Tow Package

[davis2046]

I'm looking to buy my first 4 runner, and I'm aware that they don't have a full blown tow package as on the Tacomas, etc. I'm not too worried about it right now as I don't have anything to tow. My wife and I plan on adding ATVs to our vehicle inventory during the life of the T4R and I don't want to run into transmission problems down the road. Has anyone added an aftermarket transmission cooler or anything to accommodate the towing? Or is it even possible?

Thanks for the help!

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

I'm looking to buy my first 4 runner, and I'm aware that they don't have a full blown tow package as on the Tacomas, etc. I'm not too worried about it right now as I don't have anything to tow. My wife and I plan on adding ATVs to our vehicle inventory during the life of the T4R and I don't want to run into transmission problems down the road. Has anyone added an aftermarket transmission cooler or anything to accommodate the towing? Or is it even possible?

Thanks for the help!

Not all correct information. I own an '05 4Runner Sport Edition w/the V8 and 2WD. It has (factory installed) a transmission cooler and a power steering cooler and a hitch capable of accepting a weight distributing hitch which I also use. At 13.5" the factory discs are actually bigger than the same year F150s.

I tow a 5,000 pound travel trailer. When you find a 4Runner, have the dealer run the VIN to find out what is has. Also, if you tow a trailer (not boats-they are a little different) the maximum length one should tow with a vehicle that has a 109.5" wheelbase is between 21 and 22 feet. You can get away with towing a little longer boat trailer because boats tow better due to the shape of the hull.

If you are not educated on the concept of towing a fairly heavy trailer, please use the Internet to educate yourself. You do not to put in harms way yourself, family, or others on the road. Towing - it's a whole different ballgame....

 

[davis2046]

I get that there is a transmission cooler under the hood and there is a hitch on the back. But what i'm interested in is a supplemental transmission cooler. An actual tow package is an option on trucks such and the Tundra and probably some SUVs. I can't find the package listed as an option on the 4Runner. If you go to Toyota's website and find the Tundra's options there is a package called a tow package:

TOW PACKAGE [3] -- Includes tow hitch receiver, trailer brake controller prewire, 4.300 rear axle ratio (4.100 on 4.6L V8), TOW/HAUL mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, supplemental transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, 7-pin connector and heavy-duty alternator and battery.

I'm wondering if there is a way to install at least the supplemental transmission cooler to give me at least an acting tow package?

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

I get that there is a transmission cooler under the hood and there is a hitch on the back. But what i'm interested in is a supplemental transmission cooler. An actual tow package is an option on trucks such and the Tundra and probably some SUVs. I can't find the package listed as an option on the 4Runner. If you go to Toyota's website and find the Tundra's options there is a package called a tow package:

TOW PACKAGE [3] -- Includes tow hitch receiver, trailer brake controller prewire, 4.300 rear axle ratio (4.100 on 4.6L V8), TOW/HAUL mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, supplemental transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, 7-pin connector and heavy-duty alternator and battery.

I'm wondering if there is a way to install at least the supplemental transmission cooler to give me at least an acting tow package?

Open up the hood. The transmission cooler is right in front, you can't miss it. You could remove the in and out flow hoses and install a bigger one. There is PLENTY of room. But my vehicle has been fine for 89,000 miles with the standard one towing a 5,000 pound travel trailer. I did change the fluid at 60K instead of 100K as suggested by Toyota.

To further complicate matters, I am looking at my original factory sticker, and it says ""Fog lights w/tow hitch and ball mount". This is the only reference to towing equipment - BUT it is fully equipped for towing from the factory, with all the equipment I mentioned previously. The towing capacity of 7,000 pounds is also mentioned in the original brochure which I also have. It looks like you will have to perform a visual inspection to determine proper towing equipment.

How much weight will you be towing? Do you know what tongue weights you will be looking at? What year 4Runnner? V8 or V6?

MORE INFO

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...towing-questions-toyota-4runner-newlywed.html

 

[davis2046]

Open up the hood. The transmission cooler is right in front, you can't miss it. You could remove the in and out flow hoses and install a bigger one. There is PLENTY of room. But my vehicle has been fine for 89,000 miles with the standard one towing a 5,000 pound travel trailer. I did change the fluid at 60K instead of 100K as suggested by Toyota.

