Noob towing questions

[Pranav]

Alright, I'm probably jumping the gun by asking this now, as I have yet to get the exact specs on the car hauler I will be borrowing.

My friend and I want to take a '73 dodge charger out to a 1/4 mile drag event this Saturday. However, it would be much easier for us to tow it out there (120 miles each way), plus we'd have the option of towing it back in case it breaks.

My father and I have swapped cars for the next few months, so I am driving his 2003 v8 2wd 4runner (he's fine with me using it tow). From what I understand, it has the factory tow package, but after browsing this forum and looking underneath the 4runner, I found that it only has the weight-carrying RECEIVER attached to the rear cross member. The owner's manual tells me I have a 7300lb towing capacity, but only a 700lb tongue weight rating.

Do I have any options when it comes to towing a 3700lb car, a 1300-1500lb trailer with surge brakes, and the factory weight carrying RECEIVER? I'm guessing the weight on the trailer and assuming it has surge brakes. I'll get the detailed specs on it fairly soon.

If we decide to make more towing trips for the rest of the year, we will definitely split the cost of a hidden hitch after this weekend. For now we don't have any options of modifying the 4runner before this weekend.

BTW, does the factory towing package consist of an auxiliary ATF cooler installed inline with the ATF cooler built into the radiator? I haven't had a chance to really poke around under hte hood, but I'm assuming the big plate+fin cooler is for the AT. It looks awefully similar to an aux. ATF cooler that I installed on my 4AT Honda accord that sees weekly auto-x duty...

Assuming I can actually pull the load, I know that I'll at least have to:
-Practice moving/backing up in an open lot
-Inflate the tires up quite a bit
-Drive with the tranny locked in 4, only kick it up to 5 on a flat road with no other cars in sight
-Review all of the safety tips in the owner's manual and towing brochure
-Take all the towing advice I can get
-Bring spare trailer tires
-Make sure the wheel bearings are in good shape (on the trailer)

I've change the rear diff fluid on it at 15k, and 30k miles. It currently has 35.8k miles on it, with the last oil change at 34k miles. I wasn't planning on changing hte tranny fluid until 60k miles, but can definitely do it at 45k miles if we make more towing trips this year...

Thanks in advance...

 

[Koz]

Alright, I'm probably jumping the gun by asking this now, as I have yet to get the exact specs on the car hauler I will be borrowing.

My friend and I want to take a '73 dodge charger out to a 1/4 mile drag event this Saturday. However, it would be much easier for us to tow it out there (120 miles each way), plus we'd have the option of towing it back in case it breaks (which it probably will).

My father and I have swapped cars for the next few months, so I am driving his 2003 v8 2wd 4runner (he's fine with me using it tow). From what I understand, it has the factory tow package, but after browsing this forum and looking underneath the 4runner, I found that it only has the weight-carrying hitch attached to the rear cross member. The owner's manual tells me I have a 7300lb towing capacity, but only a 700lb tongue weight rating.

Do I have any options when it comes to towing a 3700lb car, a 1300-1500lb trailer with surge brakes, and the factory weight carrying hitch? I'm guessing the weight on the trailer and assuming it has surge brakes. I'll get the detailed specs on it fairly soon.

If we decide to make more towing trips for the rest of the year, we will definitely split the cost of a hidden hitch after this weekend. For now we don't have any options of modifying the 4runner before this weekend.

BTW, does the factory towing package consist of an auxiliary ATF cooler installed inline with the ATF cooler built into the radiator? I haven't had a chance to really poke around under hte hood, but I'm assuming the big plate+fin cooler is for the AT. It looks awefully similar to an aux. ATF cooler that I installed on my 4AT Honda accord that sees weekly auto-x duty...

Assuming I can actually pull the load, I know that I'll at least have to:
-Practice moving/backing up in an open lot
-Inflate the tires up quite a bit
-Drive with the tranny locked in 4, only kick it up to 5 on a flat road with no other cars in sight
-Review all of the safety tips in the owner's manual and towing brochure
-Take all the towing advice I can get
-Bring spare trailer tires
-Make sure the wheel bearings are in good shape (on the trailer)

I've change the rear diff fluid on it at 15k, and 30k miles. It currently has 35.8k miles on it, with the last oil change at 34k miles. I wasn't planning on changing hte tranny fluid until 60k miles, but can definitely do it at 45k miles if we make more towing trips this year...

Thanks in advance...

You need to see what tow rating is stamped on the hitch. The weight carrying hitch is rated for 5K lbs., which will be overloaded with that trailer and car. Also you need to see what kind of plug is on the trailer (7 or 4 pin). If it has a 7 pin it probably has electric brakes, which will require a brake controller (Prodigy is very good). There should be a trans cooler just in front of the radiator (Drivers side).

Koz

 

[Pranav]

Re: Re: Noob towing questions

You need to see what tow rating is stamped on the hitch. The weight carrying hitch is rated for 5K lbs., which will be overloaded with that trailer and car. Also you need to see what kind of plug is on the trailer (7 or 4 pin). If it has a 7 pin it probably has electric brakes, which will require a brake controller (Prodigy is very good). There should be a trans cooler just in front of the radiator (Drivers side).

Koz

I tried looking for the stamp last night. Is it covered up by the spare tire?

 

[Pranav]

Alright, the below threads have cleared things up for me:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7539
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3465
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1618

Our '03 4x2 V8 4runner Limited was built on 10/02, and purchased in 12/02. The owners manual was printed sometime in '02 with Publication No. OM35804U.

