Tow Capacity

[Leftseat]

I'm sure this is old news. I am going to trailer a Toyota Solar convertible about 750 miles. I will hit I-40 at SC, on way to our TN home.
The Solara is 4400 lbs.
My 2015 4Runner, 4WD. Will probably use the U-Haul car trailer. Not interested in shipping.
Your comments appreciated.
Vince

 

[salong53]

You'll be fine. Make sure the weight distribution of the trailer is correct. Too much weight towards the rear and it will sway side-to-side on the highway. Keep the transmission in 4th gear most of the time, especially going uphill into the mountains. Drive reasonably slowly. Anticipate braking.

I tow a ~4000lb boat frequently during the summer with no issue.

 

[Simpleman74]

the U-Haul car trailers are 2210lbs +4400lbs for the Solara I wouldn't recommend it personally.

 

[(none)]

Good news! unless you are hauling bricks in the solara, it most likely doesn't weigh 4400lbs, that's probably the GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating, or maximum it is designed to weigh when loaded with people and luggage). From the google, it has weights closer to 3200-3500lbs

Solara is fwd, so you could and probably should get a dolly. The negative about a dolly is there is no braking assistance.
The uhaul car hauler trailer weighs over 2k lbs, putting you at over ~5400lbs, or 400 lbs over the max tow rating. Not too much of a concern, as long as you've towed a trailer before. Also the car haulers have surge brakes, which will help keep everything pointed the right way.

I'm in the same situation as you. I'm pulling a CR-V up to Virginia on thanksgiving. I'm planning to use the car hauler, i'll be a bit over weight as well, so we will see how it does. I'm also on stock suspension, so I purchased an airlift kit to add to help with the squat and a trans cooler to help keep temps down.
I've pulled more with less, so I'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[Heavy_GD]

Just remember to be patient and leave room for stopping.

 

[jwkilgore]

If you have towing experience and keep your speeds low, the 4runner is more than capable of exceeding 5000-lbs rated capacity. Equivalent vehicles have much higher towing capacities in Europe, but speed limits are lower and you have to get a special license to tow anything over several hundred pounds.

I-40 never enters South Carolina, so I'm assuming you mean North Carolina. Keep in mind that I-40 between Asheville and Knoxville is extremely curvy. So ignore the speed limits, stay in the right lane, and keep it below 55-mph (max rated speed of all UHaul trailers).

All that said, as suggested above, a car dolly would be more appropriate. You'll be well under the tow limit.

And one thing that hasn't been mentioned is whether or not UHaul will even let you tow a Solara on a trailer behind a 4Runner. You've got to put both the towing and towed vehicles on the contract and their computer won't let you rent if the towing vehicle doesn't meet their criteria. You could lie on the contract, but a good rental location will check and won't let you cheat.

 

[Justinmpd]

Where in TN did you move to?

 

[hoobhoob]

As a former owner (the Solara V6 SE with 5MT was quite a good car for the time!) there's no way a Solara weighs 4400lb.

I think its weight is more like 3400lb. So with a car towing trailer or dolly you should be under the 5000 towing limit of the T4R, even if slightly over you should be fine for patient, controlled interstate driving.

 

[Leftseat]

Move to TN

Where in TN did you move to?

================================================

Thanks for all replys. May just get it shipped, I have shipped in the past. I am getting a better choice of Solara convertibles in Florida.
We moved to Loudon, TN, Tellico Village. Sold our Florida home near Jupiter and the ICW, and other property we had there, now half-backs.
Bishop Construction is building us a new home here in Tellico Village, retirement community.
This is our last build, will enjoy TN. In rental house at Tellico, new home ready by 3/1/17.

We were in Maryville looking at homes, drove down 444 south, decided to turn around, turned into Tellico. Saw some nice houses, talked to a few residents, did more research, made a decision, contacted new home builders, could not believe what we get for the money vs south FL.

Vince

 

[burnurass]

I towed from NJ to VIR in Virginia with no issues. The trailer + car was right at the 5000 lb limit. Like everyone says, be patient and anticipate/plan for the hills. Shift manually to prevent it from hunting gears. I could go 75-80 mph and it was rock solid the whole way.
I did add a brake controller (plug and play). I was very impressed with the towing capabilities of the 4runner and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I got 13 mpg the whole trip towing and going 75-80 on the highways.

 

[mckennar]

This was fine between Bentonville, AR and Olathe, KS. Got 14 MPG average, kept the speeds reasonable. Could have maintained 75 MPH the whole way, these trucks have more than enough power for that. But it's not so much about power/speed as it is handling/braking when you're towing.

 

[mckennar]

dat clown shoe tho...

 

[salong53]

We moved to Loudon, TN, Tellico Village.

Tellico Village is a beautiful (and growing) area. You'll enjoy it a lot.

 

[gmatherly]

If you have the opportunity to get a brake controller, I'd strongly suggest it. I drove my 5th gen for a year with an array of trailers behind it and once i added the brake controller I gained a ton of confidence (especially on the highway where people like to dive in front me).

Good Luck!

 

[e60ral]

i don't think uhaul trailers have electronic brakes though, just surge brakes

 

[Heavy_GD]

Correct sir.

 

[Leftseat]

Towing - Move, Etc.

Thanks for all the comments, info. Just got back ln here, we have been in building mode since October. C of O two weeks ago, happy wife, got her custom home and kitchen, complete open floor plan.

Researching for new 2018 4Runner, looking for excuse to buy new.
Yes, TV great choice.
Vince