Towing 1300 miles (realistic expectations...)

Hi all. I tried to read as many threads regarding towing before posting this thread. I specifically looked at the following one which seemed to be the most comprehensive of them all.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

I know I am breaking the rules by posting here since I have a 4Runner, but the reality is there is a lot of engagement and knowledgeable people here.

I assume the 4th gen 4Runner V6 (2008) is similar to the 2nd gen Tacomas with the 4.0 V6 for towing aside from the rear suspension. I installed a class 3 hitch a few years ago so I have that already. My truck has higher miles but is running great. Coolant was changed last December and the transmission fluid had a drain and fill about 5k miles ago. I also have a newer radiator and a recent water pump and thermostat from last December too.

My wife was in FL for a few years for work and has accumulated some stuff that we need to bring back next month. All of the stuff in total is under 1000 lbs but due to their awkward sizes I would need a 6x12 cargo trailer. The 6x12 trailer from U-Haul has surge brakes and weighs around 1900 lbs. If I decided to use the truck, I would install an external cooler such as the Hayden 698 or Tru-Cool LPD 4543 or 4544.

My question is, what is like to pull a trailer like that around 1300 miles in 4th gear? Not sure what the fuel economy or comfort level would be. A cargo van or 12' foot truck from Budget (via Costco) can be had for around $1100 - $1200 more than the trailer. I also assume the cost in gas for the 4Runner with a trailer would be comparable to the moving truck options so I did not include that here. I realize the moving truck options cost more but maybe this is a case were it make more sense to go that route. Btw, I would need to drive my truck down to FL as opposed to just flying down. Flights at this time are comparable to what it would cost in fuel to drive down.

Thoughts and opinions are welcome as usual... Thanks!

 

@Thatbassguy has done quite a bit of towing with his and can provide some insight

 

Should be no problem! Give yourself extra breaking space, stick to truck stops. I tow that weight semi regularly, and my tacoma is entirely capable. Expect about 10mpgs. I can't speak to the 4runner, but I assume it's very similar. A load under 3000lbs shouldn't be a worry.

Also be sure to keep weight over the axles!

 

Ohh yeah you'll be fine, before you load up the trailer try the surge brakes a few times so you know what to expect. Biggest thing you'd have to worry about is really hilly areas but if your gonna be in 4th you should be fine. Interstare I get around 18mpg at 70mph in my 08 4.0L, if memory serves its down to 10ish mph with 3000lb-4000lb at 70mph, granted thats mostly where there's no hills/mountains to climb.

 

As @Shellshock mentioned, I've towed a bunch with my 4Runner. Mine's a 5th gen, but pretty much the same motor.

I tow in S4, and keep it below 65 MPH. Take your time, and you'll be fine.

An external transmission cooler is a good idea, but not absolutely necessary for your situation.

 

Fuel mileage will probably be 10-13 mpg. If I'm reading this right you're looking at pulling around 3000 lbs. I don't know where you're going with it, but on level ground or rolling terrain you shouldn't have any issues. If you're heading into mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee or West Virginia the engine will be working and be prepared to drop to 3rd, maybe even 2nd gear. And on long, steep downhill sections downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear to let the engine hold back the trailer.

Other than that I don't think you'll have any issues. You'll have to work the numbers to decide which way is the most cost effective.

 

My Prerunner is a 2007 4.0 - 5 speed auto with 265/70/16 Michelin tires and have towed a 6x12 to MS from South TX and back again. The trailer was packed to the gills as well as the bed (I have a cap) along with the access cab portion of the truck. Once upon a time in the mid 70's while in college I worked for United Van Lines during spring break and summers, so I know how to pack it to the gills. Anyway, I towed in a lower gear and allowed a lot of braking time. Only came close once in Baton Rouge heading east and coming down off the bridge that crosses the Mississippi River and traffic suddenly came to an abrupt hault. I was braking hard and dropping two more gears. Otherwise the trip there was uneventful. When I left MS three years later I planned my departure so I would hit Baton Rouge well past rush hour traffic. Same with Houston, I rolled through there at 3 AM.

I didn't drive fast, usually at or just below the posted speed limit. My mileage in LA & MS was about 15 mpg. In TX it was lower about 13 - 14 mpg - head wind. There was a lot of flat land with some hills in MS. As @Marshall R pointed out, if going through mountains 2nd or 3rd for climbing or decending is highly recommended. When I went through that area right after I retired, I used 2nd and 3rd gear alot and I wasn't towing anything. Speaking of brakes, I would suggest fresh brake fluid. I just did the gravity feed/bleed method and that fresh fluid does make a difference.