To further complicate matters, I am looking at my original factory sticker, and it says ""Fog lights w/tow hitch and ball mount". This is the only reference to towing equipment - BUT it is fully equipped for towing from the factory, with all the equipment I mentioned previously. The towing capacity of 7,000 pounds is also mentioned in the original brochure which I also have. It looks like you will have to perform a visual inspection to determine proper towing equipment.

How much weight will you be towing? Do you know what tongue weights you will be looking at? What year 4Runnner? V8 or V6?

I don't know how much I will be towing. We want to get ATV's. We don't have them yet, but anticipate getting them during the life of the 4runner. Lets say two of those weigh anywhere from 450 to 700 pounds each, and a trailer weighing 1000 to 2500 pounds. Max weight I guess could be around 4000 pounds. Without knowing exacts, I can't tell you the tongue weight. And its an '11 4Runner V6

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

I don't know how much I will be towing. We want to get ATV's. We don't have them yet, but anticipate getting them during the life of the 4runner. Lets say two of those weigh anywhere from 450 to 700 pounds each, and a trailer weighing 1000 to 2500 pounds. Max weight I guess could be around 4000 pounds. Without knowing exacts, I can't tell you the tongue weight. And its an '11 4Runner V6

You really don't have too worry much towing that kind of weight. A transmission cooler is all you need. Your tongue weight will not be more than 250 or 300 pounds...tops.

 

[_JT_]

Really stupid question but hey why not ask the pros. I have a 2008 V8 with a Hidden Hitch tow package. It comes with the Trailer Brake Jumper Harness wire connector in the package. I need to hook up a regular trailer(no brake system). The Trailer has a 4 Pole Male flat adapter. Is there a way to wire the existing Trailer brake harness into a 4 Pole Female adapter? Or do i need to rewire the whole thing? The jumper harness it comes with is a 5 prong, 5 wire setup http://www.toyota.com/upfitters/pdfs/tech_info/TrailerBrakeJumperHarness.pdf

 

[fast325it]

7 pin round to 4 pin in-line adaptor

Just go to your local auto parts store, a Toyota dealer, or a GM dealer and buy the adaptor. They are usually $12-$20.

The T4R 7 pin female recepticle has round holes. Some male adaptors are molded with square holes and therefore will not fit into the round holes. Just make sure to try inserting the adaptor before you leave the parking lot.

 

[Ross]

I don't know how much I will be towing. We want to get ATV's. We don't have them yet, but anticipate getting them during the life of the 4runner. Lets say two of those weigh anywhere from 450 to 700 pounds each, and a trailer weighing 1000 to 2500 pounds. Max weight I guess could be around 4000 pounds. Without knowing exacts, I can't tell you the tongue weight. And its an '11 4Runner V6

If the vehicle rated at towing 5,000 lbs you will be cutting it close. Along with the trailer and its cargo you also have to figure in what you will carry in the vehicle. Not sure what the V8 can tow but the V6 will be cutting it close. I have a 4th gen V6 and it came with a hitch receiver, a seven pin plug mounted, a wiring harness for a break controller, a trans cooler up front. It has a rating of 5,000 lbs.

My questions why would you be getting a trailer as heavy as 2500lbs to carry 1400 pounds of ATVs. That is MUCH more trailer than you would need. If you can buy the appropriate trailer a V6 4Runner will be adequate for what you state you want.

Full size trucks will have other options, such as different rear axles, different gear ratios etc but this is equipment for hauling much heavier loads than 5k lbs.

 

[cknsls@adelphia]

If the vehicle rated at towing 5,000 lbs you will be cutting it close. Along with the trailer and its cargo you also have to figure in what you will carry in the vehicle. Not sure what the V8 can tow but the V6 will be cutting it close. I have a 4th gen V6 and it came with a hitch receiver, a seven pin plug mounted, a wiring harness for a break controller, a trans cooler up front. It has a rating of 5,000 lbs.

My questions why would you be getting a trailer as heavy as 2500lbs to carry 1400 pounds of ATVs. That is MUCH more trailer than you would need. If you can buy the appropriate trailer a V6 4Runner will be adequate for what you state you want.

Full size trucks will have other options, such as different rear axles, different gear ratios etc but this is equipment for hauling much heavier loads than 5k lbs.

