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Toyota 4Runner Towing

122 messages,  Last post on May 31, 2013 at 10:47 AM

You are in the Toyota 4Runner Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota 4Runner, Towing, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 13

#1 of 122 Towing by mrjb68

Aug 14, 2006 (12:28 pm)

Thinking about buying a 2006 4Runner, but want to make sure it can pull my 2000lbs pontoon boat. Any pros/cons to the towing capabilities of the 4Runner??

#2 of 122 Re: Towing [mrjb68] by nedzel

Aug 14, 2006 (5:30 pm)

Replying to: mrjb68 (Aug 14, 2006 12:28 pm)
The V6 has a towing rating of 5000 lbs. The V8 has a towing rating of 7000+ lbs. Either will do fine pulling a 2000 lb boat. I do suggest that you get 4WD to deal with slippery ramps.

#4 of 122 need help from those who tow travel trailers by ckshubin1

Aug 15, 2006 (9:37 am)

My family and I are considering purchasing a travel trailer. Would like to buy a 24ft. Unfortunately that means giving up my current car - which I LOVE - an 05 Honda Pilot - mainly because it can't tow anything more than a pair of Seadoo's.
 
My question - I know the V8 is rated at 7000# but can the 4Runner really pull a travel trailer with a GVW of around 5000# well? What other vehicle should I consider?
 
I cringe at driving a Tahoe - don't like quality of American cars - especially paying that much money for a car with an interior STILL behind about 10 years - even though they recently re-designed the whole thing.
 
HELP!!!!!

#5 of 122 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [ckshubin1] by biglatka

Aug 15, 2006 (9:59 am)

Replying to: ckshubin1 (Aug 15, 2006 9:37 am)
Although I haven't towed a 24 ft travel trailer with my V8 2005 4Runner, my wife and I looked into this a great deal. The conclusion, and we were biased toward buying a 25/26 footer, was not to do it because of the 4Runner's short wheelbase, not because of the load. The V8 4Runner can easily handle the 5000 lb “loaded weight” trailer, but I'm afraid that it will/could be a case of the tail wagging the dog in some towing situations with a trailer this long. The bottom line for us (and we don't like this, but do love our 4Runner) is to limit our choices to no more than a 20 ft. trailer. Just my opinion that is not based on actual experience but rather on those I've contacted who seem to be very knowledgeable. I know there are some who do tow a 25/26 ft. travel trailer with their 4Runner and claim no problems, but I wouldn’t chance it. Hope this helps although it's probably info you didn't want to hear.

#6 of 122 To: biglatka - regarding towing by ckshubin1

Aug 15, 2006 (2:55 pm)

Went trailer shopping today and found a 22' trailer that is absolutely perfect for our family. It has a dry weight of 4545# - are there any websites you can recommend I look at that list formula's or recommendations on towing and weights and vehicles? Does a weight distributing hitch with an anti-sway bar change how a truck tows a trailer? I don't trust the car dealer or the rv dealer because they'll sell you anything sometimes so I would love to have a website that would help with these "newbie" questions.

#8 of 122 biglatka - trailer info by ckshubin1

Aug 15, 2006 (4:18 pm)

I actually found the Outback by Keystone trailer to be to my liking the best. They are a lighter trailer (but not ultralight) and the best features on it are the rear slide Queen bed (so traveling your pulling a 22' trailer but camping it's at least a 24') and the rear bottom bunk bed folds up and the area become a bike storage area for traveling with door access to load and unload bikes and has areas to tie bikes down with bungee cords so you won't get the "thump, thump" everytime you brake or accelerate. I like the aerodynamics of the front of the trailer and the warm look of the colors and flooring on the inside. Nice, bright and airy looking too.
 
here's there website: www.keystone-outback.com The model I am leaning toward is the 21RS. The 23RS is nice too but lacks the bike storage area - instead it has a double bed with a twin bunk on top in the same space.
 
check them out - might be something you like.

#9 of 122 towing a horse trailer with a 4Runner by zahre

Aug 21, 2006 (2:29 pm)

I am new to this forum and need some help. We have just ordered a horse trailer. I have a 2002 Toyota 4Runner 6 cyl. 2 wheel drive. We have had a class III hitch installed rated 5000lbs., which is our maximum towing capacity. We plan on having a transmission cooler and a trailer braking system installed this week. Would the weight distribution hitch and Air shocks be a good idea also? Or should we just go out and get a used truck for trailering? Trailer weight empty is about 2500lbs. We will be mostly hauling 1 horse about 1000 lbs.(3500 lbs. total for horse and trailer) around town for lessons etc. occasionally 2 horses for about 4500lbs.total for horse and trailer. I am new to trailering and I just want everyone to be safe. Any advice would be appreciated.

#10 of 122 To zahre: by ckshubin1

Aug 21, 2006 (2:43 pm)

As you can see by my last post - on August 15 - that at least a week has past and i've learned a LOT about towing.
 
I've upgraded to a Denali as a tow vehicle and will end up with a lightweight travel trailer that will max out at 6440#.
 
For full control, best towing and safety you really only want to tow at 75% of your max. Being your max is 5000#'s you only should tow 3750#. Weight is weight - doesn't matter if it's a horse or a travel trailer. with your trailer and 2 horses you are 2000#'s OVER your tow weight. Not good for your car or for us on the road with you.
 
My opinion - buy a truck for towing the horse trailer and 2 horses. My friends tows her 2 horses and trailer with a Lincoln Navigator and it tows it with ease. They are actually looking into buying a smaller car for everyday use thus allowing to keep the trailer hooked up to the Navigator and they won't have to hook/unhook daily. Just load the horses and go.
 
You can do the opposite. Find a truck to tow the horses, keep the trailer hooked up and use your 4Runner for everyday driving. Also look into a good weight distributing hitch - such as the Reese dual cam, Equalizer or, if you have the money, a Hensley (though with the right truck that one could be overkill with just a horse trailer)
 
check out the following website to help you understand the whole towing/weight/safety issue. It deals with Travel Trailers but info would be the same for horse trailer:
 
www.rvtowingtips.com

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