Quick recap on my towing post from last week. The lake had fallen another foot since I was last there, and because the end of the ramp almost completely flattens out, I actually had the front tires about 15 feet down in the water in order to get the trailer deep enough for the boat. They had dumped medium size rock to stablize the ramp which got rid of the traction issue, but of course this had totally rutted out and had 8 inch or so pot holes everywhere and the entire middle section of the ramp is blocked off as too dangerous. I still had it in 4Hi, and if I wasn't sitting completely in the water, I would have switched to 4Lo, but it didn't seem like a good idea at the time to mess with switching when the waves are breaking over the running boards--just not a natural situation and not a time for something to not properly engage so I left it alone. The trailer axle bottomed out in one of those holes and I could feel the rocks scrapping the skid plates, but the truck kept on pulling the trailer on the frame until it popped loose and away we went up the hill, never over 2200 rpm. Although not a tremendous load (3500-3800 pounds), it was still a pleasant suprise to pull it straight out since it was like towing up a creek bed with all of the algae rocks and such. I still haven't had to tow in 4lo yet (knock on wood), and I'll save that for when the ramp is in REALLY bad shape (ha, ha). Just got word this morning that the ramp will be fixed for next year, so back to normal hopefully. Round trip was 366 miles, with 10 of that towing and idling for 21.56 mpg (actual, not computer). I guess I'll keep the V-6.
V6 fourth gens-who tows what?
- Thread starter dragr1
- Start date
808BMW said:If you did that in 4hi with the diff open, I'd bet in 4lo locked up you could drag that trailer with no wheels
I know you have worries about messing with it at the time, but the extra traction and gearing make a world of difference.
+1, thats pretty impressive.
Also because of your experience, I really think that pulling from a dead stop, both engines are pretty evenly capable. The V8 would excell on acceleration while already at speed I'm sure, but as far as pulling from a stop it's all about traction and gearing.
4by4th
New member
I wish 10% of the people in front of me at boat ramps spent as much time thinking about it ahead of time as you did. That would be an improvement. Thinking further about it, that would eliminate 50% of the entertainment factor in watching, so nevermind. My experience is that normal 4 wheel drive can tear up a trailer that has a wheel stuck for some reason on a bad ramp so be careful. Funniest thing I've ever seen was a CJ5 that broke a driveshaft pulling a boat out of a ramp on the Texas City Dike. DA forgot to take the parking brake off, but the two front wheels were more than enough to pull everything up the ramp with the broken driveshaft bouncing around underneath.
Hello all, I'm relatively new to this forum, but thought I could share some of my info.
I occasionally use my 4Runner to tow my enclosed racecar trailer to-and-from the tracks. Usually, these trips are less than 60 miles, and the truck completes them with ease. Most recently (a few months ago), I moved from Ohio to Colorado. I used the 4Runner to tow the trailer, racecar, and equipment out there. The rig did exceptionally well, and I was quite impressed.
Tow vehicle details:
2004 4Runner SR5 V6
Hidden Hitch WD receiver
Prodigy Brake Controller
Trailer details:
1987 Pace 18x8 enclosed race trailer
Electric brakes on both axles
Drawtite trunnion-style weight distributing hitch
Drawtite friction sway control
2 spare wheels (you never know...)
Dry weight of trailer is 2800 lbs, racecar weighs another 2800, and I had about 1100lbs of equipment on the trip to CO. Fully loaded, the total weight of the trailer was 6700. I had another ~200lbs worth of equipment in the truck. The truck towed the trailer like it wasn't even there (mostly because of the WD hitch, and sway control). Total trip length was 1200 miles across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The rig would easily do 65-70 mph, but I kept it between 60-65 for most of the trip to help with fuel economy. I averaged 12.5mpg for the entire 1200 mile trip (with some severe headwinds through Kansas and Colorado).
I think if I were to tow this much weight on a continual basis, I would definitely want a larger TV. But the 4Runner will do the job when you need it to.
-Rob
I occasionally use my 4Runner to tow my enclosed racecar trailer to-and-from the tracks. Usually, these trips are less than 60 miles, and the truck completes them with ease. Most recently (a few months ago), I moved from Ohio to Colorado. I used the 4Runner to tow the trailer, racecar, and equipment out there. The rig did exceptionally well, and I was quite impressed.
Tow vehicle details:
2004 4Runner SR5 V6
Hidden Hitch WD receiver
Prodigy Brake Controller
Trailer details:
1987 Pace 18x8 enclosed race trailer
Electric brakes on both axles
Drawtite trunnion-style weight distributing hitch
Drawtite friction sway control
2 spare wheels (you never know...)
Dry weight of trailer is 2800 lbs, racecar weighs another 2800, and I had about 1100lbs of equipment on the trip to CO. Fully loaded, the total weight of the trailer was 6700. I had another ~200lbs worth of equipment in the truck. The truck towed the trailer like it wasn't even there (mostly because of the WD hitch, and sway control). Total trip length was 1200 miles across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. The rig would easily do 65-70 mph, but I kept it between 60-65 for most of the trip to help with fuel economy. I averaged 12.5mpg for the entire 1200 mile trip (with some severe headwinds through Kansas and Colorado).
I think if I were to tow this much weight on a continual basis, I would definitely want a larger TV. But the 4Runner will do the job when you need it to.
-Rob
Attachments
Towing
Towing a 27ft Trail-Lite by R-Vision, actual weight loaded : 4800lbs
Towed all through British Columbia, and down to southern California, so encountered many grades, and the 4runner has handled it all with ease, and averageing 10m/gall. Mostly towing in 4th gear, and only in 5th on level and downhill grades.
2005 4whd, v6, with transmission cooler added.
Towing a 27ft Trail-Lite by R-Vision, actual weight loaded : 4800lbs
Towed all through British Columbia, and down to southern California, so encountered many grades, and the 4runner has handled it all with ease, and averageing 10m/gall. Mostly towing in 4th gear, and only in 5th on level and downhill grades.
2005 4whd, v6, with transmission cooler added.
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michael90630
New member
Toynut
Can you provide a little detail about your transmission cooler? What position was it installed? What type i.e. brand, specs. etc? Who installed?
I have a V6 4WD and plan to add a cooler also. The V8's comes stock with a Tranny cooler, I believe, as a tow-package.
Thanks
Can you provide a little detail about your transmission cooler? What position was it installed? What type i.e. brand, specs. etc? Who installed?
I have a V6 4WD and plan to add a cooler also. The V8's comes stock with a Tranny cooler, I believe, as a tow-package.
Thanks
Yes I know it's 4 years later but if you're still watching...is that a Triton ATV trailer?
Whitebeauty
New member
MikeMike61 towed a 26ft trailer with quads in it..
