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

[deanmosh]

We currently have a 2020 OR and previously had a 2012 SR5. We have towed a 5000lb Boat / Trailer combo for years. Disclaimers.
We try to tow @ 65 MPH or less when off highway. We have never towed more than 400 miles in a single run. Load is balanced and relatively streamlined. We live in Florida, so hills are a non-issue. We have disk brakes on all 4 trailer tires, and trailer is well maintained. In 7+ years of towing that load, no issue of any sort. No overheating, no instability. 2 flat tires, 1 on truck, one on trailer, both uneventful. Average MPG with this load about 11 MPG. Tires are KO2 255/75’s. Suspension is standard. Trailer tongue weight just shy of 400 lbs. Slight rear sag when towing, but not too bad. Prior to this setup, we have decades of experience towing much heavier loads with much bigger trucks.

Based on our experience our 4runner meets our current towing needs. If we were towing a boxy trailer, higher tongue weight, mountains, huge tires or extra heavy modified 4runner, the results probably would not be as decent.

Thanks so much for writing this out! Calculating the weights, i think i'd come in at ~5,400lbs. Do you think that'd extra 400 pounds will make a huge difference? Are flat tires a more common thing while towing?

 

[deanmosh]

I live North of Sac and have towed our travel trailer up and over the grapevine a couple of times. It weighs about 4500 lbs fully loaded and then we have 4 of us, 3 medium size dogs and all our gear the 4Runner, so pretty loaded. I was able to pass semis on the Grapevine without pushing the 4Runner. I think slowest I went was 45-50 mph all the while keeps RPMs below 5,000. Given I have a trailer brake which helps immensely on the downsides. I’ve never not had the trailer brake so can’t say how it handles going down grade without one. Same with weight distribution hitch which acts as a sway bar too; never not had that so can’t say what it’s like without that.

I will say the cruise control struggles even on the flats in the Central Valley. It will go from 4th to 3rd back to 4th gears in a 90 sec span trying to maintain the speed you set. I wish there was a speed range you could program in so it doesn’t result in sudden RPM surges, but oh well.

Thanks for sharing! These replies are encouraging me to tow it myself. Can i ask how far above Sac you are?

Doing the math, the cost almost would come out to the cost of shipping it with gas prices the way they are. If 11mpg is right i'll have to fill up 3-4 times.

 

[MoreOutdoors]

Thanks for sharing! These replies are encouraging me to tow it myself. Can i ask how far above Sac you are?

Doing the math, the cost almost would come out to the cost of shipping it with gas prices the way they are. If 11mpg is right i'll have to fill up 3-4 times.

I live in Chico, 90 miles north. And you’re spot on with the gas refills- 3-4 tanks is what it took us when we drove to San Diego and back for Christmas.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

From what I have heard in other threads here, yes it will do it, but you will always “feel” that trailer lmao


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[Chumly]

Our flat tires were both road debris. (Screw, Nail). Just make sure you have a spare, repair kit, jack…. Regarding towing overweight, I cannot advise you on that. Distance, weight distribution, wind profile, driver experience & potential liability issues all can be factors in your decision making.

 

[thatoneguy]

If I may piggyback on this thread, have members here towed heavier vehicles offroad, back to the paved road? Like theoretically, if my buddy's '99 Suburban that he keeps bringing camping were to break down, could I tow it at 10mph back to the side of the road for him to get a real tow? Sounds like the stated tow limit isn't on the bleeding edge of the frame/hitch's strength...

 

[Jetboy]

If I may piggyback on this thread, have members here towed heavier vehicles offroad, back to the paved road? Like theoretically, if my buddy's '99 Suburban that he keeps bringing camping were to break down, could I tow it at 10mph back to the side of the road for him to get a real tow? Sounds like the stated tow limit isn't on the bleeding edge of the frame/hitch's strength...

That should be no problem. The tow rating is based on a lot of factors including dynamic safety (ie can you stop it or make an evasive maneuver at highway speeds), stuff like that. I would use 4lo for the extra gearing, but you won't hurt anything either way, it's just a bit easier on the transmission and engine. Just as the extreme example - the Tundra with a 10k tow capacity pulled the space shuttle that's 300k lbs at low speed across a bridge. It was a media stunt, but if it'll physically pull it, you should be too worried about pulling it at low speed back to the trailhead.

I would probably put it on a flatbed and haul it down the backroads too if it wasn't too far back home. I wouldn't recommend it to someone else, but I'd do it if it were me. Keep it slow. I think it would be fine as long as you take it easy.

The craziest part of this whole thing is that a 1999 suburban, depending on configuration, may weigh less than a 4runner. :scared:

 

[TurboX]

So I've been through a few threads now about the feasibility of towing at the limit. As with most things, the answers vary and the yes/no's are both equally convincing. My key takeaway is that towing at the max regularly without upgrades is not recommended. But what about just once? I just need to tow my car up here once. 2200 lbs trailer + 3000 lbs car.

Am i wrong in thinking that I can safely tow 5k pounds 650 miles, from LA to the california/oregon border without any modifications? There's 2 relatively steep inclines but otherwise relatively flat. i dont have much experience with towing but have driven this route a few dozen times. any thoughts?

You can do it, lucky for you the speed limit in Kalifornia is 55 when towing. Grapevine can be a little sketchy going up and back down into the valley, Northern Kalifornia is a slower but longer incline. I suggest using gears to maintain speed down hill, electric trailer brake are a huge plus and be prepared to use a lot of fuel. You say not much experience towing, be careful, allow plenty of distance and use gears to slow vehicle, not the brakes on your runner. I towed a #4000 camper once and personally not worth the risk just because the 4Runner has shorter wheel base, underpowered and marginal brakes for these loads.

Good luck and be safe

 

[We Out Here]

Found my stats, I averaged 12 mpg towing across canada.
Distance 5871 km
Total gas $2328.00 CAD