jigga27

I need to take a motorcycle from Washington to Oklahoma and back. I was thinking about renting a UHAUL trailer for about $150 each way. But found this instead, http://www.mototote.com for $350. I have a 1990 4Runner SR5 3.0 V6 with a tongue weight limit of 350lbs (350lbs safely). I need to be able to put 455lbs (bike and carrier) on it. Can I get away with this, without killing my truck or myself? What are the consequences if any? Any help appreciated. And whats up with the drastic change in towing capacities between 1989 (5,000lbs) and 1990 (3,500)?

Dr. Zhivago

Exceeding the tongue is dangerous because it causes directional control problems. If you leave the roadway during an accident, it most likely won't be with you facing the direction you are traveling. The rear becomes too pendulous. Also, if you still have the stock springs in the rear, you will be really nose high with that much tongue weight.

The newer trucks have higher tow capacities because they are larger and have more powerful engines.

Hope this helps.
G

jacksonpt

Dr. Z is exactly right. Structurally you're probably fine, but it will get very hard to handle/manage/control if things get sketchy. Try to get the weight centered over the axle on the trailer as much as possible (or even behind the axle)... this will help reduce some of the tongue weight.

foxtrapper

I've done a fair amount of towing, including some rather heavy overloads.

Can you do it? Yes, you probably can. Should you do it? That's a little more grey.

The truck isn't going to promptly point its nose straight into the air and go swinging wildly into a ditch. But, it is going to be lighter in the nose, more prone to swaying, and load up the rear tires a good bit.

If you're carefull, and drive cautiously, you'll probably be fine with the overloading.

Couple of other options for you are the use of a front wheel dolly for motorcycles. Costs about the same.

Another notion is the $250 or so trailers you buy at Home Depot and such. They will hold the motorcycle just fine, as well other things. Trailers are darn handy imo. If you don't want it when you're done, sell it. You can get most of your money back on the sale if it's in good shape.

As for why the newer rigs have lower tow capacity, they completely changed the rig. The old 4-runner was based on the truck, which was very stout. The newer one wasn't designed to be stout, it was designed to be comfortable.

jigga27

What is a front wheel dolly and where can I find one? That Home Depot idea aint bad. Thanks for the info everybody.

foxtrapper

A picture being worth a thousand words...




http://www.motorcycleramps.com/motorcycle_caddy.htm

SHINYSIDEUP

I'd go with a front wheel dolly over the crossways one. I bought a used utility trailer out of the Want Advertiser for $275. with the front tire hoop already on it. It works great and if I needed to sell it I could do it in a second for probably what I paid for it. Your gonna need ratcheting tie downs, available at the Home Depot for $15. for 4. Also I would recommend some type of lock (cable) to keep your motorcycle from disappearing if you stop overnight. Don't forget to lock the trailer hitch. One more thing, don't put a standard cover on the bike while trailering it, the wind buffeting the cover will scratch up your bike. Good luck.

Phil

Interesting. But is it wise to pull on the front wheel like that?

Glenn

I don't see why it wouldn't be. The front wheel and fork sees a lot more stress braking, cornering, etc.

foxtrapper

Never heard of a problem with the front end end doing this.

calamaridog

Buy a cheap trailer from Harbor Freight and get the motorcycle accessory.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...441&pricetype=

sportJr

FYI...
The tongue weight is just that, the weight of the tongue when loaded, not the gross weight of the load. Your bike and carrier are 450+ only if the wheels are in the very rear of the Carrier. If your bike is loaded on so the weight of the bike is on the wheels of the carrier, then the tounge weight will only be around 100lbs or so. The way to tell is load it on, and pick up the tongue with one hand. If you can do this with little effort you will be fine. A properly loaded trailer will ballance it self out almost. I prefer a bit of weight to the rear of the trailer because when you brake, Weight shifts forward due to momentem, not from load shift. I had 15, 10 foot long rail road ties, (about 350lbs each) on a trailer and pulled it on the ball of a nissan pickup. Pulling is not the problem, Its the stopping.
You should be fine if ya follow these little words of advice, and have lots of gas money cause I got a 91 and that would cost some serious coin in mine.