HEAVIEST load towed with 4Runner
- Thread starter supercooper
- Start date
rmbertoldi
New member
I towed a 25ft Proline with a dual axle, it was 5000+ with pretty bad weight(forward) distribution with no special equalizing hitch (see my profile photo). It was on my stock suspension when I was still stock, almost two hours from New Jersey to PA. Only had to stop once to check straps, wasn't bogged down bad at all at any point and made it like a champ, I was truly impressed.
Bolt on receivers are not cheap. Bolts are actually stronger than welds.
85GT-79FJ40
New member
30 foot enclosed car trailer. Empty it's over 5000 pounds. And LOTS of tongue weight. It was squatted hard but actually pulled it just fine. Only six miles back to work. Boss let me use it to move into my new house. Put it right in my driveway the day of closing. But it took up the WHOLE driveway. So I emptied it and towed it back to the shop.
2021nightshade4x4
New member
So what I’m hearing is I can likely tow a little Ditch Witch (3910 lb) and trailer (1100 lb) [emoji6]
How often are y’all changing transmission fluid towing with the 4Runner?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
How often are y’all changing transmission fluid towing with the 4Runner?
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Etanchéité toiture terrasse en Ile-de-France
Etanchit toiture terrasse en Ile-de-France
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Etanchit toiture terrasse en Ile-de-France
Show more!..
Jeremy556
New member
Sure.
I've been changing every 100k miles and just did my 3rd. Looking back, I should have done more like 75k changes and dropped pan and changed filter every 150k. I only just dropped my pan and changed filter at 300k and both were pretty full of debris.
In spite of that, my trans works just like new, with only maintenance being those 3 fluid changes and replacing the trans mount recently as it had cracked through.
MoreOutdoors
New member
Sorry, I just can’t help myself when asked the heaviest load towed but….
Your momma
Your momma
Don’t want to be a naysayer but a 4Runner is rated for 5k pounds, deducting for what else you have in the car.
Towing overweight is extremely dangerous because you may not be able to stop. The transmission and driveline issues are a money issue, but not being able to stop, or loss of control generally, gets people injured and or killed.
Moreover, if you get into an accident, and you are overweight, it is likely you or your insurer will bear significant liability. And the liability could exceed your policy limits.
If you want to tow a track car, a horse or a boat of any substantial weight, you need to have at least a half ton pickup fitted properly. Our half ton is rated for over 11k pounds, which means you can tow an open car trailer with a car, a horse in a horse trailer, or a good size boat. Having towed a car and a horse, with proper trailer brakes and the factory controller, the truck handles it fine. We also have a 4Runner and you couldn’t pay me to tow any of those things with it, certainly not for any distance. And I love the 4Runner but this is not what it is built for.
In terms of risk, people should realize that let’s say you an undertake an action that 9 times out of 10, or even 99 times out of a 100, is beneficial, but the one time it isn’t you could be seriously injured or die - that is not a risk that a prudent person takes.
I realize as I type this I sound like my dad, but the reality is that factory tow ratings are not optional guidance but something that should be followed strictly. Besides injuring yourself, you could injure or kill others. Not worth playing around with. If you have only occasional need to tow, rent a 3/4 ton diesel pick up. Get one of those, be smart, and stay safe.
Towing overweight is extremely dangerous because you may not be able to stop. The transmission and driveline issues are a money issue, but not being able to stop, or loss of control generally, gets people injured and or killed.
Moreover, if you get into an accident, and you are overweight, it is likely you or your insurer will bear significant liability. And the liability could exceed your policy limits.
If you want to tow a track car, a horse or a boat of any substantial weight, you need to have at least a half ton pickup fitted properly. Our half ton is rated for over 11k pounds, which means you can tow an open car trailer with a car, a horse in a horse trailer, or a good size boat. Having towed a car and a horse, with proper trailer brakes and the factory controller, the truck handles it fine. We also have a 4Runner and you couldn’t pay me to tow any of those things with it, certainly not for any distance. And I love the 4Runner but this is not what it is built for.
In terms of risk, people should realize that let’s say you an undertake an action that 9 times out of 10, or even 99 times out of a 100, is beneficial, but the one time it isn’t you could be seriously injured or die - that is not a risk that a prudent person takes.
I realize as I type this I sound like my dad, but the reality is that factory tow ratings are not optional guidance but something that should be followed strictly. Besides injuring yourself, you could injure or kill others. Not worth playing around with. If you have only occasional need to tow, rent a 3/4 ton diesel pick up. Get one of those, be smart, and stay safe.
Last edited:
IslandJim
New member
No you sound like a cop! A 5,000# tow rating applies to towing uphill or a flat like found here mostly in southern Florida. Towing 5,000# up a hill or mountain is just the same as towing a little over 5,000# on a flat, don't u think?
Please quit acting on our behalf because you are so morally more righteous than those who test the limits of our 4Runners. It was a simple question, what's the most weight you have towed with a 4Runner. Those peeps who towed 10,000# with their 4Runner are morons, of course!...lol
No one is acting morally righteous. I have done a lot of towing and am offering that as an alternative perspective. No need to throw down insults.
