How much/heavy can Gen3 load up into cabin?

Jin_Chris · 07-23-2008, 11:39 AM

Hello,

I am not sure if this has been discussed.
There are plenty of threads about towing capacity of gen3 4Runner V6 4wd. But I wonder how much our 4runner can safely load "inside" of the cabin and safely drive? 2000lb ? 3000lb?

I will need to move lots of sags (filled with sand/rocks) and bricks for a few miles ( < 3miles). Each time I am thinking about loading 1500~2000lb of bricks. The front rows will be occupied by me, driver and my buddy (none of them exceed 190lb). The entire range of back-seat (folded down) and cargo area will be utilized. Would it be possible?

The towing rate of our 4runner is much greater than that, but can it handle 2k lb inside?

Thank you in advance.

oh! by the way, my rig is 1997 4runner SR5 4WD Auto 130k miles, never did heavy-tow in its entire life so far.

eighty5yota · 07-23-2008, 11:47 AM

practice your tetris skills and have at it! just make sure you can see your mirrors and a little common sense helps

crolison · 07-23-2008, 12:04 PM

Make sure you don't ride on the bumpstops. and get to packing. I have filled my runner with a lot of crap, and i also killed my rear springs, now its ome's for me

pkt1213 · 07-23-2008, 12:05 PM

That seems like a lot of weight but I don't know. I know I had 2100 lbs in a 99 F150 and it was drooping in the back. If you have access to a trailer you might want to load up on that cause you know what it will pull plus you'd have to take less trips. Just an idea.

Jin_Chris · 07-23-2008, 12:35 PM

the towing capacity is roughly < 5000lb, then, it seems difficult to find out a trailer which can carry more than 2000lb but only less than 3000lb weight by itself.

In theory (according to spec), the 4Runner Curb weight is roughly 3800lb, than, Gross weight rating is 5200 therefore, the maximum delta is only 1400lb IN THEORY. If subtract two human-bodies, than, it is only 1000lb.

I did many of 1000lb (more or less) shipping with my rig without using trailer across states, (New Jersey to Michigan, Washing to Michigan round trip etc etc). That is 10+ hours driving at 60~70mph. Haven't had any trouble.

This time I am thinking about loading up ~ 2000lb for only 2~3 miles driving at a time. I hope it is ok....

mastacox · 07-23-2008, 12:42 PM

Hope you don't break your body mounts. It isn't a 1-ton truck, and 2000lb is a lot.

Whitey13 · 07-23-2008, 01:08 PM

3rd gen payload including passengers is 1500 pounds.

BigBallsMcFalls · 07-23-2008, 02:14 PM

the rear seats down, and 100% full of chopped wood
[except front seats] is about the max you can do

gilby4runner · 07-23-2008, 02:23 PM

find some one who has a 8x10 or larger trailer and use that. Save the stress on your rear springs and not to mention the abuse your interior will take in the process.

**4x4Fink** · 07-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Just don't exceed the GVWR.

Fink

DailyDrive · 07-23-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilby4runner

Save the stress on your rear springs

Springs will spring back, axle housing won't

111db · 07-23-2008, 05:44 PM

And your tires aren't rated for that kind of load.

I would use a trailer.

Angstrom · 07-23-2008, 06:35 PM

I've carried about 1000 lbs spread out over the back with the seats down a few times. I wouldn't want to go much more than that. You can feel the load and it bottoms out over some bumps. I have the springs from the factory recall.

**4x4Fink** · 07-23-2008, 08:21 PM

If it's something you plan on doing regulary, I would get some air bags.

Fink

refried · 07-23-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Fink

Just don't exceed the GVWR.

Fink

doesnt any one know what Gross vehicle weight means?
It means total vehicle weight including passengers, fuel and load including trailer tongue weight. GVW for a 4runner should be 5500 lbs, empty it weighs 4500 lbs (curb weight). that gives you 1000 lbs of cargo weight subtract driver and passenger, fuel, and assorted crap in the truck and your down to about 500 lbs of cargo. I know I'm wrong with these numbers but you can't carry 2000 lbs in a 4runner, I'd be surprised if it would carry 800 without dragging it's ass. Just because it will hold and move the weight doesnt mean you can stop safely. Toyota 4wd pickups are only1/2 ton trucks, 4runners have lighter springs and are built for a nice ride, not to carry weight.

Jin_Chris · 07-24-2008, 06:25 AM

Thanks all for your input

refried, just for others reference also, as I stated above (and as others pointed out), the gross is about 5200 and curb is about 3800. Then, it means, we are left with 1400lb. Subtracting 2 human-bodies, it is only 1000lb max.

