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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Ontario
Posts: 348
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Ontario
Posts: 348
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I think I can add a little here since I was in the same boat last year.
Towed a pop-up (2200lbs) with my '03 V6 Limited and didn't even know it was there. Bought a 20' hybrid last fall and was shocked at the difference.
I had it weighed and was about 3800lbs loaded to camp. Had myself, the wife and 2 small kids in the vehicle. Well under the towing capacity and used a weight distributing hitch for safety and comfort.
By the 3rd trip it was time to upgrade the tow vehicle. The wind resistance was the killer (even though our trailer is only 7.5' wide as opposed to the standard 8') as well as the gearing of the transmission. To tow that weight you need to keep it in 3rd gear at all times. It struggled to hold 60mph on the flats and bogged down on the hills. Being a Toyota it would probably handle it all day but its not comfortable at 3000+rpm.
This spring I traded in for an '04 V8 and couldn't be happier. The extra torque and 5 speed tranny made all the difference in the world. 4th gear on the highways and even 5th on the flats sometimes, easily held 65mph and it would accelerate on hills without downshifting. Better fuel mileage too.
The V6 will do it (I see minivans with less power pull similar all the time, I just can't see it being comfortable or good for the vehicle on long trips)
If you do it, make sure you have a tranny cooler and use a sway bar (The T4Rs short wheelbase makes it prone to sway). Better yet use a Weight distributing hitch if you're over 3000lbs. Just make sure you have the upgraded hitch which is approved for it, the base one isn't.
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'04 V8 T4R Limited Pacific Blue Metallic
Xreas removed, front FJ springs, Bilsteins all around, Toytec 1/2" spacer, Spidertrax, BFG AT 265/70/17, Curt 13445 hitch
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