Towing with a 1st Gen?

[otae]

I have an '88 with a 22RE and a 5-speed. Would it be possible to tow a small travel trailer? And if so, what kind of size and weight limits am I looking at?

Thanks,
Kai

 

[thatoneguy]

Does your runner have a tow hitch? (Mine did stock, but I have no idea if that was standard equipment.)

I don't know if the manual mentions straight limits, but your 115hp (when it was new) 4runner is probably gonna be happy if you keep it under 1500lbs.

 

[Nervo19]

Circa 1992 I used to tow a 2500 lb. boat with my 1988 4Runner. It's not the towing; it's the braking you have to watch out for. These trucks are now over 25 years old. I wouldn't tow anything heavier than a jon boat now. Maybe a teardrop trailer or a pop up.

 

[KidVermicious]

Check the GVRW on your tag, should be around 4800. The truck itself weighs about 4000, so that theoretically gives you 800 pounds to play with, assuming your drivetrain and brakes are in good condition.

I wouldn't tow much more than 500 pounds myself, at least not without trailer brakes and a sway control bar - the 1st gen just doesn't have the power or brakes or wheelbase/track width for any sort of serious towing.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

I towed a tent-trailer for years with my '88 22RE. On flat ground, it wasn't so bad. But any suggestion of an incline had u downshifting yesterday. As has been said, these little engines just don't have the power. They'll do it, just don't expect to get there quickly! The trailer I pulled probably weighed in around 1500 lbs. loaded. It had electric brakes which are a must. I remember winding out that poor little 22RE in 2nd gear climbing grades in the Sierra Nevadas I really had no business attempting. But that 22RE just never quit. Never broke down. Year after year. It really made a believer out of me in the durability and reliability of Toyotas and the 22RE especially.

 

[BigBluePile]

Nothing a few brake upgrades won't fix...

 

[MacGyver1979]

I would stay under 800 lbs without trailer breaks, even with upgraded breaks you can be pushed out of control by a trailer.

 

[nevada]

its been many years, but I thought I read that my 85 truck had a towing capacity of 3500. I would guess the 4runner would be close.

I pulled a trailer weighing very close to that, and I towed another Toyota truck which also weighs about the same. neither were fun. of course stopping takes MUCH longer, but so does getting up to speed. they just aren't meant to tow.

until getting my 06, I would semi-regularly tow a flat deck trailer with several quads or dirt bikes with my 85 runner. somewhere between 1000-1500 lbs. stopping wasn't too bad. you could definitely tell it was back there. id say if the trailer is 1500 or less, you will be ok.