1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

4 Cyl PreRunner Towing

Discussion in 'Towing' started by SC4333, Jan 25, 2009.

  1. Jan 25, 2009 at 11:44 AM
    #1
    SC4333

    SC4333 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Member:
    #11412
    Messages:
    2,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Grant
    FL
    Vehicle:
    SOLD - 2016 TRD Off-Road 4x4 DCSB
    Does anyone have experience towing with the 4 cyl PRE RUNNER, with a class 3 hitch? I would think the towing capacity should increase some due to the beefier brakes up front, although there is no replacement for HP. I would really appreciate some incite to this, I am looking to install a hitch fairly soon and tow between 2750-3750 pounds. All of the towing will be highway miles, with a 5 Speed Manual.

    Thanks ahead of time for the response!
     
  2. Jan 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM
    #2
    magikbean562

    magikbean562 once flirted with danger, danger got clingy

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Member:
    #11681
    Messages:
    8,267
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    greg
    socal
    Vehicle:
    pinto
    33" mudders
    that honestly sounds like too much weight for a 4 banger. ive seen dudes tow a jet ski and alos seen dirt bikes, but now your talking bout towing a full sized car. and if ti would tow, you would need some tranny cooler and boost in the engine. good luck.

    oh, and search button is your friend

    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/20715-towing-new-09-4-banger.html
     
  3. Jan 25, 2009 at 12:30 PM
    #3
    SC4333

    SC4333 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Member:
    #11412
    Messages:
    2,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Grant
    FL
    Vehicle:
    SOLD - 2016 TRD Off-Road 4x4 DCSB
    I Appreciate the information! Although I did already search the 4 cyl towing threads, and did not find any specific to my application, the 5 spd manual. From my experience I don't believe a trans cooler will do much of anything for a manual trans, as they do not generate anywhere near the heat that an automatic does via the torque converter.


    I am thinking this is going to be a little too much for the 4 cyl, but I want to see what others have to say and hopefully hear from someone running the 4 cyl prerunner w/ a 5spd manual trans.
     
  4. Jan 27, 2009 at 7:01 AM
    #4
    jrsmokestacks

    jrsmokestacks Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2008
    Member:
    #9122
    Messages:
    133
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern, IL
    Vehicle:
    Long Bed
    Stock work truck
    Towing wise there is no difference in towing between a prerunner and 4x4. You will Not have any problem towing that weight. Brakes are amazing on the 4cyl. Heres some pics of what I tow.

    3,500lbs.

    DSC04568_85d5758c3dfd40970ae4518b15819e750870245a.jpg

    4,000lbs.

    DSCN0695_fdf191be5c50f4c4542f28d8035b446236c7e6a7.jpg

    Over 4,000lbs., not sure of actual weight

    DSCN0195_38bd70df71a7e94834b0830f3357cb3e63930729.jpg

    DSCN0196_a79332323cf18fadb8134c0dca35b5ffa4f882ea.jpg

    2500lbs.

    DSC04562_5df24aeb57b4055690fc923f8474a8a65f642efd.jpg
     
  5. Jan 27, 2009 at 7:05 AM
    #5
    beastlytaco

    beastlytaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Member:
    #7660
    Messages:
    4,044
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    Vehicle:
    08 Access Cab SR5
    yeah the weight load on the 4 cyl all depends. like someone said in the previous post,that sounds like alot of weight being added onto the 4cyl. but a tranny cooler, and additional oil cooler might help somewhat. the max tongue load for the 4cyl tacoma should be rated at 3,500 pounds. anytthing over, i would assume could add alot of stress to the engine and driveshaft
     
  6. Jan 27, 2009 at 7:28 AM
    #6
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    Member:
    #8350
    Messages:
    8,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Just east of crazy, NV
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5 DCLB 4x4
    Color matched door handles, Weathertech floor liners, bed mat, Durafit seat covers, tailgate clamp, 2016 TRD Sport 17" wheels with Yokohama Geolander AT tires , Toyota exhaust tip, Toyota/Yakima bike rail mount, Toyota wheel locks, Toyota hitch cover, Redline hood struts, unifilter on air pump.
    My 4cyl 4x4 can't get out of it's own way empty in 1st gear. There is no way I would want to tow 3000 lbs with it. The Prerunner is lighter and can probably tow more. As far as adding a trans cooler, I don't believe there is anywhere on the manual to add the cooler lines. I could be wrong about that though.
     
  7. Jan 27, 2009 at 8:21 AM
    #7
    jrsmokestacks

    jrsmokestacks Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2008
    Member:
    #9122
    Messages:
    133
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern, IL
    Vehicle:
    Long Bed
    Stock work truck
    Manuals dont need coolers, neither does you engine oil.

    Towing with a 4cyl is much different than with a 6 or 8. With the 4 dont be afraid to shift at 4,000+ rpm. 4cyl's make lots of noise but dont let that make you think it killing the engine. All my 4's have a ton of hauling miles and they never broke once.

    2001 Tacoma: 165,000 miles
    2004 Tacoma: 157,000 miles
    2008 Tacoma: 31,000 miles
     
  8. Jan 27, 2009 at 10:19 AM
    #8
    SC4333

    SC4333 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Member:
    #11412
    Messages:
    2,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Grant
    FL
    Vehicle:
    SOLD - 2016 TRD Off-Road 4x4 DCSB

    Are you running in 4th or 5th gear on the highway, and at what speeds(highway) do you usually haul your enclosed trailer at? I wouldn't be doing this very often but if i can pull it off, this will save me from having to buy another truck or trade this one in.

    Thanks to everyone for the input and pictures!
     
