Anyone towing around 5,000lbs (max capacity)?

[MSBX4RUNNER]

I currently have an 05 T4R V8 that has a towing capacity of 7,700lbs. I am wanting to purchase a new 4runner but the towing capacities are only 5,000lbs, which is right at about what my boat weighs. I'm really bummed that a new 4runner just might not be an option anymore. I want to get a new TRDPro model but I'm thinking I wouldn't be able to tow my boat very well. Am I right? Are any of y'all towing that much? Thanks in advance, Rebecca.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

bump...... Bueller?

 

[Titanpat57]

bump...... Bueller?

Seriously...search

There's 250 threads on this exact subject

 

[catrains]

I currently have an 05 T4R V8 that has a towing capacity of 7,700lbs. I am wanting to purchase a new 4runner but the towing capacities are only 5,000lbs, which is right at about what my boat weighs. I'm really bummed that a new 4runner just might not be an option anymore. I want to get a new TRDPro model but I'm thinking I wouldn't be able to tow my boat very well. Am I right? Are any of y'all towing that much? Thanks in advance, Rebecca.

my family member has the T4R V8 2005 . I have driven it a few times. the vehicle has performed well and when loaded up not towing I find it to be a good vehicle to be able to tow the 5K lbs just like yours.

I purchased the 2016 T4R and I would never tow my 4K lbs boat with that V6 engine in it. I find that even on slight grades @65mph, when it is in cruise control the tranny downs shifts all the time . If towing this could be a serious problem.

the vehicles integrity to tow 5K lbs is there , but not the power to handle it with the engine toyota used.

I believe that if they used a small v8 with more torque than the V6 like 30 more ft lbs it would be a very good vehicle for the so called 5K lbs tow.

I use my V8 17 yr old truck to tow the boat. with a 2 axle trailer surge brakes you can not even feel any effect on the road that its hooked up. 4 sp tranny ..tow in 3rd gear only ..no OD..

It is possible you could have the dealership let you try out the vehicle for a few hours... hook up the boat see how it works , then post back what you think .. that would be a good test for many with this 5K tow question.

the 2005 V8 does have more balls than my 2016 ..

 

[1engineer]

my family member has the T4R V8 2005 . I have driven it a few times. the vehicle has performed well and when loaded up not towing I find it to be a good vehicle to be able to tow the 5K lbs just like yours.

I purchased the 2016 T4R and I would never tow my 4K lbs boat with that V6 engine in it. I find that even on slight grades @65mph, when it is in cruise control the tranny downs shifts all the time . If towing this could be a serious problem.

the vehicles integrity to tow 5K lbs is there , but not the power to handle it with the engine toyota used.

I believe that if they used a small v8 with more torque than the V6 like 30 more ft lbs it would be a very good vehicle for the so called 5K lbs tow.

I use my V8 17 yr old truck to tow the boat. with a 2 axle trailer surge brakes you can not even feel any effect on the road that its hooked up. 4 sp tranny ..tow in 3rd gear only ..no OD..

It is possible you could have the dealership let you try out the vehicle for a few hours... hook up the boat see how it works , then post back what you think .. that would be a good test for many with this 5K tow question.

the 2005 V8 does have more balls than my 2016 ..

Go drive it in "S" mode. Works fine for towing 4.5K. Done it many times.

 

[(none)]

Yes it will tow. The owner's manual covers how to tow properly with the transmission.

As with any vehicle you are towing at max capacity or over, you'll need to take precautions. Heavy tongue weight will cause the rear to sag and the ride and control to suffer slightly. The cooling system is pretty damned good stock, but adding an air to oil trans cooler wouldn't hurt.

IMO, the 5k towing rating of the 5th gen t4r is entirely limited by the hitch itself. Ours come stock with everything the tacomas have on their optional tow package (larger battery, alternator, engine oil cooler, wiring) except the aux trans cooler (which is pifully small on the tacos). the 4runners have nearly 1" larger front brakes and vented rear disk brakes (compared to drums) than the tacomas. And I still believe the 4runner suspension is better than taco suspension as well. As mentioned in another thread, the 4th gen, higher rated hitch bolts up to a 5th gen.

 

[Jetboy]

IMO it tows great. Much better than I anticipated. Personally I would hitch up 7500lbs (with trailer brakes and a distributing hitch) for short trips without much hesitation.