Yesterday, I tried about 1000lb again, I knew how it would feel and look. I already sensed that yeah... 2000lb seems too much for this...

Seems like this is the way to go...

http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...entrailer-6x12

Thanks!

111db · 07-24-2008, 04:48 PM

That is a huge trailer for a 4runner. Look at the empty weight, almost 3000lbs. I'd be thinking more like 5x7 enclosed. I pulled a 5x7 loaded at about 4000lbs with my toyota and I really don't ever want to do that again.

Why not just rent an Enterprise truck or even better yet you can get a 1-ton flatbed from Home Depot for like $30 an hour that will haul everything you're talking about and then some.

Texas_Ace · 07-24-2008, 06:13 PM

I have done that home depot truck rental thing before, and it worked great.

Though for the 4runner, i have personally loaded it down quite a lot and it came though fine exact for killing my springs/shocks.

I have also towed 5000lb+ 1000 miles, that was ok when it was loaded right, but on the way back it was not loaded right and was THE scariest drive of my life.

24Runna · 07-24-2008, 08:58 PM

I call complete BS on only 800 lbs for the 4Runner.

I had 2,000# of wood in the back (sticking out about 2ft after the tailgate). Sure it was saggy, but the 2ng gen is already saggy, I could still stop in time if I needed to stomp on it.

And besides that our 4th gen had 1,900 lbs of cargo in the back, up to 50 miles per hour and about 6 miles. Never hit the bumpstops. It was exact because we had bags and bricks, which were all weighted out.

Honestly, Toyota has always been conservative with their numbers compared to other manufacturers.

BigBallsMcFalls · 07-25-2008, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24Runna

I call complete BS on only 800 lbs for the 4Runner.

I had 2,000# of wood in the back (sticking out about 2ft after the tailgate). Sure it was saggy, but the 2ng gen is already saggy, I could still stop in time if I needed to stomp on it.

And besides that our 4th gen had 1,900 lbs of cargo in the back, up to 50 miles per hour and about 6 miles. Never hit the bumpstops. It was exact because we had bags and bricks, which were all weighted out.

Honestly, Toyota has always been conservative with their numbers compared to other manufacturers.

yes of course you can haul this much.

BUT stuff like motor mounts, suspension mounts, end links...none of that stuff is beefy enough to handle this more than about 9 times, then you will certainly start to bust/bend/pop things.

so yeah a one-off huge load is fine, but if you do it on a regular basis just get an old F-150 from a construction company throwaway and use that as your beater/truckster. they haul heavy stuff all day with ease...they just don't do great 4-wheelin...but do OK and they don't mind slamming the undercarriage on rocks

07-23-2008, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jin_Chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23	How much/heavy can Gen3 load up into cabin? Hello, I am not sure if this has been discussed. There are plenty of threads about towing capacity of gen3 4Runner V6 4wd. But I wonder how much our 4runner can safely load "inside" of the cabin and safely drive? 2000lb ? 3000lb? I will need to move lots of sags (filled with sand/rocks) and bricks for a few miles ( < 3miles). Each time I am thinking about loading 1500~2000lb of bricks. The front rows will be occupied by me, driver and my buddy (none of them exceed 190lb). The entire range of back-seat (folded down) and cargo area will be utilized. Would it be possible? The towing rate of our 4runner is much greater than that, but can it handle 2k lb inside? Thank you in advance. oh! by the way, my rig is 1997 4runner SR5 4WD Auto 130k miles, never did heavy-tow in its entire life so far. Last edited by Jin_Chris : 07-23-2008 at 11:42 AM.

07-23-2008, 12:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
crolison Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 1,625	Make sure you don't ride on the bumpstops. and get to packing. I have filled my runner with a lot of crap, and i also killed my rear springs, now its ome's for me __________________ 97 4runner, 2.7 5speed 4wd, 4.556, 255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorns rear diff breather, 4 hella 500's driving, sliders, wilderness rack custom bumper arb locked rear toytec adjustables, ome 891's, bilstein 5125 manual hubs broken front and rear swaybars My Profile

07-23-2008, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
pkt1213 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 319	That seems like a lot of weight but I don't know. I know I had 2100 lbs in a 99 F150 and it was drooping in the back. If you have access to a trailer you might want to load up on that cause you know what it will pull plus you'd have to take less trips. Just an idea. __________________ If it has tits or tires it'll give you problems. 98 4runner - SR5, 4x4, 5 speed The Probe, CJ5, G20 and Porsche are all sold. Right now everythings a 4x4 or 6x6. MRAPs, 916s, HMMWV, FMTVs and anything else with amror.

