07-23-2019, 07:11 PM
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#1
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Member
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: California
Posts: 136
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: California
Posts: 136
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Prepping for Towing
I'm moving halfway across the country (California --> Colorado, but I'm not one of those Californians) and I am going to be towing a small 1000lb Uhaul trailer holding my possessions. I've never towed before so this 1000+ mile journey will be my first time, and in a gutless and old 4Runner to boot. I'm looking for any advice for towing with this particular vehicle, any problems areas, any parts I need to replace before doing it, and a bolt-on hitch receiver that you'd recommend (I do not have a factory one).
Specs:
240k+ miles
3.4L, 4x4, Automatic
3" coilover lift, 285/75/16 BFG All-Terrain
Recently added/replaced/serviced:
130k mile transmission
external tranny cooler
CV axles
LBJs
inner/outer tie rods
timing belt
radiator
water pump
all drive belts
front brakes
suspension
tires
The only problem is that I have a rear axle seal leak that has got some oil inside one of my rear brake drums.
__________________
'00 4Runner SR5 (242,100 miles)
3" Toytec/Bilstein lift, 285/75r16 BFG KO2s
'16 Ford Fiesta ST, pushing more boost than I should be
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07-23-2019, 07:40 PM
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#2
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Member
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 325
Real Name: chad morrison
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Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posts: 325
Real Name: chad morrison
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im curious to see what everyone has to say because im actually moving from alaska to colorado also pulling a trailer. im a manual though not auto. fix that axle seal before it does serious damage! ive seen quite a bit of horror stories. to the diff breather mod if you havent done that yet!
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07-23-2019, 09:36 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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agree with fix axel seal
check everything, look for leaks, slop in suspension, anything in question do now not on the road.
I did my axels, knock sensors ( threw a code of course a week b4 trip) and went through everything and changed every fluid last march b4 the trip from Oregon to my new home here in alaska
also I guess im just a old fart that does not need big power anymore.
a few weeks ago I had to tow a 22 foot SJX boat from Fairbanks to the chitna and back ( the above alaska guy knows the trip, 7 hours each way, and yes nearly limited out on salmon,58 in one day, 65 is max for the household permit). yes gutless and poor mpg.(13)..but now not a big concern to me and I was actually happy how the old girl did,
would I do it again, not really, but the trip was planned and the other rig ( diesel pick up) had to pull a horse trailer those days....but if I had to I would
esp for dem fishies
my son leaves Friday night for the kenai with his taco and the boat...because the darn big rig is pulling horses again
think I need to invest in another big rig
__________________
2000 SR-5 Highlander version 4:30's, factory locker , green, bought 6/21
2001 SR-5... bought 11/20..sold 6/21....
2000 SR-5 moded, lifted, e locker, other cool stuff, totaled 10/20
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07-23-2019, 10:15 PM
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#4
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 556
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 556
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I too am planning my escape from Kommiefornia soon! Hee, hee, hee!
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'96 T4R SR5 V6 Auto 2WD 329,000 miles
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07-23-2019, 11:12 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,145
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 3,145
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Yeah fix things you Know are busted first.
Learn how to use OD override.
Elevation and grade maps help.
The only really tough climb is I70 west of Denver, a real tough incline with elevation that kills about 40+ % of HP due to lack of O2, nothing but a supercharger or turbo can help in thin air. Most need to downshift to 2nd gear and 4K rpms to achieve a mere 50 mph up that mother of a mountain side. The engine will Roar! Ask me how I know....
Give her an oil change after all that hard work.
Luck and enjoy the Runner!
__________________
2001 Limited 4WD - 346+K - SunfireRed\Thunder Cloud; - 265/75/16 Michelin A/T2s - Fat Pat's 1.5" BL - StopTech ANGLED rotors - In series 699 trans cooler, New Yota1 transmission, All new OEM suspension front to rear.
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07-23-2019, 11:25 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 241
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Colorado
Posts: 241
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tcbaklash
I'm looking for any advice for towing with this particular vehicle, any problems areas, any parts I need to replace before doing it, and a bolt-on hitch receiver that you'd recommend
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As others have said, Fix the axle seal first.
On my 97 Tacoma I have the U-Haul Round tube hitch. It bolts up to the frame where the rear bumper mounts. 45 minute 2 person job to install. Cost me about $135 20 years ago, probably $180 these days.
For wiring:
Will the trailer have brakes?
If YES get a brake controller and wire it in. Here is the kit I used to wire up the Tacoma (and a 90's Ford van): This takes one person about 3-4 hours to install. Having a helper to run the 10-gauge duplex wire from front to rear makes things go faster. If I were to do it again I'd add on a dash switch and relay to be able to turn off the brake power line near the car's battery just after the fuse. this is how my 4th Gen Sport and the folks Sequoia came prewired.
If NO trailer brakes - just go with a 4-pole and stay out of the mountains:
This takes one person about 30 mins to install.
