Towing Capacity
- Thread starter PWRHungry
- Start date
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waskillywabbit
New member
Tow rating
I would imagine if you have an accident towing something over your vehicle rating or the tow rating for the hitch, insurance finds out, they won't pay. Seems like enough of a deterrent to get the proper tow package.
My 0.02
:guitar2:
Brian
I would imagine if you have an accident towing something over your vehicle rating or the tow rating for the hitch, insurance finds out, they won't pay. Seems like enough of a deterrent to get the proper tow package.
My 0.02
:guitar2:
Brian
Thai
Elite Member
You need the upgrade.
The standard hitch is part of the rear crossmember. Therefore, it has a "rating". I would not test this rating. If you test it, then you risk messing up your whole 4runner frame...and this is VERY bad. It can lead to significant frame damage...and fixing it will be very expensive!
I believe the "upgrade" is a standard bolt-on hitch, right?? (I have never seen it in person.) The upgrade may spread out the towing force more evenly, thus allowing you to tow more.
The standard hitch is part of the rear crossmember. Therefore, it has a "rating". I would not test this rating. If you test it, then you risk messing up your whole 4runner frame...and this is VERY bad. It can lead to significant frame damage...and fixing it will be very expensive!
I believe the "upgrade" is a standard bolt-on hitch, right?? (I have never seen it in person.) The upgrade may spread out the towing force more evenly, thus allowing you to tow more.
HuntRunner
New member
I'm curious, where does it say on the vehicle what the towing capacity is? I have an 03' Sport with the V8 and it has the hitch before the upgrade was made. My manual states that with my engine, I can tow 7,500 pounds (or something like that). It does not say anything about towing capacity depending on what hitch I have.
waskillywabbit
New member
On the hitch itself
It should say right on the hitch itself, the part that goes in the receiver, what the tow rating is and also on the hitch underneath the rig on a sticker. At least mine does and it came on my rig from the dealer. It's a Reese.
:guitar2:
Brian
HuntRunner said:
It should say right on the hitch itself, the part that goes in the receiver, what the tow rating is and also on the hitch underneath the rig on a sticker. At least mine does and it came on my rig from the dealer. It's a Reese.
:guitar2:
Brian
waskillywabbit
New member
Upgrade
About the only option, other than the dealership or doing it yourself, that I know of, is getting U-Haul to help you out. I would still try the dealership first, but not pay them to put it on. Put it on yourself. Rather than talk to them on the phone, go down there and talk to a tech, they'll know what you are talking about, not the goobs that talk on the phone. As for U-Haul, they do lots of hitches and would have all the info you needed I'm sure, I just don't like U-Haul.
:guitar2:
Brian
PWRHungry said:
About the only option, other than the dealership or doing it yourself, that I know of, is getting U-Haul to help you out. I would still try the dealership first, but not pay them to put it on. Put it on yourself. Rather than talk to them on the phone, go down there and talk to a tech, they'll know what you are talking about, not the goobs that talk on the phone. As for U-Haul, they do lots of hitches and would have all the info you needed I'm sure, I just don't like U-Haul.
:guitar2:
Brian
HuntRunner
New member
Would that just be the rating on that particular equipment? The part that goes into the receiver says not to exceed 10,000 pounds; I know that the truck is not rated for that. All of this came from the dealership, even says Toyota on it.
waskillywabbit
New member
Stress
You are looking at a rating which rates the maximum towing capacity in lbs, which means the towing equipment will take so much stress accordingly.
Find out what the rating for your vehicle is, the towing capacity.
Find out what the rating on your hitch and receiver are, the towing capacity.
Use the smallest towing capacity for the overall rating of your vehicle, or the maximum your vehicle can tow. Don't exceed this or you'll fubar something and your insurance won't pay if you have an accident and it is exceeded.
Your towing rating is only as strong as your weakest component.
The towing rating for the vehicle should be in your owner's manual.
The towing rating for the hitch/receiver should be on them. Stamped on them in the metal or on a sticker attached to them.
Again, use the smallest value for your towing capacity of the three, because the lowest value will fail first.
:guitar2:
Brian
You are looking at a rating which rates the maximum towing capacity in lbs, which means the towing equipment will take so much stress accordingly.
Find out what the rating for your vehicle is, the towing capacity.
Find out what the rating on your hitch and receiver are, the towing capacity.
Use the smallest towing capacity for the overall rating of your vehicle, or the maximum your vehicle can tow. Don't exceed this or you'll fubar something and your insurance won't pay if you have an accident and it is exceeded.
Your towing rating is only as strong as your weakest component.
The towing rating for the vehicle should be in your owner's manual.
The towing rating for the hitch/receiver should be on them. Stamped on them in the metal or on a sticker attached to them.
Again, use the smallest value for your towing capacity of the three, because the lowest value will fail first.
:guitar2:
Brian
srpage
New member
All the advice you are getting is very good.
I would like to add some additional comments to keep what you are doing in perspective.
Your 4runner with you in it plus a full gas tank will weight in around 5000 pounds. You are planning on towing a boat and trailer that weight more than your 4runner. This is a case where if you are not setup correctly the tail can wag the dog. This is not a good thing.
You can safely do this but you definately need to make sure everything is set up correctly.
You will need a different hitch installed to handle the weight.
You also will need to make sure the brakes on the boat trailer are working correctly. You also need to make sure the tongue weight on the trailer is set correctly. You probably need to make sure you have some form of sway control.
You need to talk to someone who is familiar with towing. Uhaul is a good suggestion or you might call some local travel trailer places as they can steer you to somone to get you setup correctly.
Hope this helps
I would like to add some additional comments to keep what you are doing in perspective.
Your 4runner with you in it plus a full gas tank will weight in around 5000 pounds. You are planning on towing a boat and trailer that weight more than your 4runner. This is a case where if you are not setup correctly the tail can wag the dog. This is not a good thing.
You can safely do this but you definately need to make sure everything is set up correctly.
You will need a different hitch installed to handle the weight.
You also will need to make sure the brakes on the boat trailer are working correctly. You also need to make sure the tongue weight on the trailer is set correctly. You probably need to make sure you have some form of sway control.
You need to talk to someone who is familiar with towing. Uhaul is a good suggestion or you might call some local travel trailer places as they can steer you to somone to get you setup correctly.
Hope this helps
waskillywabbit
New member
JAWS
If you are towing something that weighs more than your 4Runner, think about it, what is towing what in reality. The heavier object will always tow the lighter when push comes to shove and you certainly don't want that.
As Lt. Brody said in JAWS when he saw the shark for the first time, "You're gonna need a bigger" truck....to tow that boat.
:guitar2:
Brian
If you are towing something that weighs more than your 4Runner, think about it, what is towing what in reality. The heavier object will always tow the lighter when push comes to shove and you certainly don't want that.
As Lt. Brody said in JAWS when he saw the shark for the first time, "You're gonna need a bigger" truck....to tow that boat.
:guitar2:
Brian
