HEAVIEST load towed with 4Runner

[CAN-03runner]

Besides hitch receiver types, the only other big mechanical difference I can see between Taco, and 4th Gen V6s is the tire size, the have 30.6" or 31" tires, Taco might have smaller tire option too. I'm thinking that since when you upsize the tire size, you can feel it robbing some of your power, and it takes more to turn the tires, and it puts more strain on the power train and axles.

Therefore with the FJcruiser and 5th Gens having 32" tires. Or 31.6 But in large part still have a similar drive train as the 4th gen Runner and Taco, I'm betting this partly accounts for Toyota reducing the tow rating. If the 5th gen came with the old 30.6" tires the tow rating may still have been 6400#

But then the choice between a Taco-Sequoia-Tundra (4.6) and 4Runner would be even more blurred from a marketing/sales prespective.

 

[Robertw]

Thread from the dead here, figured it's best to post in this thread vs making a new thread.

I just bought a 2013 SR5, and I plan on towing an open deck 16' car trailer (1600lbs) and my miata track car (2400lbs) a few times a year. I've seen folks here posting about towing more than the 4000lbs I will be towing so it's good to know the 4runner is capable if done right.

For those using a trans cooler, are people running the cooler in line with the factory cooler in the radiator? I planned on installing an aux cooler this way since I'm in the NE and we see weeks of below zero temps.

And finally, if I install the cooler myself would that void my CPO warranty? Would the dealer install an aux cooler for me to retain the warranty? I believe there's a TRD unit, is that something a Toyota dealership would install?

If installing the cooler myself doesn't void the warranty I'll pick up a B&M 70264 and install it.

 

[Jetboy]

Thread from the dead here, figured it's best to post in this thread vs making a new thread.

I just bought a 2013 SR5, and I plan on towing an open deck 16' car trailer (1600lbs) and my miata track car (2400lbs) a few times a year. I've seen folks here posting about towing more than the 4000lbs I will be towing so it's good to know the 4runner is capable if done right.

For those using a trans cooler, are people running the cooler in line with the factory cooler in the radiator? I planned on installing an aux cooler this way since I'm in the NE and we see weeks of below zero temps.

And finally, if I install the cooler myself would that void my CPO warranty? Would the dealer install an aux cooler for me to retain the warranty? I believe there's a TRD unit, is that something a Toyota dealership would install?

If installing the cooler myself doesn't void the warranty I'll pick up a B&M 70264 and install it.

I kinda doubt you'd need a trans cooler. I wouldn't put one on mine for a 4k lb trailer. If you're doing it a lot I'd consider a trailer brake setup. Other than that - hitch it up and go.

 

[Robertw]

I kinda doubt you'd need a trans cooler. I wouldn't put one on mine for a 4k lb trailer. If you're doing it a lot I'd consider a trailer brake setup. Other than that - hitch it up and go.

Yeah I am definitely going to be buying a brake controller, the trailer I am looking into has electric brakes. I've just seen so many posts encouraging the use of an aux trans cooler, I wasn't sure what to do given my situation. I don't have an issue changing the trans fluid more often if that's all that's necessary hauling my miata a few times a year.

 

[diverscale]

Jeep grand cherokee fully loaded, on a heavy duty dolly. Weight in the approximates of 6500LBS total. Lot of uphills too on the route.

Had the scangauge to monitor the Transmission temperatures. Always stayed in the safe ranges, and I had a pretty heavy foot.

I could use the ''5th'' gear on flat roads only, with no hunting. As soon as there were slight inclines or more, I left it in ''4th'' and the transmission management system did the rest to choose the best gear.

The 4Runner did the job like a champ.

 

[Jetboy]

I don't see the need for an aux cooler or extra oil changes. The radiator effectively acts as a water to oil cooler and has a huge surface area. You could put a temperature sender on it and monitor your temps and if it's an issue add one.

FWIW I have a GM HD2500 with an Allison Automatic that has regular oil and filter (just like the engine) changes. And it failed at less than 80k miles. My last 4runner had over 200k with only one fluid change at 180k and I used it hard. I've loaded over 3,000lbs inside it, and once towed a 8,000lb skid steer/equipment trailer. I towed my sailboat all over the place and never thought twice about it.