On second thought,the general rule is to stay at 80% of tow capacity. I am sure you will be taking extra fuel, an ice chest, or two ice chest PLUS passengers. You would be OK with a V8 (rated at 7,500 pounds) but more than likely once you have considered all I mentioned, you will be over capacity.

I tow a 5,000 pound travel trailer with my v8. I have a weight-distributing hitch and brakes on the trailer (controlled with a prodigy controller in the 4Runner). Personally, I wouldn't want to tow anymore.

 

[jenibee]

No Tow Package Option on 2015 4Runner, Help

I have been reading through a lot of different threads on this forum and haven't found this answer yet, so I apologize if this has already been addressed.

I called Toyota Corporate today and they say that the only elements of what would traditionally be called a "Tow Package" that are on the 2015 models are the tow hitch and 4+7 wiring harness. In other words there is no supplemental trans cooler or upgraded alternator, etc . . . the kinds of things you normally get when you choose a new vehicle with a Tow Package.

So, does this mean that the 2015 V6 4Runner can haul an Airstream Bambi, 16ft at 3500# loaded, as well as its predecessors did? Or not?

Please do no recommend that I buy a truck. That's absolutely not an option for the kind of cargo that I have to carry in my vehicle. So, that answer won't help me at all. I have seen that lots of folks on this forum tow smaller travel trailers like mine with their 4Runners, but I am specifically checking in with those who may understand the performance differences between older 4Runners and the current one for sale and those who are towing 3500# trailers with a 2015 model 4Runner (or another year model that didn't necessarily claim to come with a Tow Package which included a trans cooler and other engine enhancements particular to towing).

Thanks for any help. I would be grateful for you to jump in ASAP since I use this trailer/vehicle combination for work traveling across the USA and need to replace my current towing vehicle (Jeep Liberty Diesel 2005 with Tow Package, but terribly unreliable and at 230,000 miles right now).

Many smiles,

Jenibee

 

[NC_4Runner]

I get that there is a transmission cooler under the hood and there is a hitch on the back. But what i'm interested in is a supplemental transmission cooler. An actual tow package is an option on trucks such and the Tundra and probably some SUVs. I can't find the package listed as an option on the 4Runner. If you go to Toyota's website and find the Tundra's options there is a package called a tow package:

TOW PACKAGE [3] -- Includes tow hitch receiver, trailer brake controller prewire, 4.300 rear axle ratio (4.100 on 4.6L V8), TOW/HAUL mode switch, transmission fluid temperature gauge, supplemental transmission cooler, engine oil cooler, 7-pin connector and heavy-duty alternator and battery.

I'm wondering if there is a way to install at least the supplemental transmission cooler to give me at least an acting tow package?

Newbie to site and 4Runners. Is a tow package necessary if you're towing 12-15 times a year, a bass boat that's total less than 3,000 lbs?

 

[pjbrownva]

So, does this mean that the 2015 V6 4Runner can haul an Airstream Bambi, 16ft at 3500# loaded, as well as its predecessors did? Or not?

...
I use this trailer/vehicle combination for work traveling across the USA and need to replace my current towing vehicle (Jeep Liberty Diesel 2005 with Tow Package, but terribly unreliable and at 230,000 miles right now).

Jenibee,

I don't have the experience you ask for, but,
since you travel across the USA with a trailer a lot for work,

I would suggest you plan on adding an auxiliary transmission cooler, if the stock vehicle doesn't come with one.

I believe that 4Runners come with a harness to hook up an electronic brake controller, and I would also suggest looking at a weight distributing hitch.

Last thought, the Lexus GX line comes with a V8 engine, and offers "Trailer Sway Control* is designed to detect and help suppress unwanted trailer movement caused by wind, bumpy roads and even steering operation."

The list price starts at about $50K, and goes up from there, so maybe the vehicle is more than you want to spend, but if it's within your price range, you may want to look more into the trim levels and options on the GX.

The Sway control, as best I understand it, uses your ABS sensors (and possibly the yaw sensor... not sure) to determine if the trailer starts to sway, and it adjusts the power to each wheel to counter-act the swaying.

It sounds pretty unique to me, and potentially VERY useful.

