Towing with the 2024 4Runner V6

Just purchased a 2024 4Runner V6 4.0 2wd automatic. I have driven a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner Off Road V6 4.0 for 17 years. I tried once to tow a relatively light weight travel trailer (2,700lbs. dry weight) with my wife and 2 dogs. (100lb. German Shepherd and a little 30lb. dog) My wife is on the petite side, I make up for that at 235lbs.

I found the experience of towing with the 06 Tacoma to NOT be to my liking. Sold the trailer after 3 trips and bought a Minnie Winnie.

Thinking of giving a lightweight trailer another try....am I dreaming towing a travel trailer with my new 4Runner? I saw a couple of ladies with a newer 4Runner camping at Borrego Springs
with a travel trailer that had to have been at least 3,000lbs. I asked them how it towed and they responded "fine". It was happy hour so maybe they were in a pleasant mood or just wanted me to go away.

Opinions and observations appreciated. No more dogs and my wife has me on a diet.

 

We plan on a small camper once we find a house. I think the key is loading the camper rather than the 4Runner, the listed payload on these is pathetic (which is odd because GVWR-curb weight suggests a much higher amount). I do plan on a decent weight distributing hitch with swap control as I think it will be helpful given the short wheelbase.

In our case it's just two of us and a 35lb dog.

This is what we are looking at: https://sunsettrailers.com/sun-lite-16bh/ And I've had good luck with Husky Centerline TS hitches so I'll probably go with one of those again.

 

It's not the best at towing, but will get it done slow speeds and staying in s4. Where you are driving will make a big difference IMHO. Flat plains are going to be much different than climbing elevation. I just got back from a trip out to the Rockies. Passed a couple 4r towing and said to myself that's miserable. As I was struggling putting my foot into it to keep speed up the incline without a trailer.

 

OK, for the unedumacated, what is “Minnie Winnie”?

 

Had zero issues with towing a 3k plus trailer with my 2016 pro. Didn't even need a wdh (after consulting with my local tow shop) but did have electric brakes/brake controller.

Yes, as below tow in S4

 

I would stick to around 3,000# max for a travel trailer, and maybe 400# max tongue weight.

Get a good brake controller. There are a few threads about those here.

Also, tow in S4, and keep your speed around 65 mph tops. At higher speeds you're fighting the wind more than you're fighting the weight of the trailer.

 

Class C Winnebago

 

Towed my brothers in law trailer, 32' around 5500Lbs, tongue weigh 550Lbs as a test run. I do have a brake controller installed, and put on his weight distributing hitch. Was surprised that even though the hitch was not set up for the 4runner it still help out to quite a bit to level out the sag and keep the set up level. We also tried without the weight distributing hitch and it definitely sank quite a bit more in the back. As for towing, we tried speeds up to 100Km/hr and some quite hilly areas, up hill it was a pita but doable once shifted down. Braking was good but probably need to adjust the strength as was locking the trailer brakes few times. (Or possibly I need to learn how to properly brake with 5500lbs behind). having said that we were looking for a somewhat larger trailer for us but might have to try and find something in 29" and preferably around 4500lbs, while it was doable, just had a feeling it was kind of on the edge.

 

All of that is ill-advised. I'm glad you didn't run into any issues, but you were over on both trailer weight and tongue weight (the WDH probably masked the issues).

If you're planning to get a 29-footer with a dry weight over 4500 lbs, you have the wrong vehicle. Even more than the weight, that long of a trailer is going to overwhelm the 4R with it's relatively short wheelbase.

 

It's going to be the same or worse as your Tacoma was when towing.

 

Sequoia would make more sense as tow rig.

 

Yup.

Same-ish engine? Check
Shorter wheel base? Check
Squishier suspension? Check

I do find the 4R smoother on lightweight trailers (like the smaller UHaul boxes), but on anything else I miss the Taco. And it must be bad if I'm wishing I was towing with a midsize truck, lol.

 

At 4500lb, your tongue weight is going to be WAY over (and no, a WDH does not reduce tongue weight at all but it does add to the weight on the receiver because they're heavy). Tongue weight is generally 12-13% for a properly loaded TT (so for 4500lb you're 540-585lb plus ~80lb for the WDH) So look at your payload sticker, subtract tongue weight, subtract the weight of the WDH, subtract you and your wife, subtract 75lb (for miscellaneous crap that's always in your rig) and you are probably already below zero. Listed tongue weight on campers is dry, nothing inside, no battery or LP tanks mounted. And that 4500lb is dry, empty and without battery or LP too so once you add those you've got almost no room left to stay under 5,000lb.

Will it pull it? Sure. But you are going to be over every weight rating on the vehicle.

Bad plan, don't do it.

Real world limit for a TT? Probably 3,000lb dry weight and don't carry too much stuff with you.

 

Having an upgraded suspension helps a great deal. I personally prefer towing with the 4Runner over my second gen Tacoma any day. Even my 4th gen 4Runner on stock suspension I felt very comfortable in. But, I never towed anything heavy with that.

 

I was prepared for your response.

 

short wheelbase and short on low end torque does not a good tow vehicle make

 

I have a 4,000 lb. overlanding trailer (loaded) which is not fun to tow in the mountains but, we get where we need to go. I'm looking at a supercharger next. The 4runner has 600 lb springs in the back as well. You'll definitely need a brake controller. The redarc tow pro elite works great and it will take a blank spot on your dash and plugs into the stock trailer wiring.

https://www.redarcelectronics.com/us/landcruiser-sequoia-4runner-brake-controller-kit

 

The Teton trailer in the photo weighs out at 4,000lbs?

