Towing with my v6

[alms_lefko]

So I read somewhere you can upgrade the tow package of the v6 and add a tranny cooler?

I will likely be in the neighborhood of 5000-6000 lbs total for towing a boat.

The 4 runner is 4WD.

I won't tow long distances... the ramp is literally 0.9 miles each way from my house.

 

[Gerdo]

What does the manual say is the the towing capacity? I don't advise exceeding that capacity.
Don't all 4runners come with a trans cooler?

If you are talking one mile tows, hook it up and tow it. I would let the engine warm up before you start towing. Towing on a cold engine/trans can be hard on it. Unless it is one mile up a 10% grade, the trans cooler is not needed.

If you start doing longer road trips, then I would recommend a trans cooler/bigger one.
You could get a Scangauge and monitor the trans temps.

 

[alms_lefko]

What does the manual say is the the towing capacity? I don't advise exceeding that capacity.
Don't all 4runners come with a trans cooler?

manual says 5,000. i read somewhere you can upgrade the hitch to the V8 one and get 6,500? Trying to confirm if that's true.

Also... wondering if anyone has exceeded the limit. I know this is not recommended, but I had an Audi A6 3.0v6 prior to the 4runner. Towing capacity was 2,000lb. I pulled 2,500 the same distance as I plan the 4runner and it never gave me an issue.

But, I've upgraded the tow vehicle... and now want to upgrade the boat.

 

[JDSupreme]

Limit on a V6 is 5000lbs. I would never consider towing anything over 3-4000lbs unless it was a short distance with very little hills.

My boat is about 1800lbs and I can definately feel it on the back going up hills FWIW. It pulls it well but you def know it's back there. I personally wouldn't feel safe towing anything more than double that. But if its close you should be ok.

 

[dougiefreshmx]

@Gerdo... They all have a "cooler" in the side of the radiator, but only the V8's have an aux. cooler in front of the radiator.

@alms_lefko... If you're only pulling less than a mile you'll probably be ok... but depending on the slope of the ramp your pulling the boat out of, it might put that much more stress on your truck if you don't have the V8. The manual says the capacity increases with the weight distributing hitch with the V8 only.

I have a pontoon around 2000lbs and I can feel it. Im putting air bags in tonight to help with the weight and handling (Airbags don't increase capacity). I also found a wrecked V8 with the aux tranny cooler intact so it bolted right up. I dont pull heavy loads all the time, but its a little extra peace of mind.

Good luck...

 

[Gerdo]

I would not recommend exceeding the recommended capacity. Also if Toyota says that the capacity is 5k, I wouldn't think twice about towing that for short distances. If you add an additional cooler, towing 5k shouldn't be an issue even on longer runs. It will pull slowly up mountains.

As said, heavier rear coils or air bags will reduce the rear squatting but does NOT increase towing capacity. One major concern with a heavy trailer, especially with a heavy tongue, if that the front of the 4runner will be lifted. This will decrease steering control due to less weight on the front tires.

Weight distribution hitches like Reese Weight Distribution w/out Shank - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW Reese Weight Distribution RP66022 will spread the tongue weight thru the tow vehicles frame to keep the front down. This too does not increase towing capacity, it just makes it safer to tow heavy loads.

 

[MikeInNH]

The V6 can tow up to 6300lbs IF you install a better hitch. It's stated in your manual.

If you are only towing very short distances...then you shouldn't have a problem with the V6. Start towing 5-10 miles all the time..then it would be worth getting a 4runner with a V8.

As for external tranny cooler. That came with the towing package (at least it did on mine). It's well worth getting if you don't already have one.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

towing with v6

ive put more than 3,500 behind my 4runner in cut trees, fine on power, some float in the front, nothing terrible, but brakes fade like you wouldnt believe. if your trailer has brakes and you have an electronic brake controller, i wouldnt sweat it for short distances.