Anyone Towed over 5000 lbs with their Runner?

[richmeyer]

I've got a car and some household items (read, I'm moving) that I need to get from Minneapolis to Chicago. The car has curb weight of 4400 lbs and I'm sure I have a few hundred pounds of crap that will be distributed between the two vehicles. I do have a brake controller but I'm debating between using a dolly or going with the full car trailer from Uhaul. Any advice anyone can share? I dont have a ton of experience with towing anything more than some snowmobiles.

Thanks!

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Have time for the Tundra Brake Upgrade? With that kind of weight driving is going to be like a hangover......time time time. You will want a brake controller but here's the catch. Nothing from Uhaul has a brake controller to my knowledge. They run the hydro brake built in to the trailer tongue. I assume you have the towing package. You will need the cooler at the very minimum.

The other thing you will want is air bags to help even the weight out. If you have Land Cruiser springs in the back you can order some bags that will fit from Sonoran Steel.

Even with the suggestions I wouldn't put this on my top 10 bucket list ideas any time soon. Personally I would see if you could pay a buddy to follow behind or something of that nature.

I would also cry to see a beauty of a 4runner ruined like yours.

I towed a vehicle once with a dolly and it was fine for in town but I don't think our trucks have the weight to tow on the interstate. Crosswinds, traffic, or a blown tire somewhere would cause a dangerously uncontrollable situation.

 

[JeepKiller]

I towed close to 10 thousand for a short period of time because my dads f350 broke down coming back from a food festival. The trailer hitch was about 1 inch off the ground haha. It was only like 7 miles so it wasn't terribly long, but my rear coils compressed about half an inch permanently now, good thing I'm getting new ones. So it can be done, but the weight youre looking at is fairly lighter so you should be ok.

 

[JBurt]

I wouldn't. I towed 5500 pounds about 30 miles helping a busy move. About 40mph with tundra brakes was all I was comfortable with.

I second the idea of trying to get someone else to drive the car, or look into having it shipped

 

[richmeyer]

Thanks guys, pretty much what I figured but wanted some first hand experience. I've got a buddy with a few car trailers, the Runner won't fit but the other car will, might have to bribe him with some beers. And fuel of course. Thanks!

 

[hour]

I researched this, towing my old Tacoma (~3600#) with another vehicle... and while I can't say how a 4runner would do dragging over 5,000 lbs, I can say that most people agree that car dollys aren't enjoyable to tow for long distances.

I used a Uhaul auto transport trailer which cost a ton, especially since I dropped it off at a different location than where I picked it up. While it only took me one day to drive 1,000 miles to the Tacoma's new home, they had to bill me for like 5 days :\ I forget Uhauls logic, but it wasn't sound. Over $600 with insurance.

The surge brakes on the trailer worked fine though.