Weight ~ 1300lbs.
It will have 3 motorcycles, totaling about 1300lbs.

With riders and gear, I estimate the total to be about 3250 lbs.

The towing capacity is 5k lbs, which is fine. Im sure it can pull the weight, but what about stopping?
Part of the drive is in the mountains, and I'd rather not die having a run-away vehicle.

BTW, I've got the 15" wheels/brakes, but brand new Brembo Drums, and Brembo blanks in the front.

What do you guys think? Safe? Not safe?
Ok, but just take it easy?

Before I go, anything you recommend I change? Tranny fluid? Coolant?

 

I wouldnt tow anything without putting a tranny cooler on it. You might want to look into swapping some Tundra brakes on the front as well

 

No time for that, unfortunately.
I leave early Wed.

 

Your set up will handle that just fine. If you have not pulled a trailer like that before I would be careful and not go too fast. A tranny cool is never a bad idea when pulling in hot or high altitude environments

 

tranny cooler isnt really needed unless you pull or haul a lot. just make sure you are changing your atf (drain and fill) frequently to keep from burning out. i do mine every 15-30k miles with amsoil. if you use dino then every other to every 3rd oil change do a drain and fill.. imo

 

From your location and you description of what and how far you are going, It sounds like your destination is South East Tennessee...The Dragon?
The Appalachian Mountains and that set up will do alright. I have done it with my truck and a boat with no issues to Knoxville. If you were doing the Rockies I would opt for a tranny cooler.

 

minimum: slow-careful, engine brake, watch for the tranny temp light...


better: put amsoil in your tranny and engine
better yet: put amsoil in your gearboxes too

best: trailer brakes and tranny cooler too

 

Yea, I know....just cheap insurance....

For about the price of a fluid change you can buy a cooler..for me it would be worth the peace of mind....extra fluid and a cooler is cheap...new trannys aint

 

oh yeah i agree but if he doesnt pull often or hardly ever then its no nesacarry.. but i totally agree with what you said. they are good things to have.. one day i may add one. i am kind of lazy and i have to many other hobbies to pay for like um fishing, hunting, flyfishing, scouting, fishing some more, arrowheads, and etc etc lol... i wish i had more time in the day

 

Good guess.

I may make my passengers get out and ride their bikes through the dragon so I dont have to pull that 900 lbs. through there.




I'll get my atf changed tomorrow, and probably have the coolant flushed too.

 

you should be fine man.

 

"I may make my passengers get out and ride their bikes through the dragon so I dont have to pull that 900 lbs. through there."

Nah.... Just make them buy you gas! The Dragon is a lot of fun, I went in a modded out Mazda 3. Enjoy!

 

Well, just as an update, I went ahead and had my tranny and coolant flushed, just in case.

Towed down and back w/ no problems at all.
I got a min. of 14mpg, and a max of 16 on the trip.
14 through the mountains w/ the insanely long hills, and 16 in the (still hilly but not as steep) Kentucky driving.

 

Gald everything went ok...i did a tow two years ago 1500 miles with 3500-4000 lbs. Moved from Northern California to Texas. Mainly through Arizona and New Mexico is were i had to deal with the mountain grades. Before the tow i added a TRD tranny cooler after the stock cooler and for safe measure i had my buddy help me with a heavery duty fan cluch that comes with the tow package. My tranny at its hottest was 220 going up the mountain grades and stayed steady at around 170 on flat terrain.

 

Cool. Glad it went well for you. Hopefully you did not have to add a snorkel kit to get to you home!