Towing a 4Runner, with a 4Runner?

[gamefreakgc]

I may be purchasing a non-running 4Runner. What are your thoughts about renting a U-haul car dolly and towing a 4Runner? I may be driving about 100 miles though. I will disconnect the rear drive shaft.

I've got plenty of power and I've got upgraded Tundra brakes (meant for towing), it's the weight I'm not sure about. My tow hitch is rated for 4,000 pounds, but the manual says 5,000.

Any thoughts? Experiences towing that much weight? I'm pretty easy on the throttle and brakes btw.

 

[PWD4R]

Shouldn't have an issue. I am a firm believer in a truck should be able to tow itself.
I towed my Corolla with ZERO issues and my 4Runner had 220k on it and it didn't even show a sign of weakness.


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[PWD4R]

Looks like there's a max of about a 1k difference.

4Runner max weight should be under 4K pounds.


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[gamefreakgc]

Shouldn't have an issue. I am a firm believer in a truck should be able to tow itself.
I towed my Corolla with ZERO issues and my 4Runner had 220k on it and it didn't even show a sign of weakness.


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A Corolla is much, much lighter than a 4Runner though! Dry, I think a 4x4 4Runner is around 3,800. Add fluids and gas and that easily tops 4,000, plus a couple of hundred for the tow dolly. It just adds up quick, that's why I need to ask about it first before I do something stupid.

 

[PWD4R]

Like I said, it's at MAX a 1k difference. I would do it. People tow over the max weight all the time. It may be rated for say 5k pounds but they can still do 6,500 without messing crap up. Keep in mind that, with your tundra brake upgrade, you can tow more. I think they have the same tranny as the tundra if I am not mistaken. The only other concern would be suspension and engine power but you addressed the power concern. 100 miles is quite minimal. I'd do it.


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[nissanh]

Are you going uphill? then no. Downhill, probably fine. Check the altitude of the starting and ending locations.

To be safe, why not rent a Uhaul truck and tow the 4runner with it. Cost few $$$ but peace of mind.

I once tried to tow a 4runner behind mine and later decided not to.

 

[gamefreakgc]

My suspension is good, my rear coils are thicker and have a higher compression rate in the rear than stock, on purpose.

Unless I get any objections from somebody else I think I'll do it. Now to convince U-haul to let me rent one to tow a 4Runner... ahem I mean Honda Civic

 

[T4R2014]

Assuming you don't expect it to tow like a Super Duty, it will do it.

 

[Rock_Rat]

My suspension is good, my rear coils are thicker and have a higher compression rate in the rear than stock, on purpose.

Unless I get any objections from somebody else I think I'll do it. Now to convince U-haul to let me rent one to tow a 4Runner... ahem I mean Honda Civic

It's not the suspension I would be worried about, it's the strain on the motor and the tranny. I agree with [MENTION=85046]nissanh[/MENTION] rent a U-haul truck one way and call it good. Small price to pay considering how much you have invested in your rig.

 

[suppra87]

I may be purchasing a non-running 4Runner. What are your thoughts about renting a U-haul car dolly and towing a 4Runner? I may be driving about 100 miles though. I will disconnect the rear drive shaft.

I've got plenty of power and I've got upgraded Tundra brakes (meant for towing), it's the weight I'm not sure about. My tow hitch is rated for 4,000 pounds, but the manual says 5,000.

Any thoughts? Experiences towing that much weight? I'm pretty easy on the throttle and brakes btw.

I think you will be fine towing a 4Runner with your 4Runner. You may end up slightly over the 5000 lbs towing capacity of your runner, which is obviously not advisable, but if you mind your braking distances and your speed you will likely be alright.

I have a similarly equipped 4runner (240k, auto, 285s, SC, TBU, trans cooler and suspension) and recently towed my 97 Extended cab Taco on a flatbed 18" trailer over 156 miles with a net elevation change of +1300ft with zero issues. And that was at 5400lbs

 

[diverscale]

You are totally fine, keep it out of overdrive, don't ask for too much when going up-hill and keep your distance. That is an easy towing.

