Toy Hauler

[sabel]

Need advise.
I have a 2011 4Runner and am thinking of buying a toy hauler trailer. The owners manual states tough weigh capacity is 500 lbs and trailer capacity is 5000 lb. That limits by options significantly. My question is, what hauling capacity has anyone else done with their 4Runner?
Thanks in advance.

 

[SV_Dude]

If you either stiffen your rear suspension or put in airbags (search and see what's available for your runner), you can nearly double your tongue weight. If you add an electric brake controller then you can safely tow probably close to 8000 lbs.

The problem is that you bought a vehicle that was designed to tow didly squat.

 

[Jeremy556]

You have the wrong tow vehicle.

Go get a 7-10 year old 3/4 ton, regular cab, ugly, work truck for cheap to pull your toy hauler.

 

[highcountry]

FWIW, I had a 2004 with a V8 and it pulled my 2000 lb pop-up fine but the MPG dropped from about 20 to around 14. Although I liked that car, I traded it for a Dodge Cummins so towing became a non-issue. But I might be looking for a 4th gen in the future for a family vehicle. It was a great vehicle.

 

[Hyde802]

You have the wrong tow vehicle.

Go get a 7-10 year old 3/4 ton, regular cab, ugly, work truck for cheap to pull your toy hauler.

Exactly

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Another problem with 4runners pulling big trailers is that they are to narrow and the rearview mirrors are useless. To bad Toyota does not add pullout mirriors like on Ford F150 pickups. You will need mirror extenders of some sort. Something with a longer wheelbase makes trailer towing much better. That V6 is stressed out enough not pulling anything to be adding a heavy trailer to it.

 

[Fj40]

What kind of toy hauler are we talking? My 32 foot loaded with 4 wheelers, fuel, water, ect is over 10000 pounds. I pull it with a 1997 F350 powerstroke diesel. I'd never try to pull it with my 4runner....even empty.

 

[Jeremy556]

What kind of toy hauler are we talking? My 32 foot loaded with 4 wheelers, fuel, water, ect is over 10000 pounds. I pull it with a 1997 F350 powerstroke diesel. I'd never try to pull it with my 4runner....even empty.

Don't much matter. Even the "lightweight" toyhaulers are at the top end of what a 4Runner with a V8 are rated to pull. Plus, they are designed to have heavy toys in back, so if you try to pull it empty it will be very nose heavy on a short wheelbase vehicle with soft springs

 

[crazydubman]

figured I would throw these up here
my 06 V8 prerunner

Towing my new 97 limited 4x4 home when I got it.

and my 88 pickup bringing it home from the shop

It did great towing the pickup. Maybe it was light on the tongue with the 97 but it felt a little off. Need to get some more D-rings mounted farther forward on the trailer up front.

Otherwise the power was fine. Im running 33's and 4.56 gears.

 

[Fj40]

Don't much matter. Even the "lightweight" toyhaulers are at the top end of what a 4Runner with a V8 are rated to pull. Plus, they are designed to have heavy toys in back, so if you try to pull it empty it will be very nose heavy on a short wheelbase vehicle with soft springs

Well it doess matter. Are we talking an RV type, or a simple cargo trailer which is much lighter. A small cargo trailer with your toys in it would be do able. But as Jeremy stated a RV toy hauler has a lot of tongue weight. You have to realize your water/black tanks are almost always in front of the axels, as well as most of the living area to off set the weight your going to put in the back.
When we go camping with out the toys i have to adjust my hitch height to keep from getting the crap beat out of us in the truck due to the tongue weight ( the 1 ton springs help add to the harsh ride).