06 Towing Options

[MichaelEliis]

The 2006 4Runner build page shows three different tow options:

1) Ball Mount, $99

2) Drop Hitch Receiver, $339

3) Weight Carrying Tow Hitch & Ball Mount, $430

So what's the diff between these?

 

[Bobby]

Not sure about the '06 but in '04 and '05, all 4runners came with a tow hitch receiver and a tow hitch but no ball mount. The v6 came with a weight bearing hitch and the v8 came with a load distributing hitch.

You can get a ball mount for $10-$20 at any auto parts place. The drop hitch receiver is probably under $100. The weight carrying hitch & ball mount is standard with all v6, I thought minus the ball mount.

 

[JungleJim]

The v6 came with a weight bearing hitch and the v8 came with a load distributing hitch.

I think I remember someone here stating that the "load distributing hitch" could be installed on the V6, thus giving it an increased max towing weight (not as much as the V8, but over the standard 5000 lbs.)

 

[Bobby]

You COULD put the weight distro hitch on the v6 but the rating would still be the same. The v6 won't have the power needed as well as the tranny cooler on the v8. That's why Toyota didn't put that hitch on the v6.

 

[MichaelEliis]

OK, how about this question:

I'm looking to buy a 2006 V6. I tow several things, the heaviest of which is 3500 lbs. Which tow option do I get?

Thanks
-Mike

 

[Dennis]

The V8 comes standard with a weight-distributing hitch. The V6 comes with no standard hitch, but the weight-carrying hitch is an option. In my area, Northern California, every 4Runner I've seen was equipped with that option. Also, the receiver and the ball mount seems to be included as part of the option.

 

[JungleJim]

You COULD put the weight distro hitch on the v6 but the rating would still be the same. The v6 won't have the power needed as well as the tranny cooler on the v8. That's why Toyota didn't put that hitch on the v6.

If I remember correctly, it raises it to 6300 lbs. Not much more, but some.

Remember, the V8 had a lower rating in 2003 until they came out with the new hitch. The 2003 V8 lower rating wasn't due to the V8 being unable to pull it, but rather due to the hitch.

Tow ratings do not necessarily correlate only to the engine.

[Heck, the VW Touareg V6 has a 7300 lbs rating.]

 

[Bobby]

Kinda like running XP on a 233MHz machine with 128mb memory. Sure it'll work but it'll be slow as hell.

There's no way in hell you can tow 7000lbs with a VW v6 (240hp, 226 ft-lbs) w/o serious problems.

Mike - If you're gonna tow regularly, I'd recommend the V8. You'll be glad you have the extra power to pull uphill and the tranny cooler will come in handy. The price difference isn't much and the mpgs are neglegible.

 

[JungleJim]

I found the post/thread I was thinking about. Here is a quote from part of a post by "HardCharger".

Actually....I have a 2005 SE V6 4x2....and in the manual it states that if you have a V6 with the same hitch as the V8 (WDH), you can tow up to 6,700 pounds. That's only 600 pounds less than the 4x2 V8.

Here is a link...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&postid=78900&highlight=weight+AND+distributing+AND+hitch#post78900