 

[Muddy Duck]

I just towed approximately 7k pounds and it handled it fine. E-rated LT tires, air bags over rear axle, trailer brakes controller, heavy-duty OME springs. I took it very, very easy and moved slowly and cautiously. I want to figure out how to change my hitch receiver to a weight-distributing hitch, but the truck managed well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Home Team 4Runner]

I currently have an 05 T4R V8 that has a towing capacity of 7,700lbs. I am wanting to purchase a new 4runner but the towing capacities are only 5,000lbs, which is right at about what my boat weighs. I'm really bummed that a new 4runner just might not be an option anymore. I want to get a new TRDPro model but I'm thinking I wouldn't be able to tow my boat very well. Am I right? Are any of y'all towing that much? Thanks in advance, Rebecca.

Just curious if that's what the boat itself weighs or you've included motor, fuel, equipment etc as well?

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Thank you for the advice, I don't get on here much but when I do everyone is very helpful. (I did attempt to search Titanpat57, guess I wasn't typing in the right keywords to find what I wanted.) Seeing if the dealership will let me test drive it and tow the boat down the road might be a good idea. The lake and the dealership are pretty close together here. My boat without the trailer and gas weighs right under 4,000lbs, with a 38 gal take and about a 1,000lb trailer I'm pretty close to 5,000lbs total. My trailer has 2 axles and surge brakes. I am normally not towing the boat more than 30 miles to the lakes around here so most of my trips are fairly short and not a lot of highway time.

 

[007Tacoma]

Thank you for the advice, I don't get on here much but when I do everyone is very helpful. (I did attempt to search Titanpat57, guess I wasn't typing in the right keywords to find what I wanted.) Seeing if the dealership will let me test drive it and tow the boat down the road might be a good idea. The lake and the dealership are pretty close together here. My boat without the trailer and gas weighs right under 4,000lbs, with a 38 gal take and about a 1,000lb trailer I'm pretty close to 5,000lbs total. My trailer has 2 axles and surge brakes. I am normally not towing the boat more than 30 miles to the lakes around here so most of my trips are fairly short and not a lot of highway time.

IMHO: The only thing I would suggest: ditch the surge brakes and install an electronically controlled brake system on the rear axle of the trailer. My experience with surge brakes while towing with my 4Runner is that they can make emergency braking "squirelly" in the worst ways possible. This has quite a bit to do with the weight and the short wheel base of the 4Runners. Both of my 4Runners had the option for a plug-n-play brake controller to be added. This made a world of difference towing boats. Unfortunately, it does nothing for UHaul trailers. :frusty:

 

[philsey]

I currently have an 05 T4R V8 that has a towing capacity of 7,700lbs. I am wanting to purchase a new 4runner but the towing capacities are only 5,000lbs, which is right at about what my boat weighs. I'm really bummed that a new 4runner just might not be an option anymore. I want to get a new TRDPro model but I'm thinking I wouldn't be able to tow my boat very well. Am I right? Are any of y'all towing that much? Thanks in advance, Rebecca.

SAE2807

Here's what I *think*. I think you are comparing Apples to Oranges. Let's apply a little logic. Your V8 produces similar hp/tq to the 4.0, lower rpm agreed but pretty similar. The V8 does have a better tq-@-rpm advantage, but not dramatic. 4G chassis/suspension is same-at-best, 4G brakes are inferior. So why a 2,700# difference?

I think it is primarily due to MANUFACTURER'S TOW RATING. Prior to 2011, Toyota (and every Mfgr) did their own tow ratings. So, your 7,700# rating was done by Toyota engineers, and I have every confidence it is reasonable. Toyota was the first mfgr to begin rating it's vehicles to the newly established SAE2807 tow standards, hence the dramatic TR drop with the 5th Gen.

If you think that V8 is wholly responsible for the different tow rating, sorry but that is just not realistic. I agree that the seat-of-the-pants meter favors the V8's lower rpm tq, but if I had to tow, say 6,500#, I'd pick better brakes in a 5G over a V8 in a 4G any day. If you think a 4G is a better TV than a 5G, knock yourself out, but as Spock would say, "it's illogical Captain".

The biggest concern I'd have is liability, not reliability.

