2004 4Runner V6 towing questions???

[4RTenn17]

Can someone help me with towing questions?

Soon I will be moving to Manhattan, Kansas and leaving Knoxville, Tennessee and I plan on towing a U-Haul 4x8 trailer with about 1,000lbs in it.

So basically, how much weight does my hitch allow me tow? Looking underneath the vehicle the hitch appears to be bolted to the frame.

1) So how much can I tow?
2) When towing should I leave my vehicle in 2WD? or should I have the vehicle in 4WD High?
3) Will my vehicle do fine towing the U-Haul 4x8 trailer with a 1,000lbs?


Vehicle:

2004
V6
SR5
4WD


Thanks everyone

 

[Doozi]

You'll be fine with that... I just did 1100miles with a U-haul 5x8 cargo trailer. I don't recall the exact towing capacity for the V6 4WD, but it's around 5000lbs.

I'd just use 2WD to help a little with fuel economy, but it would be fine in 4WD, too.

I ended up keeping the tranny in "4", not "D", to keep the torque converter locked up. 70mph is about 2800rpm with my 265/70 tires in 4th gear.

Remember that you'll need more distance to stop with the extra weight!

Be safe!

 

[jgeorg]

You should have an easy time pulling. Unless road conditions are terrible, 2wd should be just fine, by terrible I mean absolutely slippery with rain. Listen to some of the pros on T4R guys though. Oh yeah the V6 limit for towing is 5000lbs. Good luck.

 

[Jeff S.]

I just towed around three thousand pounds for 800 miles in my '04 V6. I kept out of drive (kept in third gear on my transmission), and it did just fine. With the load, I could really feel the crown of the roads and all the ruts. On a good road, I could do seventy, while on some roads I only felt comfortable going sixty.

 

[Trevloc]

piece of cake. i did a move from az to oregon, and 6months later moved back with a 10' by 12' trailer. nice and easy.

 

[8086bruce]

I agree with above. Towing in 4th is the best move.

 

[shootersanks]

1) As everyone else has stated 5000lbs is the towing capacity of the v6 4Runner
2) I would just keep it in 2wd, unless weather conditions get really bad.
3) It will surely handle a 4x8 uhaul trailer with weight

A couple months ago I made a move with a 6x12 uhaul trailer packed full, and I had no problems driving. So again go for it. Have fun and good luck with the move.

 

[RickC]

You won't even know its back there except during cross winds. I pull a 14' trailer with two ATVs. I don't do the downshift to D or whatever either, I just let it shift when it wants to and I pull quite a few big hills. Since you are in the Knoxville area, you know Interstate 75 up toward Kentucky. Once you get past Lake City, it's all up hill. I pull to Royal Blue almost every weekend. You won't have any trouble, believe me. Since you don't pull much, what you need to remember is two things. When braking, allow yourself more time with the distance. It will take a little more stopping time, and two, backing is tricky if you have never backed a trailer. You basically have to turn the vehicle in the opposite direction of the trailer direction. The easiest way to learn is when you need to back the trailer, put your hand on the BOTTOM of the steer wheel and if you want the trailer to go to the right, move your hand to the right and this will take the vehicle in the correct direction. Just take your time, go slow and watch all your corners. Its a piece of cake. I have been pulling since I was 19, and it becomes second nature after a while. Btw, 19 was 30 years ago...

 

[MikeInNH]

I tow a 3200lb camping trailer several times a year. You shouldn't have a problem at all. No need to put it in 4wd or user 4th gear. The engine won't have one bit of problem hauling this.

 

[thorrunner]

Not to hijack this thread but I am a somewhat related question....

I bought my 07 v6 SR5 and it had no hitch at all (but had the elec connection, weird?) and I bought a hitch at U Haul that bolted to the frame rails with 8 fasteners (4 large 4 small) everything works fine and I tow my 21' boat all the time.

I've read about the v6 baby hitch being different than the v8 hitch, is it true that the stock v6 baby hitch only bolts to the rear crossmember with 4 fasteners? It doesn't extend all the way out to the fram rails?

The reason I bring this up is I recently put a custom bumper on the Runner and it hangs too low for the wheeling I do, I need to chop it but I still need the towing ability for my boat.

Thanks for any input everyone...!!

 

[TechWrench]

Not to hijack this thread but I am a somewhat related question....

I bought my 07 v6 SR5 and it had no hitch at all (but had the elec connection, weird?) and I bought a hitch at U Haul that bolted to the frame rails with 8 fasteners (4 large 4 small) everything works fine and I tow my 21' boat all the time.

