View Full Version : Toyota 4runner Towing Ability
RoscoB190
06-08-2005, 11:46 AM
I've been looking into purchasing a '98-'01 Toyota 4runner and have been curious to know if any of you guys currently tow your boat with a 4runner and if so, how does it handle. I currently tow my 190 with a '99 Explorer and it does just fine. Thanks for your help!
wiltok
06-08-2005, 12:00 PM
I tow my X-9 with my 2002 4Runner - no problems whatsoever. I think it tows really well - although I only tow about an hour in the spring and an hour in the fall.
BriEOD
06-08-2005, 12:06 PM
I tow my PS 190 with my 97 Toyota 4-Runner (V6-3.4L 4x4). I have a 6" suspension lift and run 33" Mickey Thompsons. I put a 5K lb hitch and 3" step down receiver on it along with a transmission cooler. I've never had any trouble at all.
AirJunky
06-08-2005, 12:14 PM
Guess it depends on what your opinion of OK is....... I had a '96 4'Runner with the V6 & automatic & it barely towed my 18' SeaRay with a 4 cyl. which is probably a good 1000 lbs lighter than my Prostar & trailer. The truck would barely climb the I-405 hill in Renton/Kennydale area of Seattle..... it was going maybe 35 mph by the time I made it to the top.
And my buddy has a '94 Explorer with the smaller V6. He's tried towing my Prostar a couple times & it was slow going up any hills.
So if you live in a flat area, it should work fine. But any hills will be tough.
Workin' 4 Toys
06-08-2005, 12:22 PM
Are you looking for a great tow rig, or do you have your heart set on a toyota? If so, why?
zberger
06-08-2005, 12:33 PM
One of the newer V8 4runners might work out better, but then again they are still gonna be like 30k I'd imagine
RoscoB190
06-08-2005, 12:38 PM
I'm looking for an SUV that's safe, reliable, gets good gas mileage (probably an oxymoron), tow's well, and makes my wife happy. I'm not partial to Toyota however my wife is a big fan.
AirJunky
06-08-2005, 12:41 PM
Remember that a small engine will work hard to tow anything, and probably not get any better mileage than a bigger engine working less would get. It'll just burn the thing up sooner.
In my book, only a V8 will tow these inboards very easily.
Look at getting a used Sequoia. Mine tows great.
OhioProstar
06-08-2005, 01:11 PM
V8 power is the way to go. I had a 4.0L Jeep Cherokee and it did fine between storage and the ramp, but trips on the interstate would push the engine temp up, it would hunt gears on hills, and not maintain speed. Plus remember that the boat will weigh in around 3,500 pounds with the trailer and it may pull the truck down the ramp. The Grand Cherokee with a V8 was a big improvement, and finally my 1500 Z71 pulls like it isn't there.
BriEOD
06-08-2005, 01:16 PM
Well, let me add that I live in Charleston a coastal region that is very flat. My boat, trailer and all the gear are way below the limits of the vehicle. My wife has an 04' Ford Expedition with the 5.4L V8. I've towed with both. Granted the Expedition handles it better (especially stopping), the 4Runner just does fine. My neighbor is a contractor and he tows a 5K lb wells cargo trailer everyday with his Toyota T100. He has 300K miles on his. I've changed break pads/shoes, fluids, filters and plugs in mine--that's it. 70K miles and going strong.
BriEOD
06-08-2005, 01:17 PM
Plus remember that the boat will weigh in around 3,500 pounds with the trailer and it may pull the truck down the ramp.
Never had a problem with this, EVER.
Footin
06-08-2005, 01:25 PM
My 03 Chevy Trailblazer does a great job, I can tow my 205 at 70mph+ with the AC on and bairly notice it's back there. The inline 6 cyl has 275 hp.
OhioProstar
06-08-2005, 01:29 PM
Never had a problem with this, EVER.
That's good...my Jeep Cherokee would try and slide down the ramp if I was on the steep side. I guess it depends on the vehicle weight.
BriEOD
06-08-2005, 01:45 PM
I hear you guys. I'm not trying to say my 4Runner is going to out pull a duely or something. But, it gets the job done. I haven't had any problems whatsoever. I've had the boat loaded down and the truck full of people with AC on in 90 degree weather and it does fine. Of course a big V-8 Ford F-250 is ideal for towing. However, I have a 4Runner and I own it. I'm in no hurry to run out and have a truck payment.
wakinvol
06-08-2005, 04:30 PM
my 2000 towed fairly well...wouldn't win any races though.
the 2003 with V-8 tows, drives, and is all around much better.
can't make pics show up.....why?
redmike
06-08-2005, 05:14 PM
not sure on the 4-runner; my cummins doesn't even realize the boat is there.....
RedStar
06-08-2005, 05:37 PM
Ditto on the Cherokee. Used to tow a 19 footer, and had a few close calls, trouble stopping, etc. Same story with an old CJ-5, but it was fun anyway.
