Towing package for an '06

[shane43]

We just bought a used 06 4runner (V6) for the purpose of towing our 3000 lb. boat (about 4k including trailer). It does not have the tow package option. I need to know we need to do so that it can tow up to 5000 lbs like the other 4runners that came with a tow package.

I tried calling 2 toyota dealers, but they were very confused as to what needed to be done. One of them said they could 'hack' something together for $2k, but that doesn't sit well with me. So right now I'm thinking i'll go after market, but what exactly do I need?

Here's what i've gathered from my research so far:
- Tow hitch receiver - I was thinking either the Curt or Valley (they claim 5000 lbs w/o needing a weight distribution system.)
- Some kind of wiring adapter - I see the 7 point connector in the back, is there a simple adapter to get it to fit a flat hookup for the trailer?
- Perhaps a tranny cooler? What type/specs should I be looking for?

Anything else? Would doing any of this void the warranty? I ordered a manual that should come shortly, but wanted to get some info in case this wasn't included there.

Thank you so so much! I love it so far and can't wait to start towing!

 

[Colemanfu]

I don't tow but do haul the KTM so thats 350lb of toung wt? The rack just hangs off. As for wireing - I got an adaptor for the circular plug so the more common flat connector fits. Perhaps others that tow can add some input? I know the topic has hashed over.

 

[dyollp]

I have read here before that there is a tranny cooler built into the radiator. You can install an external after market cooler for not too much money.
You can also get a hitch installed for a few hundred dollars. The 7 to 4 pin adapter is only $11 or so. If your trailer has brakes and uses a 5 pin connector, you can get a 7 to 5 flat also. Other than that, you are not missing anything. I am not sure what the $2k hack job would have been.

 

[Koz]

Install a tow hitch (class 3/4 - preferably 4), install trailer wiring and a brake controller. You don't need the trans cooler if you stay under 5K lbs. You may want to install air bags in the rear coils to keep it level.

Koz

 

[CJ3Flyr]

All you need is the hitch. Look up under you rear bumper, your light plug is already there.

The transmission shouldn't need an extra cooler although they never hurt. Toyota doesn't require it for the V6.


When towing there's some extra maint suggested. You can look at this website and scroll through the intervals to see what I'm talking about. http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/index.php
:cheers:

 

[Koz]

You will need a brake controller. The wiring and connector is already installed and located behind the left side kick panel under the driver's side dash. Do a search on controllers (Prodigy) for install. Also, for approx $100 the air bags will make a big difference.

Koz

 

[CJ3Flyr]

You will need a brake controller. The wiring and connector is already installed and located behind the left side kick panel under the driver's side dash. Do a search on controllers (Prodigy) for install. Also, for approx $100 the air bags will make a big difference.

Koz

Koz brings up a great point... Trailer brakes; in all likelihood, a boat in that weight class will have no brakes or surge brakes, neither of which would require the controller. Generally speaking, smaller boat trailers tend to use surge brakes. Electric over hydraulic is kinda of the latest/greatest and that does require the brake controller.

If your trailer does not have brakes get disc surge brakes installed, period. Make sure they do the correct 5-wire hook-up on the brakes/trailer. The 5th wire is a solenoid on the surge brake mechanism that allows you to back-up.

His point on the AirLift is a good one too especially if you load down with people and gear.


:cheers:

 

[shane43]

Wow I can't tell you how much more help you guys are than the dealership. In addition to the dealer mentioned before about the $2k hack job, I got in touch with 2 other dealers. One said that there is a tranny cooler required and that toyota will not install one for me because it's too much of a liability (you've gotta be kidding me!)

I finally heard back from a 3rd dealer this morning. He said that the V6's have transmission oil cooler lines built in, and that only the V8 required a seperate tranny cooler. So my V6 is ready to tow 5000 lbs as long as I get a hitch and wiring adapters.

It amazes me that the people that specialize in servicing toyotas all gave me 3 separate answers!

I think i'm gonna pop open the hood tonight and see if I can locate the stock tranny cooling lines just to be sure. If anyone has any tips on what I should be looking for, that'd be great.


Good to know about the easy connector - i'll pick one of those up today.

