Extended (towing) mirrors for 4R

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04-4Runner

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Towing Mirrors

I have a new 2004 V6 Sport Edition and wanted info on buying towing mirrors, to pull my Coleman C23 trailer. I know that Toyota does not sell them. Just need for towing, easy on and off.
Thanks for the help.

Am I glad I bought a 4Runner.

Later
 
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I've had no luck finding a quality extended-mirror attachment built for the 4Runner. When towing a camp trailer, I've resorted to those cheezy universal strap-on mirrors.

They make nice-fitting "slip-over" extended mirror setups specific for Chevy Silverado, Colorado, Ford, Dodge (all of the American pullers) but nada for Toyota 4Runner or even Tundra. Guess they don't have enough demand to make stuff like that for Toyotas yet.

Here we have a rig perfectly capable of towing a fair-sized trailer, but no aftermarket stuff available for towing! I've tried all of the local RV outlets, Camping World, Trail Wagons, etc with no luck. Does anybody know of another source I should try?
 
I'm not suprized that I didn't get a response. Absolutely nobody seems to make towing accessories with Toyotas in mind... not even for Tundras. What's up with that?!? How could there not be plenty of demand?

Anyway, I've resorted to considering a "universal-type" strap-on mirror-extension but most of these products look like crap, or look like they would vibrate the hell out of the mirror housing. Has anybody found anything that works nicely? At this point, I'll consider ANYTHING!
 
Huh?

Forgive me for my befuddlement, but why do you want these things?

I've towed a trailer that's 2' wider than the 'Runner for seven years now, with only small stick-on wide-angle mirrors to supplement the stock mirrors. I've never felt the need for anything else and have had zero incidents caused by rear vision problems. My total tow mileage probably approaches 30K.

Am I missing something here?
 
Bluewolf - I've also been searching high & low with no luck & have gone with the cheap strap mirror's also. I'll keep looking & advise if I find any.

Khaug - I pull a 25' travel trailer & you can't see anything farther back than 2/3 down the trailer with the factory mirrors. They need to be out about another 4" to 6" to see what's behind you or close to the rear side of the trailer.
 
Re: Huh?

khaug said:
Forgive me for my befuddlement, but why do you want these things?

I've towed a trailer that's 2' wider than the 'Runner for seven years now, with only small stick-on wide-angle mirrors to supplement the stock mirrors. I've never felt the need for anything else and have had zero incidents caused by rear vision problems. My total tow mileage probably approaches 30K.

Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

Well sure, you can tow an 8' wide trailer with your stock mirrors. You obviously can't see anything around the sides of your trailer, so you have to be extremely careful and very much aware of surrounding traffic when you are changing lanes. Ever pulled your trailer on a busy interstate with cars zipping all around you from both sides? Ever had your turn-signal on to change lanes while oblivious people continue to pull right up next to you? I assure you that the additional visibility provided by extended mirrors makes for MUCH less stressful trailering. I'm not much of the gambling type.
 
I just got some the other day to pull my 26' holiday trailer. I couldn't find any that would look good or work well but I finally found these for about $100canadian They work good and go on and off in about 30seconds and won't scratch the paint.

http://www.tow-n-see.com/
 
If you guys can't find them down in the usa let me know and I'll ship ya some down. $100 canadian is about $70 US.00 (that's for both)
 
About a month ago I purchased an enclosed car trailer which is 8.5 feet wide. Since the 4Runner is more narrow than my trailer I was faced with finding a mirror solution. I tried the strap on mirrors but they simply did not give me a good enough view of things.

Then I found the McKesh Mirrors. These mirrors fit my needs nicely. It is also nice to know that I can purchase each of the parts individually should something break (out of warranty).

I have attached a photo of my 4Runner for you to check them out.

The web site is: http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

If anyone here has other questions I will try to answer them.
As you will see on the web site, these mirrors are not cheap but I feel Safety is something one should not pinch pennies on.

FYI, my 4Runner has performed flawlessly when towing the trailer with about 5,600 lbs of weight. Traveling through the hills of Central Pennsylvania I averaged 10 mpg. This weekend I am traveling out to Western Maryland. I am curious to see how the 4Runner performs climbing the hills out there on Route 70 & Route 68 and what the MPG is for this trip.
 

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Well, it's good to hear that an '04 model, which is only rated to pull 5,000lbs from the factory, can satisfactorily pull more than that. Does anybody know the REAL reason why the tow rating went from 5000 to 7000/7300 between '04 and '05?

