Toyota Nation Forum banner

06 Runner and towing an RV trailor

1635 Views 3 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  eldermike
Anyone around here have any first had knowledge about towing a 4500lb trailer?

The runner is rated for 7000 if you use an equalization hitch.

I'm curious more about how the truck handles. Does it sway or seem like it's struggling to pull the trailor? Someone told me that because of the narrow wheel base it isn't a good truck for pulling a 24 or 25 ft trailer.

Thanks

G
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
Anyone around here have any first had knowledge about towing a 4500lb trailer?

The runner is rated for 7000 if you use an equalization hitch.

I'm curious more about how the truck handles. Does it sway or seem like it's struggling to pull the trailor? Someone told me that because of the narrow wheel base it isn't a good truck for pulling a 24 or 25 ft trailer.

Thanks

G
I am assuming you have V8 4Runner... The V6’s, even with the weight distributing hitch don’t go that high.

Some people on some other message boards seem to have good results with the proper setup (weight equalization hitch, good tire pressure etc). What you mention is true. As a general rule the longer the wheelbase the more stable a towing platform you'll have. (Width has some effect but not as much as length.) Good design, as our 4Runners have, can go a long way to minimize the effects of the comparatively short wheelbase. The other thing that helps a short tow vehicle is proper balance. An improperly loaded 2500lb trailer with 700lbs in the car will tow far worse than 5000lb load that's properly balanced. Once again, the long wheelbase vehicle is better, in part, because balance issues don't have as dramatic an impact as with short vehicles. You can NOT load or equip the 4Runner (or any short wheelbase vehicle) to be as stable in high winds as larger & longer tow vehicles, simple physics...I have towed up to 3000lbs so far and my V6 is amazingly stable for such a short car, testament to Toyotas' suspension design and calibration. From reading on the other sights I am blown away with the size of rigs some of the V8 guys tow (and their satisfaction levels.) Good luck! :chug:
See less See more
I am assuming you have V8 4Runner... The V6’s, even with the weight distributing hitch don’t go that high.

Some people on some other message boards seem to have good results with the proper setup (weight equalization hitch, good tire pressure etc). What you mention is true. As a general rule the longer the wheelbase the more stable a towing platform you'll have. (Width has some effect but not as much as length.) Good design, as our 4Runners have, can go a long way to minimize the effects of the comparatively short wheelbase. The other thing that helps a short tow vehicle is proper balance. An improperly loaded 2500lb trailer with 700lbs in the car will tow far worse than 5000lb load that's properly balanced. Once again, the long wheelbase vehicle is better, in part, because balance issues don't have as dramatic an impact as with short vehicles. You can NOT load or equip the 4Runner (or any short wheelbase vehicle) to be as stable in high winds as larger & longer tow vehicles, simple physics...I have towed up to 3000lbs so far and my V6 is amazingly stable for such a short car, testament to Toyotas' suspension design and calibration. From reading on the other sights I am blown away with the size of rigs some of the V8 guys tow (and their satisfaction levels.) Good luck! :chug:
In other words, you'll be fine towing that with the v6 or the v8... just load properly and be careful. :)
I tow a dual axle trailer for my band with my 05 V6 4 runner. I would guess the total weight to be 3,500/4,000 lbs. I was towing with a Tahoe V8 but sold it due to the 11mpg towing and 15 average. So far the 4 runner is doing a great job. It's very important to have good working trailer brakes than the extra 2 cylinders. The V6 4 runner has enough power to tow but it's not the best rig to stop a heavy trailer with poorly setup brakes. You can tow it, just make sure you can stop it.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top