bigsiscc
Georgia
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Joined: 08/19/2008
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I have read through several comments to be careful with overloading the towing capacity of your vehicle. When speaking with TT dealers, I was told my 2006 Toyota 4Runner V6 could tow 6700lbs. However, when I contacted my Toyota salesman and service department they said 5000lb max. I am looking at TT's under 4500lbs. In fact a Kodiak 4400lb 26QSL. Would you feel that this is a safe TT for my truck if with sway control and electric brake supplied by dealership. TT salesman said my OTD price includes hitch package that will "make my 4Runner safe for the road". Any advice or comments?
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jplunkett
Virginia
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Joined: 04/04/2008
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There's lots of towing expertise here that can speak with better knowledge than I, but I'd believe the dealer - make a quick Google search to confirm - and the rule of thumb is to be 80% of max capacity. As others will confirm, that 4400 will quickly get to 5000+ once you load it up with the must-have stuff.
safe travels,
John & Elizabeth Plunkett
Louisa, Virginia
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jay2003
San Joaquin Valley, California
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Nope.. you're most likely quoting the dry weight of the trailer and not the loaded weight which can be 1000# more. Even so the dry weight of the trailer is very close to your capacity of which you'll never truely reach if you carry anything but yourself in the Runner. Reason being is you'll reach the GVWR once you add gear, people and the tongue weight of the trailer to your Runner. Subtract the GVWR from the GCWR and you'll get your new adjusted tow capacity. Tow capacities are based on a driver only and nothing else (except maybe fuel). I would say to be comfortable you would need a trailer that was dry about 3000#. Reason being is that if the dealer said your particular Runner only had a 5000# tow capacity then you most likely don't have a full tow package which would include a transmission cooler. Without one I wouldn't want to be towing at full capacity for very long.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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That is getting close to the top of the 4Runner's capabilities. You may want to find some other members who are towing with Runners and see how they do. Good luck!
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2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
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JFG
TN
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I own a v6 4Runner...you will not be happy or feel comfortable towing 4400 lbs. It's one thing to hook up and tow it 20 miles every now and then, but to pull that much weight for a long distance is entirely another question.
Fred
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Ductape
On the Road
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Worst source of towing info: RV dealers.
Second worst: Car dealers.
Check your owner's manual and don't believe anything else. Including me.
5,000 sounds about right, though.
Do your homework and understand:
Axle weight ratings (these you can find on your door sticker) FAWR and especially RAWR.
GVWR (on the door). Don't exceed this number when adding tongue weight of the trailer. Visit a scale with all your passengers and cargo to get your current actual weight.
GCWR. (Look in the manual to find this). Don't exceed this number with current vehicle weight plus trailer weight.
Figure the UVW (what dealers show you on the trailer sticker or brochure- does not include fluids, batteries, etc. or cargo) plus a thousand pounds give or take as a starting place for your actual trailer weight. You'll end up somewhere between here and trailer GVWR
I know this sounds like a lot, but there ain't no free lunch when it comes to doing it correctly and safely.
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Previously a fiver crew.
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Joined: 09/11/2003
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bigss.. Post #13 should be of interest to you in the following link.
4 runner as a TV?
For that size of TT you really need a hitch like a Hensley. Don't leave home without it.
Hensley
Airstreams.... the best towing trailers on the planet!
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bigsiscc
Georgia
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Thank you all for your response. Looks like this rig maybe too big for my 4Runner. That is why I came here for advice. I just didn't have a good feeling with "we will do what it takes to make it safe".
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Your 4Runner does have a towing capacity of 6500#.
The Kodiak you mentioned has a GVWR of 5950# with an empty weight of 4346# (approx)
Unless you load your TT to the max with 1624# of stuff & options, you will be OK in weight.
I had a TT with an empty weight of 4250#, my camping weight was 4750#, according to a CAT scale. I pulled it with a 07 Tacoma V-6. The same engine you have. I knew it wsa back there, but it pulled it fine. I had an Equal-i-zer hitch which made a BIG difference.
BUT, I might be concerned with your 110" wheelbase towing a 27' trailer. It can be done, but it could get a little scary if the hitch isn't set up properly.
Here is a TT that your 4Runner would pull with no problem:
Jayco Jay Feather 213 EXP
* This post was
edited 08/20/08 09:57pm by amxpress *
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Road Ruler
Canada
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Just beware that the "Tow Rating" has nothing to do with how the vehicle will "handle the trailer" in the overall towing experience.
It is my understanding that handling is the big issue here not the vehicles capacity to tow the weight.
One forum member here Terry T tows a 23' TT with his 4 runner and does use a hensley hitch.
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