Towing a boat help- 06 V8 SR5

[cunningham1143]

Hello all,

Long time lurker, first time poster here. I have an 06 SR5 V8 4x4 4Runner that I am using to tow a 20' Malibu Wakesetter. The boat and single axle trailer are around 5,000-5,500 pounds depending on load and water. The 4Runner pulls the boat well, but it sags down so far in the back that it makes it hard to hook up. I'm also sure that it would pull ever better if I could get it more on an even level so that so much of the pressure wasn't on the truck. I have the factory V8 hitch which seems to be a weight distributing hitch. Not sure if this is helping... Is there a good option as far as stiffer shocks or airbags in the back to help make this a better tow rig? We don't tow the boat very far, usually just a couple miles with about an hour trip every couple weeks, but when I do pull it I would like it to be right. Raising the rear up would also make hooking and unhooking much easier. Currently I'm using a hitch that is straight out of the tow reciever, no drop at all. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[offshorebear]

I don't see a 6000 pound trailer sagging a 4Runner so much it makes things difficult. Do you have a picture of everything hooked up?

Do you know what the tongue weight is of the trailer? It should be ~10% of the trailer load.

You can put airbags in the rear springs. They are easy to use and inexpensive, but I don't know much about brands. I'm sure someone will post what they use. For a few miles I don't know if I would bother though.

 

[jetboy1975]

Rear airbags should help and are inexpensive. Get a hitch riser or drop that will hold the trailer level when hitched and the truck levelled with the bags. Tongue weights are usually 12-15% of trailer weight but boats are usually heavier especially single axle. You may want to get it weighed to ensure you don't exceed the hitch. Keep in mind even if you have the factory WDH you are still limited to 500lbs tongue unless you can use the spring bars (then you're good to 700lbs) but most boat trailers can't use WDH. I'd think it would be reasonable to say you're exceeding the hitch and truck limits if you're experiencing that much sag. Airbags will help level but will not increase weight limits. May be time to get a dual axle unless you can adjust your axles forward to remove some tongue weight.

 

[M1911]

Is your boat properly positioned on your trailer? If it is causing that much sag, your boat may be too far forward on the trailer, putting too much weight on the hitch.

 

[tonyxcom]

yeah, sounds like you might need to adjust the axles forward on the trailer.

 

[cunningham1143]

Thanks for the replies. No, the sag is not awful. In fact, I guess really the only thing bugging me about it is that the trailer is somewhat hard to hook up when sitting on an incline depending on the angle. Of course that may be the case no matter what since the 4Runner sits somewhat low for a tow vehicle anyway.. I may just try using a ball mount with a rise in it. That may do the trick. If not I'll look into the airbags. I don't feel like its too much boat for the truck, it handles the pulling and braking just fine. It just sunk the back end a little more than I thought it would, or seems to anyway. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[FIRETAIL-AR]

Might try flipping your receiver hitch

That may help a little before you buy a new receiver hitch. You will also have to flip the ball, but this will give you almost 2" of rise. I have a bassboat, but it has dual axles, so I do not have the swag.

 

[M1911]

We're not suggesting that the boat is too much for your truck. Just that the axles on your trailer may be too far to the rear, putting too much weight on the hitch. That would cause your truck to sag more than expected, even though the overall trailer weight is within limits. A good trailer company can sort that out for you.