Towing w/ v6 2wd NJ TO FL Advice needed

[Xtian85]

I want to make sure this is safe for my car. I have a trip on the 17th. The 4runner has a 5000lb max towing capacity. I want to use a dolly because the bigger Uhaul trailer is too heavy. The car being towed is a 97 GSX weighing around 3400lbs. The Dolly weighs 650lbs . I'll be driving from NJ to FL which right around 1000mi. Any suggestions? How much more weight can I load up?
I was thinking about going 65 mi/hr. Would it be ok with 4 passengers?

Thanks

Crisitian

 

[progress4m]

Since you have a V6, I would definitely recommend transmission cooler to be installed. Other than that, just be smart and carefully with extra weight and you should be fine.

 

[nyc4runnin]

ive towed an evo from NYC to CT on the uhaul trailer (not dolly), about 150 miles on my V6 with 5 people and no problems.

Theres a pic in some thread i started a couple of months ago

 

[dittodog]

You might want to seriously look into the train as an alternative... They have that I-95 Amtrak or something that caters to this exact thing.
Between the dolly, extra fuel, wear on tires, and the added time.... it might actually be cheaper. Not to mention that I95 can be a traffic nightmare and towing will not make it more fun.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Since you have a V6, I would definitely recommend transmission cooler to be installed. Other than that, just be smart and carefully with extra weight and you should be fine.

:iagree:

If you choose to go without an aux cooler try to be keenly aware if the torque converter is locked or not. The easiest way to be sure is to move the gas pedal slightly, briefly and if the tach floats up a bit it is not locked.

If the transmission sounds as though it's shifting up & down more than normal (you can hear/see the rpm going up & down) select 4 rather than D until the road flattens out again.

2 final suggestions: First, when cruising select 4. If it takes less throttle pedal to hold speed you should be in 4th. If you push the pedal down farther in 4th then D (5th) is the right choice. Second, in spite of the popular belief that our T4R's have lifetime trans fluid don't believe it. By Toyota's own schedule they suggest changing the trans fluid at 60k if you use your T4R to tow.

Bottomline is you'll be fine. The above tips are just that, tips. The T4R is well engineered with a very smart auto transmission. It'll be fine. Change the trans fluid at 60k or earlier, I'd do it at 45k if I didn't add the aux cooler on mine.

Oh yeh, make sure your tires (including spare) are full before you go. Make sure the dolly tires are full too. Over the years I have towed many pieces of rental equipment. Once or twice the tire pressure on the rented equipment was right...

Enjoy the trip.

 

[Xtian85]

Thanks a LOT for the advice I'm searching for a B&M tranny cooler now. And I'll make sure to keep it in the right gears.