Towing With a 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner on Fox 2.5 Suspension
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- I tow a camping trailer with my 2021 4Runner with Fox 2.5 DSC Suspension. Watch as I give my thoughts on how well a 4Runner tows!
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See my next video: Towing with 35s!
• Towing With a 5th Gen ...
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My wife and I traveled almost 35000 miles with our 3200 lbs trailer and 2019 TRD pro so far and our experience has been acceptable. Yes it’s slow up the hill but it goes everywhere. We did Titon pass and Rocky with no problem. We installed Blue ox weight distribution and it helps a lot to keep the car level. The reason we are not using regular truck is , we love this monster for off road adventure. It’s unstoppable and reliable and it doesn’t disappoint. My point is if you are using 4Runner only for towing you have cheaper and better options.
Dang that’s a lot of miles.
What kind of trailer?
I agree. I bought it for the Offroad use. And then just to tow occasionally. Thanks for the comment!
We have 17f Northland. It’s small and not well designed air resistance wise. But we worked a lot on it and by keeping consistent 60 miles per hour we make our travel safe and enjoyable.
Did you install airbags or Overland Springs on the rear? I have a Pro too, and it squats even just towing a 2000 lbs trailer
@@toddcraft6919 I only use ox Weight distribution. My trailer is not over 3500 lbs. and by leveling I get exact 450 to 500 lbs on hitch. My trailer is one axle. I towed many miles even without WD. The truck wasn’t perfectly level but it was fine. No confusion on steering.
The 4R is actually pre-wired for a trailer brake. It's up under the dash at the top of the fuse panel. There's a wiring harness plug. Then you just need the $15 adapter cable.
Thanks for the info! I’ll have to see if I can locate it.
@@DBCoffroad there is a couple of videos on RUclips check out Vikings Garage
@@DBCoffroad lookup the redarc, mounts hidden and uses a single knockout in your dash for the knob.
@@ChrisJones1974 I actually purchased the Redarc and installed it today. Great suggestion! Thanks
All the toyota 2000 up I believe come from the dealer with pig tails for a brake controler.controller. it's in the glove box with the manuals.
Towing with my 2017 SR5 4Runner actually does exceptional well. I always heard 4Runners are build on a truck chasis. I tell you what having a performance towing ECM tune has defiantly help trendmously with pulling even my heavy RV travel trailer at 21 feet approximately 8,000 lbs. I know I know you will say the 4Runner are only rated for 5,000 lbs towing capacity. I disagree and have mine nicely setup to tow and handle the weight. #ECM Tune, Airlift Airbag and SumoSpring SSR-623-47 | SumoSprings Rear soon to installed. I even have a electric brake controlled installed Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Electric Brake Controller Control Module Trailer Brakes Towing Kit Box System Truck Car SUV 90195
Thanks for talking on towing specs. I will keep that in mind if I ever tow anything with my 4runner.
Thanks for watching!
Get some firestone airbags and it will help with stability and you will have no major issues towing. I tow across the country with the 4runner on airbags and an electronic brake controller without issue.
👍🏻
what and how much are you towing Johnny?
I tow a 6ft x 12 ft cargo Dual axel trailer loaded to about max weight.
Thank you so much!! I was worried about getting something like the NuCamp T@b 400 but I saw from your video and others that towed with a 4Runner and said the same thing. Impressive 4Runners
You’re welcome!
Although the power issue is something you cant really do much about there are a few things that can make the towing more enjoyable and safer. The one thing I noticed was the absence of a weight distribution hitch which could alleviate the squatting in the 4runner. Also adding bigger tires also affects the way the car handles (sometimes not for the better). I know you used the blue tooth brake controller but I would be cautious using those because of the chance of loosing connectivity.
Hey thanks for watching!
Yea I ended up getting a weight distribution hitch and filmed another video. I was kind of risking it with how I level the 4Runner was. Kind of dumb.
The one think I will say about the larger 33” tires is they had a higher load rating and stiffer sidewall than the stock tires. So when filled to max load PSI they worked great.
I also agree about the Bluetooth brake controller. It was an easy fix in a pinch. I ended up getting the Red Arc brake controller and it’s amazing.
Thanks for the feedback!
This was helpful. Adjustable low/high speed shocks with heavier springs might help. With 33" tires and that extra weight, a regear to maybe 4.56 would prove to be helpful as well as improve gas mileage. Thanks.
Glad it helped!
@dbc offroad, your 4Runner is wired for brake controller it’s just hidden. The wire is tucked up under your 4Runner on the drivers side
I found it! I installed the Red Arc brake controller which uses that plug n play port. Thanks!
