Towing Boats - Max Capacity?

[antidentite]

I have an AWD V8 (2004) and I'm trying to determine what type of boat I may be able to buy (by weight).

This boat weighs just over 4,000 lbs, but with the trailer it weighs just shy of 6,000 lbs. Is that going to be too much for the T4R to tow?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have an AWD V8 (2004) and I'm trying to determine what type of boat I may be able to buy (by weight).

This boat weighs just over 4,000 lbs, but with the trailer it weighs just shy of 6,000 lbs. Is that going to be too much for the T4R to tow?

It'll work if you have the WDH capable reciever. Most V8's have the heavier hitch reciever but I think some of the early ones may have a max hitch rating of 500/5000.

:cheers:

 

[antidentite]

Thanks for the quick response. Any advice on how I can find out if it has the WDH capable receiver? And if so, how much it can tow?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks for the quick response. Any advice on how I can find out if it has the WDH capable receiver? And if so, how much it can tow?

Does the hitch hang down below the bumper or is it up higher? Is the bumper notched for the reciever? I'm pretty sure that's the quick check. To my knowledge all that have the reciever below the bumper have the higher rating. (Unless it's some 'off-brand'. I'm talking about Toyota OE hitches.)

Are all that have the bumper notched only capable of 500/5000? I'm not 100% sure

 

[dittodog]

Just a thought - It seems like you might want to calculate your boat and trailer weight again. Boats are rarely weighted correctly. Manufacturers post empty hull weights... then there is rigged weights, and LOADED weights. Fuel on a boat can be very heavy.
What made me say this is that you are saying that you have a trailer that is almost 2000 pounds by itself, that seems quite high for a boat that is only 4000. I would bet that the trailer # is much lower OR of more concern, the boat is MUCH heavier.

I only tow about a 3000 boat so I am not helpful on capabilities, but I have seen people get in serious trouble towing incorrectly.

Tongue weight is also VERY important.

 

[antidentite]

The boat and trailer specs I'm getting from this website: Maxum Boats - boat and trailer weights

 

[antidentite]

Also, the weight of the boat doesnt indicate if it's a dry weight or not, but considering it holds up to 70 gallons of fuel and 10 gallons of water, that could be an additional 668 ilbs of liquid (assuming each gallon weighs 8.35lbs).

Doesnt this sound like it's too much for the 4Runner to adequately tow?

 

[Bamaskeet]

I have an AWD V8 (2004) and I'm trying to determine what type of boat I may be able to buy (by weight).

This boat weighs just over 4,000 lbs, but with the trailer it weighs just shy of 6,000 lbs. Is that going to be too much for the T4R to tow?

You will not have any problem towing this boat. I tow a 5000 lb boat with the same truck.

 

[offshorebear]

They are allocating a lot of weight for the trailer, but better safe than sorry. 5,800 lbs with trailer and engine. Put on an extra 1000 pounds for fuel, water, ice, and all your stuff. Don't forget people and things in the 4runner. Your perfectly fine if you don't trailer really far very often. I would't pull the boat from PA to NC every weekend, but its no sweat to drop it off at the local ramp.

Edit to add: The good hitch will have round supports coming out of the sides that are easily visable. A 2004 V8 should have it already.

 

[Barefoot]

(assuming each gallon weighs 8.35lb)

Gas is lighter than water by a little, but the point is still valid.

What you end up towing is a lot more than the weight of the bare boat.

 

[climb.on]

On my '07 V8 the capacities of the hitch are stamped right on in in plane view. Or maybe it is a label, in which case it could be gone on yours. If it's not there defer to the description above.

 

[Carl Spackler]

antidentite-

Send me a PM (pics too) after you pull the boat around, and let me now how it goes. I recently picked up a 25' Wellcraft. For now it is in the lake, but eventually I will need to pull it out.

I assume the trailer is equipped with surge brakes?

Excellent user name, by the way!

 

[antidentite]

I haven't purchased the boat yet, as I wanted to make sure that it's something I can tow with my truck. So it may be awhile before I can post pictures of it, but I will once I purchase a boat.

Thanks everyone for the replies on this. I'll definitely be taking a closer look at the hitch tonight to see if I can get any more details on the towing capacity.

 

[4boer]

Tow the boat a few miles, at speed, b4 you buy it. Check how well it brakes.

 

[ellmer]

I'm new to the T4R, but not new to towing and did a lot of research on the T4R's capability before buying it.

With the 4Runner, the V6 engine is rated for 5000 lbs and the V8 engine for 7000 lbs. However, the chasis is only rated for 5000 lbs when using a standard weight carrying hitch. If you use a weight distribution hitch (receiver is the same), you can up the V8 chassis rating to 7000 lbs. This is all predicated on the tongue weight of a trailer over 7000 lbs. The weight distribution hitch effectively reduces the tongue weight so you don't bottom out the rear suspension.

 

[dyollp]

I've always believed in not going over 80% of capacity dry weight. That way, you don't have to worry too much about towing with a full tank of fuel etc.

 

[jetboy1975]

With the 4Runner, the V6 engine is rated for 5000 lbs and the V8 engine for 7000 lbs. However, the chasis is only rated for 5000 lbs when using a standard weight carrying hitch. If you use a weight distribution hitch (receiver is the same), you can up the V8 chassis rating to 7000 lbs. This is all predicated on the tongue weight of a trailer over 7000 lbs. The weight distribution hitch effectively reduces the tongue weight so you don't bottom out the rear suspension.

Careful here. It is NOT the same reciever. The stock reciever on the V6 and most V8s is the one that is only mounted to the cross member. It is good for 500/5000lbs. Above those weights or to use the weight distributing hitch you need the upgraded reciever which bolts to the frame rails. With this you can tow 7000lbs with 4WD or 7300lbs with 2WD T4R.

Easy way to tell is look underneath. The upgrade will have tubes on either side of reciever out to the side of the frame and has 3 or 4 bolts on either side into frame. The bolts for the stock reciever are hidden under the bumper cover.