4th gen v8 4Runners, capable DD and occasional racecar hauler?

[chinpokojed]

I'd like to add a SUV to our little fleet, something comfortable enough to be my new DD, capable of some decent towing, but not super jumbo sized... Based on price, gas mileage, etc, I've pretty much narrowed the search down to a 4th gen 4Runner, 3rd gen Pathfinder ('08ish) or the Grand Cherokee Diesel (07-08).. i think at max (don't have the trailer yet) it would be a 20' enclosed, with a miata + spares + tools inside, maybe 5-10 times a year. i'm pretty sure this will get me to close to 7k lbs, right around the max limit of all these vehicles.. I'd rather not go any bigger in SUV size, as I really don't need something even as big as the 4runner for normal use, but it's a sacrifice for the tow rating of course..

So I guess my question is are there many people regularly towing at or near the tow rating, both in the 4x4 and rwd models? How's it do?

How do the diffs / transmissions hold up over time? Any common / known issues on these trucks, especially in this type of situation?

How terrible should I expect the gas mileage to be towing? Normal city?

What do I need to know shopping the 4th gens, are there any significant year-to-year changes that are worth hunting for or avoiding?

thanks in advance!

 

[NJshadow93]

I don't tow, but the truck's a tank. Sorry I can't be of more help, haha.

 

[jimithing]

My personal opinion is that even though the V8 capacity is 7k I don't think I'd haul anywhere near that. I'd rather use larger truck for that. I know there are some people who've hauled travel trailers on this site. Maybe you could search for their posts or maybe they'll chime in.

 

[CAN-03runner]

What are you using to tow now?

I'm not a regular tower. But I've towed probably 6000 pounds 3 times last year.

Uhaul says their car transporter is 2000lbs and I'll say 1st gen is probably about 4000lbs.

Uhaul recomended Max 55/hr. And that is pretty acurate. The 4runner can do more, but the trailer got wobbly. But I think that is more a function of the trailers suspension and tires. With a better trailer, it will probably do better. Even at 55 though I felt in control. Except the first time I towed it was my very first towing experience so I didn't know what to expect, at the end of it, I got the feel for it.I think the key to all this is the brakes on the trailer. Without brakes it would be impossible. Even though the uhaul were just surge brakes I really felt them doing their thing.

I can also say that on the flat surface where I loaded, once it was in gear and my foot was off the breaks my 4runner advanced without me pressing on the gas. I did this with the standard hitch. I know. Toyota does not recomend it. But that hitch is capable. When you are driving and you hit a pothole, or go uphill or down hill, take a curve etc...I would say that the weight shifts and more forces are pulling and pushing it than just the 5000lbs would be. But before I do it again. I am going to go get the hitch that bolts to both sides of the frame.

Gas wise, I did 14-15L/100Km normally, and then did 17-18L/100Km. For additional comparison, if I drive "sporty" I also do 17-18L/100Km.

For very long trips, some people have recomended installing a larger transmission cooler.

For the Diffs. Not feeling anything weird.

I do have an OME medium coils. Not sure if that helped or not. I would think it did. So you would need better weight bearing coils or airbag helpers. Or put more of the weight further away. But there too, you don't want the weight pulling up the rear end of the 4runner either.

Pulled out of this parking lot, on a sheet of ice. Not problem. barely pressed the gas. Not slipping. Basically, awesome.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

This thread should help you out.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gallery/34573-what-do-you-tow-pics.html
Based on what I've seen in that thread, you should be fine.
Good Luck

 

[Mr. Banks]

RE: towing and year specific details

The V8 can tow a max of 7,500 Lbs. If you get a limited model they all come with RAS (rear air suspension). I have a sport and used to tow motorcycles in a trailer with my buddies piled in too. We never had any problems and since I don't know what it is like to tow with the RAS, I just know that I never felt like I'm missing out from not having it. I would be interested in experiencing that tough. I should also point out the 4x4 V8 is all time 4WD. If you don't like that you can always look at a 4x2.

Vehicle year specifics can be found here : Top4Runners.com - Toyota 4Runner Informational Website But for the most part ...

2006-2008 is the years they upgraded things like projector headlights, LED tail lights, removed the aux non-functional red lights in the rear, sport editions having nerf bars and tube steps while the sr5 and limited kept the OEM roof racks and running boards,

2009 The back door power window switch has been relocated from the center cluster to the console. There's now two 12V accessory power points up front and one remains in the cargo area.

I think the 2008 Limited/Sport v8 4x4 is my favorite of all time.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

You will be better off with a bigger vehicle if you are going long distances at high speeds. You will need mirror extenders of some sort. i cannot even see around my atv trialer very well. If you can afford a race car you should not be worrying about gas mileage.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

I tow 4500lbs of boat and it tows wonderfully- and trust me I've towed with the wrong vehicle too. However, I do need air bags to level it out, and you're getting a lot closer to the limit. I learned much under the limit is better...

 

[thewizard]

I tow my rallycar (sometimes 600+ miles each way) w/uhaul trailer often in my 04 v6 4runner and am very pleased with it. The v8 would even be better but I wouldnt tow an enclosed trailer with anything other than a full sized diesel unless you live by the track. I have plenty of friends that owned full size gas trucks that gave them up when they started towing enclosed trailers. One year a friend that towed to Tennessee from NY said he was getting 5.5-6 miles a gallon in his F250. The next race he upgraded to a diesel.
The pathfinder and Jeep have shorter wheelbase which will make towing unstable and dangerous.

 

[honda_nos]

I tow my 3800lbs fully loaded and fueled boat with my 2008 V8 with no problems. I've even taken it camping 300+ miles. (Look for the white one with the Yakima box on top in the tow thread).

I've also towed a food trailer 5000+lbs without issue. But to tell you the truth, if i had to tow 7000lbs any real distance, I would be using a Dodge Ram Diesel or something like that.

Also, not all Limited have air suspension, my 2008 does not.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I've towed my racecar and open trailer behind my 04 v6 twice now and it did perfectly fine. Total weight was around 4500 lbs.

I did see a guy at the track that towed an 18ft enclosed behind a v6 4th gen, but I agree the v8 is the way to go for an enclosed trailer. I think with a set of slip in air bags (if you dont get one with auto leveling etc.) you should be good to go. You will definately need towing mirrors when towing an enclosed trailer.

For towing heavier loads it seems best to keep them out of high gear, so tow in 4th.