Close to buying a trail edition. Q about highway and towing

[trailedition]

I too have the KDSS and live in Vancouver Canada, constantly towing 3-4000 lbs and no issues in the mountains, just remember it is a 6cyl and as mentioned will be shy on torque through the mountains. However it will do it just fine and as for the MPG it will work harder so yes it will burn more, this being said as I am a contractor and pull the trailer more than most people in general I find power, handling and mileage is all good for the size of the vehicle and the motor and the KDSS is fine to tow with and still makes it a great offroad machine when you need it. As always 1engineer has great advice listen carefully to him.

 

[Antman]

Never in doubt.

Spent the past few days rescuing stuck 5th gens with KDSS. Least I could do.

That's a great change for you! It's about time you started helping out around here.:roadkill:


To the OP-
I tow my boat year round just about every week -about 3000# I guess. I have towed the same boat with my Titan (almost 400 lb/ft of torque) and an S10 4banger 5 sp POS (anemic at best).

The 4Runner tows great with no issues. The brakes are really good on this vehicle. They may feel a little spongy but they can stop the extra weight no problem. The Titan was almost overkill from a power standpoint, but the brakes were terrible and struggled to stop.

That said, I always use sport mode while towing and rarely use 5th gear unless I'm on long flat stretches. I really wish Toyota would provide a "tow mode" that altered the shift parameters. That would solve a lot of complaining around here!

Side note:
I will be paying close attention to my tranny temp on my new Scanguage to get some data regarding tranny temps to see what method produces the least heat. So far, it appears that the tranny runs hotter in 4th gear than in 5th, which is contrary to what others have reported on this forum. Hmmmmm- we shall see!

Good luck with your new 4 Runner!

 

[Balcs1]

You will have to Ring it Out like 125 Two Stroke over the mountain passes

I cannot imagine towing my 7x14 enclosed trailer with a load with the 4Runner compared to how my Cummins tows. You will get worst than 14mpg I am sure. I do know that it can handle it but there is no way I would have the TE v6 if I knew I was going to tow and it was my only rig I would be using. Get a Sequoia or a Used Land Cruiser with the 5.7 or a Tundra dude. 400hp and I get 16mpg in the 12 Sequoia but that motor kicks Ass. You will hate towing with the V6 after what you have been used to. I use my 4Runner for hunting, scouting and having a cool Rig to drive.

 

[Blacksunshyne]

I cannot imagine towing my 7x14 enclosed trailer with a load with the 4Runner compared to how my Cummins tows. You will get worst than 14mpg I am sure. I do know that it can handle it but there is no way I would have the TE v6 if I knew I was going to tow and it was my only rig I would be using. Get a Sequoia or a Used Land Cruiser with the 5.7 or a Tundra dude. 400hp and I get 16mpg in the 12 Sequoia but that motor kicks Ass. You will hate towing with the V6 after what you have been used to. I use my 4Runner for hunting, scouting and having a cool Rig to drive.

I would have to agree with this post. In the past I owned an 05 Dodge 3500 Cummins diesel, and pulled a race trailer with an RC51 and a 600RR, with all the support gear. The Dodge pulled and stopped the load with zero problems. I tried it with the 4runner once... It was not satisfactory for the job. Do I love the 4runner on the road by itself or pulling a smaller load over a short distance and do I love it off road? YES. When it pulled the trailer with two bikes and support equipment, I did not like it. I am sure it would be worse as I added people to the cab and bikes in the trailer. ( I usually race with another friend or two).

If I wanted to stay Toyota I would look at a good used Landcruiser or a Tundra (new or used). You would be much happier in the long run.

EDIT** looks like you already made the buy, I didn't read all the way to the end...enjoy the 4runner!