Towing with 4Runner?

[biskit]

Our '07 4 Runner, V-8 4x4 is 6 days old today!

We came real close to buying an '08 Explorer, but glad we went with the 4Runner. We plan on buying in the very near future a Jayco 199 travel trailer, which weighs in at 3875 lbs, and adding The Equalizer weight distributing hitch and sway control.

The V-8 4Runner is tow rated at 7000 lbs. Our rep at the RV store assured us that the 4Runner will be a GREAT car to tow with.

What experiences have you had while towing with this vehicle?

Thanks!

Chuck(ie)

 

[flippedman]

I have experience towing 5 motorcycles 5 guys with the runner full of cargo 1000 miles for 24hrs from Maryland to Miami. I have the V8 and there was definitely no shortage of power when accelerating and passing. Didn't experience any problems as far as drive train was concerned.

One thing you might want to watch out for is trailer sway. Even though the hitch is weight distributed, I wouldn't take it over 75mph because after that point it can become scary if the back starts wiggling.

Other than that, the 4runner should be more than enough for your towing needs!

 

[racedirt1]

You can always pick up a friction sway controller for cheap on e-bay, thats what I did and it eliminated sway. I always like to see 4Runner's towing campers. Here is my camper, 3200 lbs. dry weight being pulled by my '01 SR5.

 

[armyguy872007]

RE Towing

I went with the 2 wheel drive V8 TR4 for towing 7500lbs and am going with the KZ Coyote 23CMS. Dry weight is around 3500. I will go with the equalizer hitch as well. Can not wait until March to pick it up.

 

[juneau92]

Re: RE Towing

The V8 4Runner is a surprisingly good tow vehicle.

The V8 4Runner comes with standard equipped frame mounted hitch, oil cooler, transmission cooler, heavy duty radiator, and a heavier duty alternator, none of which the V6 version comes standard with.

Of course you also have more horsepower and torque, and reduced MPG.

You'll be happy with the V8 4Runner as you tow your new trailer.

See my sig for my towing setup.

 

[Koz]

3800 lbs. will be a walk in the park for the V8 4Runner.

Koz

 

[armyguy872007]

I like the pic of the PU, man I wish It was May or June....

 

[charlier180]

Our '07 4 Runner, V-8 4x4 is 6 days old today!

We came real close to buying an '08 Explorer, but glad we went with the 4Runner. We plan on buying in the very near future a Jayco 199 travel trailer, which weighs in at 3875 lbs, and adding The Equalizer weight distributing hitch and sway control.

The V-8 4Runner is tow rated at 7000 lbs. Our rep at the RV store assured us that the 4Runner will be a GREAT car to tow with.

What experiences have you had while towing with this vehicle?

Thanks!

Chuck(ie)

I use my V8 4Runner to tow my enclosed 20ft car trailer (~5,500lbs). The 4Runner pulls the trailer (even up some sizeable hills) without breaking a sweat.
A weight distributing hitch and sway control setup is a MUST when towing larger trailers with the 4Runner.
As you probably already know, sway control is very important when one tows in high wind areas or on roads/highways that have a lot of large truck traffic.

BTW, if the trailer you are getting is fairly wide you should consider mirrors over and above the standard 4Runner mirrors.
I use the McKesh mirrors. I tried the cheaper clip on mirrors but they simply did not do the job for me.
The McKesh mirrors provide a MUCH better view than the clip-ons.

The photo below shows my setup.

 

[airbag]

towed a 22 foot enclosed race trailer loaded without too much trouble with my 99 v6 auto. trailer is probably weighted at 5000lbs or so. not recommended you do it for long periods of time because it got me to our shop but wouldn't trust it to get us to a race.