V6 towing with 70779

[hotskillet98]

Just bought an 07 V6 and was reading up on hitches. I want to tow a VW Golf; gross vehicle weight is suppose to be 1620kg/3560 pounds.

It depends where you look on what the hidden hitch 70779 towing cap is. Some advertise Gross Trailer Weight: 3,500 lbs.
With Weight Distribution: 5,500 lbs. Hidden Hitches shows it as Weight Carrying: 600/6000 lbs.(TW/GTW)
Weight Distributing: 730/7300 lbs.(TW/GTW)

I should be ok right?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Check out my sig, click on the link. The short answer is you should be fine.

:cheers:

 

[CAD-Man]

As was stated in a previous thread, towing capacity is based on the weakest link in the specs and drive train on the tow vehicle. The V6 has a stated tow capacity of 5000lb weight with distribution and 3500lb dead weight. You can put a class V hitch that has a capacity of 12,000 lb weight distribution and the vehicle can still only tow 3500lb dead weight and 5000lb weight distributed. Again it is because the vehicle is the weakest link in the towing chain

One more note if you plan to tow the Golf on a tow dolly (be sure it has brakes) you need to check on the weight of the dolly and add that to you total weight with the Golf. These 2 combined weights will put you over your dead weight rating for the 4Runner. If you decide to flat tow the Golf, you are required in most states to have an auxiliary braking system in the towed vehicle, much like motor home's do when they tow a dingy behind the motor home.

The following link may answer a lot of questions on towing capacities and towing methods Trailer Life towing Guide

CAD-Man

 

[audiqtr]

By the way,

Gross vehicle weight GVWR and Curb weight are different things. In your case you need to go with Curb Weight, which is the weight of the vehicle with fluids/oils/gas, but nobody in it (since you are towing). GVWR is the MAX a car needs to be when loaded.

Curb weight of your Golf should be anywhere from 2900-3100 depending on what Mark it is.... FYI, my daily is a MkiV GTI weighing in at 2932lbs curb

 

[charlier180]

Curb weight of your Golf should be anywhere from 2900-3100 depending on what Mark it is.... FYI, my daily is a MkiV GTI weighing in at 2932lbs curb

I didn't realize that the later Golf Marks weighed that much.
FYI, the Mark II GTI 16V's Curb Weight is 2,267.
Obviously, the newer Golfs have more safety equipment, etc. but 30% more weight (almost 700 lbs) is more than just a few pounds.

BTW, I towed my GTI 16V in my enclosed trailer last summer.
The combined weight was over 5,500 lbs. My 4Runner is a 4WD, V8 with a weight distributing hitch & sway control.
The 4Runner didn't event break a sweat.

 

[audiqtr]

I didn't realize that the later Golf Marks weighed that much.
FYI, the Mark II GTI 16V's Curb Weight is 2,267.
Obviously, the newer Golfs have more safety equipment, etc. but 30% more weight (almost 700 lbs) is more than just a few pounds.

BTW, I towed my GTI 16V in my enclosed trailer last summer.
The combined weight was over 5,500 lbs. My 4Runner is a 4WD, V8 with a weight distributing hitch & sway control.
The 4Runner didn't event break a sweat.

Yeah, the Rabbit GTI's weighed nothing. The weight jumped starting at MKIII's, which I believe happened in 1992. I didn't mention MkII and before since he called it "Golf", and the chances of that being 92 and newer is higher...

BTW...I would love to have myself a 83-84 Rabbit. all I need is a straight shell with min rust....

 

[Uneek]

As was stated in a previous thread, towing capacity is based on the weakest link in the specs and drive train on the tow vehicle. The V6 has a stated tow capacity of 5000lb weight with distribution and 3500lb dead weight. You can put a class V hitch that has a capacity of 12,000 lb weight distribution and the vehicle can still only tow 3500lb dead weight and 5000lb weight distributed. Again it is because the vehicle is the weakest link in the towing chain

I agree with you with all of the above in regards to the weakest link, but the V6 using the V8 hitch has a capacity of 6500 or 6700lbs. From the factory, the OEM hitch is the limiting factor at 5000lbs max. The Tacoma with C-channel frame out back can do 6500lbs with the hitch, so the 4Runner should be able to do more than 5000 with the appropriate hitch.

