4Runner underpowered for towing my trailer. Should I get a Tundra?
- Thread starter outdoorbound
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CougarHound
New member
The Tundra has serious torque compared to my 3rd Gen. It is fun to drive, but not in cities. I hate the interior. I like the F150 interior better. My coworker traded in his Chevy Avalanche for a Titan. He says the Titan smokes the LS powered Avalanche... He tows heavy stuff.
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KingTaco
New member
[MENTION=299708]outdoorbound[/MENTION] I recently switched from a 4Runner to a Tundra. It's definitely a different world; there are plusses and minuses. Unless you're likely to be in very tight spaces or trails that require crazy approach/departure angles, I wouldn't worry about the difference in off-road capability. Is the 4Runner better? Yes. Will a Tundra with good tires and weight distribution get you where you need to go? Almost certainly.
The Tundra has tons more interior room. TONS. The flip side of that is that it (of course) takes up more room in parking spaces. Gas mileage still sucks, but it's not really any different than my modded 4Runner. When it comes towing or merging in to traffic there isn't really any comparison, though. If you are towing all the time, I think your life will be much easier in a Tundra.
The Tundra has tons more interior room. TONS. The flip side of that is that it (of course) takes up more room in parking spaces. Gas mileage still sucks, but it's not really any different than my modded 4Runner. When it comes towing or merging in to traffic there isn't really any comparison, though. If you are towing all the time, I think your life will be much easier in a Tundra.
Bohicagain
New member
I agree. my wife drives a 4runner and I have a Tundra TRD pro.
I really like the 4R ability to mod. It's nimble and handles well down the trails.
I would never tow with it though.
The only negative Tundra for towing is the oem brake controller. Lot's on complaints with it not working.
Why you think debt is so high?
Everyone just borrows every $ they can. Sometime I feel a little bad when I go to the dealer.
There is always that one kid that I heard the dealer asking if they got any $ down.
Credit unions hand out loads like candy.
Having driven over 10k feet I know the 4Runner is not real fast, it I don’t think it would be much of an issue. Perhaps it’s a matter of tolerance.
I was recently towing an enclosed uhaul 6x12, which is 1920lbs empty according to uhaul. I had another 5-700 lbs in. So let’s say about the weight of OPs trailer.
Yeah I felt it back there but at 600 feet I wasn’t slowed down too much. At 7000 I’d feel it. It I do t expect it to be horrible, although that’s subjective.
I’ve driven lifted and modded 1st gen xterras that really are slow and recently traded my eco boost f150 on the 4Runner.
I was recently towing an enclosed uhaul 6x12, which is 1920lbs empty according to uhaul. I had another 5-700 lbs in. So let’s say about the weight of OPs trailer.
Yeah I felt it back there but at 600 feet I wasn’t slowed down too much. At 7000 I’d feel it. It I do t expect it to be horrible, although that’s subjective.
I’ve driven lifted and modded 1st gen xterras that really are slow and recently traded my eco boost f150 on the 4Runner.
Thebeastlives
New member
I have a tundra and 2018 trd pro 4 runner. I tow 10k toyhauler with the tundra and it is a beast. When towing my utv trailer up to mammoth fully loaded with 2 canam utvs it weighs over 4500 lbs n u don't know it is there other than stopping for fuel more frequently...lol I don't tow any of that with the 4 runner unless it is a short trip with no hills. The v6 isn't a beast when towing in mountainous terrain, no fix for that. The Tundra is a beast on the road but offroad the 4 runner is king. I have a 6 lift 35 tires n a rear locker. When I needed to go get a broke offroad toy the tundra has never failed. No it isn't built to go up the Rubicon but retrieving a broke bike from miller jeep trail was no problem. The tundra is your solution and there r tons of aftermarket goodies to keep you customizing your truck for years. Making the Tundra into an overlander is what my buddy did and he loves the power of Tundra over his 4th gen runner because now he has no weight issues with all his gear. Fuel economy sucks but so does the 5th gen when towing
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SnowLizard
New member
I have a 99 4runner and a 2019 Tundra, i used to have a 2004 sequoia... I tow a tow toy hauler with d/w @ 3k lbs, adding just camping gear (no toys yet) I'd safely say it's 4k lbs.
I drove to Idaho (from AZ) in the sequoia + trailer and it's was, well, lacking, I even bought a SC for the 4.7 and before install, my wife 'tricked' me into the Tundra :girl:
same route with the trailer but in the tundra, wow, what a difference, keeping speed up grades, getting up to speed with trailer, yeah, it was nice. world of difference. word of advice, don't get the TRD exhaust... not best with trailers, I'm very happy i don't have it.
I can't imagine towing this with the 99 4Runner, yeah it's 'rated for 5k lbs' but I don't believe that's today's standards.
I do offroad, I don't like the skinny trails personally, I can't imaging taking the tundra off any other road than normal forest roads. the lack of any 'offroad' modern gadgets really sucks, but at least it does have traditional 4wd, and 4.30 gears... adding a locker with make it equal to my 99, except for the size.
that being said, the tundra can hold it's own offroad. without the locker you may need momentum on your side for 2 wheel moments.
I too am afraid of truly offroading the tundra, it's huge, but like others have said, keep it simple. I think over time it's just going to be more natural to offroad the tundra.
I drove to Idaho (from AZ) in the sequoia + trailer and it's was, well, lacking, I even bought a SC for the 4.7 and before install, my wife 'tricked' me into the Tundra :girl:
same route with the trailer but in the tundra, wow, what a difference, keeping speed up grades, getting up to speed with trailer, yeah, it was nice. world of difference. word of advice, don't get the TRD exhaust... not best with trailers, I'm very happy i don't have it.
I can't imagine towing this with the 99 4Runner, yeah it's 'rated for 5k lbs' but I don't believe that's today's standards.
I do offroad, I don't like the skinny trails personally, I can't imaging taking the tundra off any other road than normal forest roads. the lack of any 'offroad' modern gadgets really sucks, but at least it does have traditional 4wd, and 4.30 gears... adding a locker with make it equal to my 99, except for the size.
that being said, the tundra can hold it's own offroad. without the locker you may need momentum on your side for 2 wheel moments.
I too am afraid of truly offroading the tundra, it's huge, but like others have said, keep it simple. I think over time it's just going to be more natural to offroad the tundra.
Bumbo
New member
I love everything about my 4Runner, but the way it tows isn’t one of them.
If you don’t do any serious off-road driving, I would get a bigger truck like a Tundra and not look back. The GX is always an option as well if you really want to stay with an SUV.
I had to separate my off-road and tow rig into two separate trucks… going for a dual purpose setup is going to be full of compromises from my experience.
If you don’t do any serious off-road driving, I would get a bigger truck like a Tundra and not look back. The GX is always an option as well if you really want to stay with an SUV.
I had to separate my off-road and tow rig into two separate trucks… going for a dual purpose setup is going to be full of compromises from my experience.
Alpha Autos
New member
I think you should check out the all new 2020 Toyota Landcruiser 5.7 Liters. It has enough power to pull that trailer. you can make comparison too.
Or you can go for a Tundra.
Or you can go for a Tundra.
