Which model for towing

[VinceH]

I'm planning on buying a small travel trailer, probably about 2700 # gross weight, 360 # hitch wt. I've definitely settled on a used V8 4Runner in the '04-'07 range, with < 50K mileage.

My question is which of the three models, SR5, Sport, or Limited would best suit my needs. I'm still not sure about the differences. I don't plan on any appreciable off-roading.

TIA, Vince

 

[peter78]

I guess technically speaking it would be the lightest one, which would be the SR5. Another good question to ask is, 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive and here again, the lighter one would have a slight advantage.

What, I would look for in a V8 model, does it have the weight distribution hitch, not the regular hitch. The weight distrubtion carries more, but it should be better even with a lighter weight like what you are going to carry. ( I think the weight distrubtion hitch you can tow a little over 7,000 pounds, without it 5,000 pounds.)

Also, i guess the newer VVT-i V8 would be slightly better than the non VVT-i V8. I think that came out in 2005??? In the higher RPM you will have a bit more power, which might come in handy going up some mountian.

I am not sure if the X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension which is found in the Sport would help towing, other members may chime in here about the X-REAS.

For me, I would look for a VVT-i engine and most importantly, the weight distribution hitch.

 

[Nuke]

I've towed over 3000# trailers with my 2nd gen 3.0L V6, my 3rd gen 3.4L V6 and now my 4th gen 4.0L V6. You might not want to have been behind me climbing a mountain with the 3.0L but the 3.4L and 4.0L are very capable at towing. Just my 2 cents...

 

[CJ3Flyr]

:iagree: with Peter78 & Nuke. Obviously if towing is the purpose of the vehicle and that's what it'll do most of the time the V8 is better. An '05 V6 or newer will certainly handle that load well. I say '05 on the V6 so you have a 5speed auto rather than the 4speed.

'05 gets you the VVT-i on the V8.

The '06 is the first with the slightly 'freshened' body style.

These two threads will help a lot your homework
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4297
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37407

Good luck, welcome and happy hunting.


:cheers:

 

[VinceH]

More Info

Thanks for the replies! Yup, most of the reason to get the 4R is to pull the TT.

We live in Boulder CO, so 4WD is a necessity. Much of our travel will likely be in the mountains, which around here the passes can go from 8,000 to 10,000 ft. and above.

Questions about the weight distribution hitch -- do most people buy them? And if not, can one be added as a after-market item?

TIA, Vince

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: More Info

Thanks for the replies! Yup, most of the reason to get the 4R is to pull the TT.

We live in Boulder CO, so 4WD is a necessity. Much of our travel will likely be in the mountains, which around here the passes can go from 8,000 to 10,000 ft. and above.

Questions about the weight distribution hitch -- do most people buy them? And if not, can one be added as a after-market item?

TIA, Vince

Ok terminology...

WDH (weight distributing hitch) is term thrown around with multiple meanings... Any receiver that's on the T4R should have a min rating of 500/5000lbs or greater and it'll work with a WDH. Your towed load is well below that on both counts. Some (most) V8's come with a hitch receiver that when used with a WDH can tote up to 700/7000 or is it 720/7200 The higher capacity unit has an extra attachment point that is bigtime overkill in the weight range you're talking about.



The WDH device is a combo piece the involves hardware on the trailer and a special hitch slid into the vehicles hitch receiver. Again, other than a class III/IV receiver (which the T4R will have) the vehicle needs nothing special.

You will need an electric brake controller to activate the trailer brakes. A good one can be had for under $200. All 4th gen T4R's are pre-wired for the controller. There's an 'empty' pigtail near the P-brake pedal that gets hooked up to the controller and voila! It's wired all the way to the light plug for you

Bottom line is a WDH on a TT is practically a necessity so you're on the right track. The other point is whatever receiver comes on the T4R is probably more than adequate. I say probably because there may be some whacky, homemade or cheeseball aftermarket unit that I am not aware of.

Good luck! And at those elevations you're on the right track with a V8. :bigok:



:cheers:

 

[progress4m]

I would recommend V8 4x4 05 and up.
To save money SR5 and add Airlift (around $80.00) to tow your trailer.

 

[Will816]

I guess technically speaking it would be the lightest one, which would be the SR5. Another good question to ask is, 4 wheel drive or 2 wheel drive and here again, the lighter one would have a slight advantage.

What, I would look for in a V8 model, does it have the weight distribution hitch, not the regular hitch. The weight distrubtion carries more, but it should be better even with a lighter weight like what you are going to carry. ( I think the weight distrubtion hitch you can tow a little over 7,000 pounds, without it 5,000 pounds.)

Also, i guess the newer VVT-i V8 would be slightly better than the non VVT-i V8. I think that came out in 2005??? In the higher RPM you will have a bit more power, which might come in handy going up some mountian.

I am not sure if the X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension which is found in the Sport would help towing, other members may chime in here about the X-REAS.

For me, I would look for a VVT-i engine and most importantly, the weight distribution hitch.

The vvt-i helps high end power, for towing one needs low end torque to help pull the trailer. That's why towing engines are typically low rpm (diesels are low rpm for another reason though).

