Towing - For Those Who Tow - 550# Tongue Weight

Fellow 4Runnerans,

I'm thinking of towing a trailer with a 525# tongue weight. Will that still work with a 2021 ORP with a max tongue weight of 11% of the GVW of 5,000#. That leaves me at 550#s of max tongue weight.

That said, I've got Elka 700# springs on the truck and will add airbags to assist with any sag. I wasn't sure if I have 200#s of dogs in the back of my truck how that will affect the tongue weight.

Grateful for your insight. Love to hear from people who actually tow campers or trailers that share a similar weight and what you do to manage it well. I've already read other threads on here that deal with tongue weight. So please don't just tell me to search. Been a member for a while now.

Thank you!

 

I tow a camper with a 440 pound tongue weight. At least that’s what I think I remember it being. I thought the max tongue weight for 5th gens was 500 lbs, but maybe that’s what I remember mine being.

Anyways, I am certainly pushing the limits. Stock springs and I just installed air bag helpers but haven’t tried them yet. Also installed a trailer brake controller.

 

Not saying it can't be done but your 4R will hate you towing anything near the max capacity.

 

Like you said you have heavier springs and aftermarket shocks. So that'll definitely help with the added weight.

If I towed with my 4r id think about upgrading the brakes.

 

Yeah. It's 9-11% of the GVW of 5,000. S0 450-550.

When you say pushing the limits, you mean you can feel it while driving or just numerically speaking?

 

Do you tow? Interested in your experience.

 

Do you tow? Interested in your experience.

 

Don't have my 4R anymore.

But I did tow my 18 footer boat. I would say about little over 3klbs loaded with fuel ice etc for fishing. You can feel the load back there and if going up and down hill will struggle a bit. Not that it can't tow it but if you are looking at maxing the 5k towing capacity I can only imagine how unpleasant it would be.

I tow my new 21 footer now with my Tundra and I actually burn less gas now over the same routes.

 

That helps to know. I really hope to also have a Tundra or Sequoia one day! Glad you're rocking the Tundra for sure!

 

I needed the bed. I had a Tundra went to the 4R and regretted not having the bed.

Missed the power and size also so skipped on the Tacoma and back to a Tundra.

 

The max tongue weight is rated at 500#. Heavier springs will help with the sag, but that doesn't make it a good idea. The problem is that the more weight you add behind the rear axle, the less weight is on the front (steering) tires I read mixed things about using a weight distribution hitch, but I would definitely look into it if I were anywhere near the 500# limit.

Also, if you're towing, especially something heavy, tow in S4 and take the scenic route. Keep the speed under 65 MPH, and you'll be much happier.

 

Yeah. The Taco is for single guys who don't tow to drive. Good choice on the Tundra.

 

Both numerically and anecdotally. It’s not a super comfortable tow, though not horrible. Braking is ok, power is not there though, and in wind you feel pushed around. I have a Class A CDL and have towed all sorts of combinations (never a semi) and have been through some bad and easy, this is somewhere in the middle lol.

BUT it is fine for me. I certainly would not recommend it for a newb. Not saying you are, just saying for those who read this thread in the coming years after searching the Google.

Like everyone else I keep it in 4 and take it nice and easy taking extra care for braking.

 

You didn't mention total weight of the trailer - is it just a heavy tongue or is the trailer itself nearing the limit?

I've towed up to ~4500 on air bags, staying in 4, and not expecting too much. Going any heavier (or more frequently) I might have considered a weight distribution hitch, particularly with a tongue that heavy. It can get a little spooky without sufficient weight on the front end. Bags help tremendously but can bounce when hitting a dip at highway speeds.