Hi all, I have a 2009 4Runner with the V6. It is 4WD. I am looking at lightweight travel trailers for my family's summer excursions. I know there are several threads about towing, but I am just curious to hear what people are towing with their truck. I wish I had a V8, but that has not materialized. So what say you all? What are you towing, how much does it weigh, how does the 4Runner handle it? I would be especially interested to hear about experience in the mountains. Thanks!
What are you towing with your 4th gen, V6?
- Thread starter dg0503
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mavrick1903
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I tow two motorcycles on an open trailer. Overall weight just shy of 2000#. Tongue weighted correctly. My v8 laughs up hills.
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truman3
New member
I pull a pop up with with my 08 2wd V6, no problem... About 2,200 lbs empty and another 500 lbs in it and a couple hundred in the 4Runner when we go somewhere. Pulls fine, no real mountains for us but trips to the hill country are fine. No trailer brakes, I just try to stay aware of the road ahead of me but that's all the time, really. Haha.
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having fun
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06forerunner
Member
I have towed some pretty heavy loads and probably knocked on the door of the towing capacity of the truck. I will say that I have the V6 but my sister had a V8 with the weight distributing hitch and since she doesn't tow, I swapped with her. Other that that, all else remains true to a V6. Oh and I have Firestone Coil Rite air bags in the rear.
Here are some of my more recent tows. Weight ranged from 1,200-6,500lbs. Brake controller is a must for heavier loads and be smart about how you drive.
Here are some of my more recent tows. Weight ranged from 1,200-6,500lbs. Brake controller is a must for heavier loads and be smart about how you drive.
Troymclure
New member
I tow a rockwall trailer around on occasion. Its about 35' long, and around 6500lbs. Even with 35's, tows it pretty well. Also have 4.88's which help. Towing a travel trailer should be no problem
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I have towed some pretty heavy loads and probably knocked on the door of the towing capacity of the truck. I will say that I have the V6 but my sister had a V8 with the weight distributing hitch and since she doesn't tow, I swapped with her. Other that that, all else remains true to a V6. Oh and I have Firestone Coil Rite air bags in the rear.
Here are some of my more recent tows. Weight ranged from 1,200-6,500lbs. Brake controller is a must for heavier loads and be smart about how you drive.
Is the 4Runner pictures above the V6 or V8?
DisguisedRope
New member
His build thread says it's a V6.
Thanks. When I re-read his post, I think he meant that he took the hitch off of a V8 and put it on his.
Ever get the trailer? I have an 08 v6 4wd, and I've been considering doing the same thing. Been looking at trailers with a loaded weight of 4000ish pounds and am wondering if this is the dumbest idea I've ever had. May have a month off in April and thinking about doing a trip from Mississippi (where I live) to Yosemite.
I have not bought a trailer yet, but will soon. After all my research I am convinced that it will tow a trailer around 4000lbs no problem, but I am going to install a transmission cooler and brake controller.
That's pretty much what I've found too. Seems like a 4000lb trailer (loaded), would work. I plan on splurging though on brake controller, weight distributing hitch (my T4R does not have a hitch at all), and transmission cooler. Expecting all the upgrades to cost me about $750 after all is said and done.
From what I've found, it looks like I'd be limited to a top seed in the high 50s, low 60s. I can live with that. Still nervous about steep grades though. Would love some more info on what drivers have experienced while driving a 4000lb trailer up a pass with a v6.
I came across this blog about a couple towing a trailer with a V6 4Runner. I found it very informative and detailed.
Towing A Travel Trailer With a 6 Cyl Toyota 4 Runner? - Trailer Traveler
OBX-4thGen
New member
I tow a 22ft Sea Hunt Triton which I estimate is about 4500 lbs when full of fuel. I towed it with my 06 SR5 V6 from northern Maryland down to the Outer Banks of NC with no issues. I would not tow this much up a mountain, but this weight was fine on flat land. Upgraded suspension did help out. Never had an issue with sway.
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cloudrunner
New member
How fast can you tow your boat. Do you tow in 4th or D. I am in the market and often wonder how the Runner will do as a tow vehicle.
sport2004
Member
OBX-4thGen
New member
I did about 65mph down I-95 from Maryland to North Carolina. I would not go faster than this with a heavy load. Yeah, it struggles a bit going up hills, but I could keep up with traffic. I drove in 4th the whole time to keep the power up and got around 9mpg. Now I just have short tow trips on flat land. If I were to tow long distances on a regular basis I would have gotten the V8, but I'm happy with the V6 for my needs.
luke87gt
New member
Bwahahaha. I would recommend a drain and fill after that one ;-)
