Recently purchased a 20 foot pontoon with a 90hp Yamaha, looks like it will weigh in around 4k pounds. My 98 Limited has right at 280k on it and is going in for a valve cover gasket replacement and starter. I would like to use it on occasion to tow the boat so just wondering who out there tows with their 3rd and do you recommend any upgrades/etc to help with the towing experience. I’m thinking I will replace front and rear shocks/springs and maybe add some rear air bags, thoughts?
Who’s towing?
- Thread starter NCrunner0
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96RedRunner
Senior Member
01 5VZ auto 236k mi. 4.56 gears Bilstein Tundra 6112's Landcruiser 5160's 7.5 wrap springs trans cooler. ETC on OD off.
Tow 3100# boat/trailer trailer did not have brakes when purchased, pushed me through red light intersection raining hard.
Dexter Disc Surge brake kit has worked well. Make sure suspension is up to par, what I purchased last June 15 yrs old
springs shackles etc. shot. IIRC $1500 to do both last year prices.
First tow first thought, I'm gona need a bigger truck, 19' bass boat wide track trailer.
My boat to Runner's weight and width left the feeling of reached the limit, 4k pontoon not for me.
The power/lack of sucks you're going to have to put your foot in it, gives me a reason to S/C to fix that
Boat = Bring Out Another Thousand, I'm in two and a half boats more than I paid, so far.
Weathers perfect waters fine take some clothes off come on in :guitar2:
Tow 3100# boat/trailer trailer did not have brakes when purchased, pushed me through red light intersection raining hard.
Dexter Disc Surge brake kit has worked well. Make sure suspension is up to par, what I purchased last June 15 yrs old
springs shackles etc. shot. IIRC $1500 to do both last year prices.
First tow first thought, I'm gona need a bigger truck, 19' bass boat wide track trailer.
My boat to Runner's weight and width left the feeling of reached the limit, 4k pontoon not for me.
The power/lack of sucks you're going to have to put your foot in it, gives me a reason to S/C to fix that
Boat = Bring Out Another Thousand, I'm in two and a half boats more than I paid, so far.
Weathers perfect waters fine take some clothes off come on in :guitar2:
Hungryhawk
Member
I personally would rely on surge brakes for a small rental utility trailer. Not a maximum load trailer.
Since the braking of your truck forces the trailer movable surge brake hitch mechanism to apply trailer brakes you are unable to brake the trailer first or separately.
Think emergency scenario where you are in a turn and truck and trailer are not in a straight line must must brake hard-I think a dread jacknife is possibility.
With electric brakes on trailer you can brake the trailer independently with the override switch you have positioned on your dash. Or normal braking the built in automatic function of the brake controller will brake trailer proportionally with your truck.
Also braking trailer only can help stop a swaying condition before it gets dangerous.
Since the braking of your truck forces the trailer movable surge brake hitch mechanism to apply trailer brakes you are unable to brake the trailer first or separately.
Think emergency scenario where you are in a turn and truck and trailer are not in a straight line must must brake hard-I think a dread jacknife is possibility.
With electric brakes on trailer you can brake the trailer independently with the override switch you have positioned on your dash. Or normal braking the built in automatic function of the brake controller will brake trailer proportionally with your truck.
Also braking trailer only can help stop a swaying condition before it gets dangerous.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Electric brakes and water what could go wrong, boat trailer manufacturers do not use for a reason.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Comes into play.
1st tow 173 mi in the rain interstate 30% 70% hills n hollas of scenic hwy.
Glad I live 6-7 flat miles from where I spend most of my time.
1 hour max but that will include a few hill climbs in the southern part of Va.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
[MENTION=81774]NCrunner0[/MENTION] trip sounds ok seat time will tell, leave family friends and pets home 1st time. 
j/k
280k 27 yr old rear Bushings? Something to have shop look at that end of life for some.
j/k280k 27 yr old rear Bushings? Something to have shop look at that end of life for some.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
[MENTION=124615]3bears[/MENTION] 200-gal Fuel oil 1600+- sloshing around is the kicker for pucker factor.
Last edited:
[MENTION=124615]3bears[/MENTION] 200-gal Fuel oil 1600+- sloshing around is the kicker for pucker factor.
Im not crazy about the idea either, but I think my tundra is about to die
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Plan for best expect worst bring extra shorts :laugh:
Sense-A
Junior Member
I tow work trailers a lot. I tow dirt and mulch and rocks and debris.
Over flat terrain it is well.
My back springs sag so much now i had to study the Suspension Lift knowledge FAQ thread. So add new heavy duty rear coils and shock absorbers. $500-$700 for parts. Plus 4-8 hours of your own labor and watching youtube videos how people replace theirs.
Monitor transmission fluid. The transmission cooler sounds like a good idea.
Install the premium brake pads and rotors on your truck. You want best brakes you can get because now you have to stop a lot more weight.
If i have to go up a steep incline then yes i turn off OverDrive, turn on ECT, try to get a good head start for momentum, say a short prayer God get me over this hill so I don't get crushed by 80mph trucks behind me.
In fact, i am so un-confident in the 3rd gen 4runner's ability to haul heavy loads up steep inclines that i actually plan my routes differently to avoid over stressing it. If i can go a route through a mountain pass or valley then i take that over the 45 degree truck right over this mountain route.
Over flat terrain it is well.
My back springs sag so much now i had to study the Suspension Lift knowledge FAQ thread. So add new heavy duty rear coils and shock absorbers. $500-$700 for parts. Plus 4-8 hours of your own labor and watching youtube videos how people replace theirs.
Monitor transmission fluid. The transmission cooler sounds like a good idea.
Install the premium brake pads and rotors on your truck. You want best brakes you can get because now you have to stop a lot more weight.
If i have to go up a steep incline then yes i turn off OverDrive, turn on ECT, try to get a good head start for momentum, say a short prayer God get me over this hill so I don't get crushed by 80mph trucks behind me.
In fact, i am so un-confident in the 3rd gen 4runner's ability to haul heavy loads up steep inclines that i actually plan my routes differently to avoid over stressing it. If i can go a route through a mountain pass or valley then i take that over the 45 degree truck right over this mountain route.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
This part of it on forums in 2k when I purchased 1st 3rd gen. stuck with it.
OD off ECT on, 1-1 gear ratio in trans to keep engine rpm in power band. Less stress on eng. trans,
less downshifting rpm's in band punch pedal quicker response when needed. a solid 5VZ/Trans can handle it.
Point A to B in one piece Tongue weight range been tight window across the board for that don't know it's back there feel.
OD off ECT on, 1-1 gear ratio in trans to keep engine rpm in power band. Less stress on eng. trans,
less downshifting rpm's in band punch pedal quicker response when needed. a solid 5VZ/Trans can handle it.
Point A to B in one piece Tongue weight range been tight window across the board for that don't know it's back there feel.
