Towing with 5th Gen 4Runner
Looking for some helpful input so I can correctly match our vehicle to a trailer. Our vehicle is a 2011 Toyota 4Runner V6 4x4 with a hitch and both 7/4 pin connectors. The 4runner specs out: Tow ra...
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Replaced my 2004 v6 Explorer with a 2012 4runner to tow my TT. Specs on the 4runner were better than the Explorer so I thought it would tow better. The Explorer towed fine with the only time I really noticed I was towing something was when I was going uphill. The TT is 3480# dry with a max loaded weight of 4400#. My loaded weight is @4000# plus 200# of passengers and 100# for my wdh and cargo in the back of the 4runner. The 4runner does fine towing the TT around the Midwest. I drove it out to Mt. Rushmore this summer and really struggled keeping up with the 75 mph speed limit with headwinds and hills. There was a stretch of road with an 18 mph headwind where I couldn't go above 50-55 mph without the 4runner wanting to kick into 3rd gear. Tried to get behind a semi as often as possible to block the wind but they would eventually pull away because I was driving slower. Not a fun trip! Meanwhile, my trans temp on the scangauge was hitting 250*. Not good!!! It was especially frustrating because I knew that a trans cooler would help but before the trip I checked with my Toyota dealer and double checked with Toyota Warranty dept and both said that even if the Toyota dealer installed one, it would void my warranty of any affected parts. Since I bought the 125k platinum warranty and only had 10k on the truck, I certainly did not want to do that. I spent 6 hours on that drive cursing Toyota for not putting a $100 trans cooler on the 4runner. It makes no sense!!! Anyway, I made it home. The truck still runs fine. And I have towed the TT another 1300 miles since then. Here is what I have learned a out towing a TT with the 4runner:
- You absolutely need a weight distribution hitch (mine has sway control built in)
- I get 12-13mpg driving 55mph and 9mpg driving 65-75mph
- trans temp runs about 185-195 on a flat highway with spikes of 210-235 climbing a hill (although it hit 260 on a long steep climb in the black hills so I pulled over to let it cool)
- I don't really feel it behind me most of the time but do on hills, driving over 65, or windy days
- If your warranty is up or about to be - GET A TRANS COOLER INSTALLED!!!
I have read posts that say that you can't use a wdh with these hitch receivers because they are just bolted to the crossmember. I asked the dealer and called Toyota customer service. I didn't get a real confident answer, but was told yes because the owner's manual references using a wdh( so why else would they mention it?). I have towed over 3000 miles using a wdh without any issues. There's no way I could have towed that far without one!
If I knew what I know now when I bought my 4runner, I would have got something bigger. But since I didn't, I will avoid going west of the Mississippi and enjoy everything else (keeping it at 65mph or less).
- You absolutely need a weight distribution hitch (mine has sway control built in)
- I get 12-13mpg driving 55mph and 9mpg driving 65-75mph
- trans temp runs about 185-195 on a flat highway with spikes of 210-235 climbing a hill (although it hit 260 on a long steep climb in the black hills so I pulled over to let it cool)
- I don't really feel it behind me most of the time but do on hills, driving over 65, or windy days
- If your warranty is up or about to be - GET A TRANS COOLER INSTALLED!!!
I have read posts that say that you can't use a wdh with these hitch receivers because they are just bolted to the crossmember. I asked the dealer and called Toyota customer service. I didn't get a real confident answer, but was told yes because the owner's manual references using a wdh( so why else would they mention it?). I have towed over 3000 miles using a wdh without any issues. There's no way I could have towed that far without one!
If I knew what I know now when I bought my 4runner, I would have got something bigger. But since I didn't, I will avoid going west of the Mississippi and enjoy everything else (keeping it at 65mph or less).