This will probably start a shitstorm of opinions ... so, just my $.02.

 

[philsey]

Thank you for the advice, I don't get on here much but when I do everyone is very helpful. (I did attempt to search Titanpat57, guess I wasn't typing in the right keywords to find what I wanted.)
.

Around here, [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] is aka douchebag, but I digress.

The lake and the dealership are pretty close together here. My boat without the trailer and gas weighs right under 4,000lbs, with a 38 gal take and about a 1,000lb trailer I'm pretty close to 5,000lbs total. My trailer has 2 axles and surge brakes. I am normally not towing the boat more than 30 miles to the lakes around here so most of my trips are fairly short and not a lot of highway time.

That is cake. You're fine. The 5G is softly sprung, and that is going to cause the rear to sag noticeably. Bilsteins and rear air bags would be a solid recommendation.
[MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] tows #3500 frequently, and highly recommends the bags.

 

[007Tacoma]

SAE2807

Here's what I *think*. I think you are comparing Apples to Oranges. Let's apply a little logic. Your V8 produces similar hp/tq to the 4.0, lower rpm agreed but pretty similar. The V8 does have a better tq-@-rpm advantage, but not dramatic. 4G chassis/suspension is same-at-best, 4G brakes are inferior. So why a 2,700# difference?

I think it is primarily due to MANUFACTURER'S TOW RATING. Prior to 2011, Toyota (and every Mfgr) did their own tow ratings. So, your 7,700# rating was done by Toyota engineers, and I have every confidence it is reasonable. Toyota was the first mfgr to begin rating it's vehicles to the newly established SAE2807 tow standards, hence the dramatic TR drop with the 5th Gen.

If you think that V8 is wholly responsible for the different tow rating, sorry but that is just not realistic. I agree that the seat-of-the-pants meter favors the V8's lower rpm tq, but if I had to tow, say 6,500#, I'd pick better brakes in a 5G over a V8 in a 4G any day. If you think a 4G is a better TV than a 5G, knock yourself out, but as Spock would say, "it's illogical Captain".

The biggest concern I'd have is liability, not reliability.

This will probably start a shitstorm of opinions ... so, just my $.02.

I find this assessment highly logical.

Means I 100% agree.

Take a look at all manufacturer tow ratings from 2010 model year to 2015 model year on essentially the same vehicle. Unless you are looking at the 3/4 and 1 ton market (don't get me started on that), almost all of them took a significant hit in "rated" tow capacity due to the mostly universal application of the SAE rating system. I don't agree with all the SAE findings, but it does give a better comparison instead of the Dodge/Ford/Chevy pissing matches of 2008-2011 (I said don't get me started).

 

[Titanpat57]

Around here, [MENTION=47340]Titanpat57[/MENTION] is aka douchebag, but I digress.

it's f'in douche canoe...big difference




As far as searching....at least 10 pages, probably more

so for you own edification [MENTION=56532]MSBX4RUNNER[/MENTION]

 

[Antman]

it's f'in douche canoe...big difference

 

[Muddy Duck]

Another difference which can tip in favor of the V8 4G is the hitch receiver. The 4G V8 has a better weight distributing hitch, whereas the 5G has simply bolted the receiver on the end of the frame rails.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hrod79]

I agree with the liability issue. Stopping the weight behind you will be the biggest factor. Also there is no aftermarket support for a larger weight distributing receiver hitch. It is possible that the Lexus GX460 weight distributing receiver hitch may work as an option for something to purchase however there is no guarantee it will bolt up. Definitely a modification the the rear suspension in the way of springs or airbags will be needed.

 

[JeremyB]

My boat without the trailer and gas weighs right under 4,000lbs, with a 38 gal take and about a 1,000lb trailer I'm pretty close to 5,000lbs.

My boat is listed at 3000 lbs dry and weighs in at ~4600 loaded. You're over 5k lbs if the dry weigh is 4k.

 

[Nickk6]

I don't get why people tow so close to the max weight. I've towed numerous miles with a car carrier or a 7,000lb boat (in a truck with a 7,500 tow limit). Its just not enjoyable to drive when your car is at its limits for stopping and handling. If you need to tow heavy loads get a heavy duty truck. I got the GX for the occasion I need to use my car trailer, but at 5,000lbs, the GX barely moves and stops worse.