Road Trip

AdoboRunner

AdoboRunner

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He everyone! I have a 06 V6 SR5 with about 54,000 on it. Regular maint.(oil chgs, in cabin air filters, brake/rotor checks etc) has been done to it from the dealership until now(nothing major). I am planning a road trip with my family, from Maryland to Orlando FL. in the end of July. I wanna get it prepared for that trip.
When I do take it to the dealership, what should I tell them to check out before this long road trip, and is there anything minor that I could do myself that doesn't require that much time, becuase I have none of it. This will be the first long road trip for my truck, and I hope she makes it. Has anyone brought their runner on a 10+ hour road trip? How was your experience in the truck as far as comfort , and problems that could or did arise? Thanks in advance.
 
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This is my third 4Runner and it's been on a number of 1000 mile one-way trips; 2 of them towing a boat. It only has 26,000 miles, though. My previous 4Runners ('90 w/205,000 miles and '00 with 152,000 miles when sold) also were tow vehicles and had done a lot of 500+ mile trips without anything other than normal maintenance.

If your current oil change will take you both ways, then don't bother. Other than checking the oil, coolant and tire pressure, I don't do much of anything before a long road trip.

Oh, maybe wiper blades which take all of 5 minutes to replace...
 
my 4runner has gone on plenty of 400 mile one way road trips and the longest being about 600 one way. i dont really do anything before unless the oil needs changing. besides check air pressure so i can get best gas mileage and fill the tank. as far as comfort it is pretty roomy even with the entire rear full of cargo. you should be fine.
 
If it is well mentained, I am confident with Toyotas.

I will bother to check the tires. and maybe look under the chasis or the suspension components for loose or fluid leaking..other than that nothing to worry, unless major maintenance service is due.

If you are planning to change tires, do it weeks before so that the installer can check it back after miles of driving or if it needs to be retorque, re-balanced before the trip.

Check signal lights, brake lights if working and have extra bulbs atleast for the Low Beam.

happy trip..:driving:
 
I just got back from a trip of 3500 miles. At least 7 hours of driving everyday. Not only did it do so without breaking a sweat, but we were comfortable too!

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I completed an 1100 mile one way trip when I moved from Florida to New Mexico. Very long trip. I have an 04 Sport with the Cornfed 3/2 lift and BFG 265/70/17 All Terrains. I was pulling my 8x16 utility trailer which was loaded down with my tools and my ATV. The entire vehicle and trailer weighed out at 7620 lbs (the 4Runner by itself weighed out at 4100 lbs empty...not sure how much gas I had in it). But needless the say my V6 was sucking some gas. But other than that it did everything that I needed it to. I love my 4Runner but I do wish that I could upgrade. I got it with 20K miles and right now I'm pushing 92K...I have never had any problems with it at all.
 
Yes, more info on the trailer please. Maybe start a new thread so as to not hijack this thread.....
 
I go on long roadtrips regularly with my 4Runner (2003 V6 now at ~90,000 miles). Most involve offroading and extended rough unpaved roads, mountain driving, extreme hot, cold and rain - pretty much everything. The longest of these trips was almost 8,000 miles in 4 weeks (with a several 800 mile days in a row). Just keep to the maintainence schedule and you should be fine. No need to do anything special unless you are having problems or anticipate a specific problem.

I love the 4Runner and have very few complaints. As far as comfort, I find the seat a little too low, and wish there were more substantial armrests on both sides. Enjoy your trip, I think you'll find the 4Runner is great for roadtripping.
 
:iagree: Very reliable. If you take it in, have them do normal routine maintenance only.
Last summer for 3 weeks took my TR4 from NY-St louis- Denver- Arches NP Utah- Yellowstone- Dakotas-back home to NY- before leaving did normal maintenance of oil, air/cabin air filter -then at halfway point in Salt lake city did oil, air/cabin air and only extra I had was front brakes needed new pads and wheel balance in dealer from offroading near Arches in Utah. T4R's are great, the reliability in them is soooo comforting. I Love mine. Have an awesome road trip!:party:
PS: I put about 6000 miles on that trip.
 
Awe man I cant wait now. I now im gonna get alot of bugs on my front bumper. HAve any of your used that bug net that goes in the front?
 
Nope not the bra. I have seen that....It literally looks like a mesh net that covers the front grill and some of the bumper. Maybe the guy just put on there and it wasn't meant for that, but oh well. Gonna look for a Bug Deflector
 
Forget the bug deflector. They're more for looks and don't do much if anything. Just be sure to have a good coat of wax so the bugs are easier to wash off. OR, if you're that anal, leave the T4R home and rent a van.

Check out the front of gaberelli's 4Runner in his 2nd pic (with the tent). That's how my T4R looks often since I use it for work and drive 60 miles of highway a day.
 
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nope not that anal....just a reason to buy something....haha. Thanks fellas! I can't wait for this road trip now....my wife and and 2 kids in the back!! maybe a good set of earplugs
 
The 4Runner has definitely proven to be a very reliable vehicle, but if I were about to go on a long road trip, I would check the front brake calipers for signs of a seized piston. It would really suck to have to deal with that on a road trip. And it's such a common problem for this generation of 4Runners that I'd be surprised if yours are NOT seized or at least beginning to seize that that mileage.
 
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