To much boat for my 4Runner?

[19994Runner5spd]

Hi all. I purchased a clean 2001 Chaparral 196SSi with the 5.0 this past weekend. Very well maintained and only used on lakes. 531 hours. My question is this. I have a 99 Toyota 4Runner with the 3.4 V6, 4x4 and a manual. Vehicles weights 3400 lbs. Max tow rating is 5000 lbs. I have trailered and launched my buddy’s 16 ft center console a handful of times and no issues. That boat is 1700 lbs though vs this one being about 4600 with fuel, trailer and boat.

I am concerned about two things, one getting pulled into the water/sliding in and two being able to pull this boat out of the water. I think in 4 low I will be ok.

I have wheel chocks for the front and rear tire and obviously will use my e-brake and put it in first gear when I unload.

Do I need to upgrade to something heavier ASAP to launch this boat? I towed it home 70 miles and had no issues.

Looking a few local GXs tomorrow that have the 4.7 and are about 1000 lbs heaver.


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[thezentree]

Hi all. I purchased a clean 2001 Chaparral 196SSi with the 5.0 this past weekend. Very well maintained and only used on lakes. 531 hours. My question is this. I have a 99 Toyota 4Runner with the 3.4 V6, 4x4 and a manual. Vehicles weights 3400 lbs. Max tow rating is 5000 lbs. I have trailered and launched my buddy’s 16 ft center console a handful of times and no issues. That boat is 1700 lbs though vs this one being about 4600 with fuel, trailer and boat.

I am concerned about two things, one getting pulled into the water/sliding in and two being able to pull this boat out of the water. I think in 4 low I will be ok.

I have wheel chocks for the front and rear tire and obviously will use my e-brake and put it in first gear when I unload.

Do I need to upgrade to something heavier ASAP to launch this boat? I towed it home 70 miles and had no issues.

Looking a few local GXs tomorrow that have the 4.7 and are about 1000 lbs heaver.


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You need a half ton truck if you're gonna tow that boat regularly.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

If you're looking at GXs consider a 100 series LX instead....

6500lb tow rating, throw on some air lift in the rear and you're good to go.

Some new half ton trucks have a tow rating under 5k lbs.... so I wouldn't trust that blanket recommendation.

 

[19994Runner5spd]

If you're looking at GXs consider a 100 series LX instead....



6500lb tow rating, throw on some air lift in the rear and you're good to go.



Some new half ton trucks have a tow rating under 5k lbs.... so I wouldn't trust that blanket recommendation.

I appreciate the post. I am looking at the GX’s as I’m trying to stay the same length as my 99. If so it should be easy for my wife to drive. I really don’t want to go much bigger if I can help it. I figure with the 4.7 and the extra weight it should tow and stop the boat without issues. Am I off base here?


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[tvpierce]

Nice boat!

How far do you tow to get to the body of water in which you plan to use it?

Does the trailer have brakes?

 

[LittleCaesar]

If the ramp is less than two miles away and not steep you may be OK. But the Tundra brake upgrade would be a must.

Either the 470 or 460 would make your life much easier, or a 4th gen with the 2uz. It is hard to substitute for the raw power of the V8 as well as the hitch distribution.

Enjoy the boat, looks like fun.

 

[thegipper]

As long as the boat launch is paved, your truck in 4lo should pull it out no problem.

My boat and trailer are probably 2500ish lbs and towing it definitely sucks, so I could imagine towing a 4600lb setup would REALLY suck. Something with a 2UZ and bigger brakes would definitely be much better.

Like others have said, if you plan on using it at nearby lakes, you may be ok (I would still do the TBU) but if you plan on towing this thing all over the county/state, I would consider getting something with some more ponies.

 

[19994Runner5spd]

Nice boat!



How far do you tow to get to the body of water in which you plan to use it?



Does the trailer have brakes?

Hi, great question, it’s about 40 miles each way. It dos have surge brakes that work quite well. Stops better towing this boat than my little utility trailer(5.5x10) does without them.

We are going to look at several GX470s today. I hate to sell my clean third gen but I think the 4.7 would tow it and stop it so much better.


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[thezentree]

If you're looking at GXs consider a 100 series LX instead....

6500lb tow rating, throw on some air lift in the rear and you're good to go.

Some new half ton trucks have a tow rating under 5k lbs.... so I wouldn't trust that blanket recommendation.

Yeah and some are rated for over 10k so I wouldn’t recommend that OP entirely discount my “blanket recommendation” either.. I’ve done a lot of towing near or at max towing capacity and it was really, really not fun.

Hi, great question, it’s about 40 miles each way. It dos have surge brakes that work quite well. Stops better towing this boat than my little utility trailer(5.5x10) does without them.

We are going to look at several GX470s today. I hate to sell my clean third gen but I think the 4.7 would tow it and stop it so much better.


