HEAVIEST load towed with 4Runner
- Thread starter supercooper
- Start date
2008 4runner sport 4wd w/ tow package.
My brother & I bought a 20' +/- travel trailer last year, 4000 lb dry weight.
I have towed it a couple of times, farthest was 100 miles or so. It has sufficient power to pull, but you are being handled by the trailer, not the other way around. I have trailer brake controller, load leveling hitch, anything I could think of to help, but the job is just marginal at best. Would not consider a long trip, white knuckles couldn't stand the anxiety. Semi's blowing passed presented biggest problem, although surprisingly most move over as far as possible to avoid sucking you over into their lane.
I tow a 22' boat regularly to the Keys, 150 mile each way, probably close to 4000 lb total rig, and it tows much better, although mpg is still half of normal. I put in 4, not D, and it still kicks down on many overpasses.
The tow package includes a tranny cooler, but I don't think it includes an oil cooler. Probably larger battery, in case I needed more weight forward
?
My brother & I bought a 20' +/- travel trailer last year, 4000 lb dry weight.
I have towed it a couple of times, farthest was 100 miles or so. It has sufficient power to pull, but you are being handled by the trailer, not the other way around. I have trailer brake controller, load leveling hitch, anything I could think of to help, but the job is just marginal at best. Would not consider a long trip, white knuckles couldn't stand the anxiety. Semi's blowing passed presented biggest problem, although surprisingly most move over as far as possible to avoid sucking you over into their lane.
I tow a 22' boat regularly to the Keys, 150 mile each way, probably close to 4000 lb total rig, and it tows much better, although mpg is still half of normal. I put in 4, not D, and it still kicks down on many overpasses.
The tow package includes a tranny cooler, but I don't think it includes an oil cooler. Probably larger battery, in case I needed more weight forward
?16 foot wood deck trailer (1600 lbs?)
1966ish Sunbeam Tiger with hardtop (2600 lbs)
Spare rear end with springs, on trailer
Spare tranny, on trailer
Wagon cargo area full of spare mechanical and body parts
Probably 5000 lbs all told. First from Mooresville NC to home in the DC area, then from DC to mom & dad's in western Mass. No issues, 14 MPG.
1966ish Sunbeam Tiger with hardtop (2600 lbs)
Spare rear end with springs, on trailer
Spare tranny, on trailer
Wagon cargo area full of spare mechanical and body parts
Probably 5000 lbs all told. First from Mooresville NC to home in the DC area, then from DC to mom & dad's in western Mass. No issues, 14 MPG.
Whistler RKT
New member
Yes, towing 5000lbs plus...
I have an OME lift and the truck tows great. You're obviously not going to win any races up the steeps, but it handles really well on windy roads and up moderate hills. I get a bit of sag so I imagine the stock truck would sit really low in the rear.
I'm sure for flatland towing, a stock 4Runner would be fine. For the windy narrow up and down roads we deal with up here, I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable without my OME, Spidertrax, and 10 ply BFG KOs.
I have an OME lift and the truck tows great. You're obviously not going to win any races up the steeps, but it handles really well on windy roads and up moderate hills. I get a bit of sag so I imagine the stock truck would sit really low in the rear.
I'm sure for flatland towing, a stock 4Runner would be fine. For the windy narrow up and down roads we deal with up here, I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable without my OME, Spidertrax, and 10 ply BFG KOs.
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Speedy Babo
New member
2000 mile tow with 6'x12' uhaul trailer
Just wanted to post my experience of moving from San Diego to Chicago.
I had a ton of stuff in boxes, plus a L-shaped couch, solid wood dining table, queen size foam mattress (those things are heavy and impossible to move by yourself) all crammed into u-hauls biggest trailer. It was 3D tetris to pack everything. The weight of the trailer empty was about 2000 lbs. and all the stuff was probably 2000 lbs. plus. It would be safe to bet that the trailer weighed about 4500 lbs. It was hooked to a Reese 2" drop hitch and 2" ball. I had my fiancee and our 2 dogs in the 4runner.
The whole trip took about 45 hours worth of driving spread over 4 days. The worst part of the drive was through Colorado, on the way up to Denver. Had to keep down shifting to 2nd gear to just struggle up the 6-7% grades at 35-45 MPH and keep it in 2nd gear to engine brake. To make matters worse, all the stuff we had made it impossible to pack the trailer heavier in front, making the trailer sway if speeds reached above 60. Went around 55 mph all the way.
