Anybody tow a ski/wake boat?

[Hulley]

I've been looking at boats lately and the weights are pushing 4000-4500lbs which I think is closing in on the tow limits of my 07' V6 4x4.

At those weights will my 4runner struggle or be ok I just need to be cautious? I towed before but that was with my Silverado (gone now).

Is there any mod I can do to help with towing? Air bags, shocks, etc?

Post up pics of your ski/wakeboard boat if you want!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

I've been looking at boats lately and the weights are pushing 4000-4500lbs which I think is closing in on the tow limits of my 07' V6 4x4.

At those weights will my 4runner struggle or be ok I just need to be cautious? I towed before but that was with my Silverado (gone now).

Is there any mod I can do to help with towing? Air bags, shocks, etc?

Post up pics of your ski/wakeboard boat if you want!

To handle the added weight definitely look into a couple things;

rear airbags to compensate for the squatting: Amazon.com: AIR LIFT 60809 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit: Automotive

weight distributing hitch (much better than stock receiver):
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch for Toyota 4Runner 2007 - 75155

and a trailer brake controller:
Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional Tekonsha Brake Controller 39510

Combined, these 3 will greatly improve your handling, comfort, and peace of mind when towing. another option to look into would be a stiffer rear spring, or new shocks with better damping ability.

 

[Hulley]

To handle the added weight definitely look into a couple things;

rear airbags to compensate for the squatting: Amazon.com: AIR LIFT 60809 1000 Series Rear Air Spring Kit: Automotive

weight distributing hitch (much better than stock receiver):
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch for Toyota 4Runner 2007 - 75155

and a trailer brake controller:
Tekonsha Voyager Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional Tekonsha Brake Controller 39510

Combined, these 3 will greatly improve your handling, comfort, and peace of mind when towing. another option to look into would be a stiffer rear spring, or new shocks with better damping ability.

Thanks, the brake controller would only work with a trailer that has brakes right? I dont think the boats I'm looking at have brakes on the trailers.

 

[ebg18t]

Many boat trailers have surge brakes. Activated by pressure on a pin at the ball. The v6 4Runner will handle pulling a boat, I just wouldn't want to haul it long distances. I actually had to move my boat last week (home for detailing and bilge cleaning) and used the 4Runner as my Pickup was being used by dad. It pulled it ok, total of 3 miles but had to put it in 4wd to get it up the ramp. Keep in mind my boat is right around 7k pounds (limit on truck) Once on level ground it was ok. Surge brakes are a pain in the ass, but do their job.

IMHO the v6 is not a vehicle I would regularly tow with. But I am spoiled since I have a diesel super duty truck that I use for towing. So my comparison is kind of apples to oranges.

 

[Greenrancher]

I tow a MasterCraft VRS 210 with my 2005 4Runner occasionally. It does squat some and I think suspension air bags would be a good addition. As stated, the boat trailer probably has surge brakes so that isn't an issue. Don't know about the WD hitch - mine is a stock hitch. My boat weighs around 3100# dry and the 4Runner tows it acceptably. I tow relatively short distances (<100 miles) a few times a year. I do have a Chevy 2500HD that I use if I'm towing longer distance.

 

[jzme]

tow a 22' tahoe which is 3500lbs without trailer i do see some squat but it has no power issues at all with towing the boat. I never do long haul tows thought. 03 v6.

 

[ebg18t]

You guys got some light boats. Maybe I need to put mine on a diet.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

The 4th gens are best for towing, be it a v6 or v8
I've seen quit a few 3rd gens pulling some pretty big boats... So if it can handle it I'm sure even the v6 can take it. As was said the boat brakes and airbags would be a good idea, and I've also seen "big brake" upgrades for the 4th gens (thirds just use tundra brakes) not sure if there's any OEM upgrades. So I'd look into it for extra stoping power if you can't do trailer brakes.

 

[4RunnerFan]

The general rule of thumb is to not exceed 80% of your vehicle's towing capacity. I think the V6 limit is 5,000 lbs, so one should not exceed 4,000 lbs.

Also, the tranny fluid should be changed every 60,000 miles when towing. I had ours done last month at 50,000 at the dealer using a 15% Costco Auto Program parts and service discount (at participating dealers) and the balance of a rebate cash card that was about to expire; otherwise, the service would have cost $269 at my dealer.