BriEOD
06-08-2005, 05:51 PM
can't make pics show up.....why?
One at a time.
Upper Michigan Prostar190
06-08-2005, 10:08 PM
However, I have a 4Runner and I own it. I'm in no hurry to run out and have a truck payment.
Rock on BriEOD!! :toast: I agree totally. I have a 97 F150 Ext cab ( Ive had it since new) which tows very well. It would be great to upgrade to a nice newer crew cab full size 1/2 ton, but I love not having a truck payment. NO payments is awfully addicting! There are nice benefits to that too, not having a truck payment made it possible to buy the mastercraft. :D
Ever think of looking at the 03+ 4Runner? The bigger 4.0L V6 is a huge inmprovement over the 3.4L. The V8 for 03&04 had lower HP and higher torque.
The '05 4.7L V8 is smokin'! I pulled my luggage packed 190 over a 8 mile 10% grade to the Tetons with great ease. Coming down was interesting.
SteveO
06-21-2005, 09:25 PM
I was looking for a used 2002 (last year of the old body style) because I like the looks and had a 93 that I loved. After I got serious I ended up with an 05 V8 because;
2002 models were priced to high IMO
The new body style rode much nicer
The available V8 was killer
I'm still not sure about the body style looks, but it is a Toyota and will last a long time.
Workin' 4 Toys
06-21-2005, 11:25 PM
My tow vehicle and everyday driver is a '02 Ford 3/4ton CrewCab 4X4. I would buy this truck all over again in a second. I get about 16-18 mpg with nothing in tow, and 15mpg loaded with boat and all the families stuff, or any other one of our toys. It has a Powerstroke 7.3 diesel, and always has power to spare.
(I attached a picture, it is my first picture posting, so I hope I did it correctly)
Nice ride Workin', I dig the roof racks. What color is your X7? Now that you've got the picture thing down you'll have to add some boat pics to your photos section.
I've always been a Toyota & GM guy (wierd combo I know). But if I were to buy a new Full Size truck I'd go Ford. My dad just got the same truck in smokin' red and long bed. I like it a lot better than the Cummins Sport Ram he replaced.
Jimmy O
06-22-2005, 09:07 AM
I don't want to knock Toyota, but i've been that route with a 4 runner 3.0 v6. Perhaps the 3.4 was better, but there is no substitute for the v8. The v6's just are not strong enough (head gasket problems). To say that they are better and last longer is a farce. At present i have a Ford explorer with the 5.0 v8. Major difference, as you wouldn't even know you were towing a 3500 lb boat. Just my 2 cents. Ford rules.
Tom023
06-22-2005, 09:25 AM
I like Ford trucks and agree a V8 is nice to have when towing. You would expect a V8 to out perform a small V6 because cubic inches make all the difference. Domestic quality is good and not much of a differentiator anymore, but warranty costs per unit on domestics do still run higher than imports.
oxmach
06-22-2005, 09:52 AM
SteveO, couldn't agree more. I had a 92 that I loved the look of and owned it until last year when it was finally put out to pasture with over 400,000Km on it. I bought an 04 V8. Not crazy about the new body style but it is a much better ride, and overall vehicle.
I tow the X-7 with the 04 without any difficulty, and love the AWD feature, never turn a stone on gravel or the ramps.
WakeSeeky
06-22-2005, 11:47 AM
My tow vehicle and everyday driver is a '02 Ford 3/4ton CrewCab 4X4. I would buy this truck all over again in a second. I get about 16-18 mpg with nothing in tow, and 15mpg loaded with boat and all the families stuff, or any other one of our toys. It has a Powerstroke 7.3 diesel, and always has power to spare.
(I attached a picture, it is my first picture posting, so I hope I did it correctly)
Nice truck! ;) Ours is not a daily driver, but otherwise I would say exactly the same thing. We very happily waved goodbye to an '01 Toyota Tacoma when we picked this up. The Tacoma might be ok, if you're not pulling far and have no hills, but that doesn't describe our drive to the lake. Ironically? The Ford gets nearly the same mileage towing. :D
Rosco, good luck. Let us know if you get it and what you think.
RoscoB190
06-24-2005, 11:58 AM
Thanks for all the helpful insight. I'll keep you posted. :toast:
Hoff1
06-24-2005, 01:00 PM
I went through the same decision about 2 months ago. I wanted something with 20+ mpg, better quality drivetrain, but with more power than my 4.0L Grand Cherokee. Also wanted something below $15k. Test drove Pathfinders, 4Runners, and Grand Cherokees. Ended up with a 4.7L Grand Cherokee. Can get about 21 mpg highway and it tows my 21’ Maristar incredibly better than my older Jeep. Looked for one of the older supercharged 4Runners, but they are not very common.