 

[hotskillet98]

Originally posted by CAD-Man
One more note if you plan to tow the Golf on a tow dolly (be sure it has brakes) you need to check on the weight of the dolly and add that to you total weight with the Golf. These 2 combined weights will put you over your dead weight rating for the 4Runner. If you decide to flat tow the Golf, you are required in most states to have an auxiliary braking system in the towed vehicle, much like motor home's do when they tow a dingy behind the motor home.

The following link may answer a lot of questions on towing capacities and towing methods Trailer Life towing Guide

CAD-Man [/B]

Ok thanks for everyone's replies. It is a Golf III and the OE curb weight is 2800. Based on those figures, I estimate the actual weight is around 3100 pounds.

For S&G's, here is the 500WHP beast in question.

I will most likely do a flat bed and will be installing a brake control as soon as I read up on those as well.

Sorry for the NOOB questions but I'm not only new to 4R's but new to Toyotas. I'm very excited about having a great new 4R. I've only had it 10 days and have already bought mats, hitch, and exhaust tip as well as a new remote which I learned how to program from these forums; open door, key in-out, in-out, close open door, close-open door, right foot in-out, in-out...

Looking forward to customizing it more.

 

[hotskillet98]

Uneek, I will have to respectfully disagree with you on your assessment of the towing capacity of the V6 4Runner. If the V6 could in fact tow the 6500 or 6700lbs with the V8 Tow hitch you stated, I would think that Toyota would offer the V8 Tow hitch as an option on the V6 4Runner for that towing capacity.

As far as the towing capacity of a V6 Tacoma, this vehicle is lighter then the 4Runner so that difference is given towards towing capacity. If you were to check I think you might find the CGVWR of both the Tacoma and the 4Runner are the same but because the Tacoma is lighter you get higher towing capacity. Towing capacity = CGVWR - GVWR plus or minus what you are carrying in the tow vehicle.

This post is not to be demeaning or a put down on your knowledge. I have spent several years studying towing capacities of vehicles and what effects these capacities. I have found out the hard way more the once, by purchasing the wrong vehicle for towing the various RV trailers I have owned. So please believe me I do not take the subject too lightly as it can be costly both monetarily and in safety to you and the people you are driving around.

CAD-Man

This reply has nothing to do with the the original question. Was meant clear discrepancy on the towing cap of the 70779 and whether a VW Golf could be towed. I've got my answer and the 70779 is on the way. :driving:

 

[CAD-Man]

I have deleted My post , I will no longer be posting to this WEB site and will be terminating my Membership. Sorry I have offended you.

CAD-Man

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I agree with you with all of the above in regards to the weakest link, but the V6 using the V8 hitch has a capacity of 6500 or 6700lbs. From the factory, the OEM hitch is the limiting factor at 5000lbs max. The Tacoma with C-channel frame out back can do 6500lbs with the hitch, so the 4Runner should be able to do more than 5000 with the appropriate hitch.

:soapbox: I totally agree with one caveat. That being the addition of an aux trans cooler.

If I understand correctly: Tacoma V6 with aux cooler, same engine, same final gear ratio and the same trans can tow 6500lbs. The V8 4Runner can tow up to 7300lbs. The T4R chassis is the same, V6 or V8. If the V8 hitch is used the on a V6 T4R, structurally speaking, then it should be fine for the extra weight. The coolant system capacity and the trans cooling capacity are the suspect link on the V6 4Runner vs. the Taco. The radiator is easy to monitor. With the addition of an aux trans cooler the trans will be fine.

By exceeding the 5k limit are you potentially tossing your warranty out the window, are you taking on liability and are you working the heck out of your V6 Runner? Yes. Minor exceedances of the 5k limit for short durations with the correct hitch and an aux cooler should be fine. I did it a few weeks ago, drove gently, paid attention and I had zero issues. I towed a flatbed trailer with some landscaping stone. I estimate a total weight of 5500-5800lbs.

That

 

[ssnider]

Does anyone know the Curb Weight of a V8 4runner?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Does anyone know the Curb Weight of a V8 4runner?

From my '07 brochure, yes, these #'s are for a 4x4 V8 Limited:
Weights and Capacities
Curb weight (lb.) 4530
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 6005
Towing capacity [26] (lb.) 7000
[26] Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up properly and you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions and cautions from your trailer hitch manufacturer and Toyota vehicle Owner's Manual. The maximum amount you can tow depends on the total weight of any cargo, occupants and optional equipment in the vehicle.

:cheers:

 

[LV4R]

Once Again:

 

[Wolf]

It seems you would be fine -within spec. but don't forget to factor the additional weight of your trailer.