The technical help from etrailer was fast and spot on. they also sell a few bolt on Receiver hitches so you could get everything in one place. Also they have a price match policy so if you can find a lower price they beat it.
Give a call to the folks at scanguage and find out if the ScanguageII can read Transmission Fluid Temps for your 4Runner. It can on the 4th gen, not sure about the 3rd and my taco is manual. If that info is not available on the CanBus then I's suggest getting an aftermarket guage that mounts on the A-Pillar. Find out what fluid you are running and keep the temp below the breakdown temps. Also be aware that Stopping once it gets too hot is not good as you cut off the cooling air and the fluid in the tranny soaks up all of the heat w/o circulating and gets even hotter. (this is how we hosed the trans on the aforementioned Ford Van!)
Timmy the Toolman (@mtbtim) has a video on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT_2szdKXRM
Boort
PS:
@ jgue467
is right about the hill between Silverthorne and the Tunnel on I-70. Don't mess around downshift and move to the right if you take 70.
I'd say that is not the only spot where she will be huffin and puffin if you take 70. The Hill and Heat climbing Capitol Reef in Utah is another similar slog.
If you are in SoCal and headed for the Denver area, I'd suggest staying south. Take 40 to Albuquerque NM then head north. you can get an elevation profile from Google Maps (in a browser) by getting directions then switching to bicycle mode. you want the route with the least spikes and drops.
__________________
-- 1997 Tacoma v6 Std Cab
-- 2006 4Runner v8
Last edited by Boort; 07-23-2019 at 11:43 PM.
Reason: anothe rposter jogges my memory for more advice.
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07-23-2019, 11:44 PM
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#7
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Member
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: California
Posts: 136
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: California
Posts: 136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgue467
Yeah fix things you Know are busted first.
Learn how to use OD override.
Elevation and grade maps help.
The only really tough climb is I70 west of Denver, a real tough incline with elevation that kills about 40+ % of HP due to lack of O2, nothing but a supercharger or turbo can help in thin air. Most need to downshift to 2nd gear and 4K rpms to achieve a mere 50 mph up that mother of a mountain side. The engine will Roar! Ask me how I know....
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Yeah that’s the only bit I’m worried about. I’m looping around south through Las Vegas to avoid the Sierras so that’s no biggie. Just a few hills until I hit the Rockies.
Just drove my Fiesta ST through Truckee, CA on I-80 and I was doing 80mph uphill with cruise control in 6th gear. My 4Runner will do maybe 55 up that climb lol
__________________
'00 4Runner SR5 (242,100 miles)
3" Toytec/Bilstein lift, 285/75r16 BFG KO2s
'16 Ford Fiesta ST, pushing more boost than I should be
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07-24-2019, 12:05 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Western CO
Posts: 1,225
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Western CO
Posts: 1,225
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- Bump up the tire air pressure some for all the highway miles
- Make sure you load the trailer properly so that the weight is over the axle and not overloading the trailer tongue
- Maybe cheap (firestone) airbags if you're loading the 4Runner itself
- Start working the e-brake a bunch to get the rear brakes into adjustment
- Buy a pack of harmonicas and learn to play during the drive
__________________
2000 4Runner Sport - TRD&AEM SuperCharged
Solo Long Travel & KING 2.5 & bumps, 4th gen rear axle & KING 2.5 12's
F+R ARB's, 4.88 Yukon's, 295 KM3s
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07-24-2019, 01:07 PM
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#9
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,380
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Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,380
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If you truly are only pulling 1000lbs, just hook it up and go. Make sure it is loaded reasonably - at 1000lbs, you just be able to still pick up the weight of the tongue, but not easily (100-200lbs).
Your 4Runner will be fine, just do it (once you get that axle seal replaced). Keep the speed at 60-ish, enjoy the right lane. On the flats you can use 4th gear, but always turn of OD up hills (and down, if you want/need engine braking).
A used OEM hitch should be easy to acquire and rust free since you are in CA. If you were in SoCal, I'd have one to sell you cheap... Get a plug-n-play trailer wiring setup from etrailer.com (less than $50) - the OEM harnesses are not reliable anymore (I've gone through two stock ones).
(~3200lbs, surge brakes)
(~2000lbs, no brakes - not suggested!)
(~4000lbs, no brakes - really not recommended!)
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
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07-24-2019, 01:48 PM
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#10
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: High desert, CA
Posts: 478
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: High desert, CA
Posts: 478
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My 99 will read out the trans temp so yours should too but, I would recommend getting one of the cheap ODB scanners on Amazon or Ebay for less than $20 and downloading torque pro for $5 and setting it up on your phone. It's well worth the money and customizable to how you want it.