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but since no-one else replied, I'm assuming that some advice is better than none.

Good luck!

 

[pjbrownva]

As I'm sure you must know, overheating the tranny while towing can drastically shorten your transmission life.

BTW, an auxiliary trans cooler would be an after-market add-on, but it's a fairly easy one. Just make sure to use the TOYOTA brand of transmission fluid. Toyota claims it has magical properties that nothing else has, and your tranny is too important to risk with "brand X", even if brand X generally makes quality products.

As for the HD battery and/or alternator... I would keep the stock for at least 1 year, and then upgrade to one of the high-quality AGM batteries such as a Odyssey or other brand.

For the high-output alternator... it's your call. I don't know enough about the issue, other than you would be looking at an aftermarket part. I'm certain that a high-end car audio installer (or an appropriate online forum) would have tons of information. Those audio guys are nuts about power. Google "The big three upgrade" to see an easy "upgrade" that many audio guys swear by.



I hope these thoughts help.

 

[pjbrownva]

I have been reading through a lot of different threads on this forum and haven't found this answer yet, so I apologize if this has already been addressed.

...

Jenibee,

I just occurred to me, you would fair much better by starting a new thread.
I'm not a moderator, but I would think that posting in the 5th gen 4 runner forum would be the most appropriate place. You'll have lots of 5th gen enthusiasts following that thread, and they will probably be able to help you...

but starting a new thread is the way to go. You won't get much attention by tacking your request onto the end of an existing thread that is several years old.

-Phil

 

[ChaosStarter]

Newbie to site and 4Runners. Is a tow package necessary if you're towing 12-15 times a year, a bass boat that's total less than 3,000 lbs?

I would recommend it only because although you'd probably be ok in flat-land areas, once you hit hills, that trans will start heating up and you'll want that extra protection.

 

[boyfester]

I pull a 2500-3000 lb tent trailer once a month and have had no issues whatsoever with the stock tranny cooler. Just make sure to use the transmission shift lever on uphills instead of keeping it in full automatic. I've been told the transmission will get really hot always hunting for the perfect gear.

 

[The G-Man]

I pull a 2500-3000 lb tent trailer once a month and have had no issues whatsoever with the stock tranny cooler. Just make sure to use the transmission shift lever on uphills instead of keeping it in full automatic. I've been told the transmission will get really hot always hunting for the perfect gear.

Not sure what year you have but the manual for my '05 says to tow in 4 and not D at all times.

 

[boyfester]

Not sure what year you have but the manual for my '05 says to tow in 4 and not D at all times.

I have a 2014 Trail Edition. I only use D on the flats. I stay in 3 and 4 typically depending on the grade (uphill and downhill).

 

[RClevenger]

towing

I have been reading through a lot of different threads on this forum and haven't found this answer yet, so I apologize if this has already been addressed.

I called Toyota Corporate today and they say that the only elements of what would traditionally be called a "Tow Package" that are on the 2015 models are the tow hitch and 4+7 wiring harness. In other words there is no supplemental trans cooler or upgraded alternator, etc . . . the kinds of things you normally get when you choose a new vehicle with a Tow Package.

So, does this mean that the 2015 V6 4Runner can haul an Airstream Bambi, 16ft at 3500# loaded, as well as its predecessors did? Or not?

Please do no recommend that I buy a truck. That's absolutely not an option for the kind of cargo that I have to carry in my vehicle. So, that answer won't help me at all. I have seen that lots of folks on this forum tow smaller travel trailers like mine with their 4Runners, but I am specifically checking in with those who may understand the performance differences between older 4Runners and the current one for sale and those who are towing 3500# trailers with a 2015 model 4Runner (or another year model that didn't necessarily claim to come with a Tow Package which included a trans cooler and other engine enhancements particular to towing).

Thanks for any help. I would be grateful for you to jump in ASAP since I use this trailer/vehicle combination for work traveling across the USA and need to replace my current towing vehicle (Jeep Liberty Diesel 2005 with Tow Package, but terribly unreliable and at 230,000 miles right now).

Many smiles,

Jenibee

Did you ever get an answer to your question above. We've got the same question. 2015 SR5 4Runner and a 16ft Airstream Sport. Got the standard hitch and electrical connectors but want to add the coolers, etc. Thanks.