4Runner Towing

Has anyone used a 4Runner to tow smaller loads….around 3000 lbs? Wondering how it would do towing my small flat bed trailer with a SxS.

 

I had a 2017 4Runner that I towed my ATV (1.5k total setup) with. Good truck but far cry from its strong suit. Constantly gear hunting at 60 mph with the slightest of inclines.

I had about 4k hooked up once for about 160 miles and I would rather never do that again.

I felt my 3.4 Tacoma was a better tow vehicle and my 4.0 Tacoma was MUCH better. The 4Runner can handle it but I found it to be more labor intensive hence why I jumped up to a Tundra. The Tacoma was too small for my growing family.

 

Definitely doable. Wouldn't be fun pulling in hills or mountains but it'll have enough power to move it and enough towing capacity to handle. You'll know it's back there though especially with it being 3k lbs.

Using your Tundra would still be the better option.

 

They're rated for 5000lbs. As others said, hills/mountain passes are a strain, use OD over ride in those situations to keep the trans temps down (under 205), locked up in 3rd is better in those situations. Torque app can really be your friend in these situations.

Depending on your needs (ambient heat, hills) an external (in series) trans cooler can really help, as can keeping a less than 10 year old radiator (no brown spots, only gray) to help prevent the dreaded 'pink milkshake'.

There is feel better saying all that, Luck!

 

Thanks guy…. I thought those would be the answers. I usually tow the SxS with our RV. The only time I tow the SxS with my Tundra, is for a couple of trips a year to San Felipe and to the shop when needed. So I was weighing out the options of selling the Tundra and buying a 4Runner.

 

I have done a lot of towing with my 4th Gen, V6, 5000k tow rating. I have towed up to about 3500 lbs. Towed rental trailers, utility trailers and a very large pop up camper.

Much depends on the overall weight, hitch weight and trailer length. 4runners dont have a large wheelbase, so long or too heavy trailers can induce sway. Stay within reasonable limits and it will do fine. I dont think I would tow anything over about 3800lbs and trailer brakes would be best for anything above 2000lbs. Big difference in towing a trailer with brakes vs no brakes with a 4runner.

 

I towed this little overlanding trailer all over Southern Utah for a couple summers.

My 2017 4runner with 4.88 gears is GREAT at towing this over rough terrain (have taken on White Rim, through several trails in Needles, all over Moab/San Rafael Swell/etc). It tows alright on the highway at 65-75 MPH as well, but definitely causes high RPMs over hilly/mountainous terrrain. Does hunt for gears as you ascend/descend, but this is slightly improved with the regear. Gets the job done, but on long distance trips gets a bit annoying.

This trailer was about 2200 lbs fully loaded. I can't imagine a larger trailer for hundreds of miles being something I'd like to do.

 

4Runner will tow it fine, especially if you have a lightweight trailer. We've towed our X3 on our 2500lb trailer a few times and it does totally fine besides being slower on the hills.

 

I was hoping you would chime in since we have similar SxS setups.

The trailer is 14ft long 102 wide fender to fender. It does have a 5200lb axle with brakes so that’s a plus. Trailer weighs 1600 lbs unloaded.

 

Yup, I wouldn't think twice about towing that with the runner!