HEAVIEST load towed with 4Runner

[supercooper]

What are the heaviest trailers people have had experience towing with their 5th gen 4R?

Has anyone towed a trailer close to the 5000lb MAX rating, or even exceeding the 5000lb MAX rating?

Anyone know if the powertrain on the 2010 GX460 includes a transmission oil cooler? Or, for that matter, does the 2010 4Runner have a trans cooler?

I beginning to think that towing a trailer slightly exceeding the MAX rating may not be that much to ask of the new 4Runner. A Highlander is rated to tow 5000lb for heaven's sake.

If the limiting factor is power, I think a conservative driving style and Midwest terrain may more than compensate for the lack of "V8-power"....

So...what have you towed????

 

[M1911]

I beginning to think that towing a trailer slightly exceeding the MAX rating may not be that much to ask of the new 4Runner. A Highlander is rated to tow 5000lb for heaven's sake.

Would there be insurance implications if you had an accident while towing a load in excess of the rated load?

 

[pbm317]

There probably haven't been that many people that have regularly and seriously towed using their 5th Gen 4Runner's yet.

That said, if you're consistently looking to tow 5K pounds or more, I'd look at a different car. Don't try to out think the engineers.

 

[westwind77]

There probably haven't been that many people that have regularly and seriously towed using their 5th Gen 4Runner's yet.

That said, if you're consistently looking to tow 5K pounds or more, I'd look at a different car. Don't try to out think the engineers.

Part of me wonders if it has to do with the 'cheap' way the reciever is attached. Most 2" receivers are welded to the frame (that I have seen), this one looks like it is just an 'aftermarket thought' and bolted on. I will take a pics of 3 other factory 2" receivers and post them all together later.

 

[rclangelan]

I was wondering about this myself. My 2005 Tacoma was rated at 6500lbs. That truck was both lighter and less powerful than the 2010 4Runner. What's the dealio?

~ Ryan

 

[luke150]

I tow a 4000lb bass boat with no problems. I do have trailer brakes.

 

[2003Can4runner]

Get a 4th Gen. V8

 

[M1911]

I was wondering about this myself. My 2005 Tacoma was rated at 6500lbs. That truck was both lighter and less powerful than the 2010 4Runner. What's the dealio?

Dunno. Power to weight ratio seems to be the same:

Tacoma access cab 4x4: 4070 lbs / 236 hp = 17.2 lb/hp
4Runner SR5 4x4: 4675 lbs / 270 hp = 17.3 lb/hp

The Access Cab has a 127" wheelbase. The 4Runner has a 109" wheelbase. I wonder if that longer wheelbase increases stability when towing?

All specs taken from toyota.com website.

 

[rook]

I towed a 2008 V6 RAV4 on top of a UHaul Auto Transport.

3700lb truck + 2210lb trailer

Towed like a champ!

 

[supercooper]

Part of me wonders if it has to do with the 'cheap' way the reciever is attached. Most 2" receivers are welded to the frame (that I have seen), this one looks like it is just an 'aftermarket thought' and bolted on. I will take a pics of 3 other factory 2" receivers and post them all together later.

I haven't inspected the way the integrated hitch is attached to the frame. However, realize the hitch / attachment to frame / frame is shared with the GX460, which is rated for 6500lbs. Also, recall the last gen 4Runner V6 and V8 shared hitches but were rated and 5000 and 7000 lbs T.C.

Regarding the comment about choosing a different vehicle for towing, I realize other vehicles may well be more suited for towing. But, I don't want to sacrifice my vehicle choice based on the 4 trips per year I need a vehicle to tow my boat.

Regarding "don't try to out-think the engineers", I really have to laugh.....for many many reasons. But, please understand that there is NO SAE standard, no FMVSS regulation, so rules whatsoever saying how manufacturers assess and assign tow ratings to vehicles. It is completely up to the manufacturer.

Case in point....FORD mysteriously INCREASED the towing capacity 2 times, coinciding with the release of the new GM and new Toyota, which happened to be rated to tow more...

" Ford states a properly equipped 2007 F-150 (Long Wheel Base, 2WD model only) can now tow up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) maximum and 1800-3050 lb maximum payload, though Ford has not indicated any design changes occurred to support the upgraded towing capacity numbers from the previous model years. The original tow rating of 9,900 lb (4,500 kg) was raised to 10,500 lb (4,800 kg) upon announcement of the new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado's 10,500 lb (4,800 kg) maximum towing capacity. Ford again raised the F-150's maximum towing capacity number to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) upon announcement of the new 2007 Toyota Tundra's 10,800 lb (4,900 kg) maximum towing capacity. The 2004–2008 F-150 model years are mechanically identical, and no technical explanation has been offered by Ford regarding the increase in tow ratings."

Something to think about...

 

[eskimochaos]

I haven't inspected the way the integrated hitch is attached to the frame. However, realize the hitch / attachment to frame / frame is shared with the GX460, which is rated for 6500lbs. Also, recall the last gen 4Runner V6 and V8 shared hitches but were rated and 5000 and 7000 lbs T.C.

Regarding the comment about choosing a different vehicle for towing, I realize other vehicles may well be more suited for towing. But, I don't want to sacrifice my vehicle choice based on the 4 trips per year I need a vehicle to tow my boat.

