hello,

I have a bass boat I have been towing with my 04 4Runner Limited V8, 4WD. The bass boat, trailer and all probably weigh around 3500 lbs if I was to take a guess.

It tows, but I can tell it's just not setup for this type of towing on a regular bases. I go to some local spots (15 minute drive) about 1 or 2 times a week and every other weekend I go on a drive that is 2 hours there, 4 hours total towing.

I was looking for some feedback about this. Is the 4Runner going to hold up? Is the tranny gonna go soon you think? I have 129,000 miles on it and I started towing boats when I had around 105,000 miles on the rig.

Some times it seems to run like a dream towing that boat and other times I feel like the transmission is working harder then it should.

I had some thoughts of getting a newer Tundra but this 4Runner is almost paid for and I would like to have no car payment for awhile!

Thanks for the feedback!

What kind of terrain are you driving on and have you ever done anything with the fluid in the transmission/diffs?

3500 lbs shouldn't be any problem towing. What is it that makes you feel like it does not tow well? I have pulled a 5000+ lb ski boat on several occasions w/ no issues at all...that trailer doesn't even have brakes like it should.
Tranny should be fine, your V8 should have the "sealed" transmission. Some people say to drain and fill a few times (which will act as a flush) other than that you shouldn't have anything at all to worry about.

Thanks for the quick replies. I'm driving on highways in Texas so flat as a board out here!

I have not changed fluids out yet but plan to here soon.

I've towed the boat with a truck before and it's just a night and day difference. As for the tranny struggling I stated that because there are times my rpms go up over 3k and my mph or terrain has not changed. Meaning I'm not going up a hill or anything. Other times it takes awhile for the tranny to shift when other times it shifts just fine.

Good to hear the feedback as I prefer to hang on to this 4runner until I run it into the ground....if that ever happens!

I tow about 3,000lbs almost every week-end during the summer. I have no problem towing my pop-up in the mountains of NH or VT with my V6. I suspect the V8 would be able to handle 3,500lbs on flat terrain easily.

Do the fluid changes ASAP. Keep it in 4th if you find that the transmission is hunting.

My V6 on steroids had no problems towing our 4500lb wakeboat for hours on end when i would take long trips, even short trips when i had 33's, You will be more then fine, Just keep your tranny and diff treated like a king and it will reward you back

Good luck fishin! I sure do love the occasional bass that will come my way, but you wont be findin any fish in my boat!

Attached Images

 

Please keep that wake making machine away from my fishing spots! LOL! Thanks for the info bud. Sweet looking 4Runner you got there. I see you had some work done on it. I use to run around in a bolt on tuned Z06 before I went to a SUV and bass boat! Miss those days of haulin some azz!

How's the ride with those bigger rims and tires? Loud?

Thanks ClockWork for your help too!

here is the boat I tow around..worth more then the SUV! haha

EDIT: Is there any DIY post on here for tranny and diff fluid changes?