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'99 4Runner SR5: 5VZ, 2wd, AT, 400k+ club
'94 Pickup: 2wd, 22RE, 5spd, (3RZ swap in progress)
Front: Total Chaos Uniball Kit, Fox 2.5 8'' coilover
Rear: Deaver F67 Leaf Springs, Fox 2.0 14'' Reservoir Shocks, E-locker Axle 4.88 Gears 33x10.5 BFG ATs
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07-24-2019, 10:11 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisted Sid
My 99 will read out the trans temp so yours should too but, I would recommend getting one of the cheap ODB scanners on Amazon or Ebay for less than $20 and downloading torque pro for $5 and setting it up on your phone. It's well worth the money and customizable to how you want it.
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so true...torque pro is worth every penny
__________________
2000 SR-5 Highlander version 4:30's, factory locker , green, bought 6/21
2001 SR-5... bought 11/20..sold 6/21....
2000 SR-5 moded, lifted, e locker, other cool stuff, totaled 10/20
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07-24-2019, 10:14 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
If you truly are only pulling 1000lbs, just hook it up and go. Make sure it is loaded reasonably - at 1000lbs, you just be able to still pick up the weight of the tongue, but not easily (100-200lbs).
Your 4Runner will be fine, just do it (once you get that axle seal replaced). Keep the speed at 60-ish, enjoy the right lane. On the flats you can use 4th gear, but always turn of OD up hills (and down, if you want/need engine braking).
A used OEM hitch should be easy to acquire and rust free since you are in CA. If you were in SoCal, I'd have one to sell you cheap... Get a plug-n-play trailer wiring setup from etrailer.com (less than $50) - the OEM harnesses are not reliable anymore (I've gone through two stock ones).
(~3200lbs, surge brakes)
(~2000lbs, no brakes - not suggested!)
(~4000lbs, no brakes - really not recommended!)
-Charlie
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these babies can do it,,,,been there,,,done that
just don't expect to go up a steep hill at 70mph
__________________
2000 SR-5 Highlander version 4:30's, factory locker , green, bought 6/21
2001 SR-5... bought 11/20..sold 6/21....
2000 SR-5 moded, lifted, e locker, other cool stuff, totaled 10/20
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07-24-2019, 10:17 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: north east of Fairbank out there in the frontiers Alaska
Posts: 3,156
Real Name: 3 Bears
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Quote:
Originally Posted by phattyduck
If you truly are only pulling 1000lbs, just hook it up and go. Make sure it is loaded reasonably - at 1000lbs, you just be able to still pick up the weight of the tongue, but not easily (100-200lbs).
Your 4Runner will be fine, just do it (once you get that axle seal replaced). Keep the speed at 60-ish, enjoy the right lane. On the flats you can use 4th gear, but always turn of OD up hills (and down, if you want/need engine braking).
A used OEM hitch should be easy to acquire and rust free since you are in CA. If you were in SoCal, I'd have one to sell you cheap... Get a plug-n-play trailer wiring setup from etrailer.com (less than $50) - the OEM harnesses are not reliable anymore (I've gone through two stock ones).
(~3200lbs, surge brakes)
(~2000lbs, no brakes - not suggested!)
(~4000lbs, no brakes - really not recommended!)
-Charlie
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hey phatty duck...those are Oregon plates for a guy in cali...whats up
__________________
2000 SR-5 Highlander version 4:30's, factory locker , green, bought 6/21
2001 SR-5... bought 11/20..sold 6/21....
2000 SR-5 moded, lifted, e locker, other cool stuff, totaled 10/20
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07-25-2019, 11:29 AM
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#14
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Lakebay, WA
Posts: 511
Real Name: Reinout
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Lakebay, WA
Posts: 511
Real Name: Reinout
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My input is a stray from what everyone else says. I moved from NH to Seattle (not in a 4runner) and I opted to have a moving company ship my stuff. Yes, it cost a pretty penny, but: If anything happens to the stuff the moving company is responsible, no wear on the car/truck, I was able to enjoy the drive without a trailer. Driving without a trailer is still safer than driving with a trailer, let the pros do that.
Also, you won't have to install anything like brake controllers, air bags, hitch, etc.
Hope that is helpful.
__________________
1997 4Runner SR5- ~376k Miles and counting - 5 Speed E-Locker
2007 4Runner Limited V6- 165k Miles - Automatic - Brake Controller
2011 VW JSW TDI- 130k Miles - 6 Speed - Air Lift 1000
2006 Scamp trailer 16'
Last edited by Reinout; 07-25-2019 at 11:32 AM.
Reason: missed some points.
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07-25-2019, 12:35 PM
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#15
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 5,380
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Elite Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pasadena, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3bears
hey phatty duck...those are Oregon plates for a guy in cali...whats up
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Just a borrowed trailer, that's all. My cars (and utility trailer) are all CA registered.
-Charlie
__________________
'99 4Runner SR5 Auto - 4WD swapped
'89 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GTE 5spd
'17 Chevy Volt Premier
'16 Honda Odyssey Elite
Previous: '88 Camry Alltrac LE 3S-GE BEAMS, 90 Camry 3S-GTE, 90 Camry DX, '03 WRX wagon, '08 Outback XT
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