I've read about the v6 baby hitch being different than the v8 hitch, is it true that the stock v6 baby hitch only bolts to the rear crossmember with 4 fasteners? It doesn't extend all the way out to the fram rails?

The reason I bring this up is I recently put a custom bumper on the Runner and it hangs too low for the wheeling I do, I need to chop it but I still need the towing ability for my boat.

Thanks for any input everyone...!!

Yes, the V6 and V8 hitches are different. The V6 hitch is mounted to the rear crossmember with 6 bolts, and is rated for 5K max tow weight and 500 lbs max tongue weight. It is not rated for any type of weight distribution hitch system. It is not directly connected to either of the side frame rails.

 

[thorrunner]

Yes, the V6 and V8 hitches are different. The V6 hitch is mounted to the rear crossmember with 6 bolts, and is rated for 5K max tow weight and 500 lbs max tongue weight. It is not rated for any type of weight distribution hitch system. It is not directly connected to either of the side frame rails.

thanks for the reply, that works great for me! I will chop my bumper for more departure angle, and find a stock v6 (or fab one up) for towing my boat...

 

[Ross]

Stay in drive (3rd gear). Shifting up and down between drive and overdrive isn't good. The V6 can tow 5k according to the manufacture. I tow a camper that is 2800lbs dry and it does fine.

As far as 2wd vs 4wd. As long as you don't lock the center diff there is no issue. If the weather is so bad you need 4wd get off the road. Towing a trailer in that sort of situation would be too dangerous.

 

[DRC]

thanks for the reply, that works great for me! I will chop my bumper for more departure angle, and find a stock v6 (or fab one up) for towing my boat...

I have a stock v6 receiver sitting in my garage collecting dust. I swapped it out for the v8 weight distribution receiver as I wanted more towing capacity. I don't have the 6 bolts as these were used on the v8 hitch when I installed it but you can pick these up at any auto parts store. No cost, just pickup the shipping and it's yours. PM me and we can work out the details.

 

[TechWrench]

thanks for the reply, that works great for me! I will chop my bumper for more departure angle, and find a stock v6 (or fab one up) for towing my boat...

If you are going to remove the aftermarket hitch, and install an oem 5K hitch beware you will probably have to remove the bumper cover to install it. Two of the 6 mounting bolts are on the top side of of the mount, and very difficult to get to with the cover in place. Also, if you need to get mounting bolts, make sure they are at least grade 5 or higher.

 

[hullinger]

Seems like you got your answer about towing, so now, just a quick story about a towing experience I had with my '04 V6. A few years ago I was towing a car trailer loaded with my 1958 Dodge. I was easily at the 5,000 pound weight limit. It was about 95 degrees that day with the humidity equally as high. I had to go about 30 miles on a mix of country road and highway. I kept things slow with gentle acceleration and lots of coasting. I was really surprised by how well the truck pulled this load and stopped it. There was no doubt you were pulling a lot but it handled it quite well. Even with the A/C on, the temp gauge never moved beyond it's normal spot. The only issue I had was speeds over 50 caused the trailer to sway. I'm not sure if the sway was because of the truck of how the trailer was set up. Either way, it was a very uneventful trip.

 

[thorrunner]

If you are going to remove the aftermarket hitch, and install an oem 5K hitch beware you will probably have to remove the bumper cover to install it. Two of the 6 mounting bolts are on the top side of of the mount, and very difficult to get to with the cover in place. Also, if you need to get mounting bolts, make sure they are at least grade 5 or higher.

Roger that, this is what I am currently working with.... this bumper is pretty nice but it hangs low low low!!! Actually, since this picture was taken I put some lift spacers in the back to gain some clearance. I am going to see how it handles with the spacers before I go chopping the bumper.

 

[teneck31]

Yes, the V6 and V8 hitches are different. The V6 hitch is mounted to the rear crossmember with 6 bolts, and is rated for 5K max tow weight and 500 lbs max tongue weight. It is not rated for any type of weight distribution hitch system. It is not directly connected to either of the side frame rails.

Would I with the hitch bolted to rear cross member would I be able to trailer a car? car weighs 3100lbs and trailer probably around 1000 lbs. Or do you guys recommend a weight distribution hitch?

 

[macoyle]

Holy old thread batman

Anyways I'm not sure why folks are so worried about these things, and I wouldn't tow in 4hi unless your stuck in mud or something. A far as what gear you should leave it in, it depends on everything, your load, how we'll your truck is maintained, road conditions, wind, traffic etc. for the most part you can leave it in drive but if your in hilly areas or if your trans is hunting for gears throw it in 4 and you will be fine.

Towed this and similar setups with different cars several times, zero issues

 

[LobstaMobsta]

Nice cutlass! 442?