  9. Jan 27, 2009 at 1:44 PM
    #9
    jrsmokestacks

    jrsmokestacks Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2008
    Member:
    #9122
    Messages:
    133
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern, IL
    Vehicle:
    Long Bed
    Stock work truck
    4th gear at 65. At this speed you can downshift to 3rd and hold 60mph on hills. Try it once, if your not liking how it handles, you can always upgrade the rear springs as that is the only weakness on these trucks.
     
  10. May 29, 2009 at 10:31 AM
    #10
    jofish3

    jofish3 New Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2009
    Member:
    #17765
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    ga
    Vehicle:
    ex 01 sr5 taco
    k&n cold air intake
    i pull a enclosed trailer its a 4x6 with two tool boxes that all togather wieghs about 2800 pounds and have no probley at all on highways or back streets or hill.the only dame thing is it saggs in the ass end looking for the best and cheapest why to fix that now.but dont be scared to pull anything within the means of the truck it wiil do it
     
  11. May 30, 2009 at 5:48 PM
    #11
    Isthatahemi

    Isthatahemi Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2009
    Member:
    #16582
    Messages:
    1,142
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    TRD OFF ROAD
    BFG AT's, Weathertechs, Hoppy's brake controller.
    You really need to learn how, and when to shift if this is the case.........
     
  12. May 31, 2009 at 8:51 AM
    #12
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    Member:
    #8350
    Messages:
    8,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Just east of crazy, NV
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5 DCLB 4x4
    Color matched door handles, Weathertech floor liners, bed mat, Durafit seat covers, tailgate clamp, 2016 TRD Sport 17" wheels with Yokohama Geolander AT tires , Toyota exhaust tip, Toyota/Yakima bike rail mount, Toyota wheel locks, Toyota hitch cover, Redline hood struts, unifilter on air pump.
    I've been driving manual transmissions since 1983. A 4000 pound truck with a 159 hp is never going to be fast no matter what transmission is in it. I knew this when I bought it and accepted that fact. All I'm saying is, I would not want to tow a heavy load with this truck. That's what full size V8 trucks are for. JMO.
     
  13. Feb 22, 2012 at 1:39 PM
    #13
    bpurdy

    bpurdy Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2011
    Member:
    #65538
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bobby
    Duluth MN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Reg Cab Tacoma 4x4 5 speed
    Heavy Duty Tow Package, Field Logic Graphics Aries Black Grille Guard Ionic Tonneau Cover
    I realize I'm probably late with this response, but you should have no problem towing that much with a 2.7 5speed tacoma. Everyday I tow 3500lbs with mine for my lawn service and then a few times a year I tow my grandpa's skidsteer which weighs 7000lbs plus a 2500lbs trailer, almost 10,000. That's a bit much but it still does it. Ill try and put some pics up.
     
  14. Feb 29, 2012 at 2:01 AM
    #14
    ne0tas

    ne0tas Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    Member:
    #54987
    Messages:
    357
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Erick Iglesias
    Duarte, California
    Vehicle:
    None. :[
    no way
     
  15. Feb 29, 2012 at 8:37 AM
    #15
    bpurdy

    bpurdy Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2011
    Member:
    #65538
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bobby
    Duluth MN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Reg Cab Tacoma 4x4 5 speed
    Heavy Duty Tow Package, Field Logic Graphics Aries Black Grille Guard Ionic Tonneau Cover
    As we say in Proctor mn, Shit Yeah Bubba.

    [​IMG]Not sure If I can get the pic to post, PM me or something and I'll email it too you. Im not saying I tow 10,000lbs on a regular basis, but my truck does it a couple times a year. I regularly tow 4000lbs in the spring summer and fall for my business so I have gotton to know my truck well in what it can and cant do. I know it couldnt tow 10,000 up a steep hill, but through the rolling hills of wisconsin, it seems to do fine.
     
  16. Feb 29, 2012 at 12:51 PM
    #16
    SnowroxKT

    SnowroxKT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2011
    Member:
    #68604
    Messages:
    5,312
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    Anchorage Alaska
    Vehicle:
    '18 T4R & '06 F250
    6" lift 40s
    :popcorn:
     
  17. Feb 29, 2012 at 1:33 PM
    #17
    Zimaura

    Zimaura Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2011
    Member:
    #63686
    Messages:
    187
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nj
    San jose, CA
    Vehicle:
    05 4x4 Double Cab. level Kit, 33 inch BFGs
    Level Kit, 16inch Moto Metals, 33 BFGs, Flowmaster, tinted taillights, silver billet grills
    you can tow anything they are talking about towing. no worries there.
    10000 is pushing the limit though, jmo.
     
  18. Feb 29, 2012 at 9:24 PM
    #18
    MyTaco

    MyTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8239
    Messages:
    317
    Az
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner
    BLHM, Grillcraft grill, painted grill and eyelids. 285/70/17 BFG's on 17x9 Pro Comps 5100's all corners

    PLEASE post some pics!
     
  19. Mar 1, 2012 at 11:17 AM
    #19
    bpurdy

    bpurdy Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2011
    Member:
    #65538
    Messages:
    16
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bobby
    Duluth MN
    Vehicle:
    2011 Reg Cab Tacoma 4x4 5 speed
    Heavy Duty Tow Package, Field Logic Graphics Aries Black Grille Guard Ionic Tonneau Cover
    Check out this attachment, cant upload the pic, this link should show you what you need to see tts.jpg
     
  20. Mar 1, 2012 at 4:05 PM
    #20
    MyTaco

    MyTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Member:
    #8239
    Messages:
    317
    Az
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner
    BLHM, Grillcraft grill, painted grill and eyelids. 285/70/17 BFG's on 17x9 Pro Comps 5100's all corners
    I'm impressed. And here I was worried about pulling an 8x16 at 4500-5000lbs
    with my V-6!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top