im getting a good deal on a new 21' center console and i was wondering if the ole yota could handle the towing back and forth from the lake which is like a 10 minute ride from my house. the net weight of the boat 2820 plus the trailer.... i was wondering if this is anyway possible. if so im going to buy the boat asap. the trailer has brakes and also can the 4runner be set up for trailer brake control?

Thanks

 

I have towed a lot of heavier things With my 87 4Runner but it would not be my vehicle of choice.

Would this be something you would do almost every day or every once in a while. Is it pretty flat or hard hills .

To answer your question it is not hard to put the electric brake control unit in.

If you have a auto trans I would think real hard about added transmission cooling .

Most important *** take your time you should be fine!!!

 

i have towed a 4000 pound 21ft bayliner trophy about 100 miles and i have pulled it out of some pretty steep boat ramps. it did just fine. just take it slow and easy. make sure you have a class 3 hitch. my haynes toyota manual says 35 pounds per 1 horse power. so you should be good to go.

 

Thanks guys. I tow my buddy's 18ft sea ray center console which is a very thick and heavy boat to be an 18 footer...his is rated at just about 800 pounds lighter than this and my 4runner does just fine with that and that trailer has no brakes. most of time id have to put the boat in the water when i wanted to use it but the lake is only about 10 minutes ...i just want to take care of my good ole yota....with only 120k miles on her she got alot of life left ahead...

 

manny tranny SR5 or auto? Opinions vary which tranny is better for towing but the strawberry milkshake issue regrading tranny cooling is significant if you are an auto. Tranny cooler would be a sound investment whether you tow or not.

I am with wyo9, a Runner would not be my first choice for a tow vehicle but you sound like you have done a bit of towing before.

Tongue weight is important. I am guiding people to the Off-Road Adventure issue just out (may issue) that sums up a lot of towing issues. Electric brake controller most helpful. Equalized load hitch... a lot of issues here.

Presuming your ride to be a real Runner meaning 4wdrive to engage fronts when rear wheels dip into water to launch that new craft.

10 minutes to the lake and back once a year no problemo, every weekend would be significantly different risks.