Trailer Towing questions...

[Martinjmpr]

(Also posted on Expedition Portal: Vehicle-Dependent Overland Expedition Community)

Something's come up and without getting into the details, I may have to help someone move on fairly short notice, from Billings, MT to Denver. Not sure how much stuff he has but I know when he moved to Billings last year he had to make a couple of trips. He's got a full size Dodge Ram 4x4 pickup which I assume can pull a pretty big trailer.

Anyway, if we have to move him, we'll be doing it in one shot, most likely. My thought is that I could help him out by pulling a trailer as well.

Here's the thing, though: I've only pulled a trailer (for any distance) once before, when I moved from Denver to Laramie, I rented a 5 x 8' Uhaul single-axle trailer and pulled it behind my 1999 Ford Ranger using a bumper hitch (actually, a ball mounted on the factory step bumper which was supposedly rated to 3000lbs.) I had no problems but the move was "only" 125 miles.

So here are my questions:

1. Looking at the manual, it says my 1999 4runner with the 5vz 3.4l V6 motor can pull 5,000lbs. That seems way too high to me! I do not have the "heavy duty towing package" to my knowledge (how would I check?)

2. My truck does have a Class III receiver and an electrical connector, so all I'd need to buy is a socket with a ball to go on the receiver. Any recommendations?

3. The manual says that if the trailer weight is over 2,000 lbs, I need a "sway control." What is that? Is it something electrical or mechanical? How difficult/expensive is it to put one on? I'm particularly concerned about sway because the 560 mile trip from Billings to Denver is over the open plains and there are often heavy crosswinds.

4. Assuming I get a smaller (5 x 8') trailer (single-axle), with a trailer weight of <1000 lbs and a loaded weight of <3000lbs, do I need a trailer brake? Right now I don't have one. Honestly, I'd like to keep the trailer as light as possible by carrying bulky-but-not-heavy items.

5. Currently I do not have an auxiliary or aftermarket transmission cooler. Should I get one before I make this trip? If this was a cross-town trip or even a 125 mile trip to Laramie, I wouldn't worry, but 560 miles is a long drive!

6. Any other tips/tricks from the veteran towers out there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JonK]

Good idea to install a tranny cooler whether you are pulling a trailer or not.

 

[Crywolf]

You shouldn't need a trailer brake as long as your total pulling weight is at or under the 5,000 lb mark. That would be a fairly decent investment for a one time trip too.

 

[topdown4runner]

Good idea to install a tranny cooler whether you are pulling a trailer or not.

X2 on the tranny cooler.

Bypass the built in one on the radiator to avoid the Pink Milkshake of Death.
Should be done on ALL 3rd gens with auto trannys, towing or not.

You shouldn't have any problems otherwise.

And like my Dad always told me...low & slow...you are not in a race when you are pulling a load. Keep an additional distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. Your braking distance is going to be much longer pulling a load. When you are stopping, that load is now pushing you.

Enjoy the ride

 

[reefer#2]

1. yes the 4runner can pull 5000lbs, and there is no "heavy duty" towing packaga, just the normal one

2. you need a class 3 tow hitch. Uhaul should stock them.

3. sway control only requires a special hitch, given the trailer end accepts it.

4. drive slow and keep distance, 331 tundra capilars would help, but no, trailer brakes arnt necessary and require a bit of work

5.not necessay unless youre traversing steep hills at high speeds, just keep overdrive off

6. position the heavy items in the center of the trailer and as close as possible to the axle

 

[biglar]

I'll back up what others have said about the tranny cooler. It's a worthy investment. Get the flat plate style - mine's a 96 plate, I believe.

10% to 15% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue. If not, the trailer will "wag the dog" and you'll fight the sway all the time. It's exhausting, as well as dangerous.

You shouldn't need the sway control if balanced right. I tow my 30 ft/9,000 lb travel trailer with my Diesel Dodge at speeds up to 70 mph with no sway control and no wagging - but I DO have an equalizer hitch for it. You won't need that.

Let your buddy take the heavy stuff. The 3.4L is a dog on power and you'll be screaming it the whole way. My '02 works hard to pull my quad ATV on its' trailer - total weight around 1,000#. It really strains on hills and on 6% grades I'll be down into 2nd. On the few occasions I've pulled my 2500# boat and trailer, it's been a disaster. Hard on the 4Runner and tiring and aggravating for me. Just not enuf power.

2 months ago, I rented a 5x8 U-Haul enclosed trailer to move some light furniture from Las Cruces, NM to Silver City, NM, about 120 miles. Almost all flat running and I wouldn't want to tow much more and esp. not in the mountains. I love my 'Runner, but it ain't a powerhouse.

Over the years I've towed various trailers - mostly boats - 100's of 1,000's of miles and have pretty much "been there, done that."

Lar.