HELP! towing 3000lbs crosscountry with my 3rd gen!

M

mackencheesin

New member
Hey all, I'm new to the forum.

I'm moving from Southern California to Seattle and I'm pulling a piano and all of my stuff behind me with a trailer. I'm estimating 3000 pounds or more.
The trip will be around 1350 miles total!!!

Recent work:
new axle seals
new brakes
new struts/shocks
alignment
new tires all around

My question is how much should I expect to spend on gas for this trip? That's a lot of weight for my old girl and I'm wondering if its cheaper just to have it shipped by a third party and just not tow at all. She's a 97 4runner limited and I'm also concerned with the wear and tear this may cause on her overall.

Thanks in advance!!
 
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How old is your radiator/coolant?

How is your transmission fluid, has it been changed recently?

Might as well check all your fluid and replace as necessary.

Other than that, go for it. Towing 3000 lbs is going to give your rig a workout but it can be done.

My brother towed a 2500ish pound trailer from Wisconsin to Arizona in my 97 and didn't have any issues.
 
I bought it in August from a guy that had a radiator and transmission fluid flush within the last 15,000 miles of my purchase...should I have them done again?
 
If it's an auto I would install a transmission cooler in series with the rad.

If the rad is original I would replace it.

I would also make sure I had at least surge brakes on the trailer.
(might even be law).
 
It is rated to tow 5k. Make sure your trailer wiring is working (I've had two different converters go bad on mine due to various issues). Make sure all your maintenance is up to date.

While towing, keep the speeds down. If you aren't used to towing, remember that your stopping distance will be much worse with the trailer attached, and you won't be able to do evasive maneuvers very easily.

You may want to leave overdrive off the whole trip. On flats, if you can keep the torque converter locked, you can be in overdrive. Any hills, forget it.

Other than that, go for it!

-Charlie
 
What is your time and extra fuel worth to you? It will tow it but your travel time will be noticeably longer and fuel consumption will be substantially more. Don't know what your rig gets for MPG. Mine runs at 20mpg down the highway at 65 normal driving. Put a trailer single axle trailer (15" tires) pulling 2K total....speed is easily 10mph average slower....and I get 11-12mpg if no big hills.

Mine is a 96 with 265K.
 
Interesting thread. I was wondering if I could tow my Mustang to the track on my trailer. Not streetable race tires on. Pretty sure it’s under 5K, but might be close. My truck has 288K mikes on it though.
 
PatrickStapler said:
Interesting thread. I was wondering if I could tow my Mustang to the track on my trailer. Not streetable race tires on. Pretty sure it’s under 5K, but might be close. My truck has 288K mikes on it though.
Click to expand...

Sure it can do it yet it probably right at the limit with both. As others said, use an in-series external trans cooler along with a newer radiator and it's internal trans cooler.

If it's a straight shot (few if any stops) and little to no hills, go for it. Just keep an eye on those trans temps and use OD wisely as phattyduck described. Luck. :cowboy:
 
Change your radiator unless you know for sure it's been replaced recently. My guess is that the previous owner got it flushed because some shop tech checked the fluid and thought it needed to be replaced...but didn't bother checking inside the radiator.
 
Radiators

Are there known issues with the rads in these trucks? Again, new here.

Oh, and where is the best place to mount a trans cooler on a ‘99?

Also, any recommended coolers that you all use?
 
Last edited:
phattyduck said:
It is rated to tow 5k. Make sure your trailer wiring is working (I've had two different converters go bad on mine due to various issues). Make sure all your maintenance is up to date.

While towing, keep the speeds down. If you aren't used to towing, remember that your stopping distance will be much worse with the trailer attached, and you won't be able to do evasive maneuvers very easily.

You may want to leave overdrive off the whole trip. On flats, if you can keep the torque converter locked, you can be in overdrive. Any hills, forget it.

Other than that, go for it!

-Charlie
Click to expand...

I agree completely. You are well within the towing limits. Just be sure your maintenance is good, which is seems you are and you'll be fine. Don't spend $100's more on items that are already fine, sounds like money is a little tight. I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way but you might get suggestions to spend money on things you don't need, especially since you do not tow very often.

Most important things, like others said, is to go a bit slower and give yourself extra space to stop. Getting up to speed isn't hard, stopping is!
 
PatrickStapler said:
Interesting thread. I was wondering if I could tow my Mustang to the track on my trailer. Not streetable race tires on. Pretty sure it’s under 5K, but might be close. My truck has 288K mikes on it though.
Click to expand...

Makes sure maintenance is good and you should be fine. Keep the speeds low. Assuming you won't be travelling 100's of miles every weekend towing you'll be good. Towing only puts as much stress on the engine and transmission as you let it, if that makes sense. If you floor it around town with a heavy load, you'll have issues. But if you are light on the throttle and brakes you'll be fine, just because you have a trailer behind you doesn't mean you transmission will crumble to pieces and your radiator blow to bits.

I will note though, a trailer of that size normally weighs around 2,000 lbs and I'm guessing your mustang might weigh around 3,000 or so, maybe a bit more. It's on the limits so only do it if you are confident & safe. These trucks can tow, but are not the best at it due to the fact that 4Runners only weigh 4,000 lbs themselves.
 
mackencheesin said:
I bought it in August from a guy that had a radiator and transmission fluid flush within the last 15,000 miles of my purchase...should I have them done again?
Click to expand...

Lets hope he didn't replace the radiator and flush the transmission from a pink milk shake. Not trying to freak you out but I'd at least read up on it. Don't just trust that he flushed the transmission, check the fluid!

Again, check all fluids and replace or top off as necessary. Coolant, tranny fluid, differential(s), transfer case (assuming your 4wd), power steering and brake fluid. Horn fluid if you want to be anal :D

Read the 3rd gen buyers guide, it has all of the common problems listed for these rigs.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Another thing I would suggest buying is an Ultragauge. You can more accurately monitor things like coolant temp (stock needle is worthless), voltage and so on.

You can even set alarms for coolant temp and so on. They are about 90 bucks and well worth the money. Plus it has a built in OBD2 reader so if you get any codes, it will tell you what they are right away.
 
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I didn't know anyone actually owned a piano anymore.

Why not just rent a Uhaul and save yourself the possibility of grief down the road.
 
LittleCaesar said:
I didn't know anyone actually owned a piano anymore.

Why not just rent a Uhaul and save yourself the possibility of grief down the road.
Click to expand...
$1.29/mile or whatever it is for the trucks these days or $18/day (no mileage costs) for the trailer. There's no way you can beat the price of renting a Uhaul trailer if your vehicle can handle it.

A double axle Uhaul trailer will tow just fine, and has surge brakes (only needs a 4-pin wiring connector).

-Charlie
 
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