Just my .02. Sure you can overwork a transmission, but my guess is most failures are due to manufacturing defects that you have no control over. I towed a 13,000lb max trailer regularly with the GM, and that's well under it's capacity and yet it didn't last long at all.

 

[diverscale]

I don't see the need for an aux cooler or extra oil changes. The radiator effectively acts as a water to oil cooler and has a huge surface area. You could put a temperature sender on it and monitor your temps and if it's an issue add one. .

My last tacoma was this same engine as ours, less double VVTI, and the transmission cooler (towing package)

I didn't like to have the transmission cooler (with my relatively seldom towings), as in colder temp, it kept the transmission fluid below the 90deg F required for converter lock-up under 40mph. I had built a cooler-block that I put on during winter time to keep the transmission oil to normal temperature.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I didn't like to have the transmission cooler (with my relatively seldom towings), as in colder temp, it kept the transmission fluid below the 90deg F required for converter lock-up under 40mph. I had built a cooler-block that I put on during winter time to keep the transmission oil to normal temperature.

The B&M SuperCooler has a fluid bypass whereby thicker (colder) ATF is returned to the transmission immediately, and only thinner (hotter) ATF is run through the cooler.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I just bought a 2013 SR5, and I plan on towing an open deck 16' car trailer (1600lbs) and my miata track car (2400lbs) a few times a year. I've seen folks here posting about towing more than the 4000lbs I will be towing so it's good to know the 4runner is capable if done right.

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but did you see my thread on the topic? I only mention it because it seems very relevant to your situation: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/169656-my-cross-country-towing-experience.html

I also had heard there was a TRD cooler, and my initial preference was to try to have the dealer install this for warranty purposes. But I could never find a part number, and my dealer was clueless when I approached them about it. I find they're generally unhelpful about this sort of stuff anyway. At the end of the day, I chose the known quantity of a B&M installed by a reputable independent Yota truck mechanic. The implications, as I understand them, would be the same as if you do the work yourself: your warranty as a whole will not be voided, per se, but if your transmission itself were to fail, and the techs noticed an aftermarket cooler installed, they could theoretically deny that particular claim on the basis that the aftermarket part contributed to the failure. I took the chance that a properly-installed transmission cooler would not cause a Toyota truck transmission to fail catastrophically, particularly within the warranty period. YMMV.

 

[M1911]

My 4th Gen V8 came with a factory-installed transmission cooler, mounted up by the radiator. Do the 5th gens not have one?

 

[m85476585]

My 4th Gen V8 came with a factory-installed transmission cooler, mounted up by the radiator. Do the 5th gens not have one?

I don't think so, but they have one built into the radiator where the transmission fluid exchanges heat with engine coolant. As far as I know, all vehicles with an automatic transmission have that kind of setup. I haven't checked if the 4th gen V8 has the radiator cooler too, but I would guess that it does. If the aux cooler is installed before the radiator cooler, then the radiator cooler can still heat the fluid on cold days to get the transmission up to normal temperature, since it doesn't normally generate much heat itself.

If the transmission does fail while the cooler is installed, just uninstall it before you take it in for warranty work. As long as you don't think the cooler contributed to the failure, I don't think it would be unethical. If the cooler springs a leak and drains all the fluid, causing the transmission to fail, then trying to get that fixed under the warranty is dishonest.

This thread seems to have towing covered fairly well, but I'll add one tip: Keep your tires properly inflated while towing. Truck tires should be at least the pressure on the door jamb, and no more than the max pressure on the sidewall, for P rated tires. LT tires need more pressure, depending on the load (there are some threads on here that cover it). Trailer tires should generally be inflated to the max pressure on the sidewall since they may be constructed differently than vehicle tires, and since the traction and comfort requirements are different. They aren't designed to flex as much as vehicle tires, and the heat from that can cause them to fail. Also inspect your trailer tires for defects like bubbles in the sidewall, dry rot or cracks, etc. They don't seem to be made as well as vehicle tires, particularly for small trailers with cheap tires.

