Looking for advice on towing a boat with my t4r. Its a 2000 Limited with the 6 cylinder engine...263,xxx miles, well maintained. The hitch is rated for 500lb tongue and 5000lb towing weight. The boat will not exceed this limit. Not looking for someones 2 cents worth...or "in my opinion" responses, but actual mechanical knowledge factual information. My gut feeling is no...but that is why I'm asking for just the facts. Thanks in advance!
Gen 3 Towing Advice
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JamesDean91
New member
If everything's well mainted I would. I towed my Buddy's mk2 gti on a flatbed trailer about 100 miles. Only problem I encountered was a blown radiator from the fins being clogged with mud and the plastic tanks having stress cracks all over it.
I know of a few people with really nice wakeboard boats that have used or still use there Tacoma or runner.
Also when towing leave your overdrive off and if your trailer doesn't have a tongue break or some form of trailer breaks I'd pull your abs fuse.
shootmymime
New member
how far are you going?
Srabai
New member
The towing capacity of your truck is 5000lbs with a 500lb tounge load. 1999 Toyota 4Runner Technical Specifications
If your boat doesn't exceed that, factually, you should be fine. How much does the boat weight?
Robb235
Senior Member
What exactly are you trying to ask? I didn't see a question anywhere in your post.
the great him
Elite Member
youre not looking for anyone .02, or "IMO" ect, but you ask for advice? am i the only one here who see something wrong... id venture to say no one here has done any hard scientific research/testing on towing, and what the limits are... for one there are simply too many variables iin this equation for the "facts" to be presented. one we do not know the condition of your rig, other than what you say it is(not to mention the trailer)... your definition of well maintained might differ from mine, which might differ from another users..., secondly we dont know the type or weight of the boat you will be towing -there is more to towing than just the weight of the object. your driving style also comes in to play here... i could go on and on about why your question is borderline ridiculous, and almost insulting.
all you are going to get is peoples opinions and experiences at best. for me i would not hesitate to tow with my 4runner, and have. but i would invest in a external trans cooler, and at least do the tundra brake upgrade. if you plan on towing a lot and you are on the higher end of that 5000lbs, then id also suggest installing a trailer brake controller and trailer brakes, or getting a trailer that has the plunger brakes in the socket. -but thats just my .02, and i know you didnt care to hear that. :lalala:
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A.Wilson013
New member
Well, looks like you're gone.
However, if you'd like to post some more details on the 4Runner/Boat, you may get some useful input.
I'll leave you with this:
If the boat doesn't exceed the limits, and your 4Runner is in good mechanical shape, I don't see an issue.
the great him
Elite Member
dont be like that. thats childish. no one was insulted. i get what you were trying to say, but the way you said it left a lot to be desired... if you want to leave, thats your call. but you need to understand that coming to the forum as a newb and telling us that you dont want our $.02 or our opinions/best guesses ect, but instead you want facts, basically backed by scientific research is kinda like telling your boss what you will and will not do, and how much he is gonna pay you on your first day on the job.
we have a lot of knowledgable people here that have years of experience with countless vehicles, not just the 4runner. physics doesnt change just because the vehicle does. sure some vehicles have different components and those will play into a vehicles performance but again physics are physics.
we are all hear for one basic reason -we all like and value our 4runner(s). none of us will knowingly give you bad advice or encourage you to hurt your own vehicle. and a long with that if we see someone giving bad advice or questionable advice, we will halt it or correct it. we are all here to help one another. take our advice or dont, its up to you. but we will only guide you to make the smarter more experienced better educated decisions in regards to your 4runner.
hope to see you stick around and learn as much as you want about your rig.
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Chewbacca
New member
I recently towed for the first time in my 3rd gen 4runner.
My experience as follows:
Rig: 97 4x4 with 210k, 33's Mud tires, stock gearing, and 3 row external tranny cooler.
Trailer. Uhaul trailer 1,200lbs + 410lbs ATV + 200 lbs Gear = 1810lbs
45 mile trip to the mountains (Bass Lake area) CA
Did pretty decent. I actually expected less from the motor if you keep it off OD and have the ECT on it should have NO PROBLEM staying up around 60mph going up steep hills. As soon as I got to the trail head I drove around 20mph for about 15min in 4wd(High) getting to the "spot" the tranny temp light came on. I think I'm going to upgrade to a bigger tranny cooler and hope it solves this issue. Other than that the 4runner did okay but its nothing like a V8 haha
My experience as follows:
Rig: 97 4x4 with 210k, 33's Mud tires, stock gearing, and 3 row external tranny cooler.
Trailer. Uhaul trailer 1,200lbs + 410lbs ATV + 200 lbs Gear = 1810lbs
45 mile trip to the mountains (Bass Lake area) CA
Did pretty decent. I actually expected less from the motor if you keep it off OD and have the ECT on it should have NO PROBLEM staying up around 60mph going up steep hills. As soon as I got to the trail head I drove around 20mph for about 15min in 4wd(High) getting to the "spot" the tranny temp light came on. I think I'm going to upgrade to a bigger tranny cooler and hope it solves this issue. Other than that the 4runner did okay but its nothing like a V8 haha
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541joseph
New member
Ummm that sounds like it was a personal issue
A.Wilson013
New member
No, just another guy adding an idiotic post in an (idiotic) attempt at humor.
541joseph
New member
Ahh I see I got a good laugh
I pulled a 6x12 dual axle trailer LOADED to the gills, including my bass rig w/ cases, from MN to CA w/ zero issues, and had to navigate some nasty hills on I-80 in the process, no issues. Two years later I replaced my hitch, and the old one dumped about 1 pound of rust. Honestly, I'd just get a Scanguage ll or something to monitor your temps (specifically, trans) to alleviate your concerns, and NEVER use OD!!! And yes I have checked my trans fluid since and it is perfect.
