Will be heading to California this summer using a 03 4Runner with tow package pulling and have been especially concerned about that long of a tow through mountains and potential high winds. 

The dealer installed a Tekonsha (thanks techntrek!) trailer brake controller on my 03' 4Runner (V6). Test-towed the 171 and overall went well. The engine has enough power, but I am disappointed that my model TV does not have an overdrive lock out button option. The 4 speed transmission kept switching between 4 and overdrive, which only leaves me the choice of 3rd gear, when 4th gear would save fuel and seem to work fine. 

Going to purchase next week, and get the WDH. The 171 did have a slight rear end sway at 55-65mph, which I would like to remove. 

Thanks again for all your help and knowledge, makes this process much easier!

I will post back after pick up and see if I was just so happy at the idea of getting an Rpod that I was delirious!

Thanks for the link!

Picked up my 171 today and the vehicle shifting  was similar as my test drive earlier. I took a video of the Tach and Speedometer while driving home (it is short, can send you if you like). At 63-64mph in D running about 2000rpm on flat road, challenging to remain at 2000 rpm towing the 171. When on a slight incline or the engine needs to work harder to maintain speed, it feels like a slight downshift and the rpm's increase to ~2,400. Then I dropped in 3 manually, rpm's increase to ~2,900. 

The 4Runner engine (4.0L v6) has enough power to accelerate properly, but has a hard time holding a gear at highway speeds, switching between the two. 

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated! 

I appreciate the info and your time!

Just picked up a 2011 Nissan Titan this past week and looking forward to our summer adventure from WI to Denver, San Diego, Utah and New Mexico for the month of July. Working on adding some shelves over the bed and in the upper kitchen cabinet, after seeing all the great mods other podders have completed. 

Plz let me know how your trip goes since we plan to follow the same route in fall after we pull out of Madison.  

I did have an Equalizer WDH installed and the 4Runner towing the 171 was stable, my biggest issue was the transmission and the inability of the TV to keep at a somewhat consistent speed in Drive. The 03 4Runner has a 4 speed auto transmission, and in Drive on I-39 in central Wisconsin it could not keep a consistent speed, and continued to shift back and forth as I tried to maintain 60-65 mph. As another poster mentioned I tried driving in 3rd gear, which on the interstate at 60-65 was over 3000 rpm's.

To each their own, but I was not looking forward to driving to California and back in 3rd gear on a month long trip. Just my experience only!

The 4Runner and subsequent Titan are both pre-wired for brake controller's, so I removed and re-installed the brake controller in the Titan in 15 minutes, just had to get the new adapter, it was fairly easy. The dealer I purchased the 171 from installed the brake controller, and allowed me to test pull the 171 before I committed to the purchase.