I need to tow a car (~3000lbs) with a trailer (~2000lbs).

The problem is I've got a 97 4Runner V6 4x4.

I read the manual and it says I should not exceed 5000 lbs. total weight of the towed load (okay, check). The kicker is it also says I should also not exceed the 9200 lbs total weight of the truck (5250lbs) + the trailer + the load.

5250 truck
2000 trailer
3000 load
= 10250 lbs

What should I do?

 

A 4runner doesn't weigh 5250.

 

A simple search reveals a wealth of information...

https://www.yotatech.com/search.php?searchid=939551

No way a 4Runner weighs more than 4500...

 

I bet the runner weighs 4200. How far do you have to go? Doable but talk about pucker factor! If it is across town, or less than 100 miles maaaaaaybe, cross country, that is a different story.

I was told once you never want the trailer+load to weigh more than the tow rig.

 

Apparently I was looking at the door jamb GVWR of 5250lbs....not the real weight of the truck.

Yea, sounds like I will be on the border.

Keep in mind, this truck does not have a trans cooler (no towing package from the factory).

Going about 75 miles or so one-way.

 

I would check into shipping the car. It might be less than renting a trailer. I have shipped a car from San Francisco to South Carolina for less than $700. So 75 miles should be a drop in the bucket if they will ship that short of distance.Maybe rent a truck for the tow? If it were me, I wouldn't chance it with my daily driver.

 

The 3rd gen 4runners are around 4000 lbs. curb weight. Some a little lighter, some a little heavier, depending on model, and options.

I have a friend that tows a boat that weighs almost 6000 lbs., and they have towed that weight long distances, 300+ miles each way, with no problems.

I wouldn't have any qualms about towing that car/trailer combo. Just use common sense, and remember that stopping distances will be longer, and it won't handle as well.

 

*ahem* 2nd gen checking in at 4920lbs and I have the weight slip.

But I have a ton of gear in it, so I agree. I'd guess factory curb weight is around 4300 or so though. I'd imagine a 3rd gen to be near 4000, not 5000+

 

I had a 99 Tacoma 4x4 5speed. I towed a Honda Civic which is around 2300 lbs and a trailer which was 1800 from Sacramento to Los Angeles area. I did not have a problem. If i still had the truck, i would not hesitate to do it again.

 

Well... not without a load equalizing hitch and trailer brakes anyway. The world is full of 10,000 + lb travel trailers being pulled with 5500 lb pickups...

 

total agreement.

 

I towed a 4,000 # car/trailer combo for some 25K miles with my '98 LTD 4WD. The 'Runner was entirely stock - no added coolers. It mostly went very well. Some recommendations:

-Don't even think about doing this unless the trailer has working brakes. The brakes on your 'Runner are massively overwhelmed by an additional 4,000# load and will fade to uselessness when descending long and/or steep grades. If you have to tow down a long/steep grade, slow way down first and downshift to first or second gear. Ideally, you should descend grades in a gear that will make it unnecessary to use the brakes to maintain your speed.

-Position the car on the trailer so that the tongue weight is about 500# (10% of the total). The rear of the 'Runner should settle 1" - 2" or so, not much more or less, when the trailer is dropped onto the hitch ball.

-Tow with overdrive off. This locks out 4th gear, which will prevent the torque converter from running unlocked for long periods. This is important to avoid overheating the tranny, and is a Toyota recommendation.

- Make wide turns and allow at least twice the usual distance between you and the car ahead.

-Remember you'll be operating right at the maximum recommended tow weight (or maybe a little more). Take it easy. 60 is a good maximum speed on Interstates.

Good luck.