Regarding "don't try to out-think the engineers", I really have to laugh.....for many many reasons. But, please understand that there is NO SAE standard, no FMVSS regulation, so rules whatsoever saying how manufacturers assess and assign tow ratings to vehicles. It is completely up to the manufacturer.

Case in point....FORD mysteriously INCREASED the towing capacity 2 times, coinciding with the release of the new GM and new Toyota, which happened to be rated to tow more...

" Ford states a properly equipped 2007 F-150 (Long Wheel Base, 2WD model only) can now tow up to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) maximum and 1800-3050 lb maximum payload, though Ford has not indicated any design changes occurred to support the upgraded towing capacity numbers from the previous model years. The original tow rating of 9,900 lb (4,500 kg) was raised to 10,500 lb (4,800 kg) upon announcement of the new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado's 10,500 lb (4,800 kg) maximum towing capacity. Ford again raised the F-150's maximum towing capacity number to 11,000 lb (5,000 kg) upon announcement of the new 2007 Toyota Tundra's 10,800 lb (4,900 kg) maximum towing capacity. The 2004–2008 F-150 model years are mechanically identical, and no technical explanation has been offered by Ford regarding the increase in tow ratings."

Something to think about...

The V6 and V8 hitches were COMPLETELY different. Yes the GX460 comes with a trans oil cooler.

 

[Quentin]

You guys should see the things that Europeans tow w/ their station wagons. Driving through Scotland in my rental Nissan Note, a mercedes E class station wagon goes flying by pulling a smallish camper.

 

[jetboy1975]

Wheelbase does play a big part in stability. The shorter the wheelbase the more succeptable it is to sway/control loss.

As eskimochaos mentioned the hitches on most 4th Gen V6s and V8s are different. The stock base hitch on the V6 and some V8s(in Canada anyways) is the 5000/500lb rated one bolted to the cross member only and is not meant for use with a weight distributing hitch. The tension will twist the x-member and ruin the frame which I'm told is not repairable. The V8 upgrade to 7300lbs is bolted to directly to the frame rails. I can't remember which is on the 5th Gen.

 

[pbm317]

Regarding "don't try to out-think the engineers", I really have to laugh.....for many many reasons. But, please understand that there is NO SAE standard, no FMVSS regulation, so rules whatsoever saying how manufacturers assess and assign tow ratings to vehicles. It is completely up to the manufacturer.

Well since you're so well versed on the topic why bother asking?

 

[Uneek]

Part of me wonders if it has to do with the 'cheap' way the reciever is attached. Most 2" receivers are welded to the frame (that I have seen), this one looks like it is just an 'aftermarket thought' and bolted on. I will take a pics of 3 other factory 2" receivers and post them all together later.

The 4th gen V6 tow hitch (receiver box) is mounted to the rear most cross member that's welded to the frame rails. While it may look cheap, but it's bolted up the crossmember that's under the bumper.

The 5th gen's hitch looks to be similar to the V6 4th's.

I haven't inspected the way the integrated hitch is attached to the frame. However, realize the hitch / attachment to frame / frame is shared with the GX460, which is rated for 6500lbs. Also, recall the last gen 4Runner V6 and V8 shared hitches but were rated and 5000 and 7000 lbs T.C.

The 4th gen V8 tow hitch is a tubular style hitch that's mounted to the frame rails at the side. It's a weight distributing hitch vs. the V6's weight carrying hitch.

 

[Uneek]

I was wondering about this myself. My 2005 Tacoma was rated at 6500lbs. That truck was both lighter and less powerful than the 2010 4Runner. What's the dealio?

~ Ryan

Same here, my Taco DC is at 6500lbs. But the Tacoma has a supplemental engine oil cooler and transmission cooler on the automatic when equipped with the tow package.

 

[M1911]

Regarding "don't try to out-think the engineers", I really have to laugh.....for many many reasons. But, please understand that there is NO SAE standard, no FMVSS regulation, so rules whatsoever saying how manufacturers assess and assign tow ratings to vehicles. It is completely up to the manufacturer.

I believe that is changing just now: SAE Issues Towing Standard - SAE J2807

 

[luke150]

new standard

What would the difference in towing capacity be using the old standard for the T4R ?

 

[M1911]

What would the difference in towing capacity be using the old standard for the T4R ?

I don't think the new standard is in use yet. The standards body is either still in process or just recently released the standard.

 

[supercooper]

I believe that is changing just now: SAE Issues Towing Standard - SAE J2807

Exactly....this standard was written, in part, to address the "mysterious" increases in towing capacity claimed by Ford on their F-150. Some manufacturers have voluntaraly begun using this standard, however there is no requirement to do so...yet. It will be nice when towing ratings will be more of an apples-to-apples comparison across models / makes...and so on.

Regarding the 4th gen 4Runner...anyone have any pics showing the differences in the rear cross member mounted hitch and the weight distributing hitch used on the V8? If the 5th gen uses only the cross member mounted hitch, I would definitely avoid towing more than advertised max. of 5000lb.

It was mentioned the GX460 uses a trans cooler. Anyone know if the 5th gen 4Runner uses a trans cooler, too?