 

[Roc Doc]

Any of you guys ever tow something with a tow dolly? It's not fun, and I'm not sure you're going to be able to get the "tongue weight" correct being so close to max load.

Don't have any friends with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck? I'd rent a flatbed trailer, buy lunch and pay for fuel. I know it's more money than just renting a dolly, but I think it's money well spent.

 

[IBallEngineer]

I may be purchasing a non-running 4Runner. What are your thoughts about renting a U-haul car dolly and towing a 4Runner? I may be driving about 100 miles though. I will disconnect the rear drive shaft.

I've got plenty of power and I've got upgraded Tundra brakes (meant for towing), it's the weight I'm not sure about. My tow hitch is rated for 4,000 pounds, but the manual says 5,000.

Any thoughts? Experiences towing that much weight? I'm pretty easy on the throttle and brakes btw.

I know the temptation to do this is HUGE. And the reality is you motor makes enough power to move both vehicles and the tow dolly. And your brakes will slow both vehicles to a stop, eventually.

The reality though is the 5000lb towing capacity is based on towing a travel trailer, or car trailer, that has brakes of it's own. Simple physics here, the Tundra brakes help, but they weren't designed to stop 10,000 lbs. Although they will stop the added weight, they won't work anything like normal.

MUCH more important is the effect of inertia. When you are going in a straight line, the towed vehicle follows you. When you make a turn the towed vehicle doesn't know you are making a turn and tends to continue it's path straight forward. Of course in a slow controlled turn the towed vehicle is pulled in the direction of the turn and the dolly follows. When it get's dicey is when you have to make a sudden maneuver. Now you have 5000 LBS. trying to push the back of your tow vehicle straight when you suddenly swerved to the right. At best this is very uncomfortable, at worst it rolls your tow vehicle.

I would actually feel more confident towing it on a flat trailer equipped with brakes, and having a brake controller in the tow vehicle. Although you are adding to the weight, it would be safer for emergency type stops.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. Rent something bigger!

 

[PWD4R]

I did read somewhere that the tire straps may be too small to wrap the tire (depending on the size) so check into that


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[white_n_slow]

100 miles on country roads with minimal traffic would be fine. I would look at either a real trailer or a real tow vehicle if we're talking normal city traffic with idiots everywhere. Tow dollies suck!

 

[4runnerWiniarski23]

I would def do it. Agreeing with what has been said. The max rating is a suggested rating you should not have a problem.

 

[Yukon4Runner]

I agree with the general sentiment. You're probably fine; take it slow, ease off on the hills and keep some distance between you and traffic. Time your trip for off peak traffic. Delay the trip if weather whips up.

However, if things go wrong (some idiot pulls out in front of you and jams on the brakes) and there is a loss of life or large property damage collision, you will be in the crosshairs of a lawsuit or potential charge.

If you are risk adverse, rent the UHaul and trailer and get all the insurance offered. Otherwise, drive safely and hope for the best.

 

[Roc Doc]

I would def do it. Agreeing with what has been said. The max rating is a suggested rating you should not have a problem.

Wow.

Try getting insurance to cover an accident if you go over the "suggested rating".

 

[HiLife]

Is the 4Runner capable of towing...sure. But would I do it...nope.
I'm glad I towed my 4Runner 200 miles flat miles back home using a Uhaul truck and an Uhaul Auto Transport. I could feel the encountered high winds on the drive back move the Auto Transport around.
I know I would've have had a hard time controlling using something much less lighter in weight than the heavier Uhaul truck.
Plus having no wear and tear on my 4Runner during the travel was a big plus.

 

[Yukon4Runner]

Try getting insurance to cover an accident if you go over the "suggested rating".

If you can get insurance for operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner that the manufacturer does not recommend, please be sure to let me know what insurance company is offering such policies.