Towing questions

[mluckey]

Hello, I am getting ready for a track day with the "race car" in a few weeks and am trying to figure out the towing situation. I used to tow it with an 09 Tahoe but that car is gone. So my question is with my 2012 SR5 4WD 4Runner w/ apox. 135k miles be able to tow my car which weighs aprox. 3200lbs + the single car flatbed trailer which weighs aprox 2000lbs. Thank you

Edit: I also have a 2.5 front and 1.5 rear lift so I’m not sure if that makes any kind of difference.

Edit #2: The drive to the track is about 140 miles one way and that includes going up one relatively steep/long hill but other than that it is a relatively flat route.

 

[Daikon]

Hello, I am getting ready for a track day with the "race car" in a few weeks and am trying to figure out the towing situation. I used to tow it with an 09 Tahoe but that car is gone. So my question is with my 2012 SR5 4WD 4Runner w/ apox. 135k miles be able to tow my car which weighs aprox. 3200lbs + the single car flatbed trailer which weighs aprox 2000lbs. Thank you

5th gen's are rated for 5K. I think you should be fine if thats all you're towing (including passengers and spare parts).

I'm guessing you've a steel trailer. If you can find an aluminum one, that would be helpful.

 

[mluckey]

I am gonna also have the back of the 4Runner loaded with 4-6 extra wheels, a toolbox, cooler, jack and 3-4 people including myself. So just guestimating weight inside the car will be around ~1200 lbs. and from what IÂ’ve seen the GVWR is around 11,700lbs if IÂ’m correct.

 

[02SE]

GVWR is 6300 lbs on my TRD ORP. If yours is 4wd, it should be the same.

GCVWR which means the total weight of the 4Runner/trailer combination is 11k+ lbs.

The problem is you run out of payload. That's an issue with many vehicles. They run out of payload before they reach the advertised tow rating.

Payload on your SR5 is probably around 1100 lbs. That's in stock configuration. Any mods that add weight, or reduce performance like bigger, heavier tires will reduce capability.

You'll be overloaded just with the stuff inside the 4Runner. Then you have the trailer tongue weight which should be 10% of the trailer weight in a receiver hitch application, and is also applied to the payload.

So you'll be way overloaded on payload, and over on the rated tow rating for a stock 4Runner.

You certainly wouldn't be the first to tow while overloaded. Just giving you a heads-up so you can make an informed decision.

 

[Shadytype]

I have done the same.... but with less people and a heavier trailer.

Take it easy and dont rush. Pack lighter where possible. For track days, we divvy up the tools... someone brings sockets, someone brings screwdrivers, pry bars etc.

Make sure that the car is loaded properly on tue trailer for the 4runner. Assumedly it has dual axle electric brakes.that will keep you steady with a good trailer brake controller.

I came from a double cab tundra, which it seemed like it could tow whatever you could pile in. Only thing that changed was the MPG.

 

[mluckey]

The trailer actually has surge brakes so no need for the electric controller. Also I can definitely cut down on the tools that I bring, the main things I have to have are the extra sets of wheels (we’re going drifting) and the jack and then just some basic tools (socket set, mallet, electric impact etc). I’m assuming that as Long as I’m not hauling @$$ I should be fine, I won’t be in any rush and I’ll be happy to cruise at ~55mph. I also thought it might be a good idea to keep the gas level as low as possible in the race car and then stop at a gas station at the last possible stop and fill it
Up there. My main concern is damaging the car in any way, primarily the transmission.

 

[Jetboy]

I wouldn't have any problem doing it. Keep your speed reasonable. The same platform using the same transmission (slight internal differences) in the GX460 has a tow rating of 6,500lbs. The transmissions are very durable. Brakes are huge on the 4Runner compared to many full size trucks and SUVs. The only potential issue I can think of is overheating a transmission - so if you wanted to be safe you could toss a transmission cooler on it. I've never had a heat issue on mine towing my camper, but it's probably possible to do. You could put some tires on the trailer instead of in the back of the 4Runner if the rear end is getting too heavy. I'd guess your biggest issue will be rear end sag. The rear springs aren't particularly firm - even most lift springs. So you'll probably squat the rear a good amount.

