Need more power for towing

D

donuts4

New member
I spent 10 days dragging 1500lbs of atv's on a 1200lb tandem axle trailer and I'm on the verge of selling this wonderful 4runner if I can't get some more pulling power under the hood. Does TRD offer different cam shafts or supercharger to give us more power at lower RPM's?

btw it's a new '14 trail
 
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Yep there is a whole thread on the supercharger....... Check it out. If you want to regularly tow get a truck. It's an SUV.
 
Stay out of 5th gear? 2700lbs is light, I've pulled about double that over the continental divide without issue. It's not a diesel or a big block, it needs more revs to make power.

The only worthwhile thing you could do would be to switch to 4.56 gears.
 
I know this topic has prob been pounded to death but why can't they see the benefit in offering a V8 for the gen 5? I still have my '05 sr5 v8 and it looks like it's gonna get towing duties.
 
Jeremy556 said:
Stay out of 5th gear.
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^^^^^This.

I tow, on average, twice per week- about 2000# of boat/motor/trailer.

In fact, I towed my boat about 130 miles today round trip. Highway, stop and go traffic and hills.

Sport mode all the time in 4th gear is the trick. Much better towing experience when you do this!

I did some messing around with 5th gear today and watching the Scanguage. The water temperature actually dropped 2 degrees while in 4th gear compared to 5th, and the tranny temps lowered as well. I guess this is a combination of the engine not working as hard, no gear hunting/locked torque converter, and higher engine cooling fan speeds.

I also achieved 17mpg for the trip in 88 degree temps with the A/C on and that included idling in the parking lot for 15 minutes while eating a snack. Oh yeah, I have a lift, offroad tires, ,a roof rack, dual batteries and lots of supplies stored in the back...

That's pretty darn impressive I say.
 
Jeremy556 said:
Stay out of 5th gear?
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Agreed with [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] and Jeremy here.

If you read the manual it expressly states that when towing to use Sport mode (basically turn overdrive off) for both safety and prolonged engine life. It hunts significantly less for gears when you run this way (which is also probably better for the vehicle too). The other thing that is mentioned in the manual is not towing over 65, this results in not needing as high of revs to keep speed AND is also a lot safer than trying to tow at the posted speed limit.

This isn't a difficult concept. :deadhorse:

They aren't going to make a V8 because of EPA MPG requirements and quite frankly, they don't move enough 4Runner inventory like they do Tundras to offer two different engines anymore. They do offer it as the standard engine in a Lexus GX 470, so if you want a V8 4Runner you'll have to go that route now.

I've towed my 4800lb RV all through the mountains of the west coast without issue, just end up going slower on the incline grades to keep engine revs within reason and stay in the right lane, you're towing not driving a sports car.
 
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Ok, so about to drive my 4Runner to Utah towing our 3k lb. trailer. Heres a question I have...do you think its appropriate to stay in 4th even if you are going, say 75 mph? Or does that not matter? I drove my 4th gen. over the cont. divide without issue so I would think this will be the same way, but I want to do right by the truck so if 4th is the way to go thats what I'll do.
 
CatskillsRunner said:
Ok, so about to drive my 4Runner to Utah towing our 3k lb. trailer. Heres a question I have...do you think its appropriate to stay in 4th even if you are going, say 75 mph? Or does that not matter? I drove my 4th gen. over the cont. divide without issue so I would think this will be the same way, but I want to do right by the truck so if 4th is the way to go thats what I'll do.
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4th gear and 65 MPH. You need to be careful with temps. The truck can do the hills faster than 65 but it isn't good. Revs aren't going to kill you.
 
bimrunner said:
4th gear and 65 MPH. You need to be careful with temps. The truck can do the hills faster than 65 but it isn't good. Revs aren't going to kill you.
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Of equal or even more importance is that most all RV and boat trailer tires are rated for a maximum speed of 65 MPH. Towing over that speed for sustained periods of time is asking for trouble IMHO...
 
ScoMey said:
Of equal or even more importance is that most all RV and boat trailer tires are rated for a maximum speed of 65 MPH. Towing over that speed for sustained periods of time is asking for trouble IMHO...
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And 55 is even safer. It all depends on wheel size and axles for trailer ratings. Certainly not over 65 for sustained periods. It is a lot of friction!
 
bimrunner said:
And 55 is even safer. It all depends on wheel size and axles for trailer ratings. Certainly not over 65 for sustained periods. It is a lot of friction!
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If you towed at 55 on the interstates in Arizona with the 75 speed limits you are just looking to cause an accident with the semi trucks running 75 also. Even vehicles running 65 are looking for trouble. Once the trucks are passing you it causes a backup for the cars and then the trouble begins. I am much more comfortable keeping up with the flow of traffic.
 
I tow an average of 6-7k a year, some with a different vehicle and different trailer, but I have never abided by the mph suggestions. I have always believed in maintaining the entire rig and have never gotten into trouble being ultra conservative.

This trip will 5k miles. We will make Colorado by day 2, which means were doing about 900 miles those days. I have never had an issue with our trailers doing this trip, and this will be the 5th time we've done it. (Knocking on wood)

You would be killed doing 55 on 70 through Kansas. Seriously.
 
VoodooTitan said:
I think he meant turn off over drive...
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So how do you disable the torque converter lockout on the SR5? Going to 5th still allows it to lockout. I'd like to stay in 5th but not have certain load situations when towing where it is hunting between 5th locked out and not.
 
WCVanHorne said:
So how do you disable the torque converter lockout on the SR5? Going to 5th still allows it to lockout. I'd like to stay in 5th but not have certain load situations when towing where it is hunting between 5th locked out and not.
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4S locks out overdrive. 5S will allow the converter to lock/unlock + allow the trans to engage/disengage overdrive. Believe me I tried 5S and you can move along with the converter locked. But overdrive engaged while towing ain't happening.

It is important to choose the correct equipment for the situation. The 5th gen will tow. However, it will not be the fastest. What it does a good job of while towing is: stopping. Combine that stopping power with proper speed and you have a good chance of reaching your destination.
 
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