Novice towing questions??

[4orRunner]

First I apologize if this has been answered before but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for via search.

I recently picked up my 3rd gen runner which has the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder with a standard transmission.

I don't know all that much about towing but would appreciate if somebody could give me the lowdown on towing with my 4runner.

the manual says the 2.7 is capable of towing up to 3500lbs. Is this number realistic? If not, what is a realistic or "safe" number? How well will the truck handle accelerating AND stopping at these numbers?

Another question is what components do I need to properly tow the trailer? My truck did not come with a factory hitch installed being that it is a base model but I assume I can install one myself?

My final question is what are some of the do's and don't while towing?

 

[reelamin]

First I apologize if this has been answered before but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for via search.

I recently picked up my 3rd gen runner which has the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder with a standard transmission.

I don't know all that much about towing but would appreciate if somebody could give me the lowdown on towing with my 4runner.

the manual says the 2.7 is capable of towing up to 3500lbs. Is this number realistic? If not, what is a realistic or "safe" number? How well will the truck handle accelerating AND stopping at these numbers?

Another question is what components do I need to properly tow the trailer? My truck did not come with a factory hitch installed being that it is a base model but I assume I can install one myself?

My final question is what are some of the do's and don't while towing?

I can only give you my opinions on towing with a 4runner. Just a little back ground I have spent my entire life pulling trailers from a 4' single axle 10" tire irrigation pipe trailer to 90k on 5 axle 60' B Trains, Horse Trailers, Stock trailers, RV's, boats, low boys, with all hitch types etc. We chain up all tires on a pull/drag truck and the horse truck and one trailer axle to get in and out of Elk camp. I am fortunate enough to have more then enough truck to pull anything, so I am generally always in good shape . I have used my 4 runner for pulling things, but nothing near what you claim of 3500lb! I have pulled 1500-2000 with my 4 banger five speed. I would not want anymore then 2500, but I don't run at max or more, and want to go as fast as I want.
The most important thing is proper tongue weight, and weight balance on your trailer. Even if you have to haul more then you want its about proper weight distribution and speed.
Usually more tongue weight is better then less. If you have a lot of weight on the trailer axles and not much on the tongue you run a high chance of speed wobble. You will get whipped into the ditch once it starts if you cant stop it. Braking causes it to get worse.
Go to the junk yard and put a good hitch on it. Not some cheap cheasy hitch, but a good frame mounted hitch. Need to wire in some lights...super easy with a flat plug. If pulling towards the max deffinately electric brakes on your trailer so you need a regulator. Surge brakes not so good when you only have a light ass 4 runner to push against.

Do...learn how to back up with your flippen mirrors not looking over your shoulder!
Dont...go too fast or turn too sharp.

PM me if you want...can try to help.

 

[Buckaroo]

I have the V6 4wd Auto with towing package and I think the stated towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. I towed a 2,000 lbs pop-up (w/o brakes) for a number of years, always turning off the overdrive unless on very flat terrain. Drivetrain was ok although going up steep inclines could be slow. Brakes were marginal in the mountains - make sure your rear brakes are adjusted properly because the front brakes are a little undersized.
Buckaroo

 

[gamefreakgc]

Both have mentioned it... but make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape. Our brakes are less than desirable so stopping would be your number one issue. Not saying it can't be done but just be very careful.

How many miles are you towing? Over what kind of terrain?

 

[4orRunner]

Both have mentioned it... but make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape. Our brakes are less than desirable so stopping would be your number one issue. Not saying it can't be done but just be very careful.

How many miles are you towing? Over what kind of terrain?

Distance would most likely be 50 or 60 miles there and 50 or 60 back. On mostly flat terrain (highways) I do live in FL. So there aren't exactly a lot of mountains to negotiate lol.

My brakes seem to been in good shape, no mush in the pedal either but the rears do squeak a bit between 1/4 and 1/2 of the pedal takeup.

 

[gamefreakgc]

You should be just fine then. You're not going to set any land speed records towing with the 2.7L engine but it'll get you there.

 

[4orRunner]

You should be just fine then. You're not going to set any land speed records towing with the 2.7L engine but it'll get you there.

Okay thanks.

 

[StreetCreeper]

First I apologize if this has been answered before but I couldn't find the answers I was looking for via search.

I recently picked up my 3rd gen runner which has the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder with a standard transmission.

I don't know all that much about towing but would appreciate if somebody could give me the lowdown on towing with my 4runner.

the manual says the 2.7 is capable of towing up to 3500lbs. Is this number realistic? If not, what is a realistic or "safe" number? How well will the truck handle accelerating AND stopping at these numbers?

Another question is what components do I need to properly tow the trailer? My truck did not come with a factory hitch installed being that it is a base model but I assume I can install one myself?

My final question is what are some of the do's and don't while towing?

Cross your tow chains or tow cables under the trailer coupler! Such a simple thing that I rarely see done. In the event of trailer detatchment, if you cross them in an X pattern under the coupler, the coupler will land on the chains instead of nose-diving into the asphalt at speed.

WRONG​

| |​

CORRECT​

X​

 

[4orRunner]

Cross your tow chains or tow cables under the trailer coupler! Such a simple thing that I rarely see done. In the event of trailer detatchment, if you cross them in an X pattern under the coupler, the coupler will land on the chains instead of nose-diving into the asphalt at speed.

WRONG​

| |​

CORRECT​

X​

I'll remember that! Thanks StreetCreeper.