 

The dry weight is just under 3,500 lbs. With water and all my stuff its approx. 4,000 lbs. if not more.

 

If you get a 3000lb 15' and keep the load at light as possible you'll be fine.

 

That is what I thought wow what is that trailer made out of? It must be very rugged I am guessing for the off-road towing?

 

Nice floorpan for the Sunsetter. How much$? I see there is a dealer south of me and close (92131). I once had a Jayco 154BH Baja which I liked very much.

 

Winnebago Minnie Winnie 22R on a Ford E350 chassis. Nice little rig.

 

We've been loving our setup! Our popup is 2,200 lbs. 2 adults, 1 kid & our gear. We use a Red Arc Brake Controller. We also use a roof cargo carrier for our pillows and light crap. We drive in S4 & have not crossed the continental divide. I think if we do, we'll use the taco. I rather transition to the taco more next summer because it has the towing package/cooler & up to 6,500 lbs. Were just staying on the front range this summer though. I'd really love to have a 2nd gen sequoia for towing.

Our popup model has the storage trunk on the front of the trailer. It adds hitch weight and that was a main reason why I bought this model. You can put up to 150 lbs in the front storage trunk. You can add over 500lbs in the trailer but we don't have much in there. We do have a VL45 Iceco frig in the 4runner 100% of the time. I'll add links to the accessories that are a must.





XL BAL Leveler

$110 BESTOOL Light Trailer RV Tire Leveler, Levelers Allows for Easy Leveling Without Blocks or Ramps, Fits Most 13, 14, 15" Wheels

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0912B8DD7 - Only one I could find that was big enough for my 15"s

Mirrors

$21 Fit System K-Source 3791 Standard Universal Clip-On Towing Mirror

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018OY742

Tire Locks

$54 KAYCENTOP Universal Wheel Lock Clamp Anti Theft Trailer Locks Fit Most Vehicles Max 11" Tire Width Security Tire Boot Lock for Trailers SUV Boats ATV's Motorcycles Golf Cart 2 Packs 6 Keys Alike

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HRW3VCS

30 amp surge protector

$43 GEARit RV Surge Protector 30 AMP - Circuit Analyzer Voltage Protector/Monitor with Surge Protection (2700 Joules) Weather Resistant 30A Extension Plug for RV Trailer Travel Outdoor Camper

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL25Y5XD

Hitch Lock

$30 RETRUE Heavy-Duty Universal Coupler Lock Trailer Locks Ball Hitch Trailer Hitch Lock Adjustable Security Steel Fits 1-7/8", 2", 2-5/16" Couplers Grey & Silver

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XQB7C7K

Coupler Lock

$8 RETRUE Trailer Tongue Coupler Lock, Trailer Hitch Lock,Dia 1/4", 3/4" Span for Tow Boat RV Truck Car's Coupler, Gold

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6JPQSBN

Scissor Jack Long Extension

$15 Eaz-Lift 3/4 Hex Jack Extension Socket - Assists in Adjusting Your RV or Trailer's Scissor Jack - Compatible with 3/8" Drills- Heavy Duty Anti- Corrosion Metal - Quick and Easy to Use - (48861)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QM9W1R8

Step Support

$16 Camco Camper/RV Save-A-Step Brace - Stabilizes RV Steps & Protects Camper Step from Sag and Wear - Features 1000lb Load Rating & Adjusts from 7-5/8” to 14” - Crafted of Heavy-Gauge Steel (43691)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024E6ZW2

Hitch Bracket

Rubber Coated Lock Down Hitch Tightener, Heavy Duty Anti-Rattle Hitches Stabilizer for 1.25" and 2" Hitches, with a Wrench for Hitch Tray Cargo Carrier Bike Rack Trailer Ball Mount,1PC

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMFX1TT8

 

I see these everywhere!

https://www.winnebago.com/models/product/towables/travel-trailer/micro-minnie

 

It looks comfortable, although I wouldn't want to drag one behind a 4R on hills.

 

I'll tell you this. I have a 2015 SR5, lifted, 33s with Sumo Springs. Usual stuff. I use that to tow a 2023 fsx 178bhsk ( dry weight 3750, loaded prolly pretty close to 4500 ). Should I? Eh there are better methods, but can I? Yes. From PA we've been to Niagara Falls last year and far south as Virginia. It doesn't like going up steep inclines from the gate. But Highway you just have to know how to drive it. I see people all the time saying you shouldn't but hey it works.

 

They can be almost 4,000lbs! Yea I cannot imagine pulling that box in the 4Runner.

DJ becareful! That’s a lot of weight!

 

We tow about 5000 Lb regularly. (Boat / Trailer with Brakes). In Florida so hills not a problem. Keep it 65 MPH or under. Have a well balanced load with appropriate tongue weight. Boats are more streamlined than a travel trailer so it is a bit easier. No issues other than headlights aimed a bit to0 high if boat is fully loaded with ice & fuel. With just the boat and trailer the lights are fine. Not the optimal towing vehicle, but it will get the job done if you pay attention to its limitations. No worries on engine or transmission life. Just follow Toyotas towing duty service intervals. (5000 Mile oil changes, Double frequently on Diff Fluids etc…..)

 

What boat? That’s a lot of weight man!!