Transmission Cooler and Air Bag Kit for Towing with a 2008 Toyota 4Runner Limited V8

Published 05/30/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(867)

$111.94

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(3870)

$18.84

Thin Walled Socket for Equal-i-zer Hitches

(100)

$95.09

Firestone Air Command Standard Duty Air Compressor - Analog - Single Path

(359)

$422.27

Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle

(715)

$124.93

Fastway e2 Weight Distribution w/ Sway Control - Trunnion - 4,500 lbs GTW, 450 lbs TW

(112)

$520.82

Question:

Thank you very much for getting back to me. I read in the product reviews that the Derale Transmission cooler you recommended is rated up to 6,000 pounds. Between my car and trailer, I will most likely be right at that number. Add in extra tires, tools and other items in the back of my 4Runner and I could be over 6,000 pounds total weight. Having said that, do you still think this is the right cooler or should I look at something that can tow more weight? For the upcoming season, I will most likely end up renting an auto trailer from U-Haul. I do intend to purchase my own trailer at some point but I don't see that happening until at least a few months and maybe not until next Spring. I would like to explore the weight distribution system you recommended. Would Toyota and U-Haul be able to provide the weights you are asking for and what happens when I end up buying a trailer that has a different tongue weight than the U-Haul auto trailer?

asked by: Vikas A

Expert Reply:

An additional transmission cooler as well as some suspension enhancement will help to keep your 2008 Toyota 4Runner from wearing out as quickly because of the stress of towing.

One of the best transmission coolers that we have is the Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit # D13503. There aren't any specific fits when it comes to coolers so you want to try to install the biggest cooler you can. This cooler measures 11" wide x 8-3/4" tall x 7/8" deep. You can reference the helpful article to help you determine if this cooler will fit your 4Runner.

The Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs # F4135 will help to support up to 1,000 lbs at the most. This will not increase your weight capacity but it will help to level your load. If you will be adjusting the psi in the air bags then I highly recommend using a compressor kit like the Firestone Air Command I # F2158 as well. It allows you to fill up your airbags no matter where you are.

Even though these are both great solutions, the best solution out there would be to use a weight distribution (WD) system. This takes the tongue weight of your loaded trailer as well as the weight behind the rear axle of your 4Runner and distributes it between all of the trailer and 4Runner axles. If you can let me know what those weights are I can make a recommendation for a WD system as well.

expert reply by: Jon G

Vikas A.

5/30/2018

Jon G.

5/30/2018

The 6,000 lbs that you read about actually has to do with trailer weight, not the weight of both your 4Runner and your trailer so it will work out perfectly for you! We can do some guesstimating on which weight distribution (WD) system will be best for your towing setup, but the best thing is to figure out the tongue weight (TW) of your loaded and ready to go trailer as well as the weight of any cargo behind your rear axle. I looked up the curb weight of your 4Runner and it looked to be about 4,000 lbs - 4,500 lbs. If you are anticipating your loaded trailer to weight 1,500 lbs - 2,000 lbs then based off of the 10-15% recommended TW of your loaded trailer that gives us a loaded TW rang of 150 lbs - 300 lbs. If this is the case then I recommend the Fastway e2 # FA92-00-0450 which has a tongue weight range of up to 450 lbs. The only other things you need are a hitch ball like the 2" # 40038 and a thin-walled socket # EQ70-00-4800 to install it. Let me know if your tongue weight and cargo weight are above 450 lbs and I can make a different recommendation.