Also, I have a Drawtite Activator II brake controller in my S10 Blazer that I am getting ready to remove and transfer over to the 4runner before I sell the Blazer, but cannot find a good place to put the brake controller in the 4Runner that wouldn't look horrible. I don't really want to drill any unsightly holes in the dash or lower panels. Where have you installed your brake controller?

Ricky
 
RickyCRX said:
Well, it's good to hear that an '04 model, which is only rated to pull 5,000lbs from the factory, can satisfactorily pull more than that. Does anybody know the REAL reason why the tow rating went from 5000 to 7000/7300 between '04 and '05?

Also, I have a Drawtite Activator II brake controller in my S10 Blazer that I am getting ready to remove and transfer over to the 4runner before I sell the Blazer, but cannot find a good place to put the brake controller in the 4Runner that wouldn't look horrible. I don't really want to drill any unsightly holes in the dash or lower panels. Where have you installed your brake controller?

Ricky
Click to expand...
I thought the V8 was always rated at 7000 lb capability, and the V6 was 5000 lb rated.
 
No sir... '03 and '04 V8's in both 2WD and 4WD trim were rated at 5,000lbs. The '05s were raised to 7000/7300 for 4WD/2WD, respectively.

Having a 5,000lb limit for both 2WD and 4WD in '03 and '04 made me think it was not a drivetrain or vehicle limitation, but rather a hitch limitation. I would be curious to see if there are any structural differences in the '03/'04 and '05 rear frames/hitch receivers. If there's no difference, the '03 and '04s may very well be able to pull near the 7,000lb figure, as the brakes, wheelbase, suspension, etc, is all the same.

I'm just trying to figure out the huge difference on tow ratings... Torque difference between the VVTi/non-VVTi engines are only 5 ft/lbs different. The extra horsepower shouldn't matter much as much. Diesel's don't have much horsepower but because of their torque, can pull a lot. Horsepower numbers are simply what sells cars, torque is what people feel when they drive and what pulls things.

Ricky
 
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I tow a 17 foot travel trailer with my 4Runner. The trailer is 8 ft. wide, so needed extended mirrors. I tried the strap on ones, but recently discovered the 'Tow-n-See' brand, others had mentioned. Great mirrors. I bought one in Canada ($45) and the second one in Oregon ($30).

I had hoped that the CIPA slide on mirrors would be available, but the manufacturer never responded to my e-mail.
 
RickyCRX said:
No sir... '03 and '04 V8's in both 2WD and 4WD trim were rated at 5,000lbs. The '05s were raised to 7000/7300 for 4WD/2WD, respectively.

Having a 5,000lb limit for both 2WD and 4WD in '03 and '04 made me think it was not a drivetrain or vehicle limitation, but rather a hitch limitation. I would be curious to see if there are any structural differences in the '03/'04 and '05 rear frames/hitch receivers. If there's no difference, the '03 and '04s may very well be able to pull near the 7,000lb figure, as the brakes, wheelbase, suspension, etc, is all the same.

I'm just trying to figure out the huge difference on tow ratings... Torque difference between the VVTi/non-VVTi engines are only 5 ft/lbs different. The extra horsepower shouldn't matter much as much. Diesel's don't have much horsepower but because of their torque, can pull a lot. Horsepower numbers are simply what sells cars, torque is what people feel when they drive and what pulls things.

Ricky
Click to expand...


actually, I think (could be wrong) you're a year off. sometime mid 2003 production, some models of the 4runner (don't remember if it was only v8s or not) started to get the different hitch that was rated 7000/7300lbs. my 2003 v8 2wd had the 5000lbs hitch, my 2004 v8 4wd has the 7000lbs hitch. do a search on here, there was a big long thread that contained all the information about the different hitches that you're looking for.

(edit to add links)
here are some links:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4455
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5354
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4892

and some older, better ones (these were the ones I was remembering):
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3465
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3686
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2416
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=634

whew...that should do it...sorry to hijack the thread...now back to your regularly scheduled program! :D
 
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The tow rating on the 2004 & 05 V-8 is 7,300#.
The hitch was changed sometime in late 03 early 04 for the increased rating.
 

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You should able the see down the side of your
"toad".

Many people think highly of the McKesh mirrors.

I am also impressed with these: large, adjustable, well built, and stable. These do put some stress on the rubber seal of the side window but the rubber material seems to recover OK.
 
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