Towing on 2k mile trip

[Moroney167]

Try to keep short. I spent all my years towing growing up. Always had diesel trucks. I am aware of the levels of safety when towing. Max towing is 5k on the 4Runner. As of now I zip around little trailers no problem. And I towed my very heavy get aluminum dual axle snowmobile deck over axle V nose which even my diesels hated. Just a tall awkward trailer. I wired in my trailer brake module. It did the job for a 3 hour drive I was very impressed expected worse. We know power is low of course but being uphill mostly it did excellent except power. No sway or anything. That's probably a 2k lb trailer. Tall. And had 2 snowmobiles in it. Myself and a friend with some bags. Mileage was terrible. But again uphill and storming a bit with HEAVY head winds. Did great once off highway.

Now my question needing input.

Heading on a trip to my pops in Florida. 1100 miles one way. He just picked up a nice trailer. Low and all aluminum inside out. would ask him more on it for weight but he and trailer won't be near me until 2 days before trip back down to him. Been searching and most like it weight 1500-1900 lbs. 7 foot wide by 20. It seems short so maybe 20 foot is from hitch. Now that trailer with 3 Harley's in it assume 700lbs each as average. Myself in truck (180lbs and wife who is tiny.) Some bags not lodes truck by no means. Would anyone say run it? I know it's doable but I'm more on the lines of getting 200 miles to a tank or who knows what. Figure downhill for most part and flat for over half. I'm in no rush fine going at 65-70 at best. Have to take it back too though on other hand.

Won't be as heavy as my last big tow along with being MUCH more aerodynamic which helps.

Thanks for reading just thinkin it out. My truck only has 12k miles as of now.

 

[Diver Deuce]

. I made the trip from Key West, FL to Yuma, AZ towing a 18' Trophy Bayliner approx 4000# without air bags or tyranny cooler. I went from Yuma, AZ to New Bern, NC towing a 16'x7' enclosed trailer approx 6100#, but I had bags, cooler, and weight distribution hitch installed.

You should be fine if your rig is properly equipped. Keep it in 4th an take your time.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I just finished a turn-n-burn trip to SoCal from Boise this past weekend. Towed a 4x8 enclosed trailer. Empty, it was not even noticeable, but coming back, I added 2 complete engines and a TON of misc. parts, I would guess about 1200 extra lbs. added to the trailer's 1,000 lbs.

Here's what I found, coming back it struggled going uphills (El Cajon pass and a few others), and the trans temps climb very, VERY fast when you try to push it. I would suggest, if you have an android phone, to get the Torque app, an ELM327 dongle for the obd2 port, load the extra files to show trans pan and torque converter temps in real time, and use 4th gear whenever you go uphill.

I was watching my gps and not paying attention to Torque a couple of times and realized I was already over 230º! A quick downshift to 4th, light on the throttle and they came down to an acceptable 170-180º pretty quick.

I also averaged 15.6, while holding 75-80mph most of the way, and for those long passes going uphill, around 50-60mph max.

Hot temps in the trans will always kill the transmission quickly, and I'm a firm believer that its burnt oil that will damage the trans, not just a heavy load on it.

Now, if you just keep it slow and stay in 4th on every slight incline, you shouldn't have any problems whatsoever, you won't even need to see the temps at all, but for me, I had a peace of mind knowing exactly what the numbers were any time I wanted.

Good luck with the tow!

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Oops! Weight on the trailer I used was 2750 (wells cargo 5'x8'6"), so I was close to 4,000lbs! That explains a lot now!!!

 

[Moroney167]

Thanks. I figured no biggie and with searching on here I see people tow way more than I would want to with the 4Runner. Not a worrie at all with gear selection. If this was a manual I would only be happier. With you going through ACTUAL mountains I'm sure coasting through jersey and then down to flat states I am not worried. I have feeling ill end up with just 2 bikes, which only helps but rather be prepped for 3. I'll give it hell! I bought it to use it not just look sat it (which is nice too). 275 e load help and hurt I know with power and weight but they also keep stable. The rear coils help sway and sag too.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Yeah, if you don't encounter too many grades, you should be just fine. I will say one thing though, if you feel like you're riding a pogo stick, check your tongue weight and re-adjust stuff so its more balanced. Having two V8 engines towards the front of the trailer was definitely too much tongue weight and I felt it the whole way from Camarillo, CA to Vegas! Re-adjusted the load so one engine was over the wheels of the trailer, moved the cases of parts towards the back and made sure it looked more level made the long leg of the trip (11 hours from there) way easier and less fatiguing!

