Thanks for this info! I'll be sure to add some airbags and a cooler. I am used to towing a trailer for work, so I have some brains (hopefully)...
HEAVIEST load towed with 4Runner
- Thread starter supercooper
- Start date
Thanks for this info! I'll be sure to add some airbags and a cooler. I am used to towing a trailer for work, so I have some brains (hopefully)...
Towing capacity
My brother tows a 5000lb. Airstream, and was told by the Airstream dealer that the main limiting factor with the 4Runners is the hitch. So, the dealer upgraded the attachment points of the hitch and told my brother that he can now tow up to 10,000 pounds providing the towed unit has proper brakes.
My brother tows a 5000lb. Airstream, and was told by the Airstream dealer that the main limiting factor with the 4Runners is the hitch. So, the dealer upgraded the attachment points of the hitch and told my brother that he can now tow up to 10,000 pounds providing the towed unit has proper brakes.
TexasTJ
New member
Did you ever tow your Jeep? Just curious, as I took mine to a CAT scale and my 98 weighed 3920# with no spare or backseat. I'd like to tow it to the OHV park occasionally with the 4R until I get my new truck.
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aviator9587
New member
I towed a 98 Jeep with my 03 4Runner. It towed it pretty well, just don't go crazy with the brakes and give yourself time to slow down. It was mostly on flat land. The trailer was about 2000 pounds and the truck was a little over 3,000 so I was a little bit over. I was able to tow it down the interstate at 70.
Attachments
You are correct - the primary limiting factor is the cross-member mounted hitch. I don't know about the 10k lb limit with the mods but do know the guys at Can-Am RV in London know their sh!t and are probably the best in the US and Canada for setting up tow rigs. I am having my '06 Sport hitch modded by them to accommodate an Airstream as well. Andy the owner tows a 33ft Airstream with his Jaguar XJ and his wife a 27ft Airstream with a Mercedes-Benz C350 Coupe.
Titanpat57
Senior Member
Would love to see how that pans out in a court of law...."well the dude says it was ok"....
opcorn:
macscac
New member
that is absolute rubbish.
he MAY be able to tow that kind of weight but certainly not safely in any capacity
I towed 4,000 lbs with our previous 4Runner (stock 2016 Limited 4x4) and it was horrid. Flat terrain, 60-70 mph, slight head and cross winds (-10mph) and it was shifting all over the place, constantly searching for gears, stayed high in the revs, and killed the fuel economy. I never felt like it was in control of the load either, it was a very uncomfortable experience. Now I must state that I am used to towing with 3/4-ton and 1-ton diesel 4x4's with loads up to 21,000lbs so I am little biased, but I expected better out of the 4Runner.
Fast forward to our current 4Runner (slightly lifted 2018 TRD Pro) and all I have had behind it was a small utility trailer with a few dirt bikes. I barely felt the load and it handled it quite well. I am sure there are factors attributed to the drive train differences, but one would expect the stock 4Runner to do better than the lifted 4Runner. Based off of these two experiences I am willing to use the 4Runner for loads under 3,000lbs in the future, but if given the option to tow with one of our other vehicles instead I will always choose one of them over the 4Runner.
Fast forward to our current 4Runner (slightly lifted 2018 TRD Pro) and all I have had behind it was a small utility trailer with a few dirt bikes. I barely felt the load and it handled it quite well. I am sure there are factors attributed to the drive train differences, but one would expect the stock 4Runner to do better than the lifted 4Runner. Based off of these two experiences I am willing to use the 4Runner for loads under 3,000lbs in the future, but if given the option to tow with one of our other vehicles instead I will always choose one of them over the 4Runner.
The hitch is not the limiting factor
TEujunga
New member
I just towed my 1970 Mustang from L.A. to Eugene, Oregon. 850 miles up I-5 with a couple of 4000'+ passes.
U-Haul trailer plus Mustang was around 5,600 lbs., or a bit over the official 5,000-lb. towing capacity.
Even with the rear suspension supplemented with Air Lift airbags at 30 PSI, the tongue weight was enough to put the nose in the air a bit.
Handling was completely stable and secure. I cruised easily at 60-65 mph in S4 and S5, controlling the throttle myself. Even on level ground with no headwind, I couldn't use cruise control at all -- it caused too much hunting in and out of torque converter lockup. I took the steepest uphill gradients near the passes at around 50 mph at 4,300 RPM in S2. S3 or S4 provided engine braking on downhill sections.
All in all, I came away impressed with the 4Runner's towing chops. I wouldn't want to tow that much weight with it every day, but for a one-time trip it was fine.
U-Haul trailer plus Mustang was around 5,600 lbs., or a bit over the official 5,000-lb. towing capacity.
Even with the rear suspension supplemented with Air Lift airbags at 30 PSI, the tongue weight was enough to put the nose in the air a bit.
Handling was completely stable and secure. I cruised easily at 60-65 mph in S4 and S5, controlling the throttle myself. Even on level ground with no headwind, I couldn't use cruise control at all -- it caused too much hunting in and out of torque converter lockup. I took the steepest uphill gradients near the passes at around 50 mph at 4,300 RPM in S2. S3 or S4 provided engine braking on downhill sections.
All in all, I came away impressed with the 4Runner's towing chops. I wouldn't want to tow that much weight with it every day, but for a one-time trip it was fine.
In January I towed a uhaul 6x10 trailer(2500lbs) packed(1500lbs) from San Francisco, CA to Portland, OR...twice. It handled fine although you could tell it was a bit sluggish compared to normal, I did the same as TEujunga stayed in S5 mostly and downshifted as needed for the inclines/descents. Very capable for basic towing needs.
2016 SuperWhiteTrailEditionPremium w/KDSS
2016 SuperWhiteTrailEditionPremium w/KDSS
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williamlv282
New member
I towed a Malibu Wakesetter 23LSV with the ballast's full out of the boat launch in an emergency. Went about 500 feet and it felt like way too much for the 4runner. Probably close to 8000lbs I'm guessing
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szuyung3000
New member
What is your tongue weight when hooked onto the 4runner's hitch?
szuyung3000
New member
I just towed my 1970 Mustang from L.A. to Eugene, Oregon. 850 miles up I-5 with a couple of 4000'+ passes.
U-Haul trailer plus Mustang was around 5,600 lbs., or a bit over the official 5,000-lb. towing capacity.
Even with the rear suspension supplemented with Air Lift airbags at 30 PSI, the tongue weight was enough to put the nose in the air a bit.
Handling was completely stable and secure. I cruised easily at 60-65 mph in S4 and S5, controlling the throttle myself. Even on level ground with no headwind, I couldn't use cruise control at all -- it caused too much hunting in and out of torque converter lockup. I took the steepest uphill gradients near the passes at around 50 mph at 4,300 RPM in S2. S3 or S4 provided engine braking on downhill sections.
All in all, I came away impressed with the 4Runner's towing chops. I wouldn't want to tow that much weight with it every day, but for a one-time trip it was fine.
One thing to keep in mind is that the airbag levels out the ride or makes the ride better going over bumps. HOWEVER airbags DO NOT distribute weight equally to the front axle and the trailer's axle. Only weight distribution hitch does that job. Air bag will actually makes rear axle weigh more and lighter steering and handling.