I think the best bet would be to load it up the weekend before and try a short test drive to see how it goes and if you feel comfortable with a longer trip. If you don't like it - rent a truck from Alamo or whoever for the weekend. Rentals are REALLY cheap right now.

 

[itr1275]

If you heading to a track day with a car on a trailer, I'm going to assume that you are already a better than average driver.

If you're concerned about support, you might look at adding some air bags inside the springs. They are super easy to put in and will firm up the back of the truck when you need it.
Toyota 4Runner Air Bag Suspension Kit - aka Air Lift (Install and Review)

Take your time, plan you path, avoid hard braking. Best of luck and keep it shiny side up.

 

[honda99ex]

I run this app that monitors the Tranny temp at converter and pan. I noticed that if you go slow like non highway speeds (air not running through radiator) or up steep hills it will hit my limit alerts which is 220F I think. Tow in S4 cause it locks the converter. I went up a stretch of I84 from NY west to east that the truck really struggled on (prolonged steep hill) and that was with slightly less load than you intend on pulling, but that's the only time that I thought man this isn't the right vehicle for this...

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Saw this on one of the FB pages...I have the same car. 3725lb car on a 2200lb U haul trailer puts it at almost 6K. Uhaul gives it the ok on their site. I'm sure it wasn't fun towing.

 

[mluckey]

I run this app that monitors the Tranny temp at converter and pan. I noticed that if you go slow like non highway speeds (air not running through radiator) or up steep hills it will hit my limit alerts which is 220F I think. Tow in S4 cause it locks the converter. I went up a stretch of I84 from NY west to east that the truck really struggled on (prolonged steep hill) and that was with slightly less load than you intend on pulling, but that's the only time that I thought man this isn't the right vehicle for this...

What is the name of the app? I’m assuming it’s one of those obd-2 Bluetooth chips and it connects to an app and gives you engine parameters!

 

[mogg851]

I pulled 6k lbs gravel in a double axel dump trailer once, stock everything but tires. I wasn't going far and on surface streets, but there was a hill. It pulled fine, braking was ok but I was overly cautious. The biggest issue for me was the front was pretty floaty with the nose in the air.

 

[honda99ex]

What is the name of the app? I’m assuming it’s one of those obd-2 Bluetooth chips and it connects to an app and gives you engine parameters!

I use the Torque app and one of those Bluetooth OBD2 adaptor / transmitters. I downloaded it onto an older phone I no longer use so it just sits in my towing bag of stuff. The internet always says prolonged tranny temps will kill trannies. In my experience as mentioned, when you pull with the T4R up prolonged steep grades the Tranny temps in Pan and Converter will be 220+F especially if you lose momentum. The other times I have seen is in the moving traffic jam type situations where you are like never stopping but never going over like 40mph. That makes the tranny temps real high. When you are going highway speeds or even stop and go the temps were always able to stay under 200F. Guaranteed 2 or 3 times a trip for me the alarm would sound...

 

[mluckey]

Okay, I am going to order the obd-2 bluetooth tonight and download the app so I have it. I am thinking about ordering a trans cooler as well just to be on the safe side of things. My main questions are does anyone have any recommendations for the trans cooler? I found one that looks good here:

Amazon.com: Hayden Automotive 679 Rapid-Cool Plate and Fin Transmission Cooler: Automotive

but if anyone has other recs. let me know. Also when installing the cooler is it necessary to un-install the factory "cooler" that is plumbed into the radiator or can I just use both methods of cooling? From what i've seen the only reason people plug the oem cooler off is because sometimes the lines will rust and coolant will mix into ATF, living in california I'm not worried about rust so that doesnt concern me and if i dont have to do the extra work to plug the lines I dont want to.

 

[northcoast]

Is this a one time tow, or something you’ll be doing often? If it’s the latter, I’d consider using something else.

 

[mluckey]

Is this a one time tow, or something you’ll be doing often? If it’s the latter, I’d consider using something else.

If it tows it well then it may be as often as 4-5 times a year.