 

[Robertw]

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but did you see my thread on the topic? I only mention it because it seems very relevant to your situation: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/169656-my-cross-country-towing-experience.html

I also had heard there was a TRD cooler, and my initial preference was to try to have the dealer install this for warranty purposes. But I could never find a part number, and my dealer was clueless when I approached them about it. I find they're generally unhelpful about this sort of stuff anyway. At the end of the day, I chose the known quantity of a B&M installed by a reputable independent Yota truck mechanic. The implications, as I understand them, would be the same as if you do the work yourself: your warranty as a whole will not be voided, per se, but if your transmission itself were to fail, and the techs noticed an aftermarket cooler installed, they could theoretically deny that particular claim on the basis that the aftermarket part contributed to the failure. I took the chance that a properly-installed transmission cooler would not cause a Toyota truck transmission to fail catastrophically, particularly within the warranty period. YMMV.

Your situation is quite similar to mine, except for the distance you had to tow and the weight you towed. That BMW weighs 3200lbs, and that trailer is probably close to 2000lbs. I'll be towing right around 4000lbs car and trailer combined. Distance traveled, one track is 70 miles away, the other is 140 miles away, I'd be making at the most 6-7 trips a year.

And it looks like you used a WDH setup, did you install a different hitch on the 4runner? From my understanding the factory hitch is not to be used with a WDH configuration since the factory hitch is attached to the cross member and not directly to the frame.

How is the cooler installed in your 4runner, before or after the radiator, or just completely bypassing the radiator?

If the transmission does fail while the cooler is installed, just uninstall it before you take it in for warranty work. As long as you don't think the cooler contributed to the failure, I don't think it would be unethical. If the cooler springs a leak and drains all the fluid, causing the transmission to fail, then trying to get that fixed under the warranty is dishonest.

Whether or not the transmission failed due to the aux cooler, the dealership would know you had tampered with the transmission oil lines. Therefore I'd assume there's a good possibility you'd be SOL with the warranty, which is why I'd like to have it dealer installed, or just not running one at all if possible. If the trucks warranty was close to running out I wouldn't hesitate installing an aux cooler, but I have 7yrs/100k miles left.

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

Your situation is quite similar to mine, except for the distance you had to tow and the weight you towed. That BMW weighs 3200lbs, and that trailer is probably close to 2000lbs.

My weights per the local public scale were #3100 for the car and #1800 for the trailer, so just under the manual's stated max of #5000.

I'll be towing right around 4000lbs car and trailer combined. Distance traveled, one track is 70 miles away, the other is 140 miles away, I'd be making at the most 6-7 trips a year.

I didn't see what part of the country you're in, but unless there are significant elevation changes involved, I wouldn't bat an eye towing that load that distance with the 'Runner. Besides the nearly 3,000 mile trip I linked to in my thread, I more recently did a 500-mile round-trip tow to Charlotte and back, the only difference being that my wife and kids were with me this time. Piece of cake. You have to drive a little differently, be more aware, look ahead, give yourself more time to stop and get going, etc. But at no point did I feel unsafe, or like I couldn't keep up with traffic (obviously not in the fast lane).

And it looks like you used a WDH setup, did you install a different hitch on the 4runner? From my understanding the factory hitch is not to be used with a WDH configuration since the factory hitch is attached to the cross member and not directly to the frame.

This is oft-repeated, and I think it actually comes from the 4th-Gen T4R owner's manual. The 5th-Gen manual doesn't contain the same warning, in fact the US version doesn't mention WDH's at all. However, the Canadian version does, and it says it's okay, so long as you don't redistribute too much weight back onto the front axle (in other words, the manual suggests that you use your WDH correctly):



I also contacted Toyota directly, to see if using a WDH would increase my allowable tongue weight (some manufacturers give two max values - one with a standard hitch, and a higher number with a WDH). They said, no, the tongue weight was the same (interestingly, they quoted me #550) either way - however, they did not say not to use a WDH.

I couldn't imagine towing maxed out as I was without a WDH, and air bags are a nice plus, too. Honestly, I feel like I had a whole host of incremental improvements that made my tow a success (in addition to previously mentioned WDH and air bags: LT tires on truck, lightest trailer I could find, low center of gravity of load, torsion axles on trailer, ST tires on trailer, Tekonsha brake controller, etc.).