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.
Adding Tembren SES bump stops will make a huge difference
I've heard those and Sumo Springs are really good. Thanks for the comment!
Great video i pick my 4Runner up around the 9th of September and this video and the video on the bilstien shocks are great!
Thank you!
How do you like your 4runner ?
@@Zenergist love it still. I put the Eibach pro suspension on it and have 285’s under it with out cutting or rubbing.
@@Zenergist love it the Eibach stage 2r with the adjustable load leveling kit from them is awesome worth the money.
When I towed my 2500# boat home I used my dads 2022 Ford Edge with a turbo 4cyl and it actually pulled it much better than my 2014 4Runner on 285s
That was my first time towing with it and was a little disappointed but then again his Ford has already been to the dealer twice for repairs (only 5200km) and my 4R with 250,000km has never seen the dealer since new, so I guess you win some and you lose some lol
Yea. I suppose there is no perfect vehicle. Just depends on what you are willing to put up with.
I tow a Forest River Wolf Pup, 3900# GVWR but more with double batteries and propanes, provisions, gear etc. I went to an equalizer hitch right away. It tows easily on the flats, Rocky Mountains are a challenge but OK, headwinds and cross winds are the worst. Get it out of “D” and never use it. Standard tires. No concerns, no drama.
Sounds like you found the sweet spot then. When you use the Select Shift instead of just Drive, does it shift correctly every time you change gears? I've found my 4R tends to still override the manual gear selection and pick its own gear. Thanks!
The weak spot on a Gen5 4Runner is the transmission settings, which the dealer will not adjust for you- it upshifts too soon and downshifts too late, all for gas mileage regulations, EPA etc. The engine is solid but you can overload the transmission towing because of this. Pull it out of Drive and disable the tendency to have it constantly seeking overdrive and lugging the power train. Gears 2-4 shift well enough but if you see a steep hill coming, you are best to manually shift down to preserve your rpm and power band, instead of the SUV doing to halfway up the hill.
@@maxcontax Thanks for the info! Good stuff.
Very glad you took the time to post this RUclips, it’s a good place for all of us to learn and share. Towing a travel trailer with a 4Runner can be done no question, just say goodbye to fuel economy and let the motor do its work by using the gears!
@@maxcontax Thanks for the feedback! Total agree. Bye Bye MPGs
Clean your MAF sensor to restore power. Huge difference at 82K on my 4Runner. 30K cleaning intervals for me now.
Good to know. Thanks!
Even if the phone disconnects the brakes still work based on the last settings
I figured there was a fail safe. Thanks!
Do people really expect to tow a house with a midsize suv and not feel it ?
I think the fact this vehicle can pull itself + house up a grade at 65+ mph is absolutely insanely impressive.
A small house. With wheels.
And you never know until you try. 🤷🏻♂️
I don’t hate towing with it. For short around town things it’s okay. Long haul I wouldn’t. I’d rather have a bigger truck
Agreed. Trucks will always be better.
I was going to buy a 4-Runner but reconsidered because of towing capacity.
It could tow max 3,000 lbs trailer: 3,000 + 350 tongue + 300 water + 350 passengers = 4,000. Plus elevation and foods.
Yea. There are better options for towing. What else were you considering buying? Any of the midsize trucks will tow better.
I towed easily with a Nissan Armada, equipped for towing AND $52k new, much less than competitors that tow less like GX, and I’d take it over a Tahoe (which costs more).
I added the REDARC to my 4R, for few times I’ll do light towing.
Rated while running oem 31 inch tires. Big difference.
What difference are you referring to?
@@DBCoffroadhe means the 5000lb towing capacity is while running factory size tires. You are running 33” tires therefore drops your towing capacity. That’s not even including lift kit.
The sumo springs will make a huge difference when towing with the 4 runner.
Good to know. Have you tried them?
Very helpful summary
Listen to that v6 pur 😂 sounds like days of thunder 😂
Haha!
I tow a 24 foot trailer with an 18 foot full size van. I do have a weight distribution hitch with an anti sway bar. I also added rear overload leaf springs to help with the tongue weight. Ideally, you want the front and back of the tow vehicle to be at the same height within a half inch as without the trailer attached.
I just acquired a 2003 4wd V8 4Runner and will NOT tow the trailer with it. IMO, the 4Runner is too short coming in at about 15 feet long.
Totally agree.
There are definitely better rigs to tow. Thanks for watching!
I own a 2003 4runner with the 4.7 v8 and it allows you to be able to tow 500 more pounds of weight compared to the v6 versions.
@@shanemccain7107 I just came home from a three day camping trip this afternoon with the 4Runner. I'm slowly getting a feel for what it can do. I climbed a pretty steep dirt/rock path and drove through some really soft sand. It handled both without a hickup, probably because I kept the stock size AT tires.
@2-old-Forthischet I found your channel because I was looking into what people had to say about towing a camper with a 4runner because all I've ever towed with the 2 I have is our pontoon and bass boat and it's like I'm not towing anything, I can't really tell that I'm pulling anything with either of our 4runners. Mine is the v8 and the wife has a newer v6. The pontoon is a 28 foot tri toon with a double axle trailer, as far as trail riding I started a long time ago with a 1989 Toyota v6 4x4 pickup and slowly worked my way up harder and harder trails and have been spoiled by how much comfortable the 4runners are and just love how versatile of a vehicle the 4runner is. I watched some more of your video's and I'm thinking of getting a super charger for the wife's v6 4runner to help it with power but the way fuel price's are I don't know if it's worth it because of having to run high test fuel after installing it, I didn't know you had to switch fuels until looking into purchasing one. But keep up the great content.
@@shanemccain7107 I had a 16 foot cuddy cabin Arima and when towing it with my van, like you say, it was like nothing was back there. I had the boat trailer extended about two feet on the tongue for better control and to keep the van's rear tires out of the water.
The 4Runner with a V8 is rated at 5000 pounds towing. My 22 foot travel trailer is just under that weight but what I'm not comfortable with is how the hitch is attached on the 4Runner. It's just held on by four bolts on the bumper cross member and not to the frame rails
Super super informative ❤
Thanks!
Looks like it's going to pop a wheelie. A bluetooth brake controller for the trailer. Is that safe ? Why doesn't the 4 Runner have a brake controller ? I thought it was rated at 5000 lb.
Bluetooth was temporary. I'd be worried about it possibly disconnecting though. RedArc makes the wired one which is the best option. It is rated at 5000 lbs. Some manufacturers just don't have a factory brake controller even though they rate their vehicles to tow.
@@DBCoffroad Good to know. I'm sure there is an after-market add-on. If I get a 4 Runner I would buy used, get two-tone leather seats, a 14 inch infotainment system, and birds-eye-view. The base vehicle is awesome but the interior is not up to modern standards. It doesn't cost that much to mod it though to get what you want. In 2024 people want to get in, plop their iPhone down on the wireless charger, and wirelessly connect to Apple CarPlay. With the 4 Runner you have to plug it in which wears out the lightning connector on your phone plus ugly cables all over the place.
Load bars and redistribute the weight inside of the camper will be alot better, id keep the tongue weight close to recommended specs. Pull it dont carry it.
Agreed. I ended up getting a weight distribution hitch with a different trailer.
Best line I've ever heard with towing "Pull it, Don't carry it". Spot on! Thanks for watching.
Do you think an adjustable hitch would help that angle for towing? The normal hitch looks like it has to be holding upright for the trailer then the weight of course, causing it to squat. I’m looking at getting a boat, I have a 3rd Gen 4runner with 3” but skeptical on 4runner towing abilities with it being lifted
The adjustable up and down hitch won’t really do much to distribute the load. I’d get a Weight Distribution Hitch for anything you are going to tow with the 4Runner. It’s the most stable and helps with sway. Thanks for watching.
Wonder how much difference 4.10 gears and airbags in the rear would make, or maybe 4.56 gearing for the larger tires and towing?
I actually regeared to 4.88s and put 35s on and then towed again. ruclips.net/video/rN4ZEs5EGeM/видео.html
It tows better with a regear. I'd definitely recommend the regearing even if you don't tow. Maybe 4.10 or 4.56 for 33s though. Thanks for watching!
Why on earth do you not have a weight distribution hitch
Didn’t have one at the time. I have one now. 😉
Isn't the break system built into the 4runner?
No, you have to buy a separate brake controller.
make sure you have a trans cooler if you don't already have one
Yea I bought a scan gauge to monitor trans temps. It’s kind of disappointing that Toyota didn’t equip them from the factory.
Used the sport shift for up hill 👏🏻👏🏻👋🏻👋🏻
Sport Shift?
@@DBCoffroad sport mode
@@zeuth_Sengsou there’s a Sport Mode on the 5th Gen 4Runner? How do you access this?!?!?
@@DBCoffroad
I think it 👋🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I wound up with the redarc brake controller. I got 33’s with bilstein all around with the HD coils in the back and just put OME 2600/3600 in the front? +100lbs? Range is an issue. Weight distribution hitch with sway control is a must.
Sounds like a solid setup. What MPGs are you seeing towing?
@@DBCoffroad 10.7 if I’m not fighting the wind or uphill. 9 if I am.
@@supersymun that’s pretty decent to me. Even trucks with heavy loads will get below 10. Looks like you found the right balance 🤘🏻
A set of dobinson springs and struts all the way around and it will not say anymore.
Are you running Dobinsons? I’m curious how they handle. Thanks for the suggestion.
Great video. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
I just watched a video and this guy added Firestone air bags , oil cooler on front ( not sure what that is 😂) & weight distributing hitch with anti sway control. My engine is a dog I need to do something with it any suggestions I have 2015 Toyota 4 runner
What do you tow?
The “oil cooler” was to keep the oil temps down or the transmissions temps down when towing.
There isn’t a whole lot you can do to add much power. An air intake and exhaust will help a little. There are tuners out there that can do a tune. I’d start there. If you want to waste a lot of money get a supercharger. Haha.
OTT tune
Did you tow in 3rd gear or did you allow overdrive. Im going to tow a car on a uhaul trailer later. Thats why im asking.
It wouldn’t stay in 3rd. I just left it in auto and let the transmission do it’s thing.
37 sec to get to 60 mph ? I thought the 4R could tow
It can, just not fast uphill.
@@DBCoffroad From the videos I've seen it looks like it is rated for 5000 lb but most people say don't go above 3000 lb. That is fine, I'm only looking to tow a few snow mobiles anyway.
Do you have a trans temp gauge do it overheat a bit ?
I just recently installed a Scan Guage 2 so I can monitor the temps.
I didn't have any issues, but I don't know if it got hot or not.
I'm going to make another video soon towing with my Supercharger and see if it changes the Trans Temps.
Thanks for watching!
Have you considered a weight distribution system?
I have. I got one for my second trailer and made another video. It’s really a necessary component to towing. Thanks for the suggestion though. 🤘🏻
@@DBCoffroad I just watched your updated tow video and realized you did! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
@@Allyoucaneatmeat hey thanks for watching the videos!
I honestly don’t understand why you would beat on your truck like that (the 0-60 horror). Aren’t you proud of it? Don’t you want to take care of it?
To each their own good sir. Everyone does something different with their vehicles.
I like to modify, experiment and test.
If you really want to see horror go look up Whistlin Diesel. 😉
@@DBCoffroadwhistling diesel is an idiot . Lol he irritates me so bad. Haha You sir are a wealth of knowledge. For educational purposes you showed us what the 4 runner does. I moved to Georgia hauling a u haul trailer. It did the same thing with a 6x12 I agree with what you said. A couple more gears would be nice. It was a one time thing for me. I don’t tow at all usually. But if I did I’d use a different tow vehicle. That’s just me. Thank you for your knowledge and help 😊
@@deanm2774 thanks for the compliments 🤘🏻
What’s the rush?
The 0-60 test has a lot more practicality than some may realize.
Example: merging onto a freeway with an on-ramp that has an incline. You have to get up to speed (65mph+) as fast as possible in a short distance.
What phone mount do you have?
Just some cheap one I found on Amazon.
I wouldn't exceed 55MPH with that load, personally.
Why’s that?
@@DBCoffroad Well, for starters, aren't those things only rated to 55? And isn't it the law as well? And last, out of an abundance of caution. Wrecking with a trailer would be an absolute nightmare. The risk/reward ratio of going fast isn't worth it, IMO.
33" tires and acceleration will kill it. engineers know better thats why they did 32" tires for that very reason. if you put stock size on you will have issues. its night and day on my truck
The stock tires cause issues?
That’s what I asked
I am thinking that was a typo as it made no sense 😊
That is one gutless vehicle. My old Frontier would easily pull that trailer. I know they have a good reputation but come on people. This thing is way over priced for so many reasons. Just can’t justify spending the money people want for this reliable old vehicle
🤷🏻♂️
Dumb comparison. Frontier has a longer wheel base with leaf springs. Pickup trucks have always had a higher tow rating
That’s how you cook a Toyota. SMH. Take a glance in the manual and follow instructions best you can if you want to tow for a long time. Otherwise in no more than 6 months it’ll be junk.
But I thought Toyotas lasted forever…
I mean did you have one that it happened too? Or are u just taking out of your a$$?
I tow my 4500 pound trailer with my 04 forerunner V8 no problem
The 320 ft lbs of torque might be the answer. The V8 definitely has more grunt than the current V6. Thanks for watching!