Towing a horse trailer with 100 series

[izzy1256]

I'm new the forum, so apologies if this is the wrong place for this question. I'm considering whether or not my 2004 LC is sufficient to haul a 2H horse trailer. Anyone out there have experience using their 100 series to haul horses? I'm seeing wheelbase >120" as a strong suggestion for stability, but my vehicle is at 112". Otherwise all specs seem fine, 6500# towing capacity (enough for alum trailer + 1200 lb horse + tack/hay with buffer), factory hitch rated to 6500#. WDH (and brake controller?) would be on the list if I move forward. I'm most worried about the transmission and stopping ability. I live in a semi-hilly area, and would only haul locally - trips no more than 1.5 hrs one way

Vehicle has ~243,000 miles on it and running great

 

[80t0ylc]

I think you’ll be fine. Definitely install a brake controller (I’m assuming the trailer has brakes). Your mpg will suffer when towing, and keep up with the maintenance ie: brakes, atf and and other essential lubes.

 

[Broski]

Make sure to use the tow/haul feature

 

[izzy1256]

Make sure to use the tow/haul feature

What tow/haul feature are you referring to? I’m not aware of one on my vehicle

 

[izzy1256]

Update for anyone that happens to see this thread - I did end up purchasing a trailer a few months ago It’s approx 4,000lb fully loaded (including the horse), and I’ve had no issues at all so far. I do have a WDH and I had my mechanic install a brake controller for me

 

[Broski]

What tow/haul feature are you referring to? I’m not aware of one on my vehicle

Basically , it's the button that locks out overdrive. On my 2006 tundra it's on the end of the column shifter on my 94 80 LC it's on the side of the floor shifter.
I'm assuming the 100 has the same feature. This will help save the transmission.

 

[izzy1256]

Basically , it's the button that locks out overdrive. On my 2006 tundra it's on the end of the column shifter on my 94 80 LC it's on the side of the floor shifter.
I'm assuming the 100 has the same feature. This will help save the transmission.

What does the button look like? I’m not sure I have it. I’ve been towing in “4” instead of “D” because I read that that prevents it from going into overdrive. Sounds like that does the same thing as your button

 

[Broski]

On my Cruiser it’s on the left side of the tee handle and you push it with you thumb

 

[Living in the Past]

What does the button look like? I’m not sure I have it. I’ve been towing in “4” instead of “D” because I read that that prevents it from going into overdrive. Sounds like that does the same thing as your button

I haven't had a 100 series in over ten years. But the transmission shifter could lock OD out. There is another button on the dash that changes the transmission shift points to downshift at higher RPM. On my 2nd gen Sequoia the button is on the dash right side of the steering wheel. It's marked Tow Haul.

 

[nautiquelover]

The biggest thing your 100 series lacks in the towing department is a longer wheelbase. It should tow fine in shorter distances, but you are dealing with live animals that move while in a trailer so it's a bit different from hauling a static load.

 

[alia176]

I'd also install Air Lift or Firestone brand air bags inside the rear coil springs and pump them up to level out the tongue. This will prevent the rear from sagging due to a heavy tongue weight. When you're done towing deflate the bags down to 5 psi.

 

[izzy1256]

I haven't had a 100 series in over ten years. But the transmission shifter could lock OD out. There is another button on the dash that changes the transmission shift points to downshift at higher RPM. On my 2nd gen Sequoia the button is on the dash right side of the steering wheel. It's marked Tow Haul.

Thanks. I definitely don’t have a Tow/Haul button. Is this what the PWR button does?

 

[izzy1256]

I'd also install Air Lift or Firestone brand air bags inside the rear coil springs and pump them up to level out the tongue. This will prevent the rear from sagging due to a heavy tongue weight. When you're done towing deflate the bags down to 5 psi.

Agreed, I think I do need bags. It does want to squat a little. Would I need to go somewhere special, or should my regular mechanic be able to do them for me? i.e. how complicated is the install process lol

 

[Mrtube00]

Thanks. I definitely don’t have a Tow/Haul button. Is this what the PWR button does?

Agreed, I think I do need bags. It does want to squat a little. Would I need to go somewhere special, or should my regular mechanic be able to do them for me? i.e. how complicated is the install process lol

I would recommend adding a Brake Controller and Air Bags. Use caution up/down steep grades and curvy roads in mountainous areas.

 

[alia176]

Agreed, I think I do need bags. It does want to squat a little. Would I need to go somewhere special, or should my regular mechanic be able to do them for me? i.e. how complicated is the install process lol

Go here to get the correct kit for your vehicle, then purchase it through Amazon, for less than $100. Take the kit to your mechanic and have them install it or DIY. One thing worth noting is to keep the left bag separate from the right bag when it comes to the air lines. Some folks connect them together, but in my experience (I'm on my third SUV with these bags), it's best to keep the air lines separate, with two fill valves.

I'm not at equestrian by any means but I did date one for few years What I learned is that the more level you keep the trailer, the happier your horses will be and a bit more relaxed. If they're constantly pushing themselves away from the chest bar while driving, this will tire them out. Additionally, when the rear end of your 100 is trying to support a 400# tongue weight, it'll pogo stick a little bit over expansion joints and such. Having the air bags pumped up to the appropriate pressures will prevent this from happening. Horses also like a nice trailer suspension, but that's a different discussion! I did convince her to buy a single horse Brenderup horse trailer and her 4.7 engine 4Runner loves towing it.

