have you already found the dealership where you plan on buying a trailer? talk to them about renting or just a test tow, maybe try to negotiate if you buy having the cost applied to the purchase price? i've never bought a trailer so i have no idea if they do test tows or rentals.

another idea would just be renting a cargo trailer and loading it to a comparable load and testing out the towing. It won't be a perfect comparison because the aerodynamics will be different, but it could be a cheap sanity check.

I would look very closely at wind resistance. In my experience the 4runner is great lower speeds and struggles at highway speed due to wind resistance primarily. Hell, my 4runner struggles at 90mph empty. I've never thought any trailer I've hitched up was too heavy for easy 65mph cruising. 6000lbs of dump trailer was easy to pull. However, even my very light teardrop trailer struggles at 80mph. I've found out after using it that it's just too big of a sail back there. And for some vehicles it may not matter. For the 4runner it makes a big difference. I would prefer low roof height over low weight, but you'll compromise on interior volume as a result. If you're willing to keep the speeds down at 65mph, I think you'll be fine anywhere up to 5000lbs and maybe even a bit over. If you want to go faster - keep it small or trade for a LC200/GX460 or a truck.

Good luck!

Yes, wind resistance is major on these trucks at higher speeds. But good news is it actually gets a little better up in the thinner air. Does not make up for the loss in engine power, but mpg actually gets better.

I'm really surprised nobody has brought up gearing, that is the number one problem with the 5th gen and towing IMHO. If you run stock size tires and 456 gears it will pull much better. Gearing is the key ingredient to most factory towing packages. A trans cooler might also be needed, but the gearing will reduce some of the heat.

Still, not really great up i-70... even a full size diesel struggles a tad towing in those conditions.

People hope for a v8 option.. but guess what.. that little 4.7 is not much better up there.

Doing it and doing it comfortably are two very different things. If you are OK at 50mph with the motor screaming.... it will be fine.. Even 1500 lbs feels like an anchor on these trucks on big hills, add the altitude.. and not something I would personally enjoy.

I would highly recommend you go rent a trailer of some kind.. and go for a test drive. You will not get an actual answer here. You need first hand experience.

The 4Runner just isn't a heavy tow rig. You're in Colorado with a naturally aspirated V6 so you're already down on power due to elevation. The Runner has an off-road suspension not a heavy cargo/towing suspension hurting its ability to control a heavy trailer.

If you go heavy expect to climb and descend grades at far below the posted speed limit.


Rent a cargo trailer, load it up to the weight you expect then try it. Be realistic could you deal with that driving experience all day on a vacation?

I've towed from Denver to Omaha and back as well as in the mountains, gotta say I'm real glad I have a V8 4th gen, handles towing really comfortably.

I have trouble believing it is all that great. 30 more tq... and a little less hp. Granted the tq curve is better, but a tow geared 1grfe dual VVTI should be on par.

Bottom line.. there is no replacement for displacement except forced induction and gearing. It basically comes down to 4.7 vs 4.0, factor in the dual VVTI on the 1grfe and that .7 is more like .3. Still, 4.7 v8 better, but not really enough to tow 5k up in the mountains comfortably. The throttle response of the 4.7 is much more pleasing... but when it comes down to doing work... really should be no majorl difference.

Disclaimer...I have no first hand towing experience with the 4.7. But I have towed quite a bit in many different vehicles. And squeezed power out of many different engines. Toyota 120 not my top choice by any stretch for towing. Mountain passes... Not thanks!

I really wish there were a gearing option around 4.10. For stockish tire size it would be ideal for many of us. I've heard the justification that it's not enough difference to matter, but IMO it would make a world of difference for highway cruising and light towing. Unfortunately the only existing bolt in options I'm aware of would be a re-geared 07-09 FJ Cruiser with the smaller 8" diff, or a Diamond Axle 9.5" bolt in swap. Neither are really worth the effort or cost for most of us.

The 2007 - 2009 FJ and 5th 4runner should share the same ring and pinion. The 8.2" for the 5th is not an actual measurement. It's just a nomenclature around the improved strength with more bearing support.... I'm only 90% sure on this.. but almost positive they measure the same. There could be a carrier difference/break though...

Still would be hard to find even if it would fit. I think 2010 5th gens actually came with a 4cyl 4.10 manual option. Again, impossible to find.

I'm about to learn a lot this weekend. I'll be towing a trailer for a scout troop up to Conifer from Denver. I estimate the trailer is between 2500-3K. It has electric brakes.

