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SUVs Toyota 4Runner Toyota 4Runner Towing
85 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 7:59 AM
You are in the Toyota 4Runner Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: biglatka (Jan 12, 2007 9:26 am) http://www.rvtowingtips.com/how-long.htm Please note the 4Runner comes standard with a hitch - but it is not weight distributing! The entire hitch weight rests on the rear axle. To overcome this you need to buy either an "equalizer" or "Hensley" hitch. You can do a search. These hitches put the weight of the trailer on all axles. That means both axles of the tow vehicle and both axles of the trailer. (Assuming a dual axle trailer). And the tow vehicle will stay level if installed correctly. It's complicated... read up on it. But DO NOT consider the weight of the trailer alone! The length must be considered. I have a '05 4Runner w/the XREAS suspension and tow a 21 foot trailer (about 5,000 lbs.) with an "Equalizer" brand weight distributing hitch. IT tows OK - still some sway due to the 109.5" wheelbase. A "Hensley" hitch is better.. but costs about 3K. It would allow a slightly longer trailer to be towed. Good luck!
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Replying to: chuck1 (Jan 20, 2007 9:22 pm) My concern is the gas mileage. Without the trailer it gets 18 - 20 mpg on the highway, but once I put the trailer on it immediatly drops to 9 - 10 mpg. Uphill, downhill, fast or slow does not matter; it is as if someone flipped a switch to low mpg mode. Once I remove the trailer, it takes about 30 miles of driving, and then the mileage goes back to normal. I even checked the computer when filling up and it is accurate. I would expect some drop in mileage, but not this much, and not all the time. Any idea on what is going on and does this seem normal? Anyone else check their mileage when towing?
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Replying to: jdower (Jan 22, 2007 8:43 am) So, it seems that pulling about the same weight, our miles per gallon are the same. It also seems that those who tow with Suburbans, get slightly less 8 to 9 miles per gallon. I guess if you play...ya gotta pay! |
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Replying to: biglatka (Aug 15, 2006 8:59 am)
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Replying to: jdower (Jan 22, 2007 8:43 am) |
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Replying to: 4driver (Feb 11, 2007 3:55 pm) I tow w/ an '05 Sport w/the V8 (2WD) (with the equalizer as well) and wouldn't want to tow anything longer than what I tow. You will not find anything different in terms of safety until you get in a severe sway situation. The 25 foot plus length of your trailer will be the "tail" wagging the "dog". Good luck! |
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I always wonder what exact criteria the manufacturers use to justify a towing rating. The 4Runner V8 has all the power you need to tow but the short wheel base, small brakes, smaller suspension, cooling system, transmission and rear end make it a poor choice to tow much over 4500 pounds. I pulled a 5500 pond poat with trailer brakes and was pushed all over the road by it. I now use a 3/4 ton long bed pickup to tow with and feel much safer.
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Replying to: geet (Feb 14, 2007 10:30 am) But all this being said - the wheel base is SHORT at 109.5". The information I have learned (and I did extensive research) is that you can safely tow about 21 feet. Anything more than this and it is the "tail" wagging the "dog". And I have an "equalizer brand" WD hich! Ran in to significant cross winds coming back from Palm Springs, Ca this weekend. Even in a full-size truck you would have been pushed around. In my 4Runner towing a 21 foot trailer it was downright scary! |
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Replying to: chuck1 (Feb 14, 2007 3:31 pm) That's a surface area effect; the greater the area, the greater the force of the wind! You do have to be careful. tidester, host
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Replying to: tidester (Feb 14, 2007 5:19 pm) I am interested in buying a V8 4WD 4Runner, but I am concerned about the rear suspension. I don't want the rear of the truck to sink when I hitch it up. Years ago I used to haul the same trailer with a GMC Yukon and it SANK when hitched up! I hated towing with the Yukon, so I bought the full sized truck. Any advice from people who tow with their 4Runners is much appreciated!
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