Nebraska was the easiest drive, since the I-80 there is so flat and straight. I averaged about 18 MPG. Overall, I'd say my MPG was about 15, probably due to my low speed and cruise control 90% of the time. Was really glad I changed the skinny limited tires and put on at least 265's. What this trip made me wish for was a V8 or even a supercharger. I don't remember how many 18 wheelers passed me, but I just know I'll never tow something this heavy and improperly loaded across the country in the 4Runner again.
Just wanted to post my experience of moving from San Diego to Chicago.
I had a ton of stuff in boxes, plus a L-shaped couch, solid wood dining table, queen size foam mattress (those things are heavy and impossible to move by yourself) all crammed into u-hauls biggest trailer. It was 3D tetris to pack everything. The weight of the trailer empty was about 2000 lbs. and all the stuff was probably 2000 lbs. plus. It would be safe to bet that the trailer weighed about 4500 lbs. It was hooked to a Reese 2" drop hitch and 2" ball. I had my fiancee and our 2 dogs in the 4runner.
The whole trip took about 45 hours worth of driving spread over 4 days. The worst part of the drive was through Colorado, on the way up to Denver. Had to keep down shifting to 2nd gear to just struggle up the 6-7% grades at 35-45 MPH and keep it in 2nd gear to engine brake. To make matters worse, all the stuff we had made it impossible to pack the trailer heavier in front, making the trailer sway if speeds reached above 60. Went around 55 mph all the way.
Nebraska was the easiest drive, since the I-80 there is so flat and straight. I averaged about 18 MPG. Overall, I'd say my MPG was about 15, probably due to my low speed and cruise control 90% of the time. Was really glad I changed the skinny limited tires and put on at least 265's. What this trip made me wish for was a V8 or even a supercharger. I don't remember how many 18 wheelers passed me, but I just know I'll never tow something this heavy and improperly loaded across the country in the 4Runner again.
Reata
New member
Dude, tell me about that boat. That thing is awesome and not CHEAP!! Beautiful rig. Does it really handle like the pictures show in a river like that? What is the draft, really?
Hi-Jack, sorry.
Whistler RKT
New member
Reata,
It's a North River Commander X, 21.6', 360 HP, bad-ass jet boat.
It's actually belongs to my boss, but he lets me use it once in a while.
Yes, it handles like a dream, does 180's on a dime, tops out at 45 MPH burning 10 gallons an hour, and only draws 4" on plane! It's heavy guage welded aluminum so it's practically bullet proof and it is definitely at home in serious white water.
Tons of fun, an no, not cheap, probably 60K for a new one.
Hijack over...
It's a North River Commander X, 21.6', 360 HP, bad-ass jet boat.
It's actually belongs to my boss, but he lets me use it once in a while.
Yes, it handles like a dream, does 180's on a dime, tops out at 45 MPH burning 10 gallons an hour, and only draws 4" on plane! It's heavy guage welded aluminum so it's practically bullet proof and it is definitely at home in serious white water.
Tons of fun, an no, not cheap, probably 60K for a new one.
Hijack over...
Muddy Duck
New member
towing
I wish I had taken pictures. Two weeks ago I towed a 6.5ton rated trailer loaded down with a massive pine tree that I had removed from my yard. I checked the weight at the landfill and it was just shy of 6800 pounds. Yesterday, I towed an old BMW (3800lbs) on this same trailer. This type of trailering is very unusual for me. My typical cargo is a 20ft fiberglass center-console (not sure of the weight). My little SR5 has proven to be a sturdy tow vehicle. With the larger-weight trailers I never went over 30-40mph, but it seemed to handle them without a problem. Before towing, I asked my service advisor at my dealership and he said the truck could do it (not before saying that the truck is rated for 5000lbs and he is not liable for anything that happens if I exceed that weight). He said that the weakness in the system is the transmission and added that if I kept the truck in its lower gears, drove extremely conservatively, and kept the trips short and to a minimum, it could handle it.
I wish I had taken pictures. Two weeks ago I towed a 6.5ton rated trailer loaded down with a massive pine tree that I had removed from my yard. I checked the weight at the landfill and it was just shy of 6800 pounds. Yesterday, I towed an old BMW (3800lbs) on this same trailer. This type of trailering is very unusual for me. My typical cargo is a 20ft fiberglass center-console (not sure of the weight). My little SR5 has proven to be a sturdy tow vehicle. With the larger-weight trailers I never went over 30-40mph, but it seemed to handle them without a problem. Before towing, I asked my service advisor at my dealership and he said the truck could do it (not before saying that the truck is rated for 5000lbs and he is not liable for anything that happens if I exceed that weight). He said that the weakness in the system is the transmission and added that if I kept the truck in its lower gears, drove extremely conservatively, and kept the trips short and to a minimum, it could handle it.
