Towing questions for you seasoned pros.

[Shawn5800]

Hey guys, im trying to get my 4R suited up for winter towing and i have some questions.

Here are the specs of what i have.

1998 4runner 3.4 with 4wd, ETC. all that crap.

Brand new class 3 hitch with NO electric brake installed.

Heres what i need to tow SAFELY this winter without killing my vehicle.

10'x12 Karavan aluminum snowmobile trailer-Weight is 1000lbs.

Two snowmobiles and some gear-Estimated weight is about 1600 lbs.

Questions.

My truck already seems doggy up hills without a trailer, constant downshifting is quite annoying i cant imagine with that weight on. Any techniques to use? Over drive off at all times? ETC in power mode rather than normal?

I just did the pads in rotors in my truck with the stock size stuff. No tundra upgrade. There much better but not the best braking power from these trucks as you all know.. Should i find some other braking system for the trailer to use or will i be fine?

I would say 85% of the towing will be on highways, and the rest town roads.

I just want to have a fun winter thats accident free. Thanks for any help guys and gals.

 

[Maxil]

If your weight is about 2600 lbs that won't be too bad. I tow a camper that is about 3500 with little problem but can sure tell it is back there.

Turn O/D of unless you are on really flat road so as not to kill the tranny. I run ECT on due to small hills and such. If the trailer has brakes I would try to get a brake controller hooked up, it makes braking much easier. I did it myself and it is not too bad.

Don't be in a rush, 60mph is about tops while towing. Additional tranny cooler would certainly help. Amsoil full synthetic tranny fluid or equivalent will help reduce heat as well.

Read up on towing if you haven't done it before, etrailer has a lot of good info.
Have fun and drive safe.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Having never towed snowmobiles, but two jet skis and all that topping out at 2000lbs, I'd say just to keep it out of O/D until you reach at least 55mph. I never have used the ECT button, and that is even with pulling a 23ft boat a dozen times.

The Tundra upgrade makes a world of difference but I also found new rear springs (OME 906s) helped with controlling any trailer I was towing along with new rear shocks.

Maxil covered everything else to the tee. Make sure your tranny cooler is an LPD, such as the B&M 70264 or Tru-Cool 4454.

 

[RunninOnBlue]

You might consider suspension airbags. I put mine in last week and found them cheap, easy to install and very effective. A level ride will help braking and handling.

 

[Nunyabiz]

That should be no problem with the ECT on and OD off.

 

[Stick Figure]

I really wonder if it is the 4:30 gears in mine that make towing so easy compared to some of the comments out there.

I towed (well the g/f drove alot too due to my fever) that around 1600 miles through the mountains. overdrive was on about 90% of the way, occasionally running in 4 high due to the snow. I do downshift for down hill sections to help save the brakes (stock size sport brakes).

 

[ndhoward431]

I tow my boat which is around 2800lbs every summer. I go back and forth to a lake about 15 miles from my house and I take that trip about 3 or 4 times a week all summer for the past 6 years. I always have ETC off and overdrive on to be honest I never even thought about turning them on or off respectively.

In my experience as long a you take it slow and steady, don't accelerate hard and don't brake late, you should be fine regardless. These trucks really are bulletproof if you take care of them.