Towing
- Thread starter RacerDude
- Start date
1-day old
Nice rig cenewc - here's a pic of our new Frontier TT the day after we brought it home last week. Have the weight distribution installed, but still need to get the sway control system set up, and had new tires put on the 4R yesterday (Cooper Discoverer ATR). First roadtrip is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend to Kalispell, MT, only 200 miles so will be a good test run. We might take it out to a local State Park next weekend also.
BTW, are there any opinions out there on whether the stock trans cooler will be enough for a trailer of this size, or should I be looking into putting a larger one on?
RD
Nice rig cenewc - here's a pic of our new Frontier TT the day after we brought it home last week. Have the weight distribution installed, but still need to get the sway control system set up, and had new tires put on the 4R yesterday (Cooper Discoverer ATR). First roadtrip is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend to Kalispell, MT, only 200 miles so will be a good test run. We might take it out to a local State Park next weekend also.
BTW, are there any opinions out there on whether the stock trans cooler will be enough for a trailer of this size, or should I be looking into putting a larger one on?
RD
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RacerDude
I traded my 17' travel trailer last year for a 25' unit. Before I did the purchase, I did a test tow. We had to air up the OEM Dunlops to about 45 to 50 psi, otherwise it did ok on the test. My girlfriend has a Chev Avalanche, which we do most of the towing with, as it it longer, wider, and extended mirrors were simple to find. We just came back from a 3,000 mile trip into Wash, Or and N. Calif.
I weighted the trailer in camping mode (a bit of water, some food, camping gear, etc, weighting 5,400 lbs on the wheels. Tongue weight is about 500 pounds.
I changed out the factory hitch to a Hidden Hitch and the 4.7 l seems to tow well, and I expect the oil and transmission cooler should be adequate given the 7,000 lb tow rating.
Rick
I traded my 17' travel trailer last year for a 25' unit. Before I did the purchase, I did a test tow. We had to air up the OEM Dunlops to about 45 to 50 psi, otherwise it did ok on the test. My girlfriend has a Chev Avalanche, which we do most of the towing with, as it it longer, wider, and extended mirrors were simple to find. We just came back from a 3,000 mile trip into Wash, Or and N. Calif.
I weighted the trailer in camping mode (a bit of water, some food, camping gear, etc, weighting 5,400 lbs on the wheels. Tongue weight is about 500 pounds.
I changed out the factory hitch to a Hidden Hitch and the 4.7 l seems to tow well, and I expect the oil and transmission cooler should be adequate given the 7,000 lb tow rating.
Rick
Went across the scales today and here are the numbers:
Just the Runner with myself and 2 children, plus tools and such in the back: 5260 lbs.
Just the Runner on the scales with trailer hooked up and weight distribution connected: 6060 lbs - reflects a tongue weight of right at 800 lbs.
Both the Runner and trailer on the scales: 11420 lbs - reflects a trailer weight of 6160 lbs.
I will probably try to adjust the load to reduce the tongue weight a little since I'm at 13% and 800 lbs sounds really heavy to me, maybe try to get it down to 11%, which would be 677 lbs.
I realize I'm pretty much maxed out on all the ratings, but I'm not over on any of them so I'll just take it easy when towing and enjoy the fact that the Runner is such a versatile vehicle.
See my thread here about the tranny cooler and gauge install:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19481
And here is a pic of the maiden voyage last weekend:
Just the Runner with myself and 2 children, plus tools and such in the back: 5260 lbs.
Just the Runner on the scales with trailer hooked up and weight distribution connected: 6060 lbs - reflects a tongue weight of right at 800 lbs.
Both the Runner and trailer on the scales: 11420 lbs - reflects a trailer weight of 6160 lbs.
I will probably try to adjust the load to reduce the tongue weight a little since I'm at 13% and 800 lbs sounds really heavy to me, maybe try to get it down to 11%, which would be 677 lbs.
I realize I'm pretty much maxed out on all the ratings, but I'm not over on any of them so I'll just take it easy when towing and enjoy the fact that the Runner is such a versatile vehicle.
See my thread here about the tranny cooler and gauge install:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19481
And here is a pic of the maiden voyage last weekend:
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Mr. Lambdebois
New member
I'm moving the next couple days and am going to be towing a load of just under 7k lbs in a 6x12 closed trailer over 1500 miles through mountains and in 95 degree heat. I guess it's my turn to find out how well this suv pulls....
:bigok:
:bigok:
Mr. Lambdebois
New member
For a v-8 = the ball mount is recomended to be in the high position right?
The u-haul people hooked it up in the low position and the trailer is leaning forward quite a bit...
The u-haul people hooked it up in the low position and the trailer is leaning forward quite a bit...
Atomic 4Runner
New member
You're correct, but I wonder if the factory recommends the high position for maximum clearance on your departure angle, and the height of the trailer tongue isn't even considered?Mr. Lambdebois said:
Mr. Lambdebois
New member
well. I just drove it 200 miles in 95 degree heat. I left it in the low
position mainly because my wrenches were packed in the back of the trailer. :bash:
It is leaning forward quite a bit though. I guess I should flip it....
position mainly because my wrenches were packed in the back of the trailer. :bash:
It is leaning forward quite a bit though. I guess I should flip it....
Here is a photo of my 4Runner connected to my travel trailer, a 2003 Kustom Koach, weighing about 4700 lbs on the wheels in towing mode. I towed it this past weekend in 28 C temperature and the gauge did not deviate from its non-towing position. Lots of torque with the V8. I have changed the factory hitch to a Hidden Hitch.
Rick B
Rick B
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Uneek
Super Moderator
seh750 said:
In short, more towing capacity depending on what hitch is currently on the 4Runner and drivetrain.
There are two different hitches for the 4Runner. The V6 comes with a weight carrying hitch (standard 2003-05, optional on 2006), good for 5000lbs for both 2WD and 4WD. The V8s now come with a weight distributing hitch, capable of 7000lbs for 4WD, 7300lbs for 2WD. The 2003 V8 came with a weight carrying hitch, thus some V8 owners upgraded. The weight carrying hitch has just a receiver mounted to the rear cross member. The weight distributing hitch is a tube hitch that's mounted to the rear cross member and the frame rails that runs the length of the 4Runner.
Not sure, but I thought I read later build 2003 V8s gotten the weight distributing hitch. However, a buddy of mine swears his SR5 V8 is a 2004, but he has the weight carrying hitch (V6 hitch, 5000lbs).
HiddenHitch makes two different hitches, #70411 good for 7000lbs and #70779 good for only 5000lbs. I'm told the 70411 has been discontinued. Both are tube hitches, but the 70411 is curvy like the factory V8 hitch and the 70779 tubes are straight.
Originally posted by leftyrb
I have changed the factory hitch to a Hidden Hitch.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The factory hitch was very small, fastened only onto the rear cross member, and the electrical connection was far back, requiring a longer wiring harness. I seem to recall that I also had problems fitting the WD hitches into it.
If you check back in the threads, you will learn that the Canadian 4Runners seemed to have a different hitch than the US counterparts.
I have changed the factory hitch to a Hidden Hitch.
++++++++++++++++++++++
The factory hitch was very small, fastened only onto the rear cross member, and the electrical connection was far back, requiring a longer wiring harness. I seem to recall that I also had problems fitting the WD hitches into it.
If you check back in the threads, you will learn that the Canadian 4Runners seemed to have a different hitch than the US counterparts.
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