How much can my 3rd GEN 3.4L V6 tow?

[jev2022]

Can someone please help. Last weekend, we did some construction clean-up and I towed a trailer weighing about 1090 lbs empty and loaded it with about 2800 lbs of hollow block. Our REESE class III hitch states a capacity of 5000 lbs.

This weekend, I want to pick up some retaining wall blocks that comes on a pallet of qty: 126. Each block is 27 lbs so after calculating, the total weight on the trailer would be 3402 lbs.

3402 + 1090 = 4492 lbs.

Would this harm my truck in anyway? I will be traveling about 25 miles and I don't have a transmission cooler or weight distributing assist on my hitch.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[lee]

Can someone please help. Last weekend, we did some construction clean-up and I towed a trailer weighing about 1090 lbs empty and loaded it with about 2800 lbs of hollow block. Our REESE class III hitch states a capacity of 5000 lbs.

This weekend, I want to pick up some retaining wall blocks that comes on a pallet of qty: 126. Each block is 27 lbs so after calculating, the total weight on the trailer would be 3402 lbs.

3402 + 1090 = 4492 lbs.

Would this harm my truck in anyway? I will be traveling about 25 miles and I don't have a transmission cooler or weight distributing assist on my hitch.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

i wouldnt do it since im paranoid of this stuff... but fyi capacity is 5000lbs, not including passengers and on board gear. you should be under that...

 

[peter78]

The stated limit for your rig is 5,000 pounds and 500 pounds tongue wieght.

With the short distance you are talking about, I would think it would do fine without a transmission cooler. Use your ECT button and leave the overdrive off. Leaving it in third gear is your biggest protection for not over heating your transmission.

The concerns I would have are:

1.) Is the trailer rated for that much wieght, it might overload the wheel bearings.

2.) A wieght distribution hitch may be required, does the trailer recommend that for that wieght? (Given the distance, I am thinking going slow without this hitch may be O.K..) Other here should answer this better.

3.) What kind of brakes does the trailer have, make sure they are in good shape.

Needless to say, go slow, leave a lot of room between you and the next car. If it starts to sway, slow down even more. If the engine looks like it is getting hot, stop for awhile. I have read posts form other members towing this much without a problem.

 

[jev2022]

Towing

So, it seems a lot for my rig and I don't want to chance damaging the transmission. You're right....truck may be fine, but can the trailer handle it? It doesn't even have brakes.

So needless to say, i will be renting a truck from Lowe's to pick up my load instead.

But keep the posts coming. I am curious to learn what other Runner drivers have to say.

 

[steyely]

I pulled a friends ironhorse chopper in an enclosed tandem uhaul trailer w/ brakes about 75 miles through town/interestate the other weekend. total trailer weight was approx 3300lbs. i was going anywhere from 25-80 mph. i didnt notice any sway. there was only a slight push from the trailer when braking, which i expected. kept the ect on, along with the o/d off (which automatically re-enables whenever the vehicle is restared) and no xmission cooler. i make the trip often w/o a trailer and i really didnt notice any difference in gas mileage either...maybe thats a bad thing? i do drive pretty conservative for the most part though.

 

[jev2022]

Trailer

Well like I said, I towed the trailer full of broken up hollow block. I had no idea how much weight was on that trailer except for the fact that the tires were at proper pressure when empty and it looked flat when loaded. I drove 20 miles to the local landfill...drove up on the scale, they took a reading and then on my way out, I drove on the scale again. They said the difference was 2800 lbs. So I am guessing the load was 2800lbs. I know the trailer itself has a sticker that reads it weighs 1090 lbs...so I think I was ok since that is way below 5000 lbs. I experienced a little swaying but other than that, my rig pulled it pretty well with no struggle. I was quite impressed with my V6. I just don't want to chance it again ruining my trans.

 

[steyely]

ya, i was surprised how well it pulled too. was the trailer a single or tandem axle?

 

[jev2022]

single

 

[steyely]

with loads like you were describing a tandem probably would've been a better choice and they def make for a much more enjoyable pull.

 

[khaug]

For five years, I regularly towed a car/trailer combination weighing c. 4,000# long distances at Interstate speeds with my '98 4Runner Limited V-6 4WD auto. The truck was bone stock except for air bags in the rear to level the load. The trailer was a well-maintained tandem axle trailer with 4-wheel hydraulic brakes.

The load you're contemplating shouldn't harm your 'Runner if it's in good shape. Be absolutely certain, though, that the trailer has operating brakes. Also, be sure to load the trailer so that the tongue weight is about 10-11% of the total trailer weight. This will insure that the trailer will be stable. Toyota recommends you tow with O/D locked out, and I think this is a good idea.

If your trailer has only a single axle, it's likely not designed to carry that much weight. You'd probably do better all around to make two or three trips, thereby reducing the load.

Good luck.

 

[firepawn]

trailer

I've towed my 20' boat on a single axle trailer without trailer brakes every summer for the last three years. Combined weight between the two is about 4000 lbs. With the ECT button on and overdrive off, it pulls great. The only difference I've seen is you can really eat up brakes if you're not careful. I even tow with my 20's on and have had no problems. My last truck was a 98' 5-speed TRD Tacoma, and I must say the 4runner can out tow it any day. My only advice would be to upgrade brakes and always make sure to change your tranny fluid every summer.

 

[Dougal]

I have a manual 2000 V6 4runner 4X4 - runs very smooth ~110K miles; anyway I was thinking of getting a camper and the one I want the dry weight is 3500 lbs; so I'm guessing 4000 lbs when loaded. I'm thinking if I do this I'll get trailer brakes, a weight distribution hitch and maybe air bags to prevent sagging. Anyway I love my 4runner particularly as it's a manual and I don't want to damage it by pulling a camper around. I've never really towed anything before so I wondered if there was a significant possibility of damaging the engine/drive-train/transmission etc... towing around 4000 lbs? maybe distances of 500+ miles in one go.

 

[sawguy]

Make 2 trips.

 

[nobb]

I wouldn't overload too much, the rear wheel bearings on our trucks are pretty wimpy (eg. ball bearings vs sturdier roller bearings).

 

[etc.]

I recently towed an enclosed trailer that weighed ~5000lbs for 2,000 miles. Other than the significant drop of MPG (9mpg) and a max speed of 55mph going up hills, the 4runner did good.

ETA: I did not use OD.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If your clutch hasn't been replaced, then towing something this heavy may help to shorten its lifespan.

Consider replacing the stock springs if they are original with OME 906s in the rear.

I like the 11 year old thread revival.

 

[Dougal]

hmmm I was expecting more negative comments; maybe 4000 lbs total is OK then. My understanding is that a manual transmission is better for towing as well. Clutch was replaced at around 80K miles I think.

 

[alumarine]

hmmm I was expecting more negative comments; maybe 4000 lbs total is OK then. My understanding is that a manual transmission is better for towing as well. Clutch was replaced at around 80K miles I think.

It sounds like you have the bases covered.

"Trailer brakes, a weight distribution hitch and maybe air bags to prevent sagging"

Your truck if well maintained should be fine.

 

[RockyrT4R]

Not Unless...

Although you are only going 25 somewhere it suggests that: 3,000 pounds w/out trailer brakes, and 5,000 w/ trailer brakes. Also if you have the auto tranny at some point it is suggested to add in the tranny cooler, it is a great peace of mind knowing you have it. All in all for maybe once or twice at 25 it probably would be fine but do this at your own risk!
Christian

 

[Dougal]

Thanks for the extra feedback; Cheers