towing a pop up camper

[hairysrunner]

Greetings
considering buying a pop up camper since I'm getting older and the ground is getting harder to sleep on. But......
My runner is a 4 cylinder 2wd. I'm not worried about not having 4wd. I'm mostly concerned with the 4 cylinder being able to handle the load. I expect to go 60-65 mph at the most on the interstate knowing that it will bog down on the uphills.
Should I get a transmission cooler??
Should forget about using the 4 cylinder and just get something with a bigger engine. all thoughts are appreciated
96 runner
240,000 miles and going strong
thanks in advance!!!

 

[LittleCaesar]

What is the weight of the camper?

 

[hairysrunner]

I really don't have one picked out.

 

[hairysrunner]

After looking at about 20-30 campers on Craigslist I think I will be around the 2000-3000 pound weight.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

After looking at about 20-30 campers on Craigslist I think I will be around the 2000-3000 pound weight.

Is that the GCVW? If so, that isn't the actual weight. Its the weight the camper can handle including gear, water, dishes, etc. I know that if a camper is over 1500lbs, then it has to have brakes. Most have surge brakes. Some fo have electrical brakes on the axle.

Most pop-ups are under 1500lbs dry to keep them from needing brakes. I have a larger Coleman Cheyenne. Its got a king on one side and a full on the other and its under 1495lbs dry.

IMHO, the 2.7L will handle towing a camper that small. You will definitely want a tranny cooler if you have the auto. I would also highly recommend a transmission temp gauge too. The stock light won't come on until it hits 300 degrees which is WAY TOO LATE on an automatic. Its basically already been cooked if that light comes on.

Here is mine:

 

[hairysrunner]

ok, first, thank you for your info. this is very helpful for me.
What you have in your pic is as much camper as I would need or want.
the weights are confusing at times. The runner is a auto tranny. So, tell me where and which tranny cooler and temp gauge should I get. Is this something that could be bought at Advanced Auto parts?? Should I do a complete tranny flush before I start pulling a camper?? I'm the 2nd owner of the runner and I'm pretty sure the po did not ever flush the tranny.
Again,
thanks for you help and your runner is a nice one for sure.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

ok, first, thank you for your info. this is very helpful for me.
What you have in your pic is as much camper as I would need or want.
the weights are confusing at times. The runner is a auto tranny. So, tell me where and which tranny cooler and temp gauge should I get. Is this something that could be bought at Advanced Auto parts?? Should I do a complete tranny flush before I start pulling a camper?? I'm the 2nd owner of the runner and I'm pretty sure the po did not ever flush the tranny.
Again,
thanks for you help and your runner is a nice one for sure.

I'm not sure I would do more than a drain/refill on the tranny. Not an actual flush with that much mileage.

Yes, you can grab a decent size Hayden cooler at your local parts store. I personally bypassed my stock cooler in the radiator. I run a Scan Gauge II, but am not sure the A/T temp will work on the 96' year. It does on my 2000, but I thing the 96-98s won't work. But, you can grab an Autometer tranny temp gauge and install it. Also, you could grab a A-pillar gauge to mount it at www.gaugepods.com // Lotek Inc.

Scotty

 

[Marc P]

I pull a pretty big pop-up with mine. I am in the process of buying a bigger tranny cooler and adding airbags to the rear. On long grades it bogs down, but I am usually able to keep it above 50mph.

 

[fun_runner]

Never had an automatic 4Runner yet but the 2.7L with a 5spd will pull a nice size camper. Here was my old '96 4Runner, 2.7L, 4wd, 5spd, 4.56 gears. Cruised comfortably at 60mph til I got to a decent hill. Still stayed above 50mph. I'm sure the automatic will pull a pop-up just fine.