Towing a Jetski - 05 SE V8

K

KDCane

New member
Has anyone had any experience towing a jetski with a 4Runner V8 SE like mine? More specifically I'm curious to how much of a drop, if any, the hitch needs.

My truck is new, and I just cracked open the box the Toyota hitch came in. I spent the better part of last night and this morning tracking down the oddball 1.25" shank hitch ball.

Per the instructions in the box, Toyota says the proper way to mount the hitch in the receiver on V8s and GX470s is with the flat part up. I had the guy a the trailer place put my ball on per the instruction sheet, but I'm concerned I might be too high.

Considering this is a MONSTER of a bolt, if it needs to be flipped, I'd like to do it before I go and pick up my jetski on Saturday afternoon!

Thanks!
 
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Which position puts the trailer in a level/tongue of trailer slighly higher than the rear position?

For my motorcycle trailer the 'flat up' hitch position worked best.
 
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Ok, I can't decipher what others are trying to recommend....so here's my shot.

Make your stock hitch look like this ^ and then mount your ball on it. I think the stock hitch is 2" drop.....That's what I use for my boat, and towed my cousins jet ski with the same setup and both were dead flat level....although my truck compensates for some sag (with the boat) with the rear air susp. Your setup may be a bit different, but the stock hitch mounted in the above manner is a great starting point....if that doesn't do it, you'll just have to buy a hitch with a different drop, or flip it over (but I really doubt the above config. will be too low).



:)
 
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Northof49 said:
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Ok, I can't decipher what others are trying to recommend....so here's my shot.

Make your stock hitch look like this ^ and then mount your ball on it. I think the stock hitch is 2" drop.....That's what I use for my boat, and towed my cousins jet ski with the same setup and both were dead flat level....although my truck compensates for some sag (with the boat) with the rear air susp. Your setup may be a bit different, but the stock hitch mounted in the above manner is a great starting point....if that doesn't do it, you'll just have to buy a hitch with a different drop, or flip it over (but I really doubt the above config. will be too low).




:)
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I agree......This is how mine is and it works good for most everything I tow.
 
I have a double ski trailer and for my tongue to be level I actually have to raise the ball mount 3 or 4 inches. Every trailer is different so just make sure the trailer is level from front to rear being the same on both sides.

I recently sold my quad and trailer but I had to use a ball mount that was a 1 inch drop for that trailer..... like I said every trailer is different.

What kind of ski do you have?
 
Just a follow up. I mounted the trailer with the hitch plate up (raised) and it worked beautifully. The hitch rattles a little, don't know if anyone has found anything to put on it to quiet it down. A friend used double sided tape on his, but I like to take my ball off when not being used.

Oh, CuzzinOlaf I have a 2005 Honda Aquatrax F12X. I like it a lot, its stupid fast, and seems like people really love these jetskis. Not to mention they hold their value pretty good!
 
KDCane said:
Oh, CuzzinOlaf I have a 2005 Honda Aquatrax F12X. I like it a lot, its stupid fast, and seems like people really love these jetskis. Not to mention they hold their value pretty good!
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My friend has the same ski.... it definitely is quick but if you ever see a Kawasaki STX-R out there don't race it.... it will win. I know because that is what I have and I raced my friends. LOL.

If I had to do it all over again I would definitely get the Honda though because they are amazing on gas. Mine is horrible and I really hate that about it.

I don't know if you had the problem but his all of a sudden started leaning to the right in the water. It got so bad he had to ride leaning the other way to keep it straight. From what I know it is common with them but for the life of me I can't figure out what it would be. His is at the dealership now getting fixed so it can't be too bad.

Good luck with it and if you ever get a chance check out pwctoday.com. It is a jetski forum and definitely one of the better ones out there. If you show up I am on there under the same name.
:awais: :awais:

Ps. I also have a Super Jet stand-up PWC... ever ride a Stand-up?
 
I'm on pwctoday.com as well.

I'm not much into racing, more cruising. I just have fun. The water relaxes me.

The only time mine leans is when water gets in one footwell and not the other. Hopefully if its an issue it was either fixed in the 05s or there is a fix!
 
KDCane said:
Just a follow up. I mounted the trailer with the hitch plate up (raised) and it worked beautifully. The hitch rattles a little, don't know if anyone has found anything to put on it to quiet it down. A friend used double sided tape on his, but I like to take my ball off when not being used.
Click to expand...

Use duct tape around the hitch that goes into the receiver. That should quiet it down.
 
Well, I tow a 5,000lb boat with my Runner and i'm curious also about the positioning of the slide..........My Runner is a V8 and Toyota also says to position the slide with the tongue up................

I'm wondering what the advantage is behind this???
 
Honestly, I don't know. It works well for me though. I just followed the instructions on the orange piece of paper in the box that came with the truck!

Isnt the hitch larger on V8s? Maybe its a little lower?
 
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