I have a weight carrying/bearing RECEIVER, that only bolts to the rearmost crossmember, and is tucked away behind the bumper.

According to my owner's manual, which was printed sometime in 2002, the listed tow capacity is 7300lbs with 730 tongue weight. However, it specifically states that I have to use a weight carrying/bearing HITCH, which makes sense as the vehicle is equipped with a weaknut weight carrying/bearing RECEIVER.

It also states that I need to use a "sway control device" if pulling more than 2000lbs. Is a "sway control device" synonymous with a WD H/R?

I'm going to pull the spare tire off and see if I can find a sticker on the weaknut factory hitch. IF the trailer is not equipped with a WDH, the factory receiver can pull more than 5k lbs, and I won't exceed the 730lbs tongue weight, I'm going to do what this guy did :

 

[Spider5]

The 7300lbs tow capacity is only for the V8. Your tow capacity is 5000lbs. You will be overloading your hitch and truck. The V6 also does not have a trans cooler only the V8 does. Also make sure you give yourself at least a 10% margine especially on tongue weight which I believe for you is 500lbs. Anti-sway systems I've always used on a case by case basis. I've towed 5200lbs without it but I've also towed 3700lbs and I was glad I used it. There is just so many combinations that causes sway not just pure weight. Distribution of weight is one example. Be carefull.

 

[TRBenj]

The 7300lbs tow capacity is only for the V8. Your tow capacity is 5000lbs. You will be overloading your hitch and truck. The V6 also does not have a trans cooler only the V8 does. Also make sure you give yourself at least a 10% margine especially on tongue weight which I believe for you is 500lbs. Anti-sway systems I've always used on a case by case basis. I've towed 5200lbs without it but I've also towed 3700lbs and I was glad I used it. There is just so many combinations that causes sway not just pure weight. Distribution of weight is one example. Be carefull.

He said he has a 2wd V8, so his tow capacity is 7300 lbs. Correct me if Im wrong, but dont all V8's have the tranny cooler and larger hitch?

I wouldnt expect you to have any trouble towing 5200 lbs. Should be a piece of cake if the trailer has brakes (which it should).

 

[Baba Booey]

He said he has a 2wd V8, so his tow capacity is 7300 lbs. Correct me if Im wrong, but dont all V8's have the tranny cooler and larger hitch?

I wouldnt expect you to have any trouble towing 5200 lbs. Should be a piece of cake if the trailer has brakes (which it should).

I believe all V8s have the trans oil cooler, but very early V8 4Runners from the 2003 model year were equipped with the weight bearing hitch instead of the W/D hitch.

 

[Spider5]

Sorry misread the initial post but I do think that the early 2003 non-distribution hitch had a lower weight rating like 5000lbs

 

[Pranav]

My only confusion comes from the fact that my owner's manual specifically states that I can still tow 7300lbs with this weaknut weight-bearing hitch installed (it acknowledges that I don't have a WD hitch!). Nowhere in the manual does it say that I'm limited to 5k lbs...

Again as soon as I get the chance I'll drop the spare tire and see if I can locate a sticker that tells me if it's 5k lbs or 7.3k lbs...

 

[Baba Booey]

My only confusion comes from the fact that my owner's manual specifically states that I can still tow 7300lbs with this weaknut weight-bearing hitch installed (it acknowledges that I don't have a WD hitch!). Nowhere in the manual does it say that I'm limited to 5k lbs...

Again as soon as I get the chance I'll drop the spare tire and see if I can locate a sticker that tells me if it's 5k lbs or 7.3k lbs...

Toyota probably determined that the weight distributing hitch would be a better match for a vehicle rated to tow 7300 lbs. However, that does not neccesarily mean that the original weight carrying hitch couldn't handle 7300 lbs. as the manual states.

I am pretty certain that I see many full-size pickups with a factory weight bearing hitch installed, and I am sure these trucks are rated to tow well over 5000 lbs.

The W/D hitch is the better option, but the other hitch isn't likely to snap off or something. You will probably just experience a little more rear-end sag and somewhat worse handling.

 

[Spider5]

I remember reading about the 2003 hitch before and found this

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=335&highlight=hitch

I know its talking about a different issue but I remember the rating of 5000lbs being correct. Do a further search because I know it was confirmed by someone but it was a while back.

 

[Pranav]

Toyota probably determined that the weight distributing hitch would be a better match for a vehicle rated to tow 7300 lbs. However, that does not neccesarily mean that the original weight carrying hitch couldn't handle 7300 lbs. as the manual states.

I am pretty certain that I see many full-size pickups with a factory weight bearing hitch installed, and I am sure these trucks are rated to tow well over 5000 lbs.

The W/D hitch is the better option, but the other hitch isn't likely to snap off or something. You will probably just experience a little more rear-end sag and somewhat worse handling.

That is exactly what I'm thinking. The only way I could see the hitch snapping off is if I go too far over the 730lb tongue weight limit, or if I tried to use a WD hitched trailer with my weight-bearing receiver...

 

[Spider5]

That is exactly what I'm thinking. The only way I could see the hitch snapping off is if I go too far over the 730lb tongue weight limit, or if I tried to use a WD hitched trailer with my weight-bearing receiver...

I didn't think it will snap but it could bend and cause an accident. Been there done that.

 

[Pranav]

Been there done that.

Care to elaborate? :

Honestly as soon as I get the chance I'll take a 2nd look at this receiver and find the label...

Just FYI, I'll be hauling just at/under 5k lbs...