 

[Titanpat57]

I regularly tow a 2500 lb.with a spare on the roof, fridge, recovery gear, extra water, etc. in the truck...no problem.

There are times will will have to stay out of overdrive. I would recommend airbags at least for better handling, and make sure your tongue weight is correct, or even a bit over.

Coming from a 20 year dually truck past, it doesn't bother me too much.

You don't happen to over in the Burgh do you?

 

[m85476585]

You could add a transmission cooler if you tow a lot. There is already a cooler built into the radiator, I think, but a bit more cooling wouldn't hurt.

Should be fine as long as you have a brake controller in the 4runner and electronic brakes on the trailer. Or at least surge brakes on the trailer.

 

[96r50]

Last fall I towed our loaded trailer (~3000lbs) 2200miles in 54 hours, just stopping for fuel and motels. There were stretches where I left the truck in 4th gear for entire tanks of fuel. I have a Scangauge monitoring the transmission temperatures and the difference between 4th and 5th gear is significant. It wouldn't be too hard to burn your ATF if you leave the transmission in 5th/Drive and ignore it. Different story in 4th, you can almost set it and forget it. I don't have an auxiliary transmission cooler and haven't felt the need for one yet.

I did add Airlift bags to the rear coils and that made a big difference in handling while towing. It also significantly reduced the amount of high beam flashes I received from oncoming vehicles since I was able to get the truck sitting level with the trailer attached.

If you plan on towing regularly the airbags ($100) and a something to monitor the transmission temperatures ($50-$150) would be wise additions to your truck in my opinion.

 

[Moroney167]

I regularly tow a 2500 lb.with a spare on the roof, fridge, recovery gear, extra water, etc. in the truck...no problem.

There are times will will have to stay out of overdrive. I would recommend airbags at least for better handling, and make sure your tongue weight is correct, or even a bit over.

Coming from a 20 year dually truck past, it doesn't bother me too much.

You don't happen to over in the Burgh do you?

Yes sir. Well work and always over in Newburgh. Go to beacon often. Live outside of Newburgh though.

Thanks for rest of comments everyone. I'm comfortable towing it and will be sure to keep weight correct in trailer. Not going to go for bags as this is a once a time thing other than smaller quick trips. Again after the last trip I did w worse setup I'm cool doing it now and not to worried. I couldn't use 5th for 2 tanks of fuel last trip. I think I'll be ok with this run.

 

[Moroney167]

Update. So finally got a picture of trailer along with weight. It's 2200 lbs empty. Seems pretty big, more than expected. Again if I figure 3 bikes max. Might be slightly lighter let's say 600lbs each that makes 4K lbs so not bad. Plus helps trailer is much more narrow than my other trailer. 7' wide is better than the 10' wide deck over I did last time but. Let me know input again. Worse case I take trip with my buddies f250 but I much rather just run my own vehicle.

And I'm sure once I attach picture it will be upside down. No clue why pisses me off every time. Sorry in advance.

 

[Diver Deuce]

I just took mine out for a spin today. Dropped it off at a friends house.

 

[Dropzone]

. Plus helps trailer is much more narrow than my other trailer. 7' wide is better than the 10' wide deck over I did last time but. Let me know input again.

a 10' wide trailer would be 120" requiring a wide load permit.
you should be fine but your weight on the bikes have gone from 700 lbs to 600.
you are probably gonna be closer to 4500lbs with luggage.

 

[Moroney167]

a 10' wide trailer would be 120" requiring a wide load permit.
you should be fine but your weight on the bikes have gone from 700 lbs to 600.
you are probably gonna be closer to 4500lbs with luggage.

Yea sorry. I ment for my sled trailer. Fits two sleds side by side so more like 8-8.5' wide. But the bikes I'm towing is changin I may not have any but if I do there older. Which isn't light due to ACTUAL steel in builds but Deff not as heavy as a new bike loaded w electronics and fairings. I'm rounding a bit. And I know one I'm towing is a custom Panhead which is Deff only 500 lbs at most.

I ordered up timbrens. I know not anyone's top pick but I see it as I can remove them soon as trips are done. For few times a year with heavy load I'll be happy. Had good luck in my trucks with them plowing and towing. Not as plush as airbags but will help stability. 4 bolts quick removal for year round driving and offroading

 

[Moroney167]

I just took mine out for a spin today. Dropped it off at a friends house.

Yea this looks about right. And mines a V nose so helps cut wind a bit. Guess I'll see. Hammer down