Towing with a 2000 4runner

[phenom_1819]

In case anybody cares, I tried towing my X22 with my 4runner over the weekend (had used a Suburban when towing previously).   I have been told by pretty much everybody that a 4runner would pull an Epic just fine. (Which is true, over flat ground, not exceeding speeds over 60 mph).

My car, even with the supercharger, exhaust and intake (rated at 280 hp), was running pretty hard to keep the boat at 60.  I ran it for about 30 miles.  I wouldn't recommend pulling for more than 50 miles on flat ground with the V6.

The rear suspension was pretty well maxxed, though it wasn't to a point that it was a problem.  The car did shimmy pretty badly at highway speed (assuming because of the short wheel base).

So, if anybody is expecting to pull an Epic over mountain passes with a V6, be careful.  

I'm going with the parents' truck for road trips.  The 4runner for running around the town.

Hopefully this helps somebody...
-Cal

[cyclone]

Towing usually isn't the problem, it's STOPPING that's the problem! Actually, NOT stopping

[toyotafreak]

Cal, since you got such a good deal on your Epic (as compared to a new SAN, BU or MC), you should be able to afford to put spinners on your new Escalade with the Banks blower.

(just talking out my culo like usual)


Dude, our Sequoia struggles, and even though we don't have the blower (that would be too sweet), we do have the K&N FIPK and the TRD cat-back. I wish we had more HP and torque, but the thing does pretty well up the hills.

Like a wise guy just said on wakeworld...."there's no replacement for displacement."

Bes be saving up for the V-8 4Runner ;-)

[phenom_1819]

I'm way too attatched to my 4runner to sell it.  No Escalade's for me...  Plus, pricewise- might be a little out of my range...

As for the spinners, I did notice that G.I. Joe's up here in Seattle has some SWEEEET spinner wheel covers on sale for $30/set.  

I know what you're thinking right now...it's spendy, I know.  But imagine how good that trailer would look in motion (when it's really standing still!!! Crazy, isn't it?).

And if I'm really feelin' up to it, I might invest in a second set for the 4runner.  Could look pretty sweet?!?!

I couldn't find them on the GI Joe's website, but here's a sampling of those available:
http://www.truckxpressions.com/accessorygateways/spinning_rim.htm

-Cal

[lakerats247]

A supercharger and you still can't tow it?

My '98 V6 (4x4) pulls it alright as long as the overdrive (automatic tranny) is off. Try using a different hitch. It's all about tongue weight. The suspension bottoms out like a fat girl on a moped, but the same goes with my better half's Tacoma. He has bilsteins and a six inch lift. The only perf. mod he has is the borla exhaust, and his 5 speed can pull anything, even with factory gears. Must be nice.

As for the V8 4runner, isn't it the same 240hp as the V6? I'd rather keep my 4Runner and get that Yamaha Tundra Quad cab!

[phenom_1819]

Alright everybody...get ready to make fun of the new guy (me, of course)!  

I think your point about the weight distribution/trailer hitch height is exactly the problem.  Plus...I noticed a few things this weekend that may have affected the handling...

#1- apparently I left the ballast fill-valve open while running the boat a few weeks back.  While digging through the trunk, I noticed I've been running the boat around with the ballast about 1/3 full...

#2- I looked at a picture of the boat hooked up to my 4runner, and the trailer ball was obviously too low.  The front axle of my trailer was pretty well extended, while the back axle had room.  So...I need to go give it another try now that I've got this thing figured out.

#3- I haven't installed the spinner wheel-covers yet.  (j/k.)

I'm gonna go drive around some night this week, and I'll re-post.  

ONE MORE STUPID QUESTION:
I can't figure out the settings on the trailer. Would somebody mind letting me know what the three settings mean (release, lock, etc...or whatever they say)?

When putting the boat on the last time, i couldn't figure it out...so just cranked the boat on manually.  Not ideal, I know.

Thanks,
Cal

[toyotafreak]

The V-8 in the new ('03 and better) 4Runner is the same 4.7L that's in the Sequoia. HP might be the same, but surely more torquey.

