Towing with V-6

[bcp]

Those of you that have towed a travel trailer weighing close to the 5000 lb. limit of the V-6 4Runner, what do you think? Tell me the good and bad. Any info would be helpful. Brian

 

[ALLEGRO]

You will really be pushing things and causing pre-mature wear. The whole reasoning behind having the V8 option is related to it towing ability.

If you are just doing one or two pulls per year, and not very far in distance, change your fluids twice as often and hope that Toyota builds it as well as we all believe they do. If this will be a normal task for your 4Runner, then I would re-think what I a doing.

JMHO

 

[eskimochaos]

If you knew you were going to have to tow 5k+ pounds regularly you should have gotten the V8. Think about adding a tranny cooler because the V6's dont have one.

 

[bcp]

Thanks for the info. When I bought the 4Runner I had my Dodge Ram Diesel so towing wasn't a problem.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I don't argue the points the others have made. I tow up to 5k occasionally. Mine does just fine.

You've left some important info out... Where are you towing? Is it one or two pulls a year? Are you really near 5k or is it 5k+ "wet" with another 700lbs in the T4R?


:cheers:

 

[boston_kevin]

I have been towing 4200+ lbs (4200 lbs boat and trailer plus gear/gas/water which could account for as much as 300 lbs) 10-12 times annually for the last 4 years with my V6. No pre-mature wear and tear I can find. I did add the tranny cooler and upgraded the hitch to the "V8" hitch. Other than passing power while towing, you really won't notice much of a difference between the V8 and V6 capabilities. If you are going up some hills, you will have to downshift to make up for a little less torque.

 

[cmb]

We've towed our 3000-3500lb boat to Canada last year,bout 500 miles each way.The V6 did well,thats after coming out of an 06 Tundra V8.Really didn't notice enough lost ''grunt'' to concern me.I just remembered to go up the hills in 4th,down the hills in 5th.Most transmission techs will tell you ''overdrive isn't happy towing'',all that shifting builds heat really fast.For OUR trip,I wouldn't hook that much up to the V6 in our 08.If your tows are easy,flat and shorter........maybe.

 

[ALLEGRO]

We've towed our 3000-3500lb boat to Canada last year,bout 500 miles each way.The V6 did well,thats after coming out of an 06 Tundra V8.Really didn't notice enough lost ''grunt'' to concern me.I just remembered to go up the hills in 4th,down the hills in 5th.Most transmission techs will tell you ''overdrive isn't happy towing'',all that shifting builds heat really fast.For OUR trip,I wouldn't hook that much up to the V6 in our 08.If your tows are easy,flat and shorter........maybe.

I do NOT doubt that the V6 is more than capable of towing much more that TOYOTA recommends. I do ASSUME though that they have tested and determined that over the LONG HAUL that it is NOT advisable. My last two GM SUV's were subjected to near-limits towing and as a result, in time, I replaced several transmisions and even a rear-end.

I would be cautious of over extending the limits. Once in a while is probably okay, but repeated extentions might prove costly.

Good Luck

 

[bcp]

Thanks again for the replies. I decided to buy a new Trundra with the 5.7 V-8. This will enable me to buy a larger trailer with no issues. Again thanks.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I decided to buy a new Trundra with the 5.7 V-8. This will enable me to buy a larger trailer with no issues.

Uh, that should do it Congrats on the new ride!

:cheers:

 

[eskimochaos]

Thanks again for the replies. I decided to buy a new Trundra with the 5.7 V-8. This will enable me to buy a larger trailer with no issues. Again thanks.

That's odd, you went from not willing to spend $120 to getting a new truck.

Now you really wont have any $$ for Captain.

Be sure to break that sucker in, you dont want the first 200 miles on the ODO towing. That is if it is new.