How's the 2005 SE V8 at Towing a Boat?

[MSBX4RUNNER]

I have been looking at a 2005 SE with a V8 2WD and had a question about its towing capacity. I have a wakeboard boat that weighs about 6,000lbs including trailer, gas, and gear. One website says the towing capasity is 7,300lbs and the other says 5,000lbs. How do you think this SUV would handle towing a boat like this? Would I need to add a trailer brake and sway bar?

 

[m1kefries]

I have been looking at a 2005 SE with a V8 2WD and had a question about its towing capacity. I have a wakeboard boat that weighs about 6,000lbs including trailer, gas, and gear. One website says the towing capasity is 7,300lbs and the other says 5,000lbs. How do you think this SUV would handle towing a boat like this? Would I need to add a trailer brake and sway bar?

I'm guessing your boat is 20+ feet long and if that is correct the trailer probably already has brakes. Every boat trailer I've seen with brakes are the surge type that engage from the back pressure when you step on the brakes in your truck. You can tell if your trailer already has brakes by looking right behind the ball receiver on the trailer. There will be a large rectangular box with a cap on top that lists the specs for brake fluid.

As far as towing I've got a 2007 with the V6 and it is rated at 5000 pounds. The 7300 lb rating is for the V8 2WD like the one you are looking at. I pull a 20 foot Hydrasport boat with my truck and loaded out with fuel and gear is about 4000 lbs. You definitely know you've got a load back there, but it seems to handle it just fine. Of course you need to allow more room to maneuver and brake regardless of whether you have trailer brakes or not.

If your trailer does not have brakes I would highly recommend you get them. It is a world of difference and will save your ride from unnecessary wear and tear. All that said good luck with your decision.

 

[12guns]

I've towed a friends 2452 Ariva (24' Gross weight about 5k) to and from the lake this summer with my v8 sport 4x4. I knew it would tow it, but coming from a V6 Tacoma, I was very very pleased at how it handled. My friend even commented on how much better it seemed to tow than with his 02' Tundra w/ the same 4.7 V8. It's a dual axle trailer and the brakes haven't worked in years...not too smart, I know. No swaying at all. Other than the extra wide load, it did great. You'll be pleased when you hook up and take off for the first time.

 

[patricksheehy]

I pulled a 21' MasterCraft with my '07 SE V8 and it trails like a dream. Its specifically why I got it. I added no special items such as the sway bar or trailer brake although my trailer had brakes. I would highly recommend it as I had others try and pull my boat before I got the runner and it wasn't near as easy as mine.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for V6 models, 7,000 pounds for V8 4WD models and 7,300 pounds for V8 2WD models as long as it has the weight Distributing Hitch and not the Weight Carrying Hitch.

I would say you could easily tow 6000 lbs with a weight distributing hitch setup and a trailer with functional brakes "Safely"!! Just remember if you were to get in a wreck with the trailer the first thing they will do is weigh your truck and trailer and inspect your setup to make sure you had a "Legal" setup and Weight. It is a huge liability towing with an over weight trailer/truck or improper setup.

The bonus with the sport edition is it has larger front brakes than all the rest. 13.3" verses 12.6" on SR5 and Limited. 2005 was the first year for the VVT-i on the V8. Just a little bump in HP(25) & (15)TRQ to 270HP & 330TRQ.

 

[MSBX4RUNNER]

Oh wow thanks for all the advice. Im excited!!! I bought my first 4runner last night!!!!!

 

[JG1911]

You'll be please... Friend of mine has a 2006 V6 2WD and has to call me when he take his boat out of the water for the winter. His will barely pull in on level ground, he cannot get it up any sort of incline. :gun5:

 

[judoant]

Oh wow thanks for all the advice. Im excited!!! I bought my first 4runner last night!!!!!

I would like to know how towing that wakeboard boat has gone. I am looking for an 05+ runner to tow the same type of boat.

 

[OHP]

Check my sig. My Super Air Weighs ~5K trailer and all. My 04 V8 4x4 tows it very well. Your more powerful 05 v8 2wd should do just fine. What's your boat?

 

[judoant]

I am shopping right now. Looking at MC, Malibu, Super Air or Supra. I have a 99 runner now but figure I need to upgrade to tow that load.

 

[Casper421]

I pull my companies 247 LSV to all the lakes around Truckee and Sac every summer. A 25" boat at 6000" is no problem with our V8's.

 

[OHP]

I am shopping right now. Looking at MC, Malibu, Super Air or Supra. I have a 99 runner now but figure I need to upgrade to tow that load.

I highly recommend a Malibu or Nautique. I've got many years experience with both of them. They are great boats. Malibu probably gonna be cheaper but the Nautiques hold there value incredibly well.