07-23-2008, 12:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,456	Hope you don't break your body mounts. It isn't a 1-ton truck, and 2000lb is a lot. __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5

07-23-2008, 02:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 4,677	Just don't exceed the GVWR. Fink __________________ Black 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA

07-23-2008, 11:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
eighty5yota Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: san jose cali Posts: 303	practice your tetris skills and have at it! just make sure you can see your mirrors and a little common sense helps

07-23-2008, 12:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jin_Chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23	the towing capacity is roughly < 5000lb, then, it seems difficult to find out a trailer which can carry more than 2000lb but only less than 3000lb weight by itself. In theory (according to spec), the 4Runner Curb weight is roughly 3800lb, than, Gross weight rating is 5200 therefore, the maximum delta is only 1400lb IN THEORY. If subtract two human-bodies, than, it is only 1000lb. I did many of 1000lb (more or less) shipping with my rig without using trailer across states, (New Jersey to Michigan, Washing to Michigan round trip etc etc). That is 10+ hours driving at 60~70mph. Haven't had any trouble. This time I am thinking about loading up ~ 2000lb for only 2~3 miles driving at a time. I hope it is ok....

07-23-2008, 01:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Whitey13 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: MA Posts: 1,038	3rd gen payload including passengers is 1500 pounds.

07-23-2008, 02:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigBallsMcFalls Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 330	the rear seats down, and 100% full of chopped wood [except front seats] is about the max you can do

07-23-2008, 05:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
111db Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 1,196	And your tires aren't rated for that kind of load. I would use a trailer. __________________ Jon *97 4Runner 3.4 4.88's * ARB Lockers F/R * ARB compressor * Sonoran Steel numba 1 * 285 BFG AT/KO * TJM 17 * BudBuilt Skids * Stubbs Sliders & BBQ sauce * Irbis out back * Various Electronic Gadgets**

07-23-2008, 06:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
Angstrom Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Whitby, ON Posts: 20	I've carried about 1000 lbs spread out over the back with the seats down a few times. I wouldn't want to go much more than that. You can feel the load and it bottoms out over some bumps. I have the springs from the factory recall.

07-23-2008, 08:21 PM	#14 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 4,677	If it's something you plan on doing regulary, I would get some air bags. Fink __________________ Black 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA

07-24-2008, 06:25 AM	#16 (permalink)
Jin_Chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 23	Thanks all for your input refried, just for others reference also, as I stated above (and as others pointed out), the gross is about 5200 and curb is about 3800. Then, it means, we are left with 1400lb. Subtracting 2 human-bodies, it is only 1000lb max. Yesterday, I tried about 1000lb again, I knew how it would feel and look. I already sensed that yeah... 2000lb seems too much for this... Seems like this is the way to go... http://www.uhaul.com/guide/index.asp...entrailer-6x12 Thanks!

07-24-2008, 04:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
111db Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 1,196	That is a huge trailer for a 4runner. Look at the empty weight, almost 3000lbs. I'd be thinking more like 5x7 enclosed. I pulled a 5x7 loaded at about 4000lbs with my toyota and I really don't ever want to do that again. Why not just rent an Enterprise truck or even better yet you can get a 1-ton flatbed from Home Depot for like $30 an hour that will haul everything you're talking about and then some. __________________ Jon *97 4Runner 3.4 4.88's * ARB Lockers F/R * ARB compressor * Sonoran Steel numba 1 * 285 BFG AT/KO * TJM 17 * BudBuilt Skids * Stubbs Sliders & BBQ sauce * Irbis out back * Various Electronic Gadgets**

07-24-2008, 08:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
24Runna Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NW Chi-land Posts: 406	I call complete BS on only 800 lbs for the 4Runner. I had 2,000# of wood in the back (sticking out about 2ft after the tailgate). Sure it was saggy, but the 2ng gen is already saggy, I could still stop in time if I needed to stomp on it. And besides that our 4th gen had 1,900 lbs of cargo in the back, up to 50 miles per hour and about 6 miles. Never hit the bumpstops. It was exact because we had bags and bricks, which were all weighted out. Honestly, Toyota has always been conservative with their numbers compared to other manufacturers. __________________ '95 4Runner SR5 3.0 V6 Auto 4WD 108k 4.88 Gears GY Wrangler RT/S 31x10.50x15 HYDROLOCKED!!! :( :( :( :( :( PM me if you have anything to help!