I believe all the models are within a few pounds of each other. Performance wise, they are all the same. X-REAS helps with cornering, and you can't really go wrong with it. The only thing you may consider is that Limited models have X-REAS as an option, and if they have that option, some also have the optional air suspension in back (because its an option on top of an option, they are fairly rare). I have it and it is great for towing to raise the rear end back where it needs to be when a heavy hitch is on it. However, based on the weights you posted, any 4Runner, whether its a V6 or V8, air suspension or not, SR5, Sport, or Limited, you should be fine.

 

[4boer]

Brake controller doo-hickey was in the glove box of mine. Might not need to buy one.

 

[Will816]

I didn't see the part about elevation. I'd recommend the V8, at 9,000 feet you have lost around 25% of the engines power at sea level, so you need every cubic inch you can get

 

[zimm]

sport and limiteds have bigger front brakes and calipers...

 

[A10MileHusker]

I have a '05 SE v8 awd and pull wakeboard boats (4,000 lb dry weight) with no problems.

 

[peter78]

The vvt-i helps high end power, for towing one needs low end torque to help pull the trailer. That's why towing engines are typically low rpm (diesels are low rpm for another reason though).

That is true, that is why I said, the VVT-i would be slightly better. My thinking if your going up a steep hill, having it in a lower gear, the engine will make a little more power in the upper RPM. Your right in it wouldn't help much.

 

[jetboy1975]

[Any receiver that's on the T4R should have a min rating of 500/5000lbs or greater and it'll work with a WDH. Your towed load is well below that on both counts. ]

Not true. You need to be careful with this. The standard OEM hitches are rated for 500/5000lbs but are NOT to be used with a WDH. In order to use a WDH set-up on the T4R you need the upgraded hitch which is mounted to the frame rails not just the cross member like the standard hitch. Lighter trailers it's probably not a problem but the loading and tension can bend or twist the cross member and it is not repairable.

I'm in this position now. Towing a 20 foot hybrid approx 3500lbs empty. Several Toyota dealers and forums told me not to use WDH and shouldn't need it with my trailer weight, but I want it for comfort and sway control. Now trying to find the best one.

As for which model? I had an '03 limited V6 and towed it a few times but the highway was a killer. Stuck in 3rd gear all the time trying to hold 55mph and it struggled with the wind resistance. Sold it and bought an '04 V8 Limited and now I have no worries. The extra power, extra gear (5 speed vs 4) and the load levelling airbags made all the difference in the world.

Getting BETTER mileage too!

 

[rjyhdc4]

while I do agree that most loads could be handled with a v6 runner, I would stick to nothing less than the v8 in your case. Couple the mountain roads with a loss of power in higher elevations you could really tear up a transmission if it is constantly trying to downshift to make it up the hill.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The standard OEM hitches are rated for 500/5000lbs but are NOT to be used with a WDH.

Really???

 

[charlier180]

[Any receiver that's on the T4R should have a min rating of 500/5000lbs or greater and it'll work with a WDH. Your towed load is well below that on both counts. ]

Not true. You need to be careful with this. The standard OEM hitches are rated for 500/5000lbs but are NOT to be used with a WDH. In order to use a WDH set-up on the T4R you need the upgraded hitch which is mounted to the frame rails not just the cross member like the standard hitch. Lighter trailers it's probably not a problem but the loading and tension can bend or twist the cross member and it is not repairable.

I'm in this position now. Towing a 20 foot hybrid approx 3500lbs empty. Several Toyota dealers and forums told me not to use WDH and shouldn't need it with my trailer weight, but I want it for comfort and sway control. Now trying to find the best one.

I agree with jetboy1975. One should not mix a weight distributing hitch on a trailer with a weight carrying hitch receiver on a 4Runner.

If one looks at the 2004 4Runner Owner's manual it appears Toyota agrees as well.
On page 307 of the manual there is a Notice where Toyota states:
"Do not install weight distributing hitch to weight carrying hitch receiver because it will be damaged your vehicle".
FYI, I typed the quote exactly as it appears. Looks like the translation from Japanese needs a little work.

AFAIK, the weight carrying hitch receiver and the weight distributing hitch receiver have different designs, mounting points and hardware.
That is most likely why Toyota recommends that a 4Runner owner should not mix the two different types of hitches and hitch receivers.

jetboy1975, if you are more comfortable using a WD hitch with sway control and your 4Runner has the WD hitch receiver I say go for it.
If your trailer is large enough to be buffeted by wind or by passing tractor trailers sway control is a very good investment.
Unless, you like "White Knuckle" Towing trips without sway control.

When I purchased my 20 ft enclosed car trailer (aka the big brick). I purchased the WD Hitch with sway control.
I have towed the "big brick" in conditions where I faced 40-50 mph head, cross and tail winds.
Heck, just this morning I towed the trailer empty (with the sway bars on) in 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 mph.
Once you get above a certain size and/or weight trailer, a WD hitch, WD hitch Receiver and Sway Control make all the difference in the world.

Here is a link to the setup I use.... http://www.reese-hitches.com/produc...ribution_Trunnion_Bar_Kitwith_Hitch_Bar,66084

 

[jetboy1975]

I already have the WD hitch but still need to upgrade my T4Rs reciever in order to use it safely or without risk of causing damage.

 

[charlier180]

I already have the WD hitch but still need to upgrade my T4Rs reciever in order to use it safely or without risk of causing damage.

Thanks, Sorry I missed that in your post.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Learn something new everyday... Thanks guys. This article shows some of the math. Page 5 has the pic that shows the "extra twist" a WDH places on the receiver.

:cheers: