Towing your S14

[anthony240]

I just got a 99 4runner, and I'm contemplating towing my car to some track days if they're too far. My 4runner's towing is rated at 5000lbs. For those who have towed S14s in particular, what is the approximate weight? What trailer did you use?

I beleive S14s weighed in about 2700lbs give or take. How heavy do trailers get?

[DJPimpFlex]

most trailers are around 1k for an open one (like ones youde rent). Your car should be just fine towing, just make sure you have a class III or better hitch and good straps ect ect ect.

[crashdrive]

i town my car to the track with my 1997 4runner from san diego to willow springs.you'll be fine


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/crashdrive/my%20car/July-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/crashdrive/my%20car/July01-1.jpg

[silvia_s14]

my dads toyota 4runner only gets like 10mpg when we tow my bros evo 8 to the tracks and my 240 gets around the same.

[slideways2004]

i'm in the same exact boat except i haven't bought the 4runner yet. i need something i can dailydrive and tow. so far, teh research says the 4runner can pull a trailer+ s14. just gotta be carefull, and upgrade brake pads and add a tranny cooler.

[DJPimpFlex]

^if you have a gay ass auto tranny then yes.....

[slideways2004]

^if you have a gay ass auto tranny then yes.....

i have only seen 1 manual 4runner and it was 4 cyl. base model

[92FireCoupe]

I'm not sure of your current set up, how low, body kit, etc... but a tow dollie would greatly reduce the weight... They allow you to put the front tires on a dollie, strap them to it, and use the rear wheels of your car to tow it. We have one and it works out great. I am not sure how it would pull at interstate speeds, but i'm sure if you use your head you'll be golden...

[anthony240]

sounds good thanks for the replies.

[g6civcx]

The best way is to tow with all wheels off the ground. Towing with the rear wheels on the ground is very dangerous because of the risk of heating up the gearbox and starting a fire. There has been documented cases of this happening, especially at freeway speeds. If there is any dispute, I will post reference pictures.

If you still insist on doing it this way, you must disconnect the propeller shaft so the rear wheels don't turn the gearbox.


Please consult expert opinions and do not go off of an Internet message board on this matter.

http://g6civcx.angryhosting.com/S13/Tech/Towing.jpg

[Ian]

Don't forget that an S14 is substantially heavier than an AE86...

But you should be OK...Just don't go too fast or anything

[jmauld]

My trailer manufacturer told me that my full deck 16' trailer weighed around 1700lbs. My car weights 2800lbs and I probably carry another 300-500lbs of equipment.

I tow with a '04 4runner (V8 and AWD) and it does great with this load. It has a 7000lb towing capacity though.

I get around 13mpg. I have brakes on both trailer axles and a prodigy brake controller in the 4Runner. That setup will stop really well when needed.

[CleanS14]

So you did get that runner huh... did you still want these pulleys? hahaha

[S13SilviaGirl]

It depends on where and how far you are towing. Remember that if you slam on the breaks, or are going down a hill, will the 4 runner be able to handle it? I would barely trust a Titan to pull a 240, let alone a 4 runner. If you want to tow, you need something substantial enough to controll the weight behind it. Not, trying to down on your 4 runner, they are great...my dad tows a lot(boats, old cars, he used to drive trucks for a livign) and taught me to never think about 'can it tow it?' yes, it could probably tow it...but you need to think of in that off chance that you need to stop 'is my load going to take over the vehicle that is towing it?'. Hope that helps you a little. To me...I would not tow a 240 and a trailer. Unless it was around the corner and not on the fwy.

[DJPimpFlex]

^I know what your saying, I was comming down the grape vine towing and yea....disconcerning to say the least, and my tow vechile is fuckin huge (ford E350). I just kept my distance from everyone, but if someone cut me off and slamed on the brakes, I'm fuxored, I cant stop for shit..lol.

[silvia_s14]

this is how i tow my 240
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c5/terribleone_t1/IMG_2417_1.jpg

[LB.Motoring]

becouse its a bare shell.....

this is how you tow a s14 :keke:

http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerofile/41625/SunDawg.JPG

[trsilvias13]

Add brake control , if you trailer have brakes, it would make towing 10000 times easier.

[anthony240]

Jay, sooner or later i'll buy those pulleys, just to get them off your hands!

I don't really wanna tow my s14 around. I'd really rather drive it. but sometimes it gets to the point where you get tired of the droning exhaust sound and the road noise. I need comfort.

I won't be doing anything fast. I KNOW my 4runner is underpowered. I was on some 4runner boards and tips included leaving overdrive off and ECT on. Gas mileage will suck but i'm prepared to make that sacrifice.

I'm gonna be pushing it but I beleive in the 4runner. I didn't get it to tow the s14 around, I got it mainly for snowboarding. If anything I can still put a TRD supercharger and make my problems go away.

[theicecreamdan]

why would you not trust a Titan to pull a 240 Lisa?

If I had to choose a "foreign" truck to pull with, I think I'd pick the Titan.

I could never picture my mom's 4-runner being able to pull anything. We had a v6 5 speed 4-runner. and it could barely pull itself on the highway. Find an older f series.

[projekt_s13]

i towed anthony's (downshift sideways) car with a 95 ford f150 v6 with only 4 speeds since the 5th keeps popping out, lol

I rented a uhaul autotransport it was like $50 per day, towed it from San Jose to Moraga. The truck pulled the 240 very easy, didnt have any problems. oh it was a S13 BTW.

[DJPimpFlex]

I towed his car with my e350 and it was fine...his cars a whore...lol

[S13SilviaGirl]

Dan, to me, they are too light weight. I guess I am used to my dad's "old school" ways when we were towing our boats or my horse and trailer.

[95Blue240sx]

Just drive the car damn you. You act like altamount is that far from your house. I dont see you going to any other track days lol. jk jk

If you want I might be able to get a playa price on a class 3 hitch from Hidden Hitch. You need to tow my car too, so get that super charger.

The engine in your 4runner is the same as my dads t100. Gas guzzler, its crap =\

[DJPimpFlex]

^its SOOO nice not to have to drive your track car to the track. You cant expect it to make it there and back after that thrashing your putting it through.

[theicecreamdan]

Dan, to me, they are too light weight. I guess I am used to my dad's "old school" ways when we were towing our boats or my horse and trailer.

I didn't know Titans were lightweight, they look pretty substantial.

I hate when I have to tow with anything besides the old ford with the gooseneck though. So easy and predictable. My horsees like my driving.

[Max_PSi]

5000lbs' sounds like a lot, but it really isn't.

You have to figure in the trailer, whatever gear you may have on you, yourself and whoever may be traveling with you. Fuel (in both vehicles). Everything adds up real fast.