Towing cross country?

J

Jonsie82nd

New member
Hello all!

I have a question, I am retiring from the Army and driving from Alaska back to Florida. It is about 5,000 miles. I want to tow my Volvo S40 on a dolly, it weighs about 3,800 pounds. Would y'all appose this idea? Do you think it would put to much strain on the 4Runner?

4Runner:
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/Aron_Jones/media/IMG_0563_zpsfcf2e314.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b544/Aron_Jones/IMG_0563_zpsfcf2e314.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0563_zpsfcf2e314.jpg"/></a>

Volvo:
<a href="http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/Aron_Jones/media/IMG_0677_zps234589d1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b544/Aron_Jones/IMG_0677_zps234589d1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0677_zps234589d1.jpg"/></a>
 
Register to hide this ad
Also the dolly weighs about 750 lbs.. So 4,500 all together.. I know that it can tow 5,000 lbs but thats a long way!
I ordered leveling kit as well would it be better to install before trip?
 
Last edited:
Search :dammit:... Plenty of threads discussing towing and a few members have created threads on their long distance towing experiences.
 
First...Thank you for your service:usa:

Second...Congratz on the retirement!!..:usa2:

Third...tow with confidence...make sure you have a good brake controller, airbags, and have the oil changed and a good /service maintenance done before you leave...safe travels!
 
It may be ok on flat ground but I just got back from a trip through the Arizona mountains and my 14 Limited could barely pull itself up some of the mountains without running 5000 rpm just trying to maintain the speed limit. I could not even imagine trying to pull another 4000 lbs. up some of those mountains without blowing up the engine from high rpm.
 
Jonsie82nd said:
Thanks for all the input! Any advice on the leveling kit?
Click to expand...

First of all, I assume 82nd airborn. My grandfather was an original in WW2 and made every jump. Thank you for your service!

Second, the best level would be the bilstein 5100s. You can improve the ride and get it level at the same time. Also, pretty affordable.
 
bimrunner said:
First of all, I assume 82nd airborn. My grandfather was an original in WW2 and made every jump. Thank you for your service!

Second, the best level would be the bilstein 5100s. You can improve the ride and get it level at the same time. Also, pretty affordable.
Click to expand...

Yes 82nd Airborne! I always love talking to old paratroopers and hearing their awesome stories!

I already bought the leveling kit. Did not come with bilsteins.
 
03_4x4Runner said:
It may be ok on flat ground but I just got back from a trip through the Arizona mountains and my 14 Limited could barely pull itself up some of the mountains without running 5000 rpm just trying to maintain the speed limit. I could not even imagine trying to pull another 4000 lbs. up some of those mountains without blowing up the engine from high rpm.
Click to expand...
Bullshit. I pulled a 5500lb+ enclosed trailer (huge air brake) across the continental divide in Colorado, and was still able to maintain 60+ on steep grades at over 10K ft.
 
03_4x4Runner said:
It may be ok on flat ground but I just got back from a trip through the Arizona mountains and my 14 Limited could barely pull itself up some of the mountains without running 5000 rpm just trying to maintain the speed limit. I could not even imagine trying to pull another 4000 lbs. up some of those mountains without blowing up the engine from high rpm.
Click to expand...

Define high RPM's. Above 3,000? 4,000?

IMO, you can run all day in that neighborhood (and above), so long as you don't mind the buzzing. If the engine wasn't designed to handle it, the rev limiter would be programmed lower...
 
Bimmer-Bob said:
Define high RPM's. Above 3,000? 4,000?

IMO, you can run all day in that neighborhood (and above), so long as you don't mind the buzzing. If the engine wasn't designed to handle it, the rev limiter would be programmed lower...
Click to expand...

My wife was driving on one mountain and said the rpm was at 4500. It was in 3rd gear and stayed that way till it got to the top. She was not comfortable with all the rpm and noise. I would guess the speed was around 70. The speed limit was 75 and cars were passing us. We could not keep up with them. You could ride in the slow lane with the semi trucks if you did not want to try to go the speed limit. This was with 2 people in the car and the back full of normal luggage for a weeks trip. To make matters worse I was fighting a 20-30 mph head wind a lot of the trip.
 
Last edited:
03_4x4Runner said:
just trying to maintain the speed limit.
Click to expand...

A general rule with towing is to not pay attention to the speed limit, cause it doesn't matter just do whats safe for the terrain. I've done several cross country trips both towing and fully loaded and its worked for me and my third gen. I did install a tranny cooler as well.
 
Thank you for all the help guys! I have been stressing out trying to get ready to move my whole family across the country and just havent had the time to fully search through this site. I have to leave in 10 days! Please someone give me a link to the Airlift 1000 airbags. their website doesnt include the 4Runner. I need to order them ASAP. As far as the brake controller will that work with a dolly?? Thanks in advance for the help and you patience.
 
U-Haul: Tow Dolly Trailer Rental

This is the dolly I am going to rent.


Thank you for all the help guys! I have been stressing out trying to get ready to move my whole family across the country and just havent had the time to fully search through this site. I have to leave in 10 days! Please someone give me a link to the Airlift 1000 airbags. their website doesnt include the 4Runner. I need to order them ASAP. As far as the brake controller will that work with a dolly?? Thanks in advance for the help and you patience.
 
Jonsie82nd said:
U-Haul: Tow Dolly Trailer Rental

This is the dolly I am going to rent.


Thank you for all the help guys! I have been stressing out trying to get ready to move my whole family across the country and just havent had the time to fully search through this site. I have to leave in 10 days! Please someone give me a link to the Airlift 1000 airbags. their website doesnt include the 4Runner. I need to order them ASAP. As far as the brake controller will that work with a dolly?? Thanks in advance for the help and you patience.
Click to expand...

You can't use an electric brake controller with that tow dolly, because it is either unbraked or uses surge brakes (not sure which). Also, it looks like your Volvo may be over that thing's weight limit. U-Haul may refuse to rent to you. Have you already reserved it, and given them the info about your tow vehicle and the vehicle you plan to tow?
 
03_4x4Runner said:
My wife was driving on one mountain and said the rpm was at 4500. It was in 3rd gear and stayed that way till it got to the top. She was not comfortable with all the rpm and noise. I would guess the speed was around 70. The speed limit was 75 and cars were passing us. We could not keep up with them. You could ride in the slow lane with the semi trucks if you did not want to try to go the speed limit. This was with 2 people in the car and the back full of normal luggage for a weeks trip. To make matters worse I was fighting a 20-30 mph head wind a lot of the trip.
Click to expand...

Your wife wasn't "comfortable with it?" Fair enough, but that certainly doesn't mean it's bad for the engine.

I was able to pull close to 5,000# up a 6% grade at 65-70 mph. Yes, the RPM's were high and I was in 3rd (and sometimes even 2nd) gear, but so what? A well-made engine can stand being wrung out a little once in a while, and IMO is actually better off for it.
 
Bimmer-Bob said:
You can't use an electric brake controller with that tow dolly, because it is either unbraked or uses surge brakes (not sure which). Also, it looks like your Volvo may be over that thing's weight limit. U-Haul may refuse to rent to you. Have you already reserved it, and given them the info about your tow vehicle and the vehicle you plan to tow?
Click to expand...

When I put all info through uhaul.com it said it was good.

Antman said:
You need Airlift 1000 kit #60809

Safe travels!
Click to expand...

Thanks! ordering soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 352 (members: 0, guests: 352)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top