V6 Trailering

[hogv8]

I am planning my first trailering trip to Florida and back from Parish NY approx 2500 miles round trip with my 2004 V6 SR5 4 Runner . I will be trailering my Boss Hoss motorcycle in 5'x9' enclosed trailer total combined weight of about 3200-3500 lbs .

My question is some of the trip will involve hilly terrain and some on flat terrain do I have to use third gear towing mode all the time or is it OK to use third gear overdrive on flat land and down hill sections . I installed a auxiliary transmission oil cooler which should help keep the transmission cool plus the fact that I will be leaving the 3rd of March (winter) so part of my trip the weather will still be cold .

I just don't like running all that distance in strictly tow mode because I'm sure it will greatly effect my gas mileage . Third gear tow mode all the way or overdrive some of the time ??

Thanks , Jack

 

[bvc]

Don't worry about gas mileage...its going to suck. Now, you will have to pay attention to your rpms and adjust accordingly. You want the highest gear that will maintain your speed without having to downshift. If your revs are going up and down, go a gear lower.

 

[ridefast]

^^^This

Keep it in D until your runner starts to hunt for gears and then shift it in 4th on the hills and you should be fine. Watch those rpms. You will also be able to feel the torque converter locking and unlocking.

How does your trailer pull, if you are expecting any wind consider getting a weight distributing hitch. They really help a lot!

Have a fun trip

 

[Smobien]

I tow with my 06 V6 a 8x12 enclosed with two choppers in it. Gets around 15 mpg on flat terrain. Keep it in 4 unless you feel like “drafting” behind something bigger. It takes a little bit getting used to knowing how much throttle it has left before it goes to shift. I run it in 4 most of the time. D if I know it’s going to be smooth sailing. Have a safe trip!

 

[BCfish]

I think OP has a 4 speed auto not the 5 speed. I would keep it in 3 and only use d on flat land and on downhills where you don't need engine braking. This is what I do when towing my 3500lbs pop up.

 

[hogv8]

Yes , my 4 runner is a 4 speed not a 5 speed . My trailer pulls very nicely and on long trips like this and I typically like to cruise about 75 mph. With my V6 pulling my 3500 lb trailer what kind of mileage should I expect if I were to leave it in 3 tow mode all the way ?? Before I bought the 2004 V6 4 Runner I hauled with a 2002 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 V8 for about 10 years and averaged about 10-12 miles per gallon at 75 on the same trip . .

 

[having fun]

With you crusin at 75 keep it in drive (4) for your vehicle, watch how your tranny will auto down shift on diferrent slop degrees. You then can put it in cruise control and when you are getting to go into those slops, you can just shift down to 3rd with cruise control. Put back into overdrive when you come to flat.

If the hill increases more than a 3rd gear drop th tranny will change gears down for you.
I have a tandem axle flat bed for hauling, 7000lb. Use it at verious weghts and my 04 I owned before worked fine like this, same as your.

The 08 I have present works a little better with the 5 speed, still v6 model. Even in the hills inthe mountain hills, on and off road.

Really helps when you have your trailer and rig set up with electric brake controled

 

[hogv8]

Thanks for all of your replys . I guess I'll just have play it by ear but I kinda expect I will be changing gears quit often especially down thru Pennsylvania due to some of the hills and valleys . Once past Penn. the highway south to Florida (interstate 95) is fairly flat . At least monitoring my speed and RPM's will keep me on my toes and maybe take away from some of the boredom of the trip . Sure hope gas prices drop some between now and March first . Ya , lots of luck .

Thanks Again , Jack