Towing - The Facts!!!

[techjockey]

OK - so there has been significant debate on the towing capacity of the 2004 V8 4Runner. Here are some details (I am going with them at least!) and I confirmed them with Toyota Customer Experience hotline.

There are two factory hitches - Weight Carrying and Weight Distributing that go on the 2004 4Runner. They show the difference if you have a 2004 manual.

If you have a Weight Distributing Toyota Factory Hitch - You can tow a 7000 LBS trailer with up to 700 LBS tongue weight. You do not need any additional attachments according to Toyota.

We just got back from a long trip - Seattle to Pullman and back with a large horse trailer and horse (on the way back). No problems going over the Cascades at or near the speed limit for all sections.

The self leveling air suspension was great!

Happy Towing!

 

[jclark]

OK - so there has been significant debate on the towing capacity of the 2004 V8 4Runner. Here are some details (I am going with them at least!) and I confirmed them with Toyota Customer Experience hotline.

If you have a Weight Distributing Toyota Factory Hitch - You can tow a 7000 LBS trailer with up to 700 LBS tongue weight. You do not need any additional attachments according to Toyota.

This is not entirely true, the weight distributing receiver is only half the equation. You still need a weight distributing HITCH that plugs into the receiver. If not, you are essentially using the receiver in weight carrying mode.

 

[techjockey]

I understand your point, but believe the real issue is that Toyota has confused the public with the term weight distributing hitch. I think their intent was to just indicate this hitch distributes the weight onto the frame unlike the previous hitch design. Toyota confirmed you do not need a weight distributing attachment like those from EZ-Lift to be able to tow a 7000 lbs trailer.

If you have different information, please cite your source of information so we can reach a final decision. I am just interested in finding the real answer.

 

[jclark]

Techjockey, my information is from just reading and talking to RV dealers (as we bought a travel trailer). All toyota's 7000lb receiver/hitch does, is distribute the weight better at the rear of the vehicle. The weight distributing hitch itself (bars and chains and trailer mounts is also required to complete a weight distributing setup. Yes you can probably haul a 7000lb trailer without weight distribution bars etc, but I sure wouldn't try it. I'm not even sure i'd try towing that much, at that point the trailer out-weighs your SUV by 3000lbs. Who will push who around down the highway?

I've talked to Toyota on the phone, and they are the same people that told me my 4runner was good for 7000lbs right from the factory (which it wasn't).

I completely agree in that Toyota has mis-represented the truth.

 

[bluewolf]

I've talked to Toyota on the phone, and they are the same people that told me my 4runner was good for 7000lbs right from the factory (which it wasn't).

I completely agree in that Toyota has mis-represented the truth.

I don't think Toyota misrepresented anything. Any receiver which bolts solid to the frame can be used with a weight-distributing hitch assembly. Some people have been calling Toyota's class-3 receiver a "WD hitch", which caused confusion.

What I know (for what it's worth): Load-ratings are not necessarily recommended as "safe". Our 7300 lb load rating, for example, specifies the physical capeabilities of the frame-mounted receiver only! Note that the "weight-carrying" rating is also 7300 lbs. While the V8 may have the power and frame may be strong enough to pull this amount of weight, there is no way this would be safe without a WD assembly. I was told once that a good rule of thumb was an additional 50% the vehicle weight is acceptable (which puts us at 6,750) but extreme caution should be used and at least 10% of that weight should be on the tongue...using a weight-distributing hitch is a GIVEN.

 

[jclark]

Bluewolf, actually they did. I called and verified with the salesman and toyota canada prior to purchasing that the 4runner would tow 7000lb's. All said "yes". Then once it was delivered I found out that in canada they come with a 5000lb weight CARRYING hitch/receiver. Which, as clearly stated in the manualy should NOT be used with a weight distribution hitch. In my mind there is some confusion, and mis-representation there.

 

[jclark]

That being said, I love the 4 Runner and wouldn't have had anything else. I'm just going to go aftermarket and get a receiver that is capable of taking a WD hitch.

 

[techjockey]

While in general I agree with the vehicle size point in terms of weight ratio to the trailer, it begs the question on how Semi trucks can have such large trailers. It also makes me wonder how some vechicles can have a tow rating of 12,000 LBS. As I recall momentum is related to mass times velocity squared.

To me this just brings home the point that the larger the trailer you have, the better equipment, skill and caution you need to take on your journey.

 

[techjockey]

Bluewolf, actually they did. I called and verified with the salesman and toyota canada prior to purchasing that the 4runner would tow 7000lb's. All said "yes". Then once it was delivered I found out that in canada they come with a 5000lb weight CARRYING hitch/receiver. Which, as clearly stated in the manualy should NOT be used with a weight distribution hitch. In my mind there is some confusion, and mis-representation there.

