06 SR5 v6 towing question?

[Mi-064-rnr]

I have just purchased a 06 SR5 V6. This summer I plan to tow my 18 foot CC, all around the midwest. Total weight is 2750lbs. Tongue weight is a slight 200lbs.

Is there anything I should watch for to ensure the longevity of the engine and tranny? I probably don't put more the 5k mile a year towing on it.

xtended warranty? more frequent fluid changes?

Thanks!

 

[Baba Booey]

I think a transmission oil cooler would be a good idea. I called my dealer's parts department and asked whether they had this part and they said "no".

I am almost positive the 4Runner V8 comes with a tranny oil cooler, and I think the 4.0L V6 Tacoma (same as 4Runner) has one as an available option.

These coolers usually aren't that vehicle-specific, so I don't know why an OEM cooler for the V8 or Taco couldn't be easily installed on a V6 4Runner while maintaining the factory warranty.

Once again, the dealer's parts department doesn't seem to know too much. When I asked the guy why a V8 or Taco cooler couldn't be installed on my 4Runner he was clueless. All he knew was that the "computer" didn't list one as being available for the V6 4Runner.

I would have one installed, but I need to check what the effect would be on my warranty.

 

[Mi-064-rnr]

That was my first thought - I am going to have to check with the dealer - adding one is suprt easy. There is a ton of space in the front end to add one.

 

[boston_kevin]

I had the dealer add one to mine. No problems, and I tow about 4200 lbs 5-6 times per year (maybe as much as 2000 miles).

 

[cpayne5]

I had the dealer add one to mine. No problems, and I tow about 4200 lbs 5-6 times per year (maybe as much as 2000 miles).

Mind if I ask how much they charged for the parts and install?

 

[Mi-064-rnr]

So if the deal installs it, you don't hose your warranty?

 

[boston_kevin]

Mind if I ask how much they charged for the parts and install?

I think I paid $150 for the parts and labor. I believe it is the same cooler on the V8's as this was installed on my '04 V6 with the 4spd tranny. Now they should have a Taco tranny cooler or even the V8 cooler should work fine since they share the same tranny.

 

[Koz]

You don't need a trans cooler but if it makes you feel better. What you will need is a brake controller to activate the trailer brakes. There are several posts, just search "brake controller". The Prodigy model is one of the best; I got one on the internet for $89. The wiring is already installed from Toyota. They gave you an OEM plug with the ball/hitch adapter (in the box). All you would have to do is solder four wires from the controller to the plug and plug it in. The plug is located on the far left side of the lower dash, right near the fuse box cover. I attached the controller to the fuse cover and bought a new cover for $15 from the stealer. When not being used I pop the cover off (with the controller bracket) and put the blank/original one back on.

Koz

 

[Spider5]

If you are only towing 2700 lbs I would not bother adding a trans cooler unless you are mostly going through serious mountains.

 

[thrifter]

my 2cents

I just bought a fun finder x160 trailer, the dry weight is about 2500lb, 3000lb with all my gears and a tank of water. My 2008 V6 sport edition runner tows OK. I use 4th gear all the way and I have a reese brake controller installed. On highway, it cruises at 55-60mph while the engine runs at about 2500-3000rpm. I don't have extra tranny cooler as I think there is one already in the radiator. Does anyone can tell me what gear you use to tow with V8 runner and what RPM the engine runs at when tow at highway speed. I am curious if the V6 is really capable to tow 3000lb. BTW,I currently use a weight distributing hitch on the original hitch receiver (weight carrying), I have ordered one CURT hitch which will be mounted on the frame. I was wondering the original weight carrying hitch receiver looks pretty tough, why Toyota doesn't allow to use it for WD hitch, the cross chamber is welded on the frame and they look much stronger than the CURT hitch.

 

[Maz]

I'm going to agreeably disagree with a couple of posters on this one. I don't think you can overestimate the value of tranny and oil coolers while towing. True with lower weights the need goes down, but just one tow on the summer's hottest day can make the cost worth while. Look at it this way, if there's even a chance they make a difference on overheating your tranny or engine that day you tow on a 100 degree day, it's money well spent. Better a few dollars on a cooler, than a lot of bucks on a tranny rebuild.

 

[Nuke]

I towed a 3000+ lb camper with my 3.0L 2nd gen and my 3.4L 3rd gen and currently tow a 17' bass boat with my 4.0L. The 4.0 is very capable but if you're doing any mountain towing (or any decent hills for that matter) be conscious of how the 4.0 will lose speed as you ascend a hill with a load and try to compensate prior to that.

 

[8086bruce]

has any one put the v8 or taco cooler on a 05 or newer with the 5spd?

 

[progress4m]

.....Does anyone can tell me what gear you use to tow with V8 runner and what RPM the engine runs at when tow at highway speed. ....QUOTE]

On the hwy I tow my boat (around 3300 Lbs) in 5-th gear. Never had a need to use 4 –th gear unless I am constantly going up and down big hill or mountains. From 65 to 75 mph my RPM is from ~1900 to ~2100.

 

[Nuke]

As far as maintenance related to towing, I adjust my fluid changes based on what percentage of towing and how hard that towing was that I've done. I probably do tranny, rear axle and coolant flushes about 25-50% earlier and my crankcase oil about 20% earlier. And be sure your brakes are in good shape and tire pressure and suspension are up to snuff.

 

[thrifter]

.....Does anyone can tell me what gear you use to tow with V8 runner and what RPM the engine runs at when tow at highway speed. ....QUOTE]

On the hwy I tow my boat (around 3300 Lbs) in 5-th gear. Never had a need to use 4 –th gear unless I am constantly going up and down big hill or mountains. From 65 to 75 mph my RPM is from ~1900 to ~2100.

Thanks for your reply. It sounds like the V8 is a lot more capable then v6 in terms of towing.

 

[ALLEGRO]

The torque comes on much lower in the rpm band for the V8 than the V6. You really notice this when towing heavy loads with the two different setups.

Now, to stop another useless argument, both engines pull strongly, and their output is not too different. The "real" difference is where in the power-band the torque comes on.

If you are serious about towing, get the V8

 

[midnight runner]

You guys seem pretty obsessed with the OEM cooler. It's nothing that special. With a good installer, a decent aftermarket tranny cooler can be installed, and likely do better than the tiny OEM one.

 

[jetboy1975]

The tranny cooler is the cheapest insurance you can get. Definately worth the $150 and will prolong life. Fluid changes should be more frequent as well but how often depends on type of towing, weights, weather etc.

There is an ongoing argument about towing in overdrive(4th for the V6, 5th for the V8) It is usually recommended to stay out of OD. The RPMs will rev higher but puts less stress on the engine and tranny. I've tried both with my 4000lb travel trailer and find it better out of OD. (keep in mind a streamlined boat will have less wind resistance and will tow a bit easier)My V8 runs around 2700rpm at 65mph which was similar to the rpm as my old V6 but it is better in the power band. Even though revving higher in 4th, it gets better gas mileage than in 5th. Save OD for downhills or the flats with a stiff tailwind.

 

[Bamaskeet]

.....Does anyone can tell me what gear you use to tow with V8 runner and what RPM the engine runs at when tow at highway speed. ....QUOTE]

On the hwy I tow my boat (around 3300 Lbs) in 5-th gear. Never had a need to use 4 –th gear unless I am constantly going up and down big hill or mountains. From 65 to 75 mph my RPM is from ~1900 to ~2100.

I tow a 4700 lb boat and agree with the information above. I tow in 5th gear except climbing hills, I just pop it out of overdrive and climb the hill and pop it back in overdrive.