4th generation SR5 V6 4runner towing
- Thread starter irwinSR5
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Northof49
New member
Towing it on a flatdeck, correct? There's nothing too special about it really.....Just make sure it's within the weight rating, get the right sized ball, right wiring adaptor, hook it up and go. Of course, checking you tire pressures and those of the trailer are always a good idea, as well as checking all your fluid levels.irwinSR5 said:
Or are you just talking about pulling someone out of a ditch (for example)? If that's the case, then ya I'd be in 4wd, probably low range if the other vehicle is sufficienly stuck. Tow straps work the best/are the safest in my experience......chains tend to break and make a mess out of body panels and windshields. Front tow hook, or just loop the strap around your trailer ball works fine.....we have to pull the plow truck at work out of the creek about twice a day when it snows and tow strap + trailer ball seems to be the quickest, easiest and safest way.
Last edited:
TechWrench
Senior Member
irwinSR5 said:
In addition to the things already mentioned, make sure there are no limitations on the vehicle you plan to tow. There are many vehicles, the newer 4Runners for one, that have some specific restrictions on how they can be towed.
Hank
New member
As mentioned earlier by another post, you should keep it in 2wd instead of 4Hi unless there's rain/snow. I towed a friend's vehicle (2500lb Civic on a 2000lb car transport = 4500lb) in 4wd mode when I only had about 800 miles on my 4R. I kinda regret that I hadn't break-in my 4R a bit more, but I believe the manual state that its ok after 500 miles of break-in. Towing in 4wd mode seems to put a bit more stress on the engine/tranny. I should've towed in 2wd.
G3 Trout Runner
New member
Don't use the ball as your attachment. These can shear off and because a great cannonball right in the face. Find another sturdy point even if it takes some more time.
Some have discussed whether our factory tow hooks are really tie downs and may break as well.
There was a great thread on recovery a while back either here or on Yotatech. Do a search for recovery if you desire.
Just some words of safety,
G3 Trout Runner
Some have discussed whether our factory tow hooks are really tie downs and may break as well.
There was a great thread on recovery a while back either here or on Yotatech. Do a search for recovery if you desire.
Just some words of safety,
G3 Trout Runner
boston_kevin
New member
Ball hitch is just that... Not an anchor
I think you are planning to tow a vehicle, not pull someone out of a ditch. If you were pulling someone, don't use the tie downs or the ball hitch. You should use a clevis loop attached to a receiver which fits into your hitch mounted to the vehicle.
If you plan to tow another vehicle, check 3 things...
1) Combined weight of the towed vehicle and trailer do not exceed the capacity of the towing vehicle (in this case 5000 lbs)
2) Trailer tongue weight does not exceed tongue weight capacity of the towing vehicle (in this case 500 pounds)
3) You need to have a brake controller installed (as most of these auto trailers have trailer brakes), but verify this with the trailer rental company (some will just have surge brakes).
After that, common sense is the rule. Not too fast, patience is the key. Don't get too close to people in front of you. Check the vehicles vitals (oil, water, tire pressure) at least once per day when towing
I think you are planning to tow a vehicle, not pull someone out of a ditch. If you were pulling someone, don't use the tie downs or the ball hitch. You should use a clevis loop attached to a receiver which fits into your hitch mounted to the vehicle.
If you plan to tow another vehicle, check 3 things...
1) Combined weight of the towed vehicle and trailer do not exceed the capacity of the towing vehicle (in this case 5000 lbs)
2) Trailer tongue weight does not exceed tongue weight capacity of the towing vehicle (in this case 500 pounds)
3) You need to have a brake controller installed (as most of these auto trailers have trailer brakes), but verify this with the trailer rental company (some will just have surge brakes).
After that, common sense is the rule. Not too fast, patience is the key. Don't get too close to people in front of you. Check the vehicles vitals (oil, water, tire pressure) at least once per day when towing
Just an FYI, if what you are asking about is how to recover someone that is stuck in a ditch, make sure that you buy a "Recovery strap", which does NOT have the metal hooks on the end. A "Tow Strap" has metal hooks, and isn't designed to stretch. Many people have been injured or killed by having one of those hooks come loose and rocket straight back at them.
If you are talking about towing another vehicle for a long distance, then you can either do trailer or flat tow, depending on the vehicle. If you trailer, then make sure that you get a flatbed with trailer brakes, and get a brake controller for the 4R. Any trailer weight over 2000 to 3000 lbs should have brakes. If you are flat towing, you can also get controllers that will actuate the tow'ed vehicle's brakes. Also, with flat towing, the tow bar should be level or at a slight up angle to the tow vehicle. If not, the tow'ed vehicle will try to crawl up over the tow vehicle in hard braking.
--Mike
If you are talking about towing another vehicle for a long distance, then you can either do trailer or flat tow, depending on the vehicle. If you trailer, then make sure that you get a flatbed with trailer brakes, and get a brake controller for the 4R. Any trailer weight over 2000 to 3000 lbs should have brakes. If you are flat towing, you can also get controllers that will actuate the tow'ed vehicle's brakes. Also, with flat towing, the tow bar should be level or at a slight up angle to the tow vehicle. If not, the tow'ed vehicle will try to crawl up over the tow vehicle in hard braking.
--Mike
