Hi all,
I have a 2000 4Runner Sr5. 124K miles. Has the hitch but don't think it came from the factory w/the tow package. No trans cooler.
Now it has been just fine for pulling my single jetski on trailer or 2 jetskis on double trailer.
I'm looking at buying a car in FL and it will need to be trailered back.
My gut tells me not to push the 4Runner and attempt to use it to pull the car back. It would be on a rented UHaul trailer.
Wanted to get the thoughts of other owners before making the final decision.

Thanks,
Mike

 

I'm not sure how far you plan on towing, but in all honesty, unless you're towing a Smart car or a Mini I wouldn't do it. if the trailer weighs 1000-1500 lbs and the car weighs 3000 lbs +, then you're looking at being at the maximum of the 3.4 liter. I hated pulling 2 motorcycles behind mine, and vowed to never do it again. If you don't have a transcooler then you'll really be on thin ice as far as reliability/longevity goes.

 

I'd be pulling it back about 6 hours. Thanks for the thoughts. I was pretty much assuming I shouldn't do it but wanted to make sure! I figure for $300 or so I can rent a Turbo Diesel Dullie from Armada Vans and know I won't have any issues. I rent one in the past before I had my 4Runner and it was an awesome tow vehicle. Would much rather spend $300 then do damage to the 4Runner b/c I love the 4Runner so much!!

What about pulling a 21foot open bow boat with my 4Runner? Have not done it or tried it yet but may run across that line in about 60 days. I'm guessing it would weight as much as the car might. Wouldn't be pulling it more than 15 miles but I would have to get it up one steepe hill. I can always have one of the local dock companies move it for about $50 and that might just be the way to go.

Mike

 

You should be fine. I have a 16ft open bow, and its pretty light. I can pull it easily with my wife's Rav-4 4cy. My buddy use to have a ~21ft open bow and he pulled it around with his 4cy Tacoma just fine.

A set of air shocks will help out a lot if you plan on towing regularly.

 

Somthing like this?

I only pulled it a few miles at a top speed of 40mph. You can feel the weight back there. I wouldn't tow this for 6 hours. I would spend the $300 for the truck. "You can pay me now or you can pay me later."

 

If you are gonna pull it often why not get a tranny cooler?

 

I wouldnt do it, stopping will be your issues not really puling it. I would rent a truck to tow it.

Very least an F150.

 

I pulled a Rav4 on a 680 kg trailer (1500 lbs) for about 75kms once (about 46 miles) and was able to take it past a 100 Km/h (about 62 mph) - only thing I was really worried about was my brakes not being able to handle the extra weight, but it was fine. A bit slow on the up hill but whatever.

Not sure I'd want to do that for 6 hours though, you'd have to stop every 1.5-2 hrs to fill up your gas and let your engine and tranny cool down.

 

i would borrow or rent a real truck

 

Thanks for all the responses.

When a pulled another car about 2 years ago I rented a Dodge Ram Dullie from Armada Vans. Was a great tow vehicle. I think Armada has gone out of business so I may have to rent a cargo van from UHaul with a hitch. Can't seem to find any other local places that rent trucks with hitches. I guess worse case I can drive down and inspect the car and then pay a car hauler to bring it to GA.

Mike

 

You might want to try home depot or lowes, I know the one's in my area rent trucks out

 

I towed my 81 2by on a tow dolly behind my 3.0v6 for 13hrs from stockton CA to portland OR. both the 4runner and the truck was loaded with crap. it gutless in the mt. pass but did it. i'd get a tranny cooler and rent a tow dolly (not full trailer) if possible and tow it with the 4runner...