Hi, I'm new to this forum just having purchased a 2012 4Runner SR5. I got the 4R because my old towing vehicle (1998 Sienna) was just not up to towing my trailer. I've got a vintage Aladdin trailer with a weight of about 1700 lbs. The width of the trailer is 7' and 15' long. I found on this site that the actual width of a 4R with mirrors is 84" which is the width of the trailer. My question is: How do I properly adjust the add-on mirrors, all of my previous towing experience has been with trailers I could see over. Thanks!
Towing experiences with your 5th Generation
- Thread starter dsir56
- Start date
ThunderMtn
New member
OEM ratings are massively conservative to begin with. No reason to further reduce it.
Jetboy
New member
I don't think there are any mirrors that fit the 4Runner that are either snap on extenders or slide out extenders like you can find for almost every other truck and many SUVs. The best I've found is the cheap Amazon clip on set. They're kid of a pain to get adjusted well and they don't hold their adjustment very well so you have to re-aim when you put them on every time. But... they actually worked really well for me. They held tight to the mirrors and didn't slip or fall off. They gave really good view down the sides of the camper. And they're dirt cheap. They're $9 each right now. They come individually - so you have to order two. But for under $20, you can't beat them for towing wider trailers.
Amazon.com: CIPA 11950 Clip-On Towing Mirror Black & Silver, 15.75 Inch : Automotive
4Reak Show
New member
2016 4Runner:
B&M trans cooler
RedArc brake controller
Firestone Airbags @ 10-15 psi
Amazon clip on tow mirrors
2021 Coleman Lantern LT17B:
3000 lb dry/3850 lb max/
BlueOx sway pro 750 WD hitch
Keep 4Runner in S4, 65 mph and it’s fine. Not breaking any records but it does the job. Myself (185 lbs) wife (120 lbs) 2 and 5 year old, plus ice chest with 50 cans in the back. Manual S4 mode is also nice to easily and quickly pop it down to 3 to pull a hill. Get the RPMs up. I’ve hit the trans lines and trans pan with a heat gun after some good hills and the temps there are like 150-180 only. I attribute the low temps to S4 more so than the added cooler. D (5th gear) hunts on and off with torque converter waaaay too much.
Edit: I think the picture is prior to airbag install so the back end is a touch lower than current
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10KftinColorado
New member
Mpg
After 1000 miles towing the Aliner camper [MENTION=105273]2500[/MENTION] pounds with 2022 OffRoad I'm consistently getting 18 mpg on Colorado mountain highways, better than expected. The 4Runner LOVES premium fuel, makes a real difference. Overall cost may come out the same but the extended range is a plus with the trailer.
After 1000 miles towing the Aliner camper [MENTION=105273]2500[/MENTION] pounds with 2022 OffRoad I'm consistently getting 18 mpg on Colorado mountain highways, better than expected. The 4Runner LOVES premium fuel, makes a real difference. Overall cost may come out the same but the extended range is a plus with the trailer.
2021nightshade4x4
New member
Some people with GM trucks are altogether deleting their trans T stats. Could we benefit from the same?
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RockyMtnT4R
New member
:thumb3:We're running a similar set up (Aliner Ranger 12, 1775 lbs empty) and get about 16-ish mpg on mid-grade... It doesn't help that I'm running 275s, but I guess I'll have to give premium a try next weekend on our way to the flat tops.
2021nightshade4x4
New member
Aside from controlling the highest allowed gear, does using S (as opposed to D) change shift points?
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10KftinColorado
New member
I've compared mid-grade vs premium several times both with and without trailer and finding that premium consistently improves 4Runner fuel economy by 10%.
used to tow the sleds out west - does great until i start to hit inclines.
Only thing i really "tow" is the motorcycle carrier as seen below. I got the firestone bags in the rear to help with the sag.
Does great other than just knowing to give myself a little extra braking room with the extra weight (estimated 300ish lbs more)...
Only thing i really "tow" is the motorcycle carrier as seen below. I got the firestone bags in the rear to help with the sag.
Does great other than just knowing to give myself a little extra braking room with the extra weight (estimated 300ish lbs more)...
2021nightshade4x4
New member
Any recent accounts of someone with a late 5th Gen 4Runner towing right up to the limit (4500-5000 pounds) and outcomes?
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Too Stroked
Member
I've worked at a marina for 30 years and I tow up to 47' boats on a regular basis - not with my T4R if course. For my own towing, I had F-150's for years but got tired of stuff breaking. So, in 2014 I bought a Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 which comes with the towing package. It did a reasonable job of towing my boat, so when it came time for something new, I stayed in the family and bought a 2021 SR5 Premium.
To say that the T4R tows the exact same boat better than the Tacoma would be an understatement. It's more comfortable, turns tighter, gets better mileage and generally just feels much more comfortable with the boat behind it.
What am I towing? I have a 1992 Progression 22 with a new four stroke (4.6 liter) Mercury Racing 250R on the transom. The trailer is a 1992 EZ Loader single axle with surge brakes. Although I've never weighed the whole thing, based on published weights for the boat and motor, I'd guess the whole thing comes in somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 pounds.
To say that the T4R tows the exact same boat better than the Tacoma would be an understatement. It's more comfortable, turns tighter, gets better mileage and generally just feels much more comfortable with the boat behind it.
What am I towing? I have a 1992 Progression 22 with a new four stroke (4.6 liter) Mercury Racing 250R on the transom. The trailer is a 1992 EZ Loader single axle with surge brakes. Although I've never weighed the whole thing, based on published weights for the boat and motor, I'd guess the whole thing comes in somewhere between 3,500 and 4,000 pounds.
buffalojay
New member
How are you liking your A-Liner me and my wife just saw these the last time we went tent camping and now are actively looking for one. We are thinking of doing their biggest one just cuz we theres 4 of us. Any tips on them would be much appreciated.
I've got a 2022 SR5 Premium that I'll eventually be using to occasionally tow a car to different tracks in CA. I'm on 295/70/17's right now and am going in for a 4.88 re-gear in a few weeks along with the PowerBrake stage 1 big brake kit which should help ease my concerns about towing. The Uhaul auto transport trailers are built like tanks and very heavy because of it. My only other reference with towing the Uhaul auto transport trailer with a vehicle on it is with a 2020 Raptor, which handled it easily. Once I finally do tow I'll provide my feedback.
