PaulK

Is it possible to modify a '98 4Runner (manual v-6) to enable me to tow another vehicle? If so, what would be needed?
Ideally, I'm talking about towing using a trailor but if I have to use a dolly or just flat-tow it I could do that too.

Thanks,
-Paul
paul.kolf@gmail.com

mastacox

Trailer hitches are very common on 4Runners, especially V-6's. If your does not have one, it's easy enough to have one installed; along with that, a trailer light plug can be installed as well. Are you planning on towing around the city, or on the highway? For towing a car, you have three options that I see:

1) Flat-bed trailer, heavy but the entire car gets towed. Good thing is, the trailer can have brakes as well, so if you have a trailer brake controller installed you will be able to stop just as easily as before.

2) Car dolly. The front wheels of the car being towed are driven up onto the dolly and you tow the car, the rear wheel drag. You will completely dependent on the 4Runner's brakes, which really aren't up to the task of stopping that much extra weight.

3) Flat tow. The car being towed has a hitch attached to its frame on the front, and hooks up to your hitch. Possibly more stable than the car dolly, but still no extra brakes.

I would say your safest solution is a flat-bed trailer with trailer brakes, and wire your 4Runner with a trailer brake controller. The towing won't be fast, but it can be done. Good luck.

PaulK

I'd be towing on the highway.

I got the sense (I don't know where) that trailoring another vehicle would be too much weight even if I upgraded the breaks. Is that not necessarily the case?

What are good break upgrades to consider for this purpose?

Thanks,
-Paul

Weasy2k

The 4runner has some good wieght to it itself but if you go over the vehicle wieght you have be able to control the vehicle accordingly as now your pulling somethign that wieghs MORE then the truck itself and it has more momentum in turns and breaking (accel is no sweat with that 5vz ).
However if you take it easy and get the feel for it rather then just take off fast then you will see how things work. Just a tip no sharp/jerky turns at higher speed as the momentum in the rear can cause the trailer to swing back and forth.

Just be careful! I like to show the extremes that way you understand what goes on.
I have towed over 7000lbs in my tacoma before (3000in the bed and 4000 in trailer behind) over 500km of hilly terrain.

Wasnt easy but the s/c took care of the uphills VERY well

Brakes wernt much of an issue if you use the engine to help by down shifting.