September 2006 T4ROTM - TeryT

leftyrb said:
TeryT:

Great photos. I tow my 26 foot travel trailer occasionally with my 4Runner and agree that it has a great torque curve, and is short that enables backing into tighter spots. I also have the Jordan brake controller.

I note from one of your photos that you a rear spoiler, also the dirt on the rear window. Do you think its worth $300 for the spoiler? Does your's have an led brake lamp?

Thanks

Rick
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I think the spoiler does work to help keep dust off. The picture was driving in rain & mud, so the spoiler doesn't do much for that!
 
jharris2 said:
Congrats, Tery!!
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Thanks! My wife got a kick, too, out of being selected. I told her what a privilege it is to be driving with me all September in the 'Runner of the month in the Whole Wide World! LOL Really enjoy sharing these pix with you all!

I'm taking her to Denver International Saturday, to fly back to Kentucky. I'm then going to be driving the rig back to Arizona. But along the way, I'm going to take my time & stay in Ouray & Telluride. I plan to do one off-road that is supposed to be really awesome, on the north side of the San Juan Mountains. I plan to keep posting pix of this last week up here.

Oh, did someone say Frisbee!?


0608310010gx6.jpg
 
I'm actually still on it. Doing a couple days camping next to downtown Telluride. I've got more pix, and will hopefully be able to share some in the next day or so.
 
mole177 said:
how do you hook up that altimeter guage?
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It's just a stick on deal. I really like it, and it's perfectly color coordinated (black & silver). While it was under about $30, I found it is not real accurate at the higher elevations. Up to around 8,000 foot it is remarkably dead on, but then above that it starts to under-report around 10-12%. It also doesn't have a light in it, but that's not such a big deal.

Also, when sticking it on, tear off all the factory sticky paper, and mount it direct plastic to plastic with contact cement. Mine kept falling off at 1st from the heat, but has now been solid for about a year.
 
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What kind of gas mielage you get while pulling that trailer? Do you get worried that its to much for the 4runner?

Im considering getting one. I pull a trailer with 4 wheelers now, and dont want to make a dumb move, so im checking on them.
 
cnl83 said:
What kind of gas mielage you get while pulling that trailer? Do you get worried that its to much for the 4runner?

Im considering getting one. I pull a trailer with 4 wheelers now, and dont want to make a dumb move, so im checking on them.
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Glad to see someone inquiring about the towing capacity, instead of just the off-road stuff! The mileage is from 9-12, depending. No, it is not too much for the V8 4Runner. It is a real truck, with a full frame. But, if you look at my signature you will see some basic equipment I've added to make it mo-better. The most important & expensive piece is the Hensley hitching system, which is the best you can buy, and flat out eliminates sway. A good weight distribution & sway control system is needed on a longer trailer, because of the 4Runner's relatively short wheelbase. Otherwise, you will definitely experience tail wagging the dog (I did prior to the Hensley) This will set you back significant $$, but more than worth it (my wife wholeheartedly agrees here!).

Other things include the added tranny cooler/ fan combo, and rear air bags (many SUVs have soft suspension, and can't carry much in the rear, i.e. payload)). Power-wise is no problemo.

I will say that if one plans any more mountainous pulling than we do, to be very careful going above the numbers we have with this trailer. It will do it, but my opinion is it will be getting pretty close to it's capacity edge.

I have a standard e-mail I send out with a lot of links to articles & various research on towing with the 4Runner. If anybody wants it, just e-mail me.

Ciao!
 
Awsome pictures. I towed a heavily loaded 6x12 uhaul from florida to st.louis in one day. Granted not as high in elevation you were but I flew up the smokey mountains no problem.

One thing I was wondering about was when I got to gas station their was a guy with a full size gmc van and the some trailer. He said he couldn't go 50mph before it would start wagging its tail. I could go much faster before my trailer would start to lose stability and then I would just back it of 5mph and it was perfect. Why was his trailer so much more unstable?He had a longer wheelbase. Hitch? loaded unevenly?
 
Mr. Lambdebois said:
Awsome pictures. I towed a heavily loaded 6x12 uhaul from florida to st.louis in one day. Granted not as high in elevation you were but I flew up the smokey mountains no problem.

One thing I was wondering about was when I got to gas station their was a guy with a full size gmc van and the some trailer. He said he couldn't go 50mph before it would start wagging its tail. I could go much faster before my trailer would start to lose stability and then I would just back it of 5mph and it was perfect. Why was his trailer so much more unstable?He had a longer wheelbase. Hitch? loaded unevenly?
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A bunch of factors go into trailer stability, as you hinted. The balance of the trailer is a big one. The general rule is to have at least 10% of the load's weight on the tongue. Things like surface area & type of axle contribute too.
 
Wow that looks like a great trip, really neat pictures too. The V8 can really pull, I towed a VW Passat from Tucson, Arizona to Birmingham, Alabama, plus both vehicles were loaded down with junk... About 6000 lbs on the trailer including the car and another 700 lbs in the 4runner... I forgot the mileage, 2300 miles sounds right. Never once did it loose power, I had to look back to check and see if I was still pulling a car and trailer behind me... I was really impressed! The V8 is no joke, strong and full of power. I started at about 5,500 feet on my trip and went on down I-10 to I-20 stopping in Alabama. The elevation was not a factor at all. By the way I hate that VW Passat
 
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