My boat trailer has hydraulic brakes built into it, so I don't think I need to worry about a brake controller.

If I tow with it w/o the air bags and we're not completely level, what kind of damage can get done?? There will be times when we have a load full of people in the car.

 

[dyollp]

There is a thread in the Accessories forum about installing a tranny cooler.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17358

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Wow I can't tell you how much more help you guys are than the dealership. In addition to the dealer mentioned before about the $2k hack job, I got in touch with 2 other dealers. One said that there is a tranny cooler required and that toyota will not install one for me because it's too much of a liability (you've gotta be kidding me!)

I finally heard back from a 3rd dealer this morning. He said that the V6's have transmission oil cooler lines built in, and that only the V8 required a seperate tranny cooler. So my V6 is ready to tow 5000 lbs as long as I get a hitch and wiring adapters.

It amazes me that the people that specialize in servicing toyotas all gave me 3 separate answers!

I think i'm gonna pop open the hood tonight and see if I can locate the stock tranny cooling lines just to be sure. If anyone has any tips on what I should be looking for, that'd be great. The trans cooler is internal to the radiator. Toyota has deemed it large enough to do the job. On the driver's side of the radiator you can see where the lines go in.


Good to know about the easy connector - i'll pick one of those up today.

My boat trailer has hydraulic brakes built into it, so I don't think I need to worry about a brake controller.

If I tow with it w/o the air bags and we're not completely level, what kind of damage can get done?? There will be times when we have a load full of people in the car. Damage? That's agruable. There will in all liklehood be no damage. One could make the point and I would agree, the added stability provided by the airbags could allow the vehicle to handle better in an emergency situation thereby avoiding a lot of damage.

 

[shane43]

UPDATE: I ended up emailing toyota directly about everything and got the following response:

-------
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate the time you have taken to email us.

We apologize that you have received different information from our dealerships.

In our owner's manual on page 362 and 363, your vehicle is already equipped to tow 5000 pounds.

If you are planning to install an aftermarket product on your 4Runner , the warranties are not void. However, if there is component that is damaged due to the aftermarket part, that particular component may not be covered under warranty since it was not deemed as a manufacturing cause or condition.

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us. Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200804120113.

-------

I'm still undecided on whether to put an aftermarket tranny cooler in there or not, just to be safe since we've got an 8 hour trip ahead of us soon. I'm going to take it to my mechanic this week and see what he suggests.

Thanks again for everyone's help!!!

 

[magnumfan]

just a suggestion - re towing

Once, you have your tow set up installed, and have the trailer loaded, take it for a trial run up some hills for an hour.

I have a friend who has a 39 foot camper trailer, he bought a 350 Chev V8 Tahoe - did a trial over some hills and went and upgraded the Tahoe to a 454 V8 to pull the load as a result of a 1 hour test

you can learn a lot in a quick trial run before your 8 hour drive

all the best and good luck

joe

 

[nated05]

Shane43,

I have towed a boat about the same size as yours with no brakes of any kind on the trailer. I have never had a problem stoping, just use common sense when it comes to towing (allow more space). I would just go to a local trailer place and have them install a hitch and wire up a plug. I wouldnt think it would be more than a couple hundred bucks, and prob. cheaper than a dealer.

You dont need a tranny cooler just stay under 5000#s. Also, with the trailer attached the rear might be slighly lower than the front, but not enough to get airbags IMO.

 

[Koz]

Do NOT tow 4K lbs without trailer brakes. If you have to make a panic stop (someone cuts in front of you) you will have serious problems. Not only with stopping in time, you will also be liable for all damages caused. DON"T TAKE THE CHANCE!

Koz

 

[shane43]

Just wanted to give everyone an update - We completed our 8 hr drive with the 4000 lb load and it worked just great. Here's what we ended up doing, and our results:

1) Installed an aftermarket hitch receiver. We got a Curt from etrailer for $140. It was a bit hard to install until we realized that we could release the exhaust from a rubber plug and give us a little more room to screw in the bolts with the torque wrench. We had to take off the factory mounted wiring and remount it with a few zip ties. Took us about 5 hours of frustration when it should have taken 1. Our 4R had a hitch cut out in the fascia already, but the bar didn't utilize that space, so it doesn't look as slick as the factory model..but we saved $250.

