Towing capacity from 2005 to 2006

[joeybk85]

I hope this hasn't been posted before. I think I read every single thread in this forum about towing and haven't seen this mentioned anywhere.

I want to buy a 4th gen T4R and I have a small trailer I want to tow so I've been doing a lot of research about towing with one.

In the 2005 manual, it says that with a WDH, the V6 4x4 model can tow 6,400 lbs, and with the WCH, 5,000 lbs.

In the 2006 manual, it says 5,000 lbs for the WCH, but no mention of the WDH for the V6 models, only the V8 models.

But from all the research that I did, the differences between the 2005 and 2006 are mostly cosmetic.

So did Toyota just omit this information from the owner's manual? Anyone know what's the deal? I was hoping to get a model between 2006 and 2009.

There's also the same discrepancy in the manuals when it comes to tongue weight.

Here are some screenshots of both manuals:

2005:

2006:

 

[TowMeOut]

If you have a "small" trailer then why worry about the max ratings. If you're nowhere near that level it's not a problem.

I have a "small" trailer (4'x6'). I've had it loaded with bags of cement, gravel, some tile and a few other loads that kind of maxxed it out. The 4runner suspension is pretty spongy so I don't really want to be pulling much more than that. A boat, a pair of jetskiis, maybe a 5x8 enclosed trailer, etc is probably reasonable but I wouldn't get carried away.

Good Luck

 

[VT245]

For what its worth i tow a 4500lb load regularly with my 08 V8. I don't have a WDH, but my trailer is custom for my boat so the weight is properly distributed on the trailer and i have electric over hydraulic disc brakes on both axles. This is very controllable to me. So to me, the 5000lb limit "makes sense" as this is probably the heaviest load i feel comfortable towing with my current setup.

I think most people on here will agree that as long as you set up your weight properly in the trailer (tongue weight counts towards total load capacity) and preferably have brakes on the trailer, you should be fine towing the manufacturer listed load limits.

One thing i want to stress is the HUGE difference in controllability that electric over hydraulic brakes give you over no brakes or even surge brakes, it is truly a night and day difference.

Here is a photo of my setup. I have KO2s now but other than that its all the same.

 

[joeybk85]

If you have a "small" trailer then why worry about the max ratings. If you're nowhere near that level it's not a problem.

Sorry, when I said small trailer, I meant small travel trailer. It's a GulfStream Visa 19 RSD. 19', 2,800 lbs.

So as far as the weight is concerned, I'm well within the rating of 5,000 lbs, but the tongue load is 400 lbs, which is kind of cutting it close to the 500 lb rating.

If the 2005 V6 with a weight distribution hitch receiver + weight distribution hitch has a tongue weight rating of 640 lb, but the 2006 V6 only has 500 lb even with the WDH, then I'll either get a 2005 or a V8.

I'd like to get my facts straight before making the purchase.

Here are the relevant pages from the manuals concerning the tongue weight:

 

[TechWrench]

I hope this hasn't been posted before. I think I read every single thread in this forum about towing and haven't seen this mentioned anywhere.

I want to buy a 4th gen T4R and I have a small trailer I want to tow so I've been doing a lot of research about towing with one.

In the 2005 manual, it says that with a WDH, the V6 4x4 model can tow 6,400 lbs, and with the WCH, 5,000 lbs.

In the 2006 manual, it says 5,000 lbs for the WCH, but no mention of the WDH for the V6 models, only the V8 models.

But from all the research that I did, the differences between the 2005 and 2006 are mostly cosmetic.

So did Toyota just omit this information from the owner's manual? Anyone know what's the deal? I was hoping to get a model between 2006 and 2009.

There's also the same discrepancy in the manuals when it comes to tongue weight.

Here are some screenshots of both manuals:

2005:

2006:

If you had found ALL the older threads on this topic, you might have found several that discuss this issue. To make it simple, the owners manual was corrected in '06 to clarify the difference between the V6 and V8 models, and the different factory hitch receivers that they have. The factory V8 hitch is a frame mounted receiver, which is capable of handling a WDH (Weight Distributing Hitch) setup. But the factory V6 hitch receiver is only mounted to a cross member that spans the frame rails, and is NOT designed nor recommended for use with a WDH towing system. It is only designed for a WCH (Weight Carrying Hitch system), which results in the lower towing ratings.

If you were to remove the factory V6 hitch receiver, replace it with an aftermarket frame mounted hitch receiver, and install an aux transmission cooling system, then you could use a WDH towing system and gain the benefit of an increased towing capacity.

 

[joeybk85]

If you were to remove the factory V6 hitch receiver, replace it with an aftermarket frame mounted hitch receiver, and install an aux transmission cooling system, then you could use a WDH towing system and gain the benefit of an increased towing capacity.

Thanks, this is the plan. To replace the factory hitch receiver with an aftermarket one bolted to the frame.

I knew the difference between the 2 receivers based on previous threads, but I didn't specifically see that replacing it would increase the weight and tongue ratings.

The newer manual is not as clear as the old one IMO.

 

[Antoddio]

V8 does fine towing this boat 6 or 7k lbs. At the end of the summer I found out the Trailer brakes had not been working at all during the summer. I thought the pedal felt a little stuff but wasn’t alarming enough for me to do something about it or think something was wrong. I have airbags in the rear but no weight distribution hitch.

So I think you’ll be fine either way but I’d use it as an excuse to upgrade to the 8 cyl.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4RunArt]

V6 - FJ rear springs with airbags, Bilstein 5100's on all 4... Crucial component is the airbags w/ stiffer springs. Also 100% without a doubt purchase and install an EBC.

I have been saved from accident almost every time I've been out because of the EBC. I recommend one that you can manually squeeze to control the brake in an emergency.

I pull from IL to the Smokies in Tn at least 1 to 2x a year. 3k+ loads...

 

[joeybk85]

Thanks 4RunArt, most definitely getting the EBC. Great looking T4R you have there.

 

[daka320]

Thanks, this is the plan. To replace the factory hitch receiver with an aftermarket one bolted to the frame.

I knew the difference between the 2 receivers based on previous threads, but I didn't specifically see that replacing it would increase the weight and tongue ratings.

The newer manual is not as clear as the old one IMO.

The manuals can be confusing. But, I did the above with the hitch and added an external transmission cooler. I could now tow our travel trailer that weighed in at 6000 lbs with a hitch weight of about 650 lbs.

But, I ran into some problems. I was overweight on the rear axle weight, payload, and hitch weight if I remember correctly. Yes, my 4Runner could tow it just fine. At the end of the day, it was just too much trailer for the vehicle. The 5000 lb tow limit is a good number to follow. Keeps you under most of the other weight limitations of payload, axle weight, etc.

We finally just bought a Tundra. Night and day difference with towing and stopping. Bigger and heavier vehicle that can handle the loads. Especially shines in the mountains.

 

[joeybk85]

The manuals can be confusing. But, I did the above with the hitch and added an external transmission cooler. I could now tow our travel trailer that weighed in at 6000 lbs with a hitch weight of about 650 lbs.

But, I ran into some problems. I was overweight on the rear axle weight, payload, and hitch weight if I remember correctly. Yes, my 4Runner could tow it just fine. At the end of the day, it was just too much trailer for the vehicle. The 5000 lb tow limit is a good number to follow. Keeps you under most of the other weight limitations of payload, axle weight, etc.

We finally just bought a Tundra. Night and day difference with towing and stopping. Bigger and heavier vehicle that can handle the loads. Especially shines in the mountains.

Luckily my trailer is a lot smaller than that so I think I'll be OK. Thanks!