Fleethammer
New member
Some background- I'm new to 4Runners (and ownership of any truck in general), and to towing as well. However, I've been towing all year since I bought my 2005 V8 Sport Edition and have grown accustomed to different types of trailers in different circumstances like going up and down winding mountain roads versus the Jersey Turnpike, rain and wind, getting passed by larger vehicles, etc. I feel very comfortable towing. My bone stock 'Runner has been a great TV for me, and has no problem pulling a 7X12 V-Nose steel framed trailer (1960 lbs empty), with two or three track bikes and all our gear and tools. I'm usually coming in just shy of 4000 lbs. The trailer has brakes and I use a Prodigy 2 controller. I tow a lot all over the mid-atlantic region.
I will eventually be doing a lift and tires but since I tow a lot, I wanted to find out how this will affect me. The truck sees mostly highway use, but I want the ability to take it off-road without too much fuss. I'm sorta set on the Radflo 2.5 OW-spec kit and larger tires.
My questions are: Will a lifted 'Runner be more or less stable when towing? I know that's a dumb question and in general the answer is always LESS, however reading threads where folks have gone with the popular lift choices, they have remarked about how much more stable the vehicle feels. This got me thinking that the aftermarket lift choices are vastly superior to the stock XREAS on my truck and thus negates the usual stability issues that come from raising the COG and such.
On tires- I assume the greater rubber of larger tires will also feel less stable than the stock 265's, correct? I was thinking either 265/70/17 since they seem like a good compromise for a TV and highway queen. Would 285's be suitable for a TV, or would they be too squishy? Would I require a re-gear with 285's as well?
Should I go with a stiffer spring rate, esp in the rear? I'm pretty good about loading the trailer, but it's almost impossible to get the 'Runner perfectly level when towing, at least with the droopy stock springs. I don't care for air bags as they don't address the root cause of the sag in the first place.
Thanks for all your help and sorry for the lengthy post!
I will eventually be doing a lift and tires but since I tow a lot, I wanted to find out how this will affect me. The truck sees mostly highway use, but I want the ability to take it off-road without too much fuss. I'm sorta set on the Radflo 2.5 OW-spec kit and larger tires.
My questions are: Will a lifted 'Runner be more or less stable when towing? I know that's a dumb question and in general the answer is always LESS, however reading threads where folks have gone with the popular lift choices, they have remarked about how much more stable the vehicle feels. This got me thinking that the aftermarket lift choices are vastly superior to the stock XREAS on my truck and thus negates the usual stability issues that come from raising the COG and such.
On tires- I assume the greater rubber of larger tires will also feel less stable than the stock 265's, correct? I was thinking either 265/70/17 since they seem like a good compromise for a TV and highway queen. Would 285's be suitable for a TV, or would they be too squishy? Would I require a re-gear with 285's as well?
Should I go with a stiffer spring rate, esp in the rear? I'm pretty good about loading the trailer, but it's almost impossible to get the 'Runner perfectly level when towing, at least with the droopy stock springs. I don't care for air bags as they don't address the root cause of the sag in the first place.
Thanks for all your help and sorry for the lengthy post!
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