I'm not sure when your trip is, but as hot as it is now I'd be thinking about driving during the cooler part of the day or even at night.

Here's a link to a thread on aftermarket transmision coolers. Even though my truck had the stock cooler, I replaced it with the Long Tru-Cool LPD 4454. My post is # 118 but please read the entire thread. One other thing you might want to consider is something to monitor the transmission fluid temperature. I started with an OBD2 reader and a phone app, but have since gone with the ScanGauge2. The OBD2 with the phone app is very inexpensive, but will require a PID or two in order to monitor the temperature of the trans fluid - pan and torque converter.

Good luck with your trip and kudos to you for prepping for the haul.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-toyotas-write-up-with-many-pictures.526283/

 

I would be driving from the Tampa area to Chicago, so about 1250 miles or so. It's mostly flat except for the Chattanooga area in TN and the area around Cave City, KY. I could route around the FL Panhandle and come up I-65 north as opposed to I-75 but that would add an extra 200 miles.

Thanks. I would be driving from Tampa to Chicago. I do have an OBD2 reader and can and will monitor the transmission temperature. I debated getting a ScanGuage but ultimately went another route.

Since we are on that, what is the difference between the AT1 and AT2 PIDs? I used AT1 when checking my fluid level in the transmission.

I have to admit, I have done a lot of maintenance on the truck over the past 3 years and 100k miles but the only thing I ever did to the brake system was siphon out the fluid from the reservoir and replace it with new stuff. I'm due to replace the fluid in the lines, but every time I considered it, I just finished another repair and didn't want to risk breaking a bleeder screw at the time.

 

About 4 years ago we towed our RZR from Arizona to Utah in the middle of August, about 500 miles each way. Total weight about 3000 lbs and never missed a beat. Mileage wasn't great as approx 90% of the time I was in 4th. Only times it ever saw D was on any downhill grade.

 

I’ll try to keep it short.

You will be fine, you and the 4R probably won’t enjoy it. But it will be fine.
Your brakes will be fine, the U-haul trailer has a surge brake.
Towing in 4th is safer if you don’t know how to use your gears.

Can you tow in 5th? Yes.

Should You? Not always.

When should you not tow in 5th?
When the torque converter continuously locks and unlocks.
Or when it continuously shift between 4th and 5th.

Converter temps are always higher.
Pan temps give a better idea of the the over all temperatures of the fluid.

 

As @TnShooter said the converter will run hotter. On my phone app I set AT1 for the pan and AT2 for the converter. Not sure what device or which PID you're using, but if you used AT1 to check the level then most likely it's the pan temp. I noticed that you're in Chicago so breaking a bleeder screw is a possibility. I sprayed mine with some PB a couple of times before attempting to crack them. Once cracked, I hit them with brake cleaner before starting the actual flush. The gravity method was breeze and worked like a champ.

 

Not this truck but another time the belt tensioner pulley overheated, fused and exploded the tensioner leaving me stranded for the weekend. I’d change out the $30 pulley (go oe) before it decides to do the same thing and take out the $130 tensioner assembly. Maybe carry the original pulley as a spare. That was the only thing that fucked me. Good luck! Oh, one more thing… slap a Trans-go shift kit into that Bitch, too.https://transgo.com/product-details/a340-shift-kit/

 

I appreciate this post, especially the comment about 5th gear. I believe that I am a bit more sophisticated than the average driver when it comes to shifting. With that said, I would definitely be monitoring the pan temps during the drive. I made a few attempts to drive in 4 yesterday on the highway and you can feel and hear the engine at those higher RPMs even at 60, let alone 65. I have experienced that during hill climbs and declines but never over a 20+ hour, 1250 mile drive.

Maybe my hesitation is less on whether the truck can do it as opposed to does it makes sense to do it. From a straight cost perspective, with potential wear and tear aside, using my truck is the least expensive route. With the truck running great after the head gasket repair and a successful 3000 mile road trip, I'm not sure whether these are the kind of miles I want to use the truck for.

I'm sure my thoughts or opinions would be different if I could experience pulling a similar load over a shorter distance for my 1st attempt.

We will see. I have a few weeks to make a final decision.

 

You had to bring the tensioner and pulleys up. . I think about those a lot after I broke all the rules when I did my head gasket repair and didn't replace a single one.