 

[Living in the Past]

Thanks. I definitely don’t have a Tow/Haul button. Is this what the PWR button does?

That may be it. Sold my 100 series over ten years ago. Do you have the owners manual? Information should be in there. With electronic shift transmissions it changes how it shifts which is different then just locking out the OD. My 100 series was a 2000 and seems the PWR is how it was marked. Our 04 4Runner with a 4.7 and five speed does not have any button and has a gate shifter. Second generation Sequoia has the Drive then moves to a paddle shifter. Your 2004 would have come prewired for a brake controller. There would has also been a pigtail in the glovebox to plug into the factory wiring up front. Out 04 and 2018 4Runners as well as our 2010 Sequoia all had the pigtail in the glovebox. The 100 series didn't have the trailer brake controller wiring in 2000. A brake controller wound be a must. Part of the reason the 100 was sold and kept the 04 4Runner was kept. I have a car hauler that I use the brake controller. Both axles have electric brakes.

 

[izzy1256]

Go here to get the correct kit for your vehicle, then purchase it through Amazon, for less than $100. Take the kit to your mechanic and have them install it or DIY. One thing worth noting is to keep the left bag separate from the right bag when it comes to the air lines. Some folks connect them together, but in my experience (I'm on my third SUV with these bags), it's best to keep the air lines separate, with two fill valves.

I'm not at equestrian by any means but I did date one for few years What I learned is that the more level you keep the trailer, the happier your horses will be and a bit more relaxed. If they're constantly pushing themselves away from the chest bar while driving, this will tire them out. Additionally, when the rear end of your 100 is trying to support a 400# tongue weight, it'll pogo stick a little bit over expansion joints and such. Having the air bags pumped up to the appropriate pressures will prevent this from happening. Horses also like a nice trailer suspension, but that's a different discussion! I did convince her to buy a single horse Brenderup horse trailer and her 4.7 engine 4Runner loves towing it.

This is great info thank you!! Seems easy enough to get bags installed, I’ll double check with my mechanic to make sure they can do the job then order them.

I love the idea of Brenderups and other euro trailers but they’re so hard to find used! The trailer I ended up getting is small (no tack room) and light so that was my compromise lol. The girl I bought it from pulled it with her 4Runner for years

 

[izzy1256]

That may be it. Sold my 100 series over ten years ago. Do you have the owners manual? Information should be in there. With electronic shift transmissions it changes how it shifts which is different then just locking out the OD. My 100 series was a 2000 and seems the PWR is how it was marked. Our 04 4Runner with a 4.7 and five speed does not have any button and has a gate shifter. Second generation Sequoia has the Drive then moves to a paddle shifter. Your 2004 would have come prewired for a brake controller. There would has also been a pigtail in the glovebox to plug into the factory wiring up front. Out 04 and 2018 4Runners as well as our 2010 Sequoia all had the pigtail in the glovebox. The 100 series didn't have the trailer brake controller wiring in 2000. A brake controller wound be a must. Part of the reason the 100 was sold and kept the 04 4Runner was kept. I have a car hauler that I use the brake controller. Both axles have electric brakes.

I know the PWR button shifts the RPMs up, but wasn’t sure if that’s what the tow/haul feature also does. Here’s what I’m working with (please don’t judge the dirt, I track in a lot of filth from the barn lol):

So far I have been towing while in “4”, and read that I can enable PWR when going up hills for more torque (higher RPMs).

And absolutely on the brake controller I had one installed before I bought the trailer a few months back. I did in fact have a pre-wired harness available, under the driver side dash

 

[Living in the Past]

I know the PWR button shifts the RPMs up, but wasn’t sure if that’s what the tow/haul feature also does. Here’s what I’m working with (please don’t judge the dirt, I track in a lot of filth from the barn lol):

View attachment 3632732

So far I have been towing while in “4”, and read that I can enable PWR when going up hills for more torque (higher RPMs).

And absolutely on the brake controller I had one installed before I bought the trailer a few months back. I did in fact have a pre-wired harness available, under the driver side dash

That's it. The 2nd button is to lock out first gear. Helpful in certain situations when your stuck. If you don't have an owners manual I suggest getting one. My 100 series came with a very nice leather zipper pouch for all the manuals. I liked the pouch so much I ended buying other manuals off eBay to get the pouch. One of them was a 2001 LC manuals. 2000 manuals stayed with the LC. Along with tools and jack. Nothing like buying a used and finding a previous owner or dealer took those out. Early FJ40 had really nice tool rolls. Only once did I every buy one with the jack and tool roll still there.

 

[izzy1256]

That's it. The 2nd button is to lock out first gear. Helpful in certain situations when your stuck. If you don't have an owners manual I suggest getting one. My 100 series came with a very nice leather zipper pouch for all the manuals. I liked the pouch so much I ended buying other manuals off eBay to get the pouch. One of them was a 2001 LC manuals. 2000 manuals stayed with the LC. Along with tools and jack. Nothing like buying a used and finding a previous owner or dealer took those out. Early FJ40 had really nice tool rolls. Only once did I every buy one with the jack and tool roll still there.

Awesome thanks for confirming! I’ll start using PWR next time I take the trailer out

I do have the original manual, but the leather pouch it came in doesn’t have a zipper! Luckily have all of the OG accessories/tools though. We’ve had this vehicle in the family for 14 years with only a single owner before that, so nothing was lost along the way