Towing with 4th gen V6 4runner.

[4RunnerSR52004]

Hello all,
I have a question about towing in a 2004 V6 4runner since I have not done so before. I previously had a 2006 Tacoma with the same V6 in which I towed in 4th gear through mountains instead of 5th to prevent gear hunting. I am curious if having it in 4th gear or DRIVE in the 4runner will be ok with a 6X12 UHAUL trailer loaded with about 1000lbs of weight. Dry weight is about 2000lbs. I will be going through some mountains but nothing severe, traveling through Virginia down 81 to TENN. I have made this trip many times but don't want to overheat my Transmission so wanted some insight. I know my Tacoma had a transmission cooler but pretty sure this one don't that I know of.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

Hello all,
I have a question about towing in a 2004 V6 4runner since I have not done so before. I previously had a 2006 Tacoma with the same V6 in which I towed in 4th gear through mountains instead of 5th to prevent gear hunting. I am curious if having it in 4th gear or DRIVE in the 4runner will be ok with a 6X12 UHAUL trailer loaded with about 1000lbs of weight. Dry weight is about 2000lbs. I will be going through some mountains but nothing severe, traveling through Virginia down 81 to TENN. I have made this trip many times but don't want to overheat my Transmission so wanted some insight. I know my Tacoma had a transmission cooler but pretty sure this one don't that I know of.

the stock v6 doesnt have a cooler, they're pretty easy to install though if you wanted to add one. on hills, i usually don't have mine in D, just so that it holds the gear and isn't searching, it also helps to keep the tranny running a little bit cooler and with less strain. 3k is a decent load so you'll wanna pay attention, but its not really stressing the engine or tranny too bad. the 04 is a 4 speed so id keep it in 3D when you are in hilly parts, and you can go back to 4D for flat travel

 

[Martinjmpr]

I believe the 4th does have a T-cooler but it's integrated into the radiator like it is on the 3rd gen. I went ahead and put an external cooler on mine.

I have never driven a 4th gen with the 4 speed so I'm not sure what that would be like but I would guess you probably want to keep it in 3 when you are ascending or descending a hill. Might also want to consider something like a Scangauge to monitor transmission temps. I regularly pull a 1,000lb trailer with no brakes across the Rocky Mountains.

Highest trans temp I've ever hit was 260, that was a little bit scary. However, this was understandable as I was pulling the trailer up the West side Death Valley national park in mid July when the outside temp was around 115 degrees.

 

[preacher35]

Hello all,
I have a question about towing in a 2004 V6 4runner since I have not done so before. I previously had a 2006 Tacoma with the same V6 in which I towed in 4th gear through mountains instead of 5th to prevent gear hunting. I am curious if having it in 4th gear or DRIVE in the 4runner will be ok with a 6X12 UHAUL trailer loaded with about 1000lbs of weight. Dry weight is about 2000lbs. I will be going through some mountains but nothing severe, traveling through Virginia down 81 to TENN. I have made this trip many times but don't want to overheat my Transmission so wanted some insight. I know my Tacoma had a transmission cooler but pretty sure this one don't that I know of.

We just had a discussion about this several weeks ago. Please read it and you will probably get the information that you require:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/172962-thinking-towing-my-car-will-work.html

 

[4RunnerSR52004]

thnx for all info!