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4.6 without towing package tips

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Froghoppin, May 9, 2021.

  1. May 9, 2021 at 12:31 AM
    #1
    Froghoppin

    Froghoppin [OP] New Member

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    Hi all. I have a 2017 tundra 4.6 without a towing package. I added a prodigy p2 brake control. Is there anything else I should do for towing my travel trailer (3900lbs dry, 4800 fully loaded)?
     
  2. May 9, 2021 at 3:51 AM
    #2
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

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    You’re within specs. As long as you have all the correct connections, just tow it and see how it feels before spending money on anything else.
     
  3. May 9, 2021 at 4:26 AM
    #3
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    I would highly recommend retrofitting a transmission fluid cooler using Toyota parts and an aftermarket heat exchanger. It will cost you about $400 complete if you can do it yourself. Here's a DIY thread:

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/add...oler-to-your-4-6l-tundra-for-under-400.77739/
     
  4. May 9, 2021 at 12:50 PM
    #4
    Froghoppin

    Froghoppin [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. That’s kind of what I’ve been seeing. I’m going to call Toyota to see if they can do it. I am not mechanically inclined enough to do it myself.
     
  5. May 9, 2021 at 2:12 PM
    #5
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    The results are mixed on dealer installation.

    One or two owners have reported their dealer installed their cooler for them, but it was expensive at Toyota's hourly rate. Most dealers will not touch it because it will "void your warranty". That idea is stupid squared because the parts are the same ones used by Toyota on previous tow package models.

    If your dealer won't touch the installation, might sidle up to a tech and see if he would like some flat-rate moonlight work. That would be cheaper for sure. Mounting brackets for the aftermarket cooler are the biggest fab issue. Actual installation is not rocket science and it's not hard, you just have to keep everything clean while it's apart.
     
  6. May 10, 2021 at 1:39 AM
    #6
    Doug2000

    Doug2000 New Member

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    I had a 2019 4.6L for a bit. I found it ran too hot when monitoring with ScanGauge2. It consistently sat at 220F. I talked to the dealership and they said it was fine. I asked them for a price on a cooler kit and they came back at $1500.

    When I had my 2017 4Runner, the dealership told me and I also read on the forums that at 220F pay attention, 230F you should pull over.

    So after a summer of the 4.6L and probably 10MPG towing my 3100lbs trailer I traded for a 2017 5.7L with 20,000 miles. I found it wouldn’t hold 65MPH in fifth and in fourth, it was revving around 2600 RPM’s and drank the petrol.

    Picture is the 4.6L. I haven’t pulled with the 5.7L yet, the trailers still put away for the winter.

    B60F79AA-060D-4884-9EA8-56451B40D491.jpg
     
    300BLK likes this.
  7. May 10, 2021 at 6:03 AM
    #7
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    Sounds like your 4.6L had "heart problems". I didn't find a 3000 pound tow problematic power-wise, but my trailer loaded didn't have a large frontal area like a TT.

    That trailer looks about the same size as the one I towed (19') over the Davis mountains with a 1/4 ton 4Runner. :eek: (I was younger, dumber, and desperate.)

    That 22RE (120 hp?) couldn't hold 65 mph in the mountains either, but it was a manual transmission. I just kept slowing and downshifting until I found a gear that little four-banger could handle. It never overheated, and made it the 800 miles from Houston to El Paso. It continued to run well for another 30 years.
     
    socaltundra951 and Bammer like this.
  8. May 10, 2021 at 3:53 PM
    #8
    Froghoppin

    Froghoppin [OP] New Member

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    I found a local transmission place to get the cooler and install it. They quoted me $650 for the parts and installation. I'm thinking that's not a bad deal considering JohnLakeman said it would be a $400 dyi job. Thanks for the suggestions and tips. I'm a newbie to towing and want to keep my family safe.
     
    300BLK, Bammer and JohnLakeman like this.
  9. May 11, 2021 at 3:30 AM
    #9
    Bammer

    Bammer I'm disinclined to acquiesce your request.

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    Done and done right, good choice and best of luck ! :thumbsup:
     
  10. May 14, 2021 at 3:00 AM
    #10
    Doug2000

    Doug2000 New Member

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    My 2019 4.6L, the blue one above struggled with the wind resistance. I towed a Subaru Forester on a UHaul car deck at 5300 lbs and it was no problem at all, the travel trailer, more of a fight. The truck either wanted to do 55MPH in fourth which was too slow or 75MPH in fifth which was to fast.
     
  11. May 16, 2021 at 11:33 PM
    #11
    Froghoppin

    Froghoppin [OP] New Member

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    We took it out on a 120 mile adventure this weekend. It towed like a champ in 4th going 55-60. I dropped it down to 3rd for the hills. We averaged 10.8 mpg. I get the transmission cooler put on this Wednesday so we will venture a little farther after that. Thanks for the tips everyone. We were 4400 in the trailer and all was well on our first towing outing.
     
    Jaypown likes this.

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