Towing a 6x12 trailer from NYC to Seattle, correct procedure?

[Vermonster76]

Hey Y'all,

I'm probably a little late in asking this but I'm pulling a loaded 6x12 trailer from NYC to Seattle this Sunday (May 25th) with my 2002 4Runner. I have done a bunch of maintenance already like replacing/flush all fluids in the diffs, trans, engine, etc. Put in new plugs, new brake pads. I have the factory tow package installed. My truck has about 103,000 miles on it and has never pulled a trailer before.

After reading about it a little bit I noticed that people are recommending getting a second trans cooler in addition to the factory installed one to prevent the pink milkshake. Seeing that I already have my trailer attached I can't really do this before my trip. Think everything will be fine? I know it's something I should have thought of before but this has been one hell of a month and it slipped my mind.

Also, should I turn overdrive off and use the ECT button while towing? Hopefully someone will see this soon as I have to go turn off my internet in about an hour! Talk about last minute!!! :wow:

 

[541joseph]

Get scan gauge. Turn od off and on steep hills out in 2nd and just go slow

 

[ARC]

You shouldn't have any issues as long as you drive sensibly. Don't push it too hard and go slower when terrain dictates.

 

[Avwizz]

Ect on is nice for getting to highway speed. And depending on how it handles you might want O/d off a lot not just on hills. Also check fluids often oil/trans. Like stated before if you go slow you should be fine

 

[Brique]

I think [MENTION=102285]541joseph[/MENTION] was saying to leave od off the whole time and shift down to 2nd for steep hills.

From what I've read, there are two ways to install an ext trans cooler. In-line and bypass. In-line supplements the cooling ability of the stock cooler, bypass avoids the stock cooler altogether in order to guarantee no milkshake. In either case it's time and probability that lead to a milkshake rather than heat from towing. If coolant isn't replaced at recommended intervals, it can become acidic and corrode the partition in the radiator and lead to a milkshake as well. But if a milkshake isn't inbound from other things, your trip shouldn't cause you any worries from a milkshake.

But as others have said, you can still kill your transmission the old-fashioned way by overheating it. If it were me, I'd keep o/d off as stated, keep ect on, and be the guy in the right hand lane everyone passes.