charlier180
New member
Some here have asked about real world towing experiences with a 4Runner so here goes....
Last weekend I went down to Hagerstown, MD. to pickup my new enclosed car hauler trailer. For the trip down I ran most of the way ~55 mph because I wanted to compare MPG with/without the trailer.
Here are some stats:
- 2004 V8 4Runner SR5
- 20ft Danzer Trailer (3175 lbs empty ~5400lbs with car in it)
- Calculated MPG w/o trailer was 20.0 MPG
- Calculated MPG w/trailer (with car in it) = 12.1 MPG
- Weight Distributing Hitch
- Sway Control Setup
- Prodigy Brake Controller
- The weather for the trip home on Sunday was a mix of snow showers/rain and wind (15-20 mph with gusts to 30+ mph).
Some Comments:
The 4Runner performed flawlessly. The sway control was worth it's weight in Gold considering the wind speed and countless number of tractor trailers on RT 81 North (in PA). Only the occassionaly high wind gust of 30+ mph nudged the trailer just a bit. Even the cross winds when going over the PA Turnpike bridge near Harrisburg were no problem for the 4Runner with the sway control setup.
The V8 engine performed Very well when towing. For the most part at 55mph it Tached ~2000 rpm on level ground and ~2400 rpm climbing hills. Coolant temperature stayed about the same towing as when not towing.
With the trailer jack handle facing backward opening the 4Runner's hatch is no problem at all as there is plenty of clearence. If the jack handle is in the forward position the hatch will get a Nice, BIG dent in it.
The MPG computer was actually closer to being accurate when towing. For the trip down the computer was about 2.3 MPG higher than actual. For the trip home the computer was only 1.1 MPG higher.
Last weekend I went down to Hagerstown, MD. to pickup my new enclosed car hauler trailer. For the trip down I ran most of the way ~55 mph because I wanted to compare MPG with/without the trailer.
Here are some stats:
- 2004 V8 4Runner SR5
- 20ft Danzer Trailer (3175 lbs empty ~5400lbs with car in it)
- Calculated MPG w/o trailer was 20.0 MPG
- Calculated MPG w/trailer (with car in it) = 12.1 MPG
- Weight Distributing Hitch
- Sway Control Setup
- Prodigy Brake Controller
- The weather for the trip home on Sunday was a mix of snow showers/rain and wind (15-20 mph with gusts to 30+ mph).
Some Comments:
The 4Runner performed flawlessly. The sway control was worth it's weight in Gold considering the wind speed and countless number of tractor trailers on RT 81 North (in PA). Only the occassionaly high wind gust of 30+ mph nudged the trailer just a bit. Even the cross winds when going over the PA Turnpike bridge near Harrisburg were no problem for the 4Runner with the sway control setup.
The V8 engine performed Very well when towing. For the most part at 55mph it Tached ~2000 rpm on level ground and ~2400 rpm climbing hills. Coolant temperature stayed about the same towing as when not towing.
With the trailer jack handle facing backward opening the 4Runner's hatch is no problem at all as there is plenty of clearence. If the jack handle is in the forward position the hatch will get a Nice, BIG dent in it.
The MPG computer was actually closer to being accurate when towing. For the trip down the computer was about 2.3 MPG higher than actual. For the trip home the computer was only 1.1 MPG higher.
