Towing

[luvmyblack4runner]

Hello Everyone,
I have a 2006 SR5 no tow package 4Runner...that i love. My question is about towing a camper. My camper is 4060 dry weight and I have weight distribution hitch. Should I or shouldn't I add a transmission cooler? Are there any cons to adding this? Also I've heard about an 'engine oil cooler'..Is this something I should consider? And last question ...Any clue as the the cost of having these things installed?
Thanks in advance for any guidance/advice.

 

[TechWrench]

Hello Everyone,
I have a 2006 SR5 no tow package 4Runner...that i love. My question is about towing a camper. My camper is 4060 dry weight and I have weight distribution hitch. Should I or shouldn't I add a transmission cooler? Are there any cons to adding this? Also I've heard about an 'engine oil cooler'..Is this something I should consider? And last question ...Any clue as the the cost of having these things installed?
Thanks in advance for any guidance/advice.

You didn't mention if you have a V6 or V8. If it is the V8, I might already have a trans cooler. If it is the V6, or the V8 didn't come with the trans cooler, I would get a trans cooler installed. Did the weight distribution hitch come oem on it, or was it an aftermarket install? If you don't already have one, you will need a brake controller for the camper brakes.

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

You didn't mention if you have a V6 or V8. If it is the V8, I might already have a trans cooler. If it is the V6, or the V8 didn't come with the trans cooler, I would get a trans cooler installed. Did the weight distribution hitch come oem on it, or was it an aftermarket install? If you don't already have one, you will need a brake controller for the camper brakes.

if i remember right if you dont have the tow package it is not set up for the wiring for a brake controller or a 4 way plug. you will have to get a pig tail for the four way and can plug it in to a 7 way plug. 4 way plugs are for right turn,left turn, brake lights and ground. the 7 way is for brakes and a 12v. you will have to wire in a brake controller from front to back witch is called a hard wire install. thats if its not wired for it from factory.

if you pull the plastic panel on the floor board next to your left foot on the drivers side door jam on the inside there should be a white female plug. if you have that all you have to do is mount the brake controller in your truck and go buy a pig tail for a brake controller (prodigy is what i recommend for a brake contoller) plug your pig tail into the female end by your door and into the brake controller.

here are two links for you for the brake controller install

one is from this forum and the other is a video. now these videos are assuming that your truck is already factory wired for it. but from my experience from working on trailers and installing these is that if it does not have a factory tow package it is usually not wired for it.

sorry its kinda off subject from what you asked but if your towing that much weight make sure you have a brake controller for those brakes on the trailer. trust me you wont like it without it and its vary dangerous.

Tekonsha Brake Controller with Wiring for Toyota 4Runner 2011 - 90885-3040P

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/22700-brake-controller-connector-help-please.html

 

[luvmyblack4runner]

Thanks for the Info guys. I have a V6 sorry i left that part out. I had an aftermarket hitch and the 7 pin connector and brake controller installed at a local truck outfitters garage.

As for the transmission cooler...do you think the toyota dealer would be best to do that work or would you trust a transmission shop? I only ask because my dealer is about a 90 minute drive from where i live but we have a transmission shop local. I'm a little leary of transmission shop as I read on a post by someone else that the trasmission shop would have ruined there transmission had they allowed them to do the work ..something about the fluid type ??

I did take the camper out this weeked and towed with my 4 runner...up and down some pretty big mountains here in Western Md...It seemed to do ok going up the mountains kept rpms around 3 in 4th gear and speed was about 45...I had a little more pedal to go but didn't want to get the rpms up to much.

Thanks for the replys.

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

Thanks for the Info guys. I have a V6 sorry i left that part out. I had an aftermarket hitch and the 7 pin connector and brake controller installed at a local truck outfitters garage.

As for the transmission cooler...do you think the toyota dealer would be best to do that work or would you trust a transmission shop? I only ask because my dealer is about a 90 minute drive from where i live but we have a transmission shop local. I'm a little leary of transmission shop as I read on a post by someone else that the trasmission shop would have ruined there transmission had they allowed them to do the work ..something about the fluid type ??

I did take the camper out this weeked and towed with my 4 runner...up and down some pretty big mountains here in Western Md...It seemed to do ok going up the mountains kept rpms around 3 in 4th gear and speed was about 45...I had a little more pedal to go but didn't want to get the rpms up to much.

Thanks for the replys.

what i would do is look online for reviews on that particular transmission shop. i know dealers can be pretty expensive and i try to get people to take it to a trustworthy mechanic before you go to a dealer. it sometimes can be twice as much.

try and look their name up on the computer and see what they have for reviews and if they have good reviews you know they are more than likely a good shop. or ask some friends if they ever been there. just do a little homework and if you cant find what you want out of the shop than take it to the dealer.

note it does not have to be a transmission shop to do the work either!!

 

[fourwd1]

I don't think your question should be to add a cooler or not, but should you tow that much weight with a V6 or not. Adding a cooler is a no-brainer.

 

[toyotaoutlaw]

:iagree:

I don't think your question should be to add a cooler or not, but should you tow that much weight with a V6 or not. Adding a cooler is a no-brainer.

 

[TechWrench]

I don't think your question should be to add a cooler or not, but should you tow that much weight with a V6 or not. Adding a cooler is a no-brainer.

As I said earlier, installing a trans cooler should be a must.

As for the amount of weight being towed, that depends on several things.

My '03 V6 is rated for 6300 lbs, with the weight distribution hitch and receiver I have installed. I did install a Hayden trans cooler, inline with the oem radiator cooler. I don't know what the max tow ratings for the '05 V6 are. I would assume the same as the '03, but not sure.

That being said, the max tow ratings are just a guideline. Just because the vehicle is rated for that much, doesn't mean one should take it to the limit if they are not comfortable with, or don't have experience towing heavier loads.
As you can see from my sig, it occasionally tow a 27 ft camper which when loaded (wet) comes in at 5,700 lbs (measured on scales). I don't tow it more that 3-4 times a year, and generally don't go more that 200 miles. I am comfortable with the tow, but do recognize the size and weight and allow for these limits when I do tow. I wouldn't tow across country, or try to climb Pikes Peak.

I would recommend being sure of how the hitch is setup and balanced, don't rely on a shop to do it for you. I have heard of too many bad stories about mistakes being made by shops that didn't really understand the proper method of seting up a weight distribution hitch. Once the hitch and trailer are properly setup, I would strongly suggest taking the fully loaded (all gear, water and fuel you would normally carry) trailer and tow vehicle to a set of truck scales and have them weighed. When at the scales, be sure to check the total weight, and tongue weight. Many are surprised to find that the weight numbers posted by dealers are inaccurate, and how much more all the gear and fluids add to the total weight. There is a wealth of info on the RVnet.com site, and it is a good place to find more indepth towing info. If one is a novice at towing heavier loads, proceed with caution and practice in a safe area (especially backing up) before taking any long trips.