Towing...

[Lt.]

My dad has an early 90's (90 or 92 I think) Toyota 4runner 4x4 with a 5spd and a 3.0L V6. It has a hitch welded to the frame (class IV I think) and an electronic trailer brake control already installed. I can have it for free if I do the head gasket.

I have a 3400lb Trans Am that I would like to tow to and from a local race track 60km (40 miles) from my house over fairly flat highway. The trip will be busy freeway and summer sun on the drive there and empty highway at night on the way back. I would want to make this trip once every week or two in the summer.

So my questions are as follows:
1) Can this be done safely given the 3500lb towing limit on the truck?
2) What sort of trailer would be best for this task?
3) What type of modifications could I make to the 4runner in order to allow it to more comfortably handle the weight of the car and trailer?

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie:thanks:

 

[ozzyleven]

1. Its probably possible, but if it were me I wouldn't. After you add the trailers weight to the car you are exceeding its tow capacity.
2. There are those car dollys that Uhaul rents, but I know you can buy them too. That may be an inexpensive option and will weigh less. The Uhaul ones can carry your car and weight 750lbs. I saw one for sale on craigslist for $500 recently. A flatbed tilt trailer would do it too, but they are quite heavy in sizes that accommodate cars.
3. If you decide to go for it, you will want stronger shocks, rear coils and air bags would probably be a great idea.

My advice is if you will potentially be making this trip 4+ times a month you should be looking at a vehicle with a better tow capacity. My personal opinion is a 2nd gen 4runner was meant to tow weekend toys, like the small sailboat (950 lbs w/its trailer) mine pulls, but that certainly doesn't compare to a 3400+ lbs load.

 

[Lt.]

I hadn't thought about the u-haul style car dollies, I don't know much about them. Do they have provisions for any type of braking system? An extra 3400+ is a lot to demand from the stock brakes.

The truck does have aftermarket shocks and ARP (I think thats the brand) rear springs as well as 31" tires... I assume the 31" tires won't be a positive in this case. I like the idea of air bags to help with the weight of the trailer.

Do you suppose a dual axle trailer (with electric brakes) would be advantageous over a single axle trailer? Regardless of what I put the car on it would be over the 4runner's towing limit.

On that note what exactly is it about the 4runner that limits its towing capacity? Weak transmission? Low engine output? Given that I'd be getting the truck basically free I wouldn't mind looking into some towing related performance upgrades.

 

[KidVermicious]

A 4runner for the price of a head gasket is a good deal, but I'd look into getting something with a little more oomph for towing your race car.

 

[Hyde802]

Your rating is based on engine, transmission,brakes, rear axle, and vehicle frame and suspension.

 

[fourwd1]

I hadn't thought about the u-haul style car dollies, I don't know much about them. Do they have provisions for any type of braking system?

No

An extra 3400+ is a lot to demand from the stock brakes.

Yes, it is.

The truck does have aftermarket shocks and ARP (I think thats the brand) rear springs as well as 31" tires... I assume the 31" tires won't be a positive in this case. I like the idea of air bags to help with the weight of the trailer.

31" tires will be a hindrance unless the rears have been regeared to compensate.

Do you suppose a dual axle trailer (with electric brakes) would be advantageous over a single axle trailer? Regardless of what I put the car on it would be over the 4runner's towing limit.

Obviously not. E-brakes won't overcome the added weight. It'll stop better, assuming you can get moving.

On that note what exactly is it about the 4runner that limits its towing capacity? Weak transmission? Low engine output? Given that I'd be getting the truck basically free I wouldn't mind looking into some towing related performance upgrades.

Weak ass V6. aka the 3.slo.
Upgrades would include a V8 transplant

But, on the flip side, some crazy Canadians once flat towed an offroad built 4 cyl runner with a stock 6 cyl runner for 1000+ mi to get to one of our East Coast 4Runner Jamborees. They didn't even win fartherest distance traveled, some crazy vodka drinking Russians from Georgia did

I don't remember the rest.

 

[Lt.]

V8 transplant

Anything that fits and keeps the 4wd? Will the toyota 5spd handle a v8?

I guess once I build a trailer I can allways see how the 4runner does around the block. If it fails (as it now seems likely it will) I'll atleast have something to try my hand at offroad with...:thanks:

 

[Hyde802]

The v6 with the 5speed isnt anywhere NEAR as bad as the the auto. Find out what your stock tire size is. It might not do to bad. My parents used to pull a 20 foot boat behind our 86 22re auto on 3 hour trips.

 

[the_dingman]

20 foot boat weighs in a lot less than a car.