I have not pulled a trailer with the 4R before. I expect to pull this thing 2-4 times per year, always up into the mountains. First time will be this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

As many have already stated, going down is the tricky part. But for me, the hardest part is going to be driving slower than the rest of traffic. I grew up in CO and hated it when I got stuck behind a trailer on mountain roads. Now I'm going to be the one horking everyone off.

I'm rolling on stock size K02 load range C tires. I've added Airlift 1000 to the rear springs. And I installed a Tekonsha P3 proportional brake controller. I also will use my Carista adapter and OBD Fusion app to monitor tran and t-case temps. As the scouts like to say, "Be Prepared."

The 4Runner will pull that all day long with no mods and will pull it at regular speed. It's when you get up in the 4-5K range that it struggles. Keep your tongue weight at 250 lbs or so and you will be good to go. If you have a problem figuring it out just get a bathroom scale and a short block of wood that will approximate the height when it is on the ball. Proper tongue weight is crucial to keep the tail from wagging the dog.

The 8.2 is a different animal unfortunately. At least as I understand it it uses a Different ring size that actually is a bit larger with 12 bolts rather than 10 on the 8" v6 that was used in the 120 platform vehicles. From my web searching it's fairly common for the FJ Cruisers to swap rear axles with the newer 8.2 rear ends for stronger rear diffs. How much stronger I have no idea.

I can add that mass, but it won't help me n the passes. ;)

I'll probably end up doing most of those things, and I'll be happy if I can hit your #5 above without ever being in 2nd gear. I just really don't want to be at 40 mph when others are flying by flipping me off.

I have not; the manufacturer/model will have to be decided first, then figure out where to go to get it.

Cargo trailer is a good idea, I can find one to borrow and load it up even though the aerodynamics will be different. Thanks for the suggestion!

No doubt, the 4Runner is an absolute brick. That's the one thing I really like about the Lance 1475, its teardrop shape seems more aero and more suited to the 4Runner's profile compared to some of them. It's probably 6 of one, half a dozen of the other, but it looks more aero. lol

Pretty sure I'll have no interest going fast with a 3500-lb box attached to my truck. Our towing really will be limited initially, perhaps 1-2 weekends/month over the summer and fall, with a longer summer trip thrown in.

I'll be very curious to hear what you think. I'll give you $20 if you load it up to 3500# and tell me how it does. ;)

I'm almost your Huckleberry.

I live in Conifer, well, above it really. I'm at 9680' of elevation. (Conifer MTN)

2016 4r TRDP.

12x6 enclosed Haul Mark trailer, no trailer brakes @ 1200 lbs.
2 Up ATV with plow @ 1000 lbs roughly
Other stuff, straps, fuel, tools etc @ 200 lbs

So lets call it 2500 lbs for easy math.

Uphill:

From the flat-lander area (Denver) going south on 285 with the load above, mostly third gear at 55. Then second gear around Windy Point with a bounce to third here and there. Passing, ahhhh No. LOL MPG=Awful

From Conifer (8200') to my house (9680), it's a first and second gear proposition with a pin-balling effect back to 3rd....(5 miles with a 30 PSL with 70 switchback turns) MPG= Gawd awful

The HP elevation penalty is severe at 9K.... Approx a 73 hp loss for the 4R near my home, so that leaves me about 200 at the crank....

Down Hill:

Actually not too bad, just keep it at 60 and with trailer brakes you should be GTG. However, if you're one of those guys that always does the PSL, even down hill with a trailer, you should reconsider that philosophy in the mountains out west.


I think you'll be fine as long as you keep your expectations realistic for the setup you proposed and everything weighs in at your expectations.

The wife and I were considering a small Airstream and to tow it with the 4R. If we didn't live were we live, i.e. elevation, we would probably do it. But we are passing on the idea unless if we get a better tow vehicle for more severe elevation that we live and would vacation at. When you're in the flats, it will tow pretty well and stop respectably.

Cheers!

Floyd Hill with a 2012 Tacoma 4.0 roughly the same trailer weight you're looking at I was in 2nd gear at about 5200RPM to hold 52mph, but actually that's not bad for that short stretch. Trailer was a Kodiak 166E.

5200rpm in 2nd was only on short stretches on 7% grades like Floyd Hill, Ike, Vail, Utah. 3rd gear was the norm.

You can pass 18-wheelers climbing with a 4.0, that's for sure. Fuel up with Premium for that bit of extra boost, and don't worry about people in a passenger vehicle having to wait while you pass a semi. Too bad for them, as long as you're passing they'll just have to wait.

Passing brings up tow mirrors. Tow mirrors, the only one I found that was worth a damn is this https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-3891-Universal-Trailer/dp/B001AJH1HK

Trans cooler, add it.