Service Recommendations before towing new camper

[Scuba6]

We are driving down to AL to look at and likely buy a small travel trailer this coming weekend and I'd like some advice on what services my 4runner may need prior to doing so. I know this is subjective to a degree - but what are your thoughts and why?

I have a 2011 Limited with 135k miles and I'm the original owner. I've been good about oil changes, brakes, etc, but have usually declined a lot of the dealership recommended flushes over the years as I don't do any offroading and have done very limited trailering in the past. I'll be towing an R-Pod 171 - UVW of 2,529lbs.

Of course the dealer recommends I change the differential fluid, transmission fluid, and anything else they can think of.

I agree that some work is probably needed - but what should I focus $ on, vs what's less necessary? Thanks in advance.

 

[jdm-v35]

We are driving down to AL to look at and likely buy a small travel trailer this coming weekend and I'd like some advice on what services my 4runner may need prior to doing so. I know this is subjective to a degree - but what are your thoughts and why?

I have a 2011 Limited with 135k miles and I'm the original owner. I've been good about oil changes, brakes, etc, but have usually declined a lot of the dealership recommended flushes over the years as I don't do any offroading and have done very limited trailering in the past. I'll be towing an R-Pod 171 - UVW of 2,529lbs.

Of course the dealer recommends I change the differential fluid, transmission fluid, and anything else they can think of.

I agree that some work is probably needed - but what should I focus $ on, vs what's less necessary? Thanks in advance.

I don't think you need any special maintenance for towing. If anything I would just recommend adding a trans cooler and making sure you have a trailer brake controller.

 

[like2lean]

You've never changed any of the cars fluids in 135K? Lol, little late to start worrying now, roll the dice!

 

[Bmnorm2]

If you haven’t changed differential oil in 135k miles I would highly recommend that. Your Limited has a front, center, and rear differential. The center shares oil with the transfer case.

As far as towing specific items I don’t recommend anything. Just keep up to date on all maintenance items including your transmission and diffs.

 

[jdm-v35]

Lol I missed the part about NOT changing those fluids. Yea you should change diff/transfer case fluid every 30k, and preferably do at least a trans drain and fill every 60k.

Those were definitely not just dealer upsells!

 

[Scuba6]

Those were definitely not just dealer upsells!

Thanks - that's why I asked.

The truck had an included service package for around the first 60k if I remember correctly, and everything within that was covered. But I confess, when the dealer hits me with $$$ of recommended work, it's sometimes hard to tell what is really needed vs what isn't.

I ended up having the 4x4 service (front / rear diff & transfer case) done today. $500. I'll have to prioritize the rest over the coming months.

 

[Hungryhawk]

I like my scanguage2 for monitoring engine and tranny vitals, Also tire pressure.
A tire losing air pressure can cause dangerous loss of control of vehicle. Especially when towing.
I installed a Hopkins insight modular brake controller because its design allow immediate trailer ONLY braking thru the over-ride sliding switch I mounted in front of my right knee.
Applying trailer brake only can get you out of a possible "jacknife" loss of control if something goes wrong towing. The proportional aitomatic braking is activated by your runner slowing down as it reads the deceleration.
Be sure your trailer tires are fresh/not old by checking the DOT date code. Also greasing the trailer wheel hubs is good insurance of a uneventful trip.

 

[Hungryhawk]

My scanguage2 is mounted on steering column with velcro, for read at a glance.I am amazed how fast tranny heats up to 200 F + when going uphill in "D" as the torque converter slips generating lots of heat. I put my runner in S4 on grades to prevent frequent downshifting out of "D".
By watching tranny temp I select the gear that cools tranny and keeps rpm around 3000-3500.
I choose lower tranny temp over road speed. Also S4 provides down hill engine braking.
I decided not to add a tranny cooler at this time.
A tranny running cold can also cause issues and the stock cooling system works very well for me.
Putting thermostat control valves and/or bypass valves into tranny fluid cooler lines seems un-necessary to me as it complicates operations and detracts from vacation get away simplicity.

 

[jdm-v35]

Thanks - that's why I asked.

The truck had an included service package for around the first 60k if I remember correctly, and everything within that was covered. But I confess, when the dealer hits me with $$$ of recommended work, it's sometimes hard to tell what is really needed vs what isn't.

I ended up having the 4x4 service (front / rear diff & transfer case) done today. $500. I'll have to prioritize the rest over the coming months.

Good Job! You should be all set to go then. Maybe do a trans flush/fill to be even better. If you wanted to be even safer you can add a trans fluid cooler. Other than that just proper maintenance is all thats needed to tow!

 

[Matt831]

SSR-623-40 | SumoSprings Rear Suspension

 

[djeepin]

I am sure that towing anything in D is wrong. Even in S-5, that pretty much the same as D. I tow only in S-4 and down, depends on elevation. I monitor trans temp and notice that with cooler, temperature drops faster.