4Runner and Towing boat

[bzizzi]

Purchased a Chaparral 210 ssi on tandem axle trailer with disc brakes, total dry weight around 4300 lbs, tows ok but I can definitely tell it's back there.
4R Tow limit is 5000lbs and with fuel in boat I will be on the edge.
As much as I like the 4R I am thinking of trading for a Tundra Crewmax 4X4
just to be safe. 4R struggles to accelerate onto interstate and have to drop down into third when going over mountains and occasionally second gear depending how long grade is. Thoughts ??

 

[NuclearN8]

I don't think anyone could argue with your selection of a Tundra for the purpose of towing.

some relatively cheap(er) things you could try to help you during towing with the 4R are:

install some airbags ($100) helps minimize squat and improve handling when towing.

Get a trailer with brakes and plug in a trailer brake controller next to your steering wheel (probably another $100 or so)

Install a transmission cooler ($100) B&M make some great ones...

With these options your limitation will be acceleration (not handling, not braking, and not your keeping your transmission cool over the PA hills)... if you don't mind driving like a Gpa when towing your boat (and let's be honest very few people drive like they are in a race car when towing a boat anyway) then your 4Runner should survive. Of course buying a Tundra alleviates all your towing concerns. Good luck.

 

[Titanpat57]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/69422-towing-experiences-your-5th-generation.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/84426-pulls-my-new-boat-like-dream-2.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/156496-2014-towing-capacity.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/196554-towing-boat-3500-a.html

 

[GGeezer]

If youk're not towing far it may be a non-concern. Besides, it's rated for the load.

Just tow resonsibly and go about your business. Be sure to change fluids on the "tow schedule".

 

[GGeezer]

I don't think anyone could argue with your selection of a Tundra for the purpose of towing.

some relatively cheap(er) things you could try to help you during towing with the 4R are:

install some airbags ($100) helps minimize squat and improve handling when towing.

Get a trailer with brakes and plug in a trailer brake controller next to your steering wheel (probably another $100 or so)

Install a transmission cooler ($100) B&M make some great ones...

With these options your limitation will be acceleration (not handling, not braking, and not your keeping your transmission cool over the PA hills)... if you don't mind driving like a Gpa when towing your boat (and let's be honest very few people drive like they are in a race car when towing a boat anyway) then your 4Runner should survive. Of course buying a Tundra alleviates all your towing concerns. Good luck.

Agree on the trailer brakes. I've always noted big difference w/o them. It's a safety as well as a maintenance issue.

 

[philsey]

Because you bought a boat knowing you were at capacity, you secretly want a Tundra.

Was there really a question in the OP?

 

[philsey]

Purchased a Chaparral 210 ssi on tandem axle trailer with disc brakes, total dry weight around 4300 lbs, tows ok but I can definitely tell it's back there.....

....Get a trailer with brakes and plug in a trailer brake controller next to your steering wheel (probably another $100 or so)
.

Agree on the trailer brakes....

.........

 

[philsey]

/hijack/

Well, [MENTION=142295]GGeezer[/MENTION] , you've worked hard this morning getting to 15 - can hardly wait to see why...



/hijack/

 

[jstim]

Isn't [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] the resident boat towing expert around here? You know since all he wants to do is fish, and catch crabs. I don't however condone the latter.

 

[GGeezer]

/hijack/

Well, [MENTION=142295]GGeezer[/MENTION] , you've worked hard this morning getting to 15 - can hardly wait to see why...



/hijack/

I had to take a day off after a Doc's office "procedure" and finally had sometime to surf around on the site. Lot's of great info on this forum. Most of the members seem like great, regular guys with tons of knowlegdge andwill to share. I am finding, however, that a number of the members are a tad surly, rude, and intolerant of new members. Unfortunate.

 

[bzizzi]

Towing

I did upgrade shocks to 5200's and it made a big difference with control and stability.I am able to maintain 65-70 mph once I get going and slow down going around turns, I am transporting boat to lake 90 mi from house and leaving at storage area near lake when not in use. I only have to tow to boat launch when ready to boat and launch is 1/4 mi away.
I am within tow rating of 4R so I should be fine, trailer has four wheel disc brakes and work really well with slowing down and stopping the weight.

 

[JeremyB]

I am within tow rating of 4R so I should be fine, trailer has four wheel disc brakes and work really well with slowing down and stopping the weight.

What's the dry weight of your model? Have you actually weighed your setup?

My Caravelle 207 has an estimated dry weight of 3000 lbs and I'm running ~4600 wet. The 210 SSI has a dry weight of 3200-3400 and has 11 more gallons of fuel, so you could be a hair beyond 5000lbs. Not that the world is going to end if you are.

 

[philsey]

Nice Chappie. Here's mine. 246SSi. Best boat I've ever owned.


.
.
... and no, I don't trailer it.

 

[Hybryd40]

My boat weight overall is approximately 4500 lbs. I use AirLift air bags and trailer has surge brakes. Little slow getting up to speed but tows flawlessly down the highway 70-75 mph. No issues. My general towing is around 70 miles round trip. Gas mileage is around 13.5 AirLift bags help me tremendously. This set up works good enough for me. A Tundra will always be better if your wallet can justify it. = )

 

[4boer2]

Nice Chappie. Here's mine. 246SSi. Best boat I've ever owned.


.
.
... and no, I don't trailer it.

Illinois river? I'm in Spring Valley nearly every weekend.

 

[philsey]

Illinois river? I'm in Spring Valley nearly every weekend.

Mississippi, pool 14, LeClaire, IA

 

[4boer2]

Mississippi, pool 14, LeClaire, IA

Dang. I saw the barge so I had to guess.

 

[Antman]

Isn't [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] the resident boat towing expert around here? You know since all he wants to do is fish, and catch crabs. I don't however condone the latter.

LOL- I do tow more than anyone I know. The damn crabs are running south of my usual haunts so I am yanking the Scout 90 minutes each way for crabs, and the perch are running down there too so I'm f'd...I just can't help it.

Once the water gets really hot I can hit the deep spots closer to home and I'll be posting pics of Rockfish and monster Cat's soon enough with only a 15 minute drive.

So, uh- yeah. I got a TON of miles yanking around my little boat! The tranny temps I spike at sometimes are enough to keep me up at night, LMAO.:flamethrwoer2:

 

[Jhalko]

LOL- The damn crabs are enough to keep me up at night, LMAO.:flamethrwoer2:

You say your crabs are keeping you up?

:toilet:

 

[NuclearN8]

I had to take a day off after a Doc's office "procedure" and finally had sometime to surf around on the site. Lot's of great info on this forum. Most of the members seem like great, regular guys with tons of knowlegdge andwill to share. I am finding, however, that a number of the members are a tad surly, rude, and intolerant of new members. Unfortunate.

Much like your post, ever member here has a right to express their opinion.
It's call freedom of speech.
Please accept this fact, nothing offensive was said.
The internet, or T4R.org for that matter, hasn't been designated a "safe space" (yet). I actually liked that [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION] pointed out the fact that I had a bit of a literacy problem yesterday morning on the trailer brakes comment. Accountability is refreshing when it occurs, even to me.