How is the cooler installed in your 4runner, before or after the radiator, or just completely bypassing the radiator?

The cooler is inline with the radiator; I believe it is after the radiator. I had the work done at a shop, and although I inspected it afterwards, I honestly don't remember the exact arrangement. I don't really see how it makes a difference, though, or why you would bypass the radiator. Like I said before, if the coolant is not up to temp, it will simply be returned to the transmission without being routed through the cooler.

 

[Outdoorsman]

4runner 5th gen-No tranny cooler!

The 5th Gen 4Runner (I have Limited edition) does NOT have a tranny cooler. I recently added one. I don't know how Toyota calls this a tow package if they don't come with a tranny cooler. i recently started towing a 3,900 dry weight camper. I probably am up to the 5,000lb mark with all the junk i bring. i use a weight distribution hitch. 4Runner tows great on flat roads and slight inclines. Even a slight steady incline will boost up your rpms; modest mountains in NE you'll do it fine but won"t break any speed records. If i knew in advance I would be towing anything more than 3,500lbs on a regular basis I would at least jump to Lexus 460 or Tundra; both having a 4.7 liter & larger in Tundra. You'll get much better gas mileage and easier on vehicle. I love the 4Runner over all but I personally would get better mileage if 4Runner had a 4.7 liter in same vehicle even when I'm not towing. The 4Runner is a heavy SUV for a 4.0 liter IF you have a heavy foot.

What are the heaviest trailers people have had experience towing with their 5th gen 4R?

Has anyone towed a trailer close to the 5000lb MAX rating, or even exceeding the 5000lb MAX rating?

Anyone know if the powertrain on the 2010 GX460 includes a transmission oil cooler? Or, for that matter, does the 2010 4Runner have a trans cooler?

I beginning to think that towing a trailer slightly exceeding the MAX rating may not be that much to ask of the new 4Runner. A Highlander is rated to tow 5000lb for heaven's sake.

If the limiting factor is power, I think a conservative driving style and Midwest terrain may more than compensate for the lack of "V8-power"....

So...what have you towed????

 

[spooln30]

I believe the 5th gens can tow more then 5,000 lbs easily. I would say 7k but that would be the max and for short distances. I regularly tow roughly 3,800 lbs+, 2 atvs and a steel 6.5'x10' trailer and it doesn't even feel like there's anything back there. I think the 5k tow rating is due to the receiver only being bolted onto the rear cross bar and not a one piece assembly.
If you wanted to tow more weight on a regular basis with a 5th gen I would weld the receiver on and add more power like a trd blower when it comes out.

 

[vinnysrunner]

Everglades 243cc. About 6100 lbs

Pulls great at 65mph with no issues. I have 285s and trd pro shocks with spacers set at 2.5 total lift in front. Boat weighs 4100 dry without the tower. Had full tank of fuel and the trailer weighs around a 1000lbs. Has trailer brakes.

 

[vinnysrunner]

Everglades 243cc

Boat with trailer.

 

[vinnysrunner]

Everglades 243cc

Boat with trailer

 

[Neauxla]

Boat with trailer

You're 26 and own an Everglades?!? Damn. I need your job!

That's my dream boat.

 

[wfarrellt]

7450lbs '03

2 weeks ago I bought a 26 ft travel trailer on craigslist. It weighed 4500 lbs when I went to pick it up It turned out to be 31 feet and 7500 lbs, but the serial numbers matched so I said what the hey. I towed that 7500 lb double axle, no brakes monstrosity from exit 6 on the PA tpke all the way back to Long Island. Scary? yes but only because I thought I was going to die. The 4 Runner handled it well. Couldn't go over 50 or I got some swaying issues and the front wheels kept threatening to lose traction. But the engine kept a cool 2400RPMs in 3rd. it took the few hills I encountered wiyh only a slight drop in speed(momentum and anticipation is key) I white knuckled the downhills with the downshifting but by the time we passed NYC 11:00 on the BQE I knew we were ok. I never want to do that again.