2) Purchased a 7-4 pin wire adapter, again from etrailer. The one I got had circular pins, and the toyota plug has flat pins - so I had to go to the dealer and buy a different one for $12.

3) Did not do anything to the transmission. I called around to a few tranny shops to see what they recommend. What I thought to be the most trustworthy shop recommended a tranny cooler and suggested that I be changing the tranny fluid every 20k miles (seemed a bit much, since we've got a close tranny system). When I asked what fluid he uses, he checked, and got back to me with the Type IV. I remember reading on these forums about how specific the fluid must be, and since ours is a WS I didn't want to take the chance. I asked the dealer about it and they said if we had let that shop work on it and put in the wrong fluid type that our tranny would have been busted within a few thousand miles. That was scary - so we decided that Toyota probably knows their stuff and we shouldn't mess with the transmission.

During the long tow we made a couple stops, but everything worked great. We had a full car of 5 people too, and although it was slow up some inclines, it still felt like it had enough power (V6, btw). We towed in overdrive except when going down large hills. I monitored the tach and the rpms did not indicate it was switching back and forth between gears (otherwise I would have taken it out of OD). Engine temp was normal entire time. No check engine lights.

The only thing abnormal I noticed was a hard shift during accelerating from being stopped. At about 3 mph there's a slight jolt as it feels like something's locking into place. If we accelerate extremely slow it seemed to still be there, but not as noticable. Not sure if that's anything to be concerned about or not. It stopped doing it as soon as the boat was no longer attached.

We're due for a 30k service, so I'll make sure that the dealer makes a special check on the tranny fluid to see if that needs to be replaced.

Thanks again for everyone's help! This is an awesome forum and I'm so happy to be part of a happy group of T4R owners

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Just wanted to give everyone an update - We completed our 8 hr drive with the 4000 lb load and it worked just great. Here's what we ended up doing, and our results:

1) Installed an aftermarket hitch receiver. We got a Curt from etrailer for $140. It was a bit hard to install until we realized that we could release the exhaust from a rubber plug and give us a little more room to screw in the bolts with the torque wrench. We had to take off the factory mounted wiring and remount it with a few zip ties. Took us about 5 hours of frustration when it should have taken 1. Our 4R had a hitch cut out in the fascia already, but the bar didn't utilize that space, so it doesn't look as slick as the factory model..but we saved $250.

2) Purchased a 7-4 pin wire adapter, again from etrailer. The one I got had circular pins, and the toyota plug has flat pins - so I had to go to the dealer and buy a different one for $12.

3) Did not do anything to the transmission. I called around to a few tranny shops to see what they recommend. What I thought to be the most trustworthy shop recommended a tranny cooler and suggested that I be changing the tranny fluid every 20k miles (seemed a bit much, since we've got a close tranny system). When I asked what fluid he uses, he checked, and got back to me with the Type IV. I remember reading on these forums about how specific the fluid must be, and since ours is a WS I didn't want to take the chance. I asked the dealer about it and they said if we had let that shop work on it and put in the wrong fluid type that our tranny would have been busted within a few thousand miles. That was scary - so we decided that Toyota probably knows their stuff and we shouldn't mess with the transmission.

During the long tow we made a couple stops, but everything worked great. We had a full car of 5 people too, and although it was slow up some inclines, it still felt like it had enough power (V6, btw). We towed in overdrive except when going down large hills. I monitored the tach and the rpms did not indicate it was switching back and forth between gears (otherwise I would have taken it out of OD). Engine temp was normal entire time. No check engine lights.

The only thing abnormal I noticed was a hard shift during accelerating from being stopped. At about 3 mph there's a slight jolt as it feels like something's locking into place. If we accelerate extremely slow it seemed to still be there, but not as noticable. Not sure if that's anything to be concerned about or not. It stopped doing it as soon as the boat was no longer attached.

We're due for a 30k service, so I'll make sure that the dealer makes a special check on the tranny fluid to see if that needs to be replaced.

Thanks again for everyone's help! This is an awesome forum and I'm so happy to be part of a happy group of T4R owners

Awesome, thanks for the update.



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