The latch dealy-yo on the trailer allows you to set a trap that the bow eye of the boat will trip when you stick it up in there on the launch ramp. In this way the tow truck driver doesn't have to get out of the truck when the tow boat driver pulls in.

I personally don't us it like that - I use the strap and an eyeball. If you rely on the auto-catcher trap springer/stabber, and lift the boat without snugging with the strap....the pin thingy is under load of the bow eye and wears. You'll understand after you play with it.

Ps. I tow the boat around some times (to gas station, to move the boat, etc.) with the third and oldest of our three Toyota's...the '95 hilux 2x4 short-bed, standard cab, 22RE 4-cylinder five speed. Even though it's got helper springs, it's like the La Bamba car when the boats hangin off it. And I get to listen to music from the clutch (original one @140K). Have to take a picture of that sometime.

[phenom_1819]

Do you know what the different settings on the latch-deal-yo do?  (I say we make this the official name for it)

I think there is one that says release, one that says lock, and one that says retrieve...or something like that (I hate that my boat is in storage).  I remember it seemed like a no-brainer, but for some reason, this no-brainer rookie boat-owner couldn't figure it out.  Glad I consider myself a pretty technically-inclined person.  

I know exactly what you're talking about with the bow eye wear...mine already has it...the previous owner trailered it with every use (he used to run from Orange County to Lake Elsinor, which I believe is your stomping grounds, Derek? I think I read that somewhere on this forum...)

You're hardcore, man. Breakin out the 22re.  I need to stop my bitching about my s/c V6 (or just figure out how to actually trailer a boat).  

Have I mentioned how much I love this forum? But, Pete, my boss has a complaint. He requested you make the forum available only between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.  

Pete- you're my hero.

-Cal

[lakerats247]

The "thingy whopper", a.k.a. quick latch or boat buddy, has three settings, one is "set" which is open,  "closed", which is what is suppose to happen when the bow touches the spring loaded mechanism, and "safety", which you are suppose to set it to when you pull out of the water, provided that the damn thing works  

[toyotafreak]

....and yeah, OD off is important. You've got to let it rev.

When I towed up the Grapevine loaded with camping gear, I stuck it in second and pulled like 4000-4500 and 50-55 mph. Could've got faster for sure, but really, I doubt that the small-displacement V-8s have issues with that kind of RPM.

Now, it might be rough on the tranny, but that's what Mobil 1 synthetic ATF is for ;-)

[phenom_1819]

Okay, after I got it all figured out (the ballast emptied, the trailer ball raised), my 4runner tows just fine.  It was the collection of things, combined with the soft Toyota suspension, that was the problem, I think.

Here's the rundown of my car's performance:
Was able to tow comfortably at 68-70 mph over level ground (OD off, ECT power on).
Climbing a 12% grade, I had no problem maintaining 45 mph without significant strain on the engine, RPM's were at about 3700 (in 2nd gear, OD off, ECT on).

As for the trailer shimmying, I found something else that would explain:  the tire pressure on the right side was at 25 lbs, while the left side was at 45 lbs.  

Also, Pete's right about the stopping thing.  Wow... is there any way to up the sensitivity of the trailer's braking system?

Overall, towed nearly as well as the Suburban. No problem taking towing with the 4runner for road trips.  I'm going to look into getting some rear suspension air bags, though...has anybody installed these?  I was looking at the Air Lift "Outback Special (model 1000 bags, with compressor).  Anybody have thoughts on these?  Seem pretty reasonably priced, around $200.  How difficult (or expensive) is the install?

Thanks!
-Cal

[toyotafreak]

We've gotta put bags on the Sequoia too. Was looking at the ride Rite bags by Firestone, and hadn't decided whether to spring for the on-board pump or not. Might be smarter to spring for a better air compressor at home (mine is small and as old as me.)

Don't know about adjusting the trailer sensitivity. Suspect if you call Ameritrail @ (407) 892-1100, you'll get an answer like "you really don't want to take such a move lightly because it could reduce the stability of the rig..."

Maybe you should try replacing/bleeding the trailer's brake fluid. Could be that there's air in the system or low fluid, and the PM schedule says change fluid yearly (yeah right.)