Mick1
New member
Trailer is 1,990 lbs I recall, might be off. It is fully loaded with household stuff. Probably another 2,000 lbs easy. More weight was loaded towards the front. I attached Tow N See convex mirrors and those were nice, but the wind the morning of the first day was extremely strong. Kept blowing them in. I stopped to duct tape them to the mirrors and that prevented unwanted movement. The wind during the morning of first day was very unsettling. Other than that, it pulled well. First tank of gas through mid-west flat land, mostly in drive got 13.5mpg. Second tank in some mountains kept it in 4th was 12.5 mpg. Third tank included a detour through mountains and was 10.5 mpg.
Stock suspension. 265 Duratrac, C load, pressure was set at 41 or 42 psi cold. Outside temp was 30 degrees F. When the temp increased a few days later I had to let air out to get back to 41 psi.
B&M Transmission Cooler was installed prior to towing and I changed the motor oil just before the trip too. I put a scan gauge in, but did not get the transmission temp feature programed while pulling the trailer. Hottest temp I have briefly seen while stopped in aggressive normal around town driving is about 170, but it drops immediately as soon as I get moving.
Can u say "Squat"
Stock suspension. 265 Duratrac, C load, pressure was set at 41 or 42 psi cold. Outside temp was 30 degrees F. When the temp increased a few days later I had to let air out to get back to 41 psi.
B&M Transmission Cooler was installed prior to towing and I changed the motor oil just before the trip too. I put a scan gauge in, but did not get the transmission temp feature programed while pulling the trailer. Hottest temp I have briefly seen while stopped in aggressive normal around town driving is about 170, but it drops immediately as soon as I get moving.
Can u say "Squat"
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CAN-03runner
New member
There has already been mention of the Taco and the 4th Gen V6 4Runner being able to tow 6400#. Since a few times a year I tow my 1st gen on a trailer, probably more than 6000# this topic always interests me.
What I have noticed is that the 4th Gen 4runner and the Taco have 31" tires and the 5th Gen have 32". This 1 inch height difference is probably a major force behind Toyota decision for the reduced tow rating of the 5th gen 4runner, considering that the FJ Cruiser also comes with 32" tires and is also limited to 5000# again without any tow package option to increase it and the same drive train. So those taller tires require more power to rotate and take longer to stop rotating it probably places greater stress on the drive train components.
Several posts back someone writes that Toyota is probably figuring how often someone might tow with a passenger truck, for what distances and then comes up with a concervative value so that the drive train lasts the duration of the warranty period.
But even the SuperDuty fails. If you know anyone with work trucks like I do, you'll know that they require maintenance, and do breakdown. In fact my buddy ended up hiring an on-site Ford mechanic and installed a car lift in his truck yard shop just to do repairs to his fleet of Fords. Weeks and weeks of pulling bull dozers, landscaping gear, and pushing snow takes a toll even on the mighty superduty.
Also Toyota might be more interested in getting us to buy a Sequoia or Tundra to pull heavier loads if we really wanted to stick to the Toyota brand. And if we didn't care for the brand, then we would be off getting SuperDuty, Ram, or HD anyway so no loss there.
The other thing that is screwy with the Toyota tow rating is that they just say 5000#. While many other car makers list the tow rating as braked vs non braked. So either the 4runner is really the king of the road or it is very misleading.
What I have noticed is that the 4th Gen 4runner and the Taco have 31" tires and the 5th Gen have 32". This 1 inch height difference is probably a major force behind Toyota decision for the reduced tow rating of the 5th gen 4runner, considering that the FJ Cruiser also comes with 32" tires and is also limited to 5000# again without any tow package option to increase it and the same drive train. So those taller tires require more power to rotate and take longer to stop rotating it probably places greater stress on the drive train components.
Several posts back someone writes that Toyota is probably figuring how often someone might tow with a passenger truck, for what distances and then comes up with a concervative value so that the drive train lasts the duration of the warranty period.
But even the SuperDuty fails. If you know anyone with work trucks like I do, you'll know that they require maintenance, and do breakdown. In fact my buddy ended up hiring an on-site Ford mechanic and installed a car lift in his truck yard shop just to do repairs to his fleet of Fords. Weeks and weeks of pulling bull dozers, landscaping gear, and pushing snow takes a toll even on the mighty superduty.