 

[Xlair]

Have a 2001 pro air nautique. All said and done its probably 4500 lbs or so. I have an 07 V8 with airbags. Trailer has disc brakes so braking isn't bad. The short wheelbase of the truck and single axle trailer get annoying with high crosswinds. The v8 has plenty of power. Averages about 12 mpg.

 

[emoore924]

I've probably towed 20000 miles now. I tow an open car trailer with electric brakes and a brake controller (tekonsha prodigy) with an 05 V8. Probably about 4k lbs all in. No sweat. Have to watch a little under braking but still pretty easy.

IIRC the limit in the owner's manual for a V8 with a load distributing hitch is 7000 lbs and 6600 lbs for the V6. But check for yourself.

As mentioned, the boat trailer will have surge brakes. Ya cant put electric brakes in the water.

Before the 4R I towed the car trailer and a 5000lb boat with a V8 limited explorer. A little shorter wheelbase than the 4R so easier to back up and hook up but it was not as stable on longer pulls as the 4R.

 

[RPS13]

I'm planning to get an open car trailer and tow my car around with my V6. Weight should be around ~4300-4800 lbs depending on cargo and trailer weight (if manufacturers can be believed). Should be fine on a V6 I figure with a tranny cooler added and not trying to haul ass. Most things are pretty flat around here, so no huge mountains or anything to contend with.

I have thought about retrofitting a stock oil (coolant, not air) cooler as well, but I can't seem to find a used one for a decent price. I could always do an aftermarket air oil cooler I suppose.

 

[Hulley]

Thank for all the replies everyone. The distance would be 20-25 miles each way. I feel alittle better, I think with the planning I could do it reliably and safely.

 

[Hulley]

Have a 2001 pro air nautique. All said and done its probably 4500 lbs or so. I have an 07 V8 with airbags. Trailer has disc brakes so braking isn't bad. The short wheelbase of the truck and single axle trailer get annoying with high crosswinds. The v8 has plenty of power. Averages about 12 mpg.

Awesome boat! Thats what I'm looking for althoug I've been entertaining a new Axis A22. I love me some Nautique!

 

[Nuke]

As long as those 20-25 miles are relatively flat, you should be ok. My 4.0 has towed my bass boat (albeit about 2200# loaded) plus a pop-up camper at about 3200# and it's surprising how well the V6 does. Just watch your stopping distances.

 

[bradentyrer]

my 4runner (v8) tows my 3500 lb rig, no problem, no sag. I do run FJs, though. That's a good option if you want to upgrade springs.

N as far as power, hell, my 4runner could rip the side off a house

 

[tony_4r]

I have 21 SeaRay that with trailer, gas and goodies is about 4,500lbs. The trailer is tandem with surge brakes. I tow with a V8 2008 4Runner with no problem. The V8 has plenty of torque to handle passing, uphill, etc. However, I used to tow the same boat with my old 1999 3rd gen V6 4runner. The weight definitely slowed me down. I had to shift down even if it was a little bit of an up incline in the highway. It was horrible and annoying for long towing distances. It was fine for short distances though.
I recommend a trailer with some type of brakes. Before my current boat/trailer, the previous one was 3,500lbs but with no brakes. With that setup the braking was pretty poor on the 3rd gen.

For that heavy of a boat you may want to look at air springs. I just got a pair of Firestone bags that I will be installing soon.

The picture below shows the setup after installing Billies and FJ Springs. The sag looks exaggerated because the front is about 2" higher than stock. That's why my next project is air springs. Total rear sag with FJs is 1" with the boat.

 

[WXman]

I don't have a boat...but as for towing, I had a roughly 2,000 lb. load hooked on last weekend with 4 adults and 1 child in the 4Runner and you could definitely tell the V8 was working. I was a little surprised actually because these things have pretty deep axle gearing and low trans. gears for such a small rig. I'd have to make the tach scream to pass somebody.

 

[Casper421]

Awesome boat! Thats what I'm looking for althoug I've been entertaining a new Axis A22. I love me some Nautique!

My buddy just picked up a new A22. It surfs well with a few sacks! Overall a very nice boat! An awesome boat if you can't afford a Malibu.

 

[EDness]

I'm looking at a boat as well. Thinking about either a 19' or 21' Yamaha jet boat.

I'm hoping to tow the 21' which is about 4500 loaded. 30-50 mile tows, adding airbags and tranny cooler as well.