Towing through high passes?

Hello,

i have a 2021 trdor that I bought to tow a casita trailer (3500 gvwr, 2400 dry).
Today I realized that to get home we will be taking the i70 from Denver to Utah in a day. It takes us through vail pass and Eisenhower tunnels (11000 elevation, 6-7% grades. I’ve driven on 7-8% grades at similar elevations already so I know that my 4r is a little sluggish but capable on them but this was always not towing.

has anyone else taken this route 4runner through these passes and in particular while towing?

i had a transmission cooler installed and have a Tekonsha p2 brake controller. I plan to keep it in 2-3rd gear going down and 3-4 going up.
Anything else I should know or positive experiences to help soothe my anxiety about this drive?

 

It sounds like you did your homework!

I would just add to keep it under 65 MPH.

 

I’m nothing if not thorough but yes, I don’t plan to go over 65 on the flat lands, much less on mountains. I just wanna stay over 30 on that uphill and not roll backwards…

 

Lol!

You'll definitely have to work the motor in those hills. How big is that Casita? Those look like really nice trailers.

 

It’s a 17 ft fiber glass molded trailer so dry its 2400. Will probably have a few hundred lbs of water, propane and gear but will be under 3500lb loaded.

 

Nice! That should make a comfy base camp for your adventures! I'll be curious to hear how your experience is towing it.

 

Sounds like you're set up well between the tranny cooler and brake controller. Might be worth investing in an Ultra Gauge or some other method to monitor the tranny temp if you have time to get that figured out before the trip. Stay out of overdrive, maybe check to ensure your trailer is slightly nose-down, set your tire pressures high for the trailer and rear axle of the tow vehicle, and take your time. I've made the journey many times; enjoy the view and don't mind living in the right lane. You should be able to keep it above 30 the whole time easily.

 

Some sage advice. Thank you. Once brake fade is reached, it's too late to try recover overspeed and over tach using the brakes. Was fortunate enough to learn to drive a semi in the Rocky Mountain West, never witnessed a brake fire but have seen/smelled plenty of smoke coming from brakes (of all vehicle types) down these passes. If I recall correctly (been 3 decades), there was plenty of signage warning drivers of conditions and grades. Great to have a plan in place and be thinking of your upcoming drive. I'll be in the mix next week with our 4runner/camper trailer next week - heading to North Rim of the Grand Canyon via I 70. Looking forward to no " HURRIES no worries".

 

Which transmission cooler are you running?

 

I'm stealing this.

 

I probably should know the answer but honestly I went to a shop several of my friends all said was great and I trusted him. I’m not super into modification, just want to be able to get out into the boonies safely. We spent more time talking about my upgraded shocks and lift because that was more nuanced. I just said “biggest one you can fit” and he said “understood.”

 

thank you! I grew up in the mountains just never towing so I used to also game my transmission on hills to avoid braking.
I’m glad it’s going to be ok, just got a little nervous with all the other things to learn about towing and backing up a trailer I added “steep ass grade driving” to the mix.

Im going to reread your tips when it’s closer to the date and remember them

 

excellent and what I wanted to hear.

I’m in no rush, staying alive is priority and stopping often and enjoy the journey is my style.

 

Sounds like you've got a decent plan and the right issues in mind.

What are you going to do about rear squat? I tow a pop-up that weights 1500 dry and probably 2000 when really loaded up. I use a scale to set tongue weight right at 10% and still got serious squat from the 4R.

This make it dangerous and we too do a lot of mountain passes (Sierra Nevada) and long interstate runs. Steering was twitchy and anything other than the most gentle braking was not great in this condition.

I put helper airbags in the rear springs. Spent about $150 total and installed myself in about 90min.

Truck is dead stable at speed, on hills, through the twisties. I measure the ride height before packing, load up, inflate the bags until I get back to original ride height. I also up the rear tire pressure by 3psi or so.

This is WORTH doing for the trip you have planned.

Jason

 

A lot of great advice from others. And a great choice in the brake controller and transmission cooler.
And your knowledge and experience from driving the 70 will greatly help you tow a trailer up and over those passes.
The lower gear selections you mentioned are what you need to do it safely.

For myself lately in the past couple of years, I've been dragging a empty cargo trailer from MT. to So. Cal. via the I 15.
And returning back north with it loaded, sometimes in excess of 4,000 lbs.
Although the mtn. passes are only 4-6,000', a grade is a grade.
I drive it in S4-3 most of the time, even on the flats. Because it hunts way too much while in 5 or D.

The best to you Miss Z.


And to add because of Jasons post.
I have Air-Lift air bags on mine. It helps to bring the headlights back down to earth.

 

i don’t have the trailer yet, returning with it from the Texas factory to SoCal. But they will balance it for me there and we have an Anderson weight distribution hitch being installed at purchase. Hoping that and they new upgraded (not stock) shocks we added will get me home. My mechanic is having me bring trailer and 4r in when we return to determine if I need airbags or sumo springs.

Eta: I have the curt betterweigh calibrated and set up to use for tongue weight and measurements while on the road. Also bringing the compressor to maintain good tire pressure.