Also Toyota might be more interested in getting us to buy a Sequoia or Tundra to pull heavier loads if we really wanted to stick to the Toyota brand. And if we didn't care for the brand, then we would be off getting SuperDuty, Ram, or HD anyway so no loss there.
The other thing that is screwy with the Toyota tow rating is that they just say 5000#. While many other car makers list the tow rating as braked vs non braked. So either the 4runner is really the king of the road or it is very misleading.
Antman
Elite Member
Where did you attach the tow strap!?
Gerdo
New member
My hitch to his front hooks/loops.
CAN-03runner
New member
A friend of mine also claims to have pulled a stuck farm tractor/dozer something or other with his T100. About 30000 pounds too.
CAN-03runner
New member
Here's something cool and off topic.
Yota Power - YouTube
Yota Power - YouTube
Jeremy556
New member
Even if they don't say it, they mean braked. I wouldn't pull more than 1500 pounds without brakes of some kind.
That's the funny thing with braking with a trailer, on the slow, smooth, gradual stops that you are naturally doing, you don't really need trailer brakes. When you realize it is when you have to stop in an unplanned distance. As you apply more force to the brake pedal, the tongue weight of the trailer increases, and removes weight (traction) from your main braking (front) axle, and your stopping distance becomes scary.
CAN-03runner
New member
Agreed, i use trailerbrakes. But they should explicitly indicate it.
shawnmjimerson
New member
Boat/Trailer
Late to the table, I know. I tow, two toys. Tow in 4S, using an Andersen 4" drop/rise, EZ Hitch with 2" & 2 5/16" ball combo.
#1, Four Winns H180 boat on a single axle trailer. Boat weight is 2560 lbs., dry. It sits on a single axle trailer (w/ brakes) that weighs in at 765 lbs. Total with a full tank of gas is 3550 lbs., before other gear (vests, lines, anchor, tube, bimini, etc.). Guess would be final weight is around 3700 lbs., with full gear & fluids. The boat gets pulled from SLC up to Jordanelle reservoir through Parley's Canyon (5% grade, max). The truck does really well in this situation, both up & down. 4th gear, ~50 mph, 3K rpm's. Not blindingly fast, but its also not a race. The major difference I have noticed was when I put new tires on the trailer. At proper pressure it was MUCH easier and is a part of my pre/post tow checklist.
#2, a Fleetwood Cobalt pop-up trailer. The truck doesn't notice its back there. Total weight is about 1250 lbs., and tongue weight around 165 lbs. (I have an easier time lifting the tongue on the boat trailer to be completely honest.) And, I notice no change with about 150 lbs., of extra gear packed into its proper place(s) in the trailer.
Both have brakes and they work, well! I would probably not tow anything greater than the boat for practical purposes. Though we have toyed with getting a new/different boat, my suspicion is we'd go with a slightly larger jet boat (Yamaha/Sea-Doo) which actually wieghs less than our current set-up
Late to the table, I know. I tow, two toys. Tow in 4S, using an Andersen 4" drop/rise, EZ Hitch with 2" & 2 5/16" ball combo.
#1, Four Winns H180 boat on a single axle trailer. Boat weight is 2560 lbs., dry. It sits on a single axle trailer (w/ brakes) that weighs in at 765 lbs. Total with a full tank of gas is 3550 lbs., before other gear (vests, lines, anchor, tube, bimini, etc.). Guess would be final weight is around 3700 lbs., with full gear & fluids. The boat gets pulled from SLC up to Jordanelle reservoir through Parley's Canyon (5% grade, max). The truck does really well in this situation, both up & down. 4th gear, ~50 mph, 3K rpm's. Not blindingly fast, but its also not a race. The major difference I have noticed was when I put new tires on the trailer. At proper pressure it was MUCH easier and is a part of my pre/post tow checklist.
#2, a Fleetwood Cobalt pop-up trailer. The truck doesn't notice its back there. Total weight is about 1250 lbs., and tongue weight around 165 lbs. (I have an easier time lifting the tongue on the boat trailer to be completely honest.) And, I notice no change with about 150 lbs., of extra gear packed into its proper place(s) in the trailer.
Both have brakes and they work, well! I would probably not tow anything greater than the boat for practical purposes. Though we have toyed with getting a new/different boat, my suspicion is we'd go with a slightly larger jet boat (Yamaha/Sea-Doo) which actually wieghs less than our current set-up