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That’s probably the right call. You could probably do it in your 3rd gen but it would be a little butt puckering. 400lbs is not a lot of margin.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I suggested an LX over the GX because of the longer wheelbase which would provide additional stability. The LX is a big vehicle and when parked next to a 3rd gen makes the T4R look small (we have both), I do agree there.

I will say, though, that driving an LX470 doesn't feel like a Tahoe/Suburban in size even though they're very similar. I think it's in part due to how the interior has been well put together where you don't feel like you're driving an empty auditorium down the road.

 

[alumarine]

You don't have to worry about the boat dragging the truck in unless you're backing in too fast.
Most mishaps happen due to driver error.

Once the boat begins to float then it's just the trailer weight left.

4lo will get you up any ramp that's reasonable to launch from.
Well working surge brakes should be ample.

As far as the 40 miles goes it all depends on the terrain how pleasant the tow will be.

 

[3bears]

while I have pulled small trailers and a 21 foot sjx boat with my 4 runner, and I do have the TBU, pulling out of a boat ramp was no issue. however I would not do this on a regular basis.

I think you r boat is way too much for the 4runner and think the Lexus options are your best bet

 

[T4R2014]

Find a cheap 2001 Sequoia and use it as your beast of burden. They often go for $2500. Less abused than a Tundra would, and less likely to see off roading than an LC. It will dwarf your 4Runner. My towing recommendation.

 

[phattyduck]

Do I need to upgrade to something heavier ASAP to launch this boat? I towed it home 70 miles and had no issues.

I think you already have your answer. If it feels fine/safe, go for it.

No trans overheating issues with the manual trans, and you get more HP/TQ to the wheels while driving. The downside will be staying stopped on the ramp (no parking pawl to help the e-brake, but wheel chocks will work) and pulling the boat out with a clutch (though, 4LO should make it plenty easy).

Cheap Sequoias will be 2WD, which won't be any better on a boat ramp, though they will tow well otherwise.

-Charlie

 

[Coward]

As far as the 40 miles goes it all depends on the terrain how pleasant the tow will be.

I agree with this statement. If there is not much elevation change during the drive it will do all you need just fine. And so long as the drive is uneventful, your truck will handle the lake trips for what maybe 10 times a year? The issues come into play in the oh crap moments. That much weight even with trailer brakes will make panic stops or swerves more than butt puckering. They could be dangerous.

I agree with the GX or LC or Sequoia ideas.

 

[19994Runner5spd]

Well picked up a clean 03 with the 4.7 and towed with that this past Sunday. No issues at all. Left plenty of space between my vehicle and the one in front of me. Went at or under the speed limit.

My 3rd gen is now up for sale

 

[LittleCaesar]

Sad to hear such but ultimately the wiser move if you will be trailering the boat frequently. Enjoy it.

 

[zippinbye]

A 99 4R 4x4 is only 3400 lbs? A GX is a lot more than +1000 lbs. My stock 05 GX with KDSS (no hitch) hit the scale at 4950 lbs. with near empty fuel tank and no passengers. I towed a big block 22' Sea Ray that scaled almost identically to your Chaparral with a 91 Pathfinder 4x4 manual trans. (3.0 V6 w/ 180 ft. lbs. of torgue, around 150 h.p.). I think that was around 3500 curb weight and it towed fine. Never felt like the tail was wagging the dog, as it did flat towing my FJ40. Did a number of mountain pass trips from NV up into western Canada. It was pedal to the metal a lot, but it worked. Actually got better mpg at higher altitudes even though powered output was clearly reduced. I think you'll be good if your 99 is as light as you say ... I don't know, but I'm skeptical. GX should do even better. Enjoy!

 

[3bears]

this is an old thread and the op has oved on....but the info could be helpful for others...so I will chime in too.

I pulled a 22 foot SJX boat with an inboard, and loaded for a week of camping,, and pulled it for about 800 miles, round trip , including hills, with my 2000 4runner. It had the TBU at the time. I dont think it was a very good idea, I did not like the way it drove. It was a long planned out trip and the rig that was supposed to pull it was in the shop. They are not as heavy of a boat...but I still did not like it. Ive pulled many other things with my 4runner....smaller/lighter things....with no worries SJX Jet Boat Home Page - SJX Jet Boats
However my sons 2016 v6 taco pulls that boat with no issues and feels fine driving. But side note , sold that boat yesterday and going smaller with an outboard.

 

[The Cold War Kid]

Find a cheap 2001 Sequoia and use it as your beast of burden. They often go for $2500. Less abused than a Tundra would, and less likely to see off roading than an LC. It will dwarf your 4Runner. My towing recommendation.

I have an '04. I dragged a semi tractor out of a ditch with it, no problem. It's 2 wheel drive 4.7 and that 4:10 rear... not much it won't do But it WILL use some fuel...