Help with Correct Towing Procedure...

Hey all,

Used to tow with an Armada, and there was a TOW button I just had to flip on... with the 4Runner, theres no such thing so...

I've been searching around the forums and noticed some comments on towing in 4S all the time and not in D. So I wanted to throw this out there...

I'm towing a 6x12 Cargo Trailer, about 8.5' high. With trailer and contents i'm usually around 3700lbs. 90% is highway and there are a lot of large hills i'm going up and down on that trip.

I've always towed in 2wd and in D without issue... on level ground i'm usually around 70mph... going down a hill about 80mph to pickup some easy speed before going back up a hill which i let her slowly drop to about 55mpg to chug up the hills.

I just read that towing in D (overdrive) puts way to much stress on the drivetrain. And to ALWAYS drive is 4S. But at those speeds, wont that just pull the RPMs way to high?

I just got the Torque app going and see the tranny temp hit 230f on up-hill pulls but it doesnt go higher then that. Thats why I went searching to see what the average temp is for a tow.

FYI I just installed a P3 Brake Controller, have not used it yet so we'll see she feels now on braking.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

S4 is what you want to tow in. Can’t say what the consequences are if towing in D however.

 

I agree with towing in S4.

 

Towing is a strange topic, you'll get a handful of very passionate responses.

I tow in S4, because it's a 1:1 ratio and does utilized TC lockup. I'll bump into 5th occassionally, or if i'm towing something light and aerodymanic. However, is towing in 4th Gear is going to cause long term issues with the truck? You're running a higher RPM but you're not in an overdrive gear, so that's good for your transmission long term. The higher RPM will probably end up killing this motor faster. I'm willing to bet you'll only get 350,000 - 400,00 instead of 500,000 miles

 

I use S mode as well. In D, the transmission will be constantly downshifting. I leave it in S4 most of the time and bump it into S5 going downhill. You can also drop it in 3rd on inclines rather than waiting for the transmission to do it.

Don't worry about the RPM's. At 70 in S4, you're only at about 3K.

 

Bumping this thread instead of starting a new one.

I need to tow a 1990 Miata about 350km, will be over a couple mountain passes. Plan on renting a U-Haul car transporter so combined the two will weigh about 4200lbs. So if I understand this thread correctly, even from a dead stop I want to leave the tranny in S4? As well as when going up some steep passes?

 

You can leave it in S4 for the most part. But, I would drop into S3 when climbing. You'll be able to hear and feel the engine bog down before it downshifts on it's own. I usually just drop it a gear myself to make it easier on the transmission.

Also, I would definitely keep it at or below around 100 KM/HR (~60 MPH).

 

Thanks for the info. My plan is to keep to the right lane and take my time. I drove the same road in a Penske rental 5 ton when I moved a year ago and it was a slow slog up the hills but I made it lol.

 

Funny, we've got hundreds of 4Runners in my area and I've never seen one towing.

Most of the people that tow around here drive the big Ram diesel real man trucks.

S4 makes sense regarding not over stressing the transmission. Towing is probably addressed in the owners manual.

 

You're welcome!

They tow just fine if you take your time and have realistic expectations.

Due to newer emissions equipment, big diesel trucks don't make as much sense as they used to, unless you're towing something very large or heavy.

And, driving a big-ass diesel truck definitely doesn't make someone a real man. Just ask all of the guys in the super lifted diesels with smoke stacks who never tow or take them off-road.

I towed this recently without any trouble. 295's and stock gears.

 

What ever you have on your trailer there...it looks awesome and I want it

 

Thank you! It is awesome!

It's a project my Mom's boyfriend built. VW sand-rail frame/tiki bar. He's a creative fella!

 

I have no trouble pulling our trailer but it only weights about 1500lbs

 

I'm building a camper from this 6x12 trailer. Probably just over 2k lbs loaded up. I towed in S4 and kept to 65mph or slower. Towed fine. I did miss the manual of my FJ towing though

 

That trailer in the background is pretty sweet.

 

hey, thanks guys!
i am sure the towing question has come up 8457 times (this year alone) but for some of us "new-to-4runners", it was time to ask again....i for one am sure glad i saw this post because today i had to do some towing.

 

What did you tow? For fun, or for work?

 

i had to run my zero-turn mower over to the dealer for some service. my trailer is only rated for 3,500 gvrw...my kubota ute weighs 2,300lbs....it will be a load but the
dealer is only 2 miles away, not ten.