Another reason why I love my 4Runner

[smokey73]

So last weekend, wife and I packed up the kids in the travel trailer and hauled them to Mt. Magazine in Arkansas. It's about a 300 mile trip pulling our 6k lb trailer. Monday we took a drive around the area and spent some time on all the forest roads. We planned a route back to the park and were well past the halfway point and came up on a fairly steep section of road. I looked at my wife, and back at my sleeping kids. My wife said, "you got this, quit being a wiennie". It wasn't the steep hills I was worried about, it was whether or not we could get anywhere at the top of the hill, which I couldn't get to after a 10 hike up to check it out. As I returned to the car, a SxS with a couple of local guys came down the hill. I rolled my window down and greeted them. I asked how far up this road went and if there was room to turn around at the top. The driver laughed at me and said, "I don't think you need to worry about what's at the top, you ain't making it in this thing". We talked for a minute more, he assured me we were headed in the right direction. He told me that this area was called "52 Humps" and that there are only a few jeeps around here that can make it down this thing, let alone up it. I assured him that this was not a jeep and thanked him for his time. We took off up the hill. I looked behind me and noticed that they were following me up. After the second switch-back, I saw them both get out and just watch as I went on up, with an ear to ear grin on my face.

How many other trucks can you find that will allow you to pull an RV, with as much ability as my 1/2 ton pickup, and then be able to enjoy them off road as much as any jeep or SxS.

 

[kimjun]

I was planning to get a 4k TT, but wasn't sure how well it would handle on long trips (> 1k) with varying grades. What was your experience on long trips?.

 

[fihnguy]

I have been told quite a few times during the hunting season that I drove up in the wrong vehicle. My response usually is:

 

[tv4184]

Makes me feel better about moving up from a 3rd gen to 4th gen haha

 

[SC_4RunnerSC]

So last weekend, wife and I packed up the kids in the travel trailer and hauled them to Mt. Magazine in Arkansas. It's about a 300 mile trip pulling our 6k lb trailer. Monday we took a drive around the area and spent some time on all the forest roads. We planned a route back to the park and were well past the halfway point and came up on a fairly steep section of road. I looked at my wife, and back at my sleeping kids. My wife said, "you got this, quit being a wiennie". It wasn't the steep hills I was worried about, it was whether or not we could get anywhere at the top of the hill, which I couldn't get to after a 10 hike up to check it out. As I returned to the car, a SxS with a couple of local guys came down the hill. I rolled my window down and greeted them. I asked how far up this road went and if there was room to turn around at the top. The driver laughed at me and said, "I don't think you need to worry about what's at the top, you ain't making it in this thing". We talked for a minute more, he assured me we were headed in the right direction. He told me that this area was called "52 Humps" and that there are only a few jeeps around here that can make it down this thing, let alone up it. I assured him that this was not a jeep and thanked him for his time. We took off up the hill. I looked behind me and noticed that they were following me up. After the second switch-back, I saw them both get out and just watch as I went on up, with an ear to ear grin on my face.

How many other trucks can you find that will allow you to pull an RV, with as much ability as my 1/2 ton pickup, and then be able to enjoy them off road as much as any jeep or SxS.

People are amazed when I go to the hunt club (which is a mud pit to get to the site) and my 4Runner outperforms the 4x4 trucks with the expensive lifts and tires. I love showing mine off

 

[Bluesky 07]

My truck is stock as far as off-roading goes - not even AT tires. Ran some trails in the beautiful Prentice Cooper State Park near Chattanooga last year and there was one place that gave me pause - a wet, muddy, and fairly steep climb out of a water crossing. Left it in 4 Hi, got a little momentum, and the truck scrambled up that grade like a mountain goat.

Felt good.

 

[bombventure]

It’s a great feeling when you know your rig is going to get you where you want to go!

There’s a hill I got the confidence to attempt earlier this year. The mud there is like clay, so the tires get caked really fast. Long story short, I almost got stuck on my way back up to the main trail because my tires were, at that point, caked to the point I couldn’t see any tread on all 4 tires. So I got the excess mud off, and I punched it (did not redline it, but was kinda close). Mud flying, slightly fish tailing the whole way back up, but I made it.

A co-worker who runs the same trails said I was crazy for even attempting it with a rwd and was stunned I didn’t get stuck and need a tow. I just said, “But it’s a 4runner!”. Haha 4wd would eat it up no problem with the proper lift/tires.

I won’t lie, I did have doubts I wasn’t going to get out of there by myself. I’m not sure if I’d do it again because I almost hit 2 trees in the process of sliding around but nevertheless, it was great fun and it just proved even more to me what 4runners are capable of, although the driver does play a significant role in these scenarios too.

 

[Legender]

Nice story and Mt. Magazine is a nice place to visit, but usually there on my motorcycle, so no off-roading for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

[smokey73]

I was planning to get a 4k TT, but wasn't sure how well it would handle on long trips (> 1k) with varying grades. What was your experience on long trips?.

My only problem with long trips is the fuel range.

If I keep my foot out of it and try to stay under 70mph, I can squeeze about 150-175 miles between fill-ups while out on the highway. Turns out, we live in Texas where the speed limit is normally 75-85mph and I tend to go with the flow. I usually plan my fuel stops every 100 miles. Keep in mind, I'm pulling a 10' tall 6k lb travel trailer and I'm on 32" tall tires. I would recommend a brake upgrade if you're going to be headed down any kind of grades.

If you're going to be at higher altitudes, go ahead and just accept the fact you're not in a fancy diesel rig. You won't be doing any speedster racing up the mountains, just let them pass. I did go ahead and put it in low range a couple times when we were headed up to Lake City, Co last summer. I figured it was better to keep the rpms up. I've never had any overheating issues.

Other than that, it handles and pulls the load every bit as well as my '16 F150, on flat ground at least. I find that it's well worth the trade offs, especially when you hear, "You ain't gonna make it in that!"