This sounds more like the dealer's fault to me. Make them fix it for you by either getting the correct hitch (am not sure if it is a bolt on option) or exchanging the car. We can buy Canadian SUV's here in the US, not sure if vise-versa is true.

 

[bluewolf]

While in general I agree with the vehicle size point in terms of weight ratio to the trailer, it begs the question on how Semi trucks can have such large trailers. It also makes me wonder how some vechicles can have a tow rating of 12,000 LBS. As I recall momentum is related to mass times velocity squared.

To me this just brings home the point that the larger the trailer you have, the better equipment, skill and caution you need to take on your journey.

Well, a fifth-wheel hitch setup is quite a bit different. Take a look at any semi truck, notice where the trailer hooks up. The weight is bearing directly on the center of the frame, not behind it.

Also, as I mentioned somewhere else, tow-ratings do not necessarily guarantee "safe" towing at that capacity, but reflect the physical capeabilities of the towing equipment. For example, a 4500 lb vehicle with a V8 may have no problem at all pulling 7000 lbs down the road. The danger lies in what unexpected hazards the driver may encounter such as an elk running into the road, some idiot cutting in front of you or running a red light...whatever! If you attempt an evasive manuver with that kind of weight behind you, you will be at the mercy of your trailer!!

 

[Brewster]

[Momentum may be "related to mass times velocity squared," but it's a lot more closely related to mass times velocity.]

On actual towing experience - -
I recently towed my farm tractor 400 miles. On paper, the trailer, tractor and attachments add up to 5000 pounds, so I tried it without the weight distrubuting paraphernalia. (I was loading by myself and it's a pain to hook up.) It towed OK, as far as stability and braking were concerned, but the 4Runner felt a little underpowered for the job. Maybe the trailer & load were heavier than the specs said.

I had some headwind and got 10.8 miles per gallon. I was really worried at first because the trip computer reported 10.8. Maybe at that low a figure, the computer matches the actual. At least it did for me with one tank full.

 

[Colemanfu]

Don't know about towing but have something called the "Versa-Hauler" It is used to cary motorcycles 500lbs or less. It fits into the 2in reciever and goes across the back of the truck so it is all toung wt - nothing touches the ground! The hauler is about 60lbs and the bike is about 300lbs (KTM LC4640 a huge street leagal dirt bike). No problems at all carying the bike - some times you forget it's there. All loaded up I still had some bounc in the rear end (camping gear and bike) - I thought it would be sitting on the bump stops but there was plenty of play. With the bike on the hauler it blocked the breaks and truns a bit so, I did get a set of break and turn signal lights that plug in and sit up top - like you see when an RV is towing a car. Took a long time to find a 6 to 4 plug! $7.00 at the dealership. I guess the 6 plug is for breaks?

 

[silver4x419]

[Momentum may be "related to mass times velocity squared," but it's a lot more closely related to mass times velocity.]

On actual towing experience - -
I recently towed my farm tractor 400 miles. On paper, the trailer, tractor and attachments add up to 5000 pounds, so I tried it without the weight distrubuting paraphernalia. (I was loading by myself and it's a pain to hook up.) It towed OK, as far as stability and braking were concerned, but the 4Runner felt a little underpowered for the job. Maybe the trailer & load were heavier than the specs said.

I had some headwind and got 10.8 miles per gallon. I was really worried at first because the trip computer reported 10.8. Maybe at that low a figure, the computer matches the actual. At least it did for me with one tank full.

Not trying to be anal, but you said you went 400 miles and you did it with one tank full on your 4Runner right?

The 4Runner has a 23 gallon tank and you went 400 miles, that would average out to be about 17.xx mpg. Where are you getting 10.8 mpg?

Is there something I am missing or not understanding?

 

[Brewster]

Sorry, silver4x419. What I meant was that I only checked the computer against the calculated mileage for one tankfull.

Colemanfu, you reminded me of another question I wanted to ask. I'd been thinking about getting one of those receiver hitch basket platforms to put a big ice chest on sometimes. I wondered whether the straight exhaust tip might heat it up too much. Has anyone tried it without modifying the exhaust tip?

 

[Colemanfu]

I think 2 factors would come into play. The length of the basket - some are 60 inches wide or almost the width of the tail end. The other would be the type of driving. If you were standing still for a long time the heat may build up? But as long as you kept moving my guess would be not problem. I don't have a rack like that but they would come in very handy. If I got one I would get the largest available - you never have too much room and I like to cary tons of junk when I go out adventuring. The Hauler has a hitch in the back so if I wanted could have the hauler then a hitch or basket - same 2 inch reciever in the back. I think that would be pushing the limit but it is an option.