Uhhhh, yeah? My 4Runner weighs about 4000#. *IF* I loaded the trailer to the maximum LEGAL limit that would still be at least 1000# less than the 4Runner weighs. You seem to be pretty concerned about this. Any other questions or concerns?

 

Nope, no other concerns. Just remind me to not be in front of you. The brakes on these trucks are already marginal at best (under panic situations). I tend to worry about the safety of others before my own safety.

I'm done, said my piece and recommended what I feel is the safe and reliable configuration for these trucks.

 

Good thing you don't make the rules and regulations for this sort of thing. I'd only be able to put a dirtbike and some riding gear in my 6.5x10 trailer before it's considered "overloaded" according to your safety standards.

Larger tires, heavy bumpers, winches, off-road gear, tools, supplies, etc, etc all add weight to your vehicle which also reduces your stopping ability.

Anyways, I'm not going to buy a dual axle trailer with weight distribution bars and trailer brakes to tow my motorcycles around lol.
Thanks for your concern though.

 

WHO CARES!!!!!!! Arguing on the internet is lame. I think you two should meet up and fight. Yes yes that would be best ha ha.

But seriously I have towed lots of stuff, personally and for work (military), that never had trailer breaks. Its not a huge deal. Though I will say an old 3/4 ton chevy diesel towing a bobcat on a car trailer on icy roads, would have been nice to have them that day. oh well its was for work anyway and my other option was a dodge dakota so there ya go.

 

Would you willingly drive a vehicle weighing 7000 pounds knowing the brakes are only rated for stopping a vehicle weighing 4000 pounds?

Oh, right. I guess you would.

But otherwise, you're right. I don't make the regulations for these things. Just worked a while for a company that made trailers and sold them with certain requirements based on accident reports and law suits against the company.
Every trailer we sold capable of 1000+ lbs GVWR had brakes on the axle, but not wired. Every trailer rated 1500+ lbs had the brakes wired. Every trailer capable of 3000-4500 lbs had two 3500# axles, one with brakes, or one 5200# axle with brakes. 5000# trailers (and 1500+) rated trailers had the option of hydraulic brakes over electric. All tandem axle trailers had at least one axle with brakes, all triple axle trailers had at least two axles with brake, regardless of GVWR. All trailers with functional electric brakes had break-away control (as required by law).

We were more concerned with the safety of the people towing the trailer, and those around them, than we were with cutting costs on the trailers.

 

Wow, give it up already. You seem to want to argue with me about this and it's getting old so I'll just let you have at it.

FYI Toyota gave my 4Runner a towing rating of 3500#. Are they putting unsafe ratings on these trucks?

 

Nah. You just decided to take issue with my safe recommendations based on experience.

Either way.... It's your trailer and ultimately the driver decides what's right or wrong.

All I can do is argue a bit to try to convince someon that the law isn't always the best determination of what's necessary or not, or what is in your best interest. Most of the laws regarding trailering are based on heavy equipment such as what you'd buy from Kenworth, Freightliner or Peterbilt, those with capable brake systems, not light vehicles such as ours.

I would never tow more weight than my truck is capable of carrying on its own without brakes on the trailer.

Peace.

 

I'm not towing more than the vehicle is capable of, as per TOYOTA, the company that made the truck. My personal experience is that I'm perfectly safe towing my trailer with no trailer brakes. Obviously when you're towing you will be driving safer, slower and giving yourself plenty of stopping room. I'm not tailgating people doing 80 down the highway with the trailer fully loaded. Let's be realistic and not blow it out of proportion.

 

Given that >90% of the people I see towing trailers don't give ample room to slow down for an "emergency" situation, I'm not blowing anything out of proportion and am, being rather cautious and responsible in my recommendations.

And your Toyota manual has recommendations about trailer weights, brakes, etc? Being capable of pulling "X" pounds doesn't reflect on whether brakes are recommended or not, or how much tongue weight is proper, etc. Post it.

An F250 can pull 13000+ lbs, just like an F350 can. What's the difference? I've seen dually F250's and single rear F350's. What's the difference? I've seen 3/4 ton trucks rated for more trailer weight than 1 ton trucks. What's the difference? What's an F450 and F550 for?

I've seen a 1 ton 2wd Toyota V6 (3VZE) pickup pull an 11,000 GVWR RV trailer.

I've seen a Crown Victoria pull a 12000# rated box trailer.

I've seen plenty of configurations I wouldn't recommend. Doesn't mean I don't know anything about trailers.

Thanks.

 

Ok, you win. I'm not towing safe, my 4Runner can't safely tow and I tailgate people when I'm towing my trailer at a high rate of speed. Jesus.....

Anyways, the guy picked his hitch and bought it. End of story.

 

No, I don't win. I never will.
Anything to help reduce wear and tear on the tow vehicle is a bad thing.

 

 

You live in California, no one YOU see driving drives safe.

By the way do trailers cause cancer in California?

haha don't get mad just having some fun at your expense.