My 4 runner has the tow package (tranny cooler, heavy duty alternator, battery, suspension). According to the manual it is rated to tow a maximum of 5000 lbs with a 500 lb maximum tongue weight. I've been towing a 17' Casita, under 3500 lb. loaded, for years with no problem. Now I'd like to get a longer heavier camper--about 4800 lb loaded with a dry tongue weight of 330 lb and almost 24' long. Even though it is within the capacities of the 4 runner it makes me nervous due to the 4 runner's short wheel base of 109 inches and the fact that I would be very near the max towing capacity. I love my 4 runner so I'm wondering if trading it in on its cousin the Tacoma would make sense. If I get the Tacoma with tow package I get 6500 lb towing capactity, 650 lb tongue weight and a 127 inch wheelbase. That all sounds good but I still have a V6 with 250 hp--is that an issue? I don't plan to be a speed demon. Any thoughts would be appreciated. PS I assume dry tongue weight is without LP and battery? Thanks,
towing with 2011 4 runner 4wd sr5
- Thread starter AZ gal
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rigtec
New member
Hi AZ gal,
I think some of the towing experts here on this forum (which I'm not) would agree... the 4Runner isn't, and never has been 'Almost' capable of achieving Toyota engineer's recommendation for full weight cap. reliability! Also, the 4Runner has a 'Well earned' reputation for it's ability to continue upwards of 250,000 miles of trouble-free, turn-key roadworthiness, which is not at all uncommon... not too many of it's peers ('including the Jeep-GC') can boast that!
Cheers!
Diver Deuce
New member
I tow a 7x16 tandem axle enclosed trailer, but not too often. I do use a WD hitch, tranny cooler and air bags.
I went from Yuma AZ to New Bern NC rolling at around 11000# fully loaded with no issues. I don't recommend doing it very often though. Not sure what the length of the trailer you're looking at would do though.
I went from Yuma AZ to New Bern NC rolling at around 11000# fully loaded with no issues. I don't recommend doing it very often though. Not sure what the length of the trailer you're looking at would do though.
I pull a 17 foot casita liberty.
Only issue is to watch transmission temperature when going uphill. Plan to spend some time in 4 th gear to keep your transmission temperature in the zone. Recently back from mammoth, Ca. The long upgrade going up was trying but doable. I am considering an additional transmission cooler .....
Jeremy556
New member
There is no towing package for the 4runner.
How often, how far, and over what grades are you planning to pull this 5K 24' trailer? If it is more than once in a while, a long way, or over steep grades, reconsider you trailer or get a different tow vehicle.
I've pulled a considerably over 5K trailer across the country and over the continental divide. The 4runner handled it fine, if at 5Krpm in 2nd gear on some grades, but it wasn't enjoyable.
Go ahead and scratch the Tacoma off your list as well. Yes, it has a higher tow rating and pulls a heavy trailer somewhat better than the 4runner, but not much.
How often, how far, and over what grades are you planning to pull this 5K 24' trailer? If it is more than once in a while, a long way, or over steep grades, reconsider you trailer or get a different tow vehicle.
I've pulled a considerably over 5K trailer across the country and over the continental divide. The 4runner handled it fine, if at 5Krpm in 2nd gear on some grades, but it wasn't enjoyable.
Go ahead and scratch the Tacoma off your list as well. Yes, it has a higher tow rating and pulls a heavy trailer somewhat better than the 4runner, but not much.
I have a 2010 Casita Freedom. It is well made and easy to tow--been cross country every year from Az to Maine. Now I plan to stick closer to Az and spend more time in the trailer I want something with more room. I highly recommend it if the size works for you.
Not sure what you mean by "there is no towing package for the 4 runner." I have the print out for my VIN # and it lists tranny cooler, heavy duty alternator, heavy duty battery, heavy duty suspension, and front and rear stabilizer bars and skid plates.
I will take this trailer out 4 or 5 times a year for 1-4 weeks at a time. Most of my travel will be Az, Ca, Co, Ut, NM so there will be some grades involved. I've done all of this many times towing approx. 17' and 3500 lb with no issues at all. But 23' and 4600 lb loaded concern me. The Tacoma is very appealing to me for lots of reasons. First, I love my 4 runner and would keep it if it had a longer wheelbase and greater towing capacity and tongue weight. The Tacoma is just like it and has these qualities and can be ordered with a true tow package. And I really don't want a big vehicle unless I have to. I'm willing to put up with some slow down on the grades. I guess my real question is: is the extra wheelbase length of 18" (from 109" on the 4runner to 127" on the Tacoma) sufficient to make it safe to pull 23'of trailer? PS The 2016 Tacoma will have a V6 with higher hp than my 4runner which should help too?
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Hellamatic
New member
I wouldn't pull anything that big with a 4runner OR a Tacoma.
Buy a Tundra. Or, as another option, find a used 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup in decent shape and use it as a dedicated towing rig - this is probably the cheapest option. That's what I would do.
Buy a Tundra. Or, as another option, find a used 1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup in decent shape and use it as a dedicated towing rig - this is probably the cheapest option. That's what I would do.
Just so I understand what is your concern with the Tacoma? With the manufacturer's towing package it is rated for 6500 lbs and I'd be towing less than 80% of that which is what most people recommend as safe. Ditto on the tongue weight. And the truck will be well under its payload with 2 people and almost no gear. So the GVCW will be well under the 11,100 lb limit. Thanks
Hellamatic
New member
It's not a matter of safety necessarily, but more a matter of driveability and comfort. Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD, haha.
Sure, the Tacoma or 4Runner will pull it, but you will find both to be underpowered and fatiguing to drive. A trailer that weighs just as much as the truck will toss it around a lot more than it would a heavier truck, and the poor little 4.0L has to have every squirrel on the cage to keep up.
In my experience, it's fullsize pickup FTW if you're doing any amount of towing. It just works so much better.
Jeremy556
New member
Exactly as I said, there is no such thing as a tow package for the 4runner. Check Toyota's site. Unless your dealer installed aftermarket stuff, you have the same trans cooler, battery, and suspension as every other 4runner.
