Towing problems!!

[Abs]

Hi All,

I'm a newbee on here so please be nice!

I've got a Hilux surf 2nd gen KZN130 3.0 diesel monster import on a UK 1994 plate. I bought it originally to tow a horse trailer with, however upon buying it, I have now found that it does not tow properly. Gutted! When towing, the vehicle and trailer appear to 'judder'. I took the truck to a tow bar specialist who has checked over the tow bar and all the relevant parts they can and all the tow equipment is fine. I do have a shock gone on one side which needs replacing. Could this be the cause? Someone else said to me that it could be because the truck I bought has off road tyres with monster tread on them - could this be it? Another mechanic told me it could be rear diff, but the truck still judders when the engine is cruising whilst towing. I don't want to go spending loads of money chasing a problem. I'm so confused!!! I wish I'd not bought it now as am finding it so frustrating that I have a vehicle on my drive but I can't use it for what I bought it for! :-( I won't tow any ponies until I know for sure that it will be a smooth and comfortable ride for them.

I have tried towing my trailer with a friends transit van and this tows perfectly.

Also I checked the towing weights issue before I bought the hilux. It should be able to tow 2.2t however the max weight I have put behind it so far is the trailer which is 795kg, so I know I am not over the weight limit.

Any help and advice anyone can give would be sooooooooo appreciated.

Thanks ever so

Abs

[J i m s t e r]

Where is the judder felt - through the whole chassis or in the drivetrain? Does it judder at all when NOT towing, but under acceleration?

Hunch in me says it's that knackered shock and/or the mounts for it. I'd get the whole suspension checked.

[Abs]

Thanks Jimster,

It only judders when towing. If the vehicle is driven without any trailer there is no judder felt. It is through the whole chassis that the judder is felt.

The surf has adjustable suspension as well and it judders on both soft and hard.

[BUSHWHACKER]

Check engine and gearbox mounts. The gearbox mounts are known to breaking with age. (the rubber becomes seperated from the metal part)

Jack the gearbox up slowly by placing the jack under the transfercase and see if the mount seperates.

[Abs]

Mounts sound like a possibility. Will have a look. Thank you Bushwacker

[Surf01]

Hi All,

I'm a newbee on here so please be nice!

I've got a Hilux surf 2nd gen KZN130 3.0 diesel monster import on a UK 1994 plate. I bought it originally to tow a horse trailer with, however upon buying it, I have now found that it does not tow properly. Gutted! When towing, the vehicle and trailer appear to 'judder'. I took the truck to a tow bar specialist who has checked over the tow bar and all the relevant parts they can and all the tow equipment is fine. I do have a shock gone on one side which needs replacing. Could this be the cause? Someone else said to me that it could be because the truck I bought has off road tyres with monster tread on them - could this be it? Another mechanic told me it could be rear diff, but the truck still judders when the engine is cruising whilst towing. I don't want to go spending loads of money chasing a problem. I'm so confused!!! I wish I'd not bought it now as am finding it so frustrating that I have a vehicle on my drive but I can't use it for what I bought it for! :-( I won't tow any ponies until I know for sure that it will be a smooth and comfortable ride for them.

I have tried towing my trailer with a friends transit van and this tows perfectly.

Also I checked the towing weights issue before I bought the hilux. It should be able to tow 2.2t however the max weight I have put behind it so far is the trailer which is 795kg, so I know I am not over the weight limit.

Any help and advice anyone can give would be sooooooooo appreciated.

Thanks ever so

Abs

According to the specs posted by someone else on this forum the maximum towing weight for the 2nd Gen is 1500kg and for the 3rd gen 2200kgs. I am sure that a search will bring it up.
Roughtrax also put the maximum towiing weight at 1500kgs See here and click on pdf.

[TonyN]

According to the specs posted by someone else on this forum the maximum towing weight for the 2nd Gen is 1500kg and for the 3rd gen 2200kgs. I am sure that a search will bring it up.
Roughtrax also put the maximum towiing weight at 1500kgs See here and click on pdf.

For 2nd type trucks, UK 4Runners are 2200kgs in their handbook, US 4Runners are often quoted as 1500kg around the 'net, so somewhere between the two is good. 2000kg+ will often get a bog stock Automatic 2nd Gen Surf hot up hills though without a few easy mods.


There is no offical weight for a Surf, but 2nd Gens can go with the UK or US specs, and 3rd Gens can go by their LandCruiser Colorado cousins at 2800kg.

[Abs]

Uh oh, my surf is a jap import. It's a pointless vehicle if it won't tow 2tonne. I've also got a golf which will tow 1500kg so may as well stick with that. Oh man! Have I been a complete girl?! Feel such a mug

[BUSHWHACKER]

Many people on here have towed big twin axle caravans, and car transporter trailers with trucks on them no problem with 2nd gen Surfs.
It is wise to fit an extra transmission cooler (around £50) though if it has an auto 'box.

This is a Hilux Surf (import) forum by the way, 4Runners are their rusty cousins, and are in the minority on here.

[Abs]

Oh wow, now I am really confused! haha! That's cool that others tow caravans and stuff, however I would want to make absolutely sure (and I thought I had) that the surf can tow over 2t. I'll be towing ponies and I won't do that unless I am totally certain it is safe and legal.

Thanks for all your help and advice peeps. Maybe I'll need to sell the surf and get something else perhaps.

[markp2]

Hi Abs,
Just to set your mind at rest. I don't know what the judder is but I do know that it shouldn't do that when towing a horse box.
We tow a double box with two cobs to events. Total weight around 1850kg. Our 3.0 Surf tows it easily and smoothly. I have fitted a transmission cooler and new dampers (shock absorbers) all round to help cope with the loads.
Find the fault and it should be a good tow car.
Mark

[TonyN]

Oh wow, now I am really confused! haha! That's cool that others tow caravans and stuff, however I would want to make absolutely sure (and I thought I had) that the surf can tow over 2t. I'll be towing ponies and I won't do that unless I am totally certain it is safe and legal.

Thanks for all your help and advice peeps. Maybe I'll need to sell the surf and get something else perhaps.

It's fine, you have the Japanese domestic market version of a the official UK 4Runner, like Vince says, they are exactly the same apart being in much nicer condition.

You can easily prove the 4Runner can legally tow 2200kg, its in the owners manuals.

[Diezel Weazel]

Oh wow, now I am really confused! haha! That's cool that others tow caravans and stuff, however I would want to make absolutely sure (and I thought I had) that the surf can tow over 2t. I'll be towing ponies and I won't do that unless I am totally certain it is safe and legal.

Thanks for all your help and advice peeps. Maybe I'll need to sell the surf and get something else perhaps.

The good news is Ya won't need to get rid of the Surf as Tony says .....it's how those in Authority interpret/understand it or NOT is the case here !!
Now Enjoy ya Truck n happy trailering ....

11+ Years of Surfs .... n Faultless to a " T " is my Yota

[J20]

Get the shocks changed and check the tow ball height as well. I had trouble with wobble from my trailer until I fitted a drop plate to lower my tow ball to the standard towing height (320 to 350mm I think - use google to check). No wobble or vibration since.

Also, do a search on here for rear spring sag to see if yours are saggy. The springs can go soft with age and use and that won't help. New springs can be got for around £100ish for a pair and are easy enough to fit.

By the way, I use mine to tow an offroad jeep on a trailer. If I can do that with a 2.4, you can pull a horsebox.

[Bogus]

Get the shocks changed and check the tow ball height as well. I had trouble with wobble from my trailer until I fitted a drop plate to lower my tow ball to the standard towing height (320 to 350mm I think - use google to check). No wobble or vibration since.

Also, do a search on here for rear spring sag to see if yours are saggy. The springs can go soft with age and use and that won't help. New springs can be got for around £100ish for a pair and are easy enough to fit.

By the way, I use mine to tow an offroad jeep on a trailer. If I can do that with a 2.4, you can pull a horsebox.

Hes had 2 years to fix it. Your advice although good, may be a tad late