Towing advice - '98 4runner

[Rollinstone]

Hi there. I'm looking for a bit of advice for a towing job I'm considering with my '98 4runner limited 3.4 liter V6. It's auto and has a stock tranny cooler. There's 163,000 km on it and it's in good condition.

I'm looking to tow a 6 x 12 uhaul trailer (empty weight 1920 lbs) 1650 kms over the rockies from Alberta to British Columbia (Canada). The trailer has surge brakes. I'm stocking it with household furniture and boxes (maybe 1000lbs = 3000 lbs total). Tall order?

I've researched on the net pretty thoroughly the consensus seems to be that while it's within the towing guidelines (5000 lbs), it's a little dicey due to the poor brakes for such a load.

If you're not familiar with the terrain, the route includes (predictably) a fair share of hills (up to 8% on the Coquihalla). I don't mind having to go slow but is it safe? Will I fry my tranny / rotors?

Unlike other posts, I'm not planning on towing regularly so wouldn't consider beefing up to a heavier vehicle. This is a one-time move. The question is whether to just scrap the trailer and get a uhaul van but this is a pain as it means another trip to bring the truck back.

Is a Tundra brake upgrade in order? Necessary?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I was hoping to leave ... this Saturday!

 

[kball]

I say do a couple drain and fills this coming week with a good synthetic unless you've have the fluid flushed recently. Other than that keep it out of overdrive and you'll be fine for a one time tow.

Definitely read up on here about the strawberry milkshake problem!

 

[Rollinstone]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look into some preventative maintenance re: the strawberry milkshake problem.

It seems that the 4runners really don't get used for towing larger trailers that often. I was somewhat surprised to find that even coming close to the manufacturor's recommended towing capacity is so questionable.

Does anyone else have any experiences they could relay?

 

[downpour11]

I've towed a 6x12 in my old 96 5speed, I had 2 atv's on it and it did fine, I don't know the weight but I would take it to jiffy lube or something before hand and service the tranny. Just be careful, your brakes should be fine. Just go slow on those steep downhills.

 

[adder70]

Can't say too much about the hills situation, but I have towed a moderate load in a 6x12 trailer with a 2000 limited, though only moderate terrain (I-75, Gainesville, FL to Atlanta, GA).

For longer downhills, use engine braking! Once again, Engine Braking! This is what will keep you rotors healthy and you safe. OTOH, could this be a source of excessive wear that might create pink milkshake?

Not sure about O/D though, unless the torque converter will lock up in D3; a locked converter should minimize wear on the transmission.