4Runner Tow Vehicle

[Longboard6]

Will my 2006 Toyota 4Runner adequately tow 2015 23FB Flying Cloud. It has 7000 lb tow rating.

[SteveSueMac]

Welcome. There are lots of threads here about tow vehicles so I'll give a few thoughts but please do a comprehensive search for better advice :-)

First - have you checked out the Tacoma forum here: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tow...ing-bible.html

Some good info there.

Second - what do you have for specs on your trailer? I think the Safari 23fb is around 5000# dry so maybe 6000+ loaded for camping? If the Tacoma is rated for 7000# you might be ok with that...

Is your Tacoma upgraded with a Tow Package or other upgrades (e.g., bigger brakes, transmission cooler, brake controller, etc.)?

Good luck!

(On edit - you're talking about a different TV - same principles apply - just apply them to your actual vehicle :-) ).

[Road Ruler]

L6.... You can learn a lot about the 4runner in post #11 here......

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f353...ner-75201.html

As you can see by that post the "tow rating" has very little to do with how well a vehicle can tow or handle a trailer.

[2Fast4U]

No.

[ckottum]

Five years ago we met a retired couple who pulled their Airstream 25' Safari throughout most of the U.S. including Alaska with their 4Runner 4.7 V8. They had installed a stronger hitch receiver and Hensley hitch.

They were happy with it and inspired us to buy a 25' Airstream using our 2006 Tundra 4.7 V8 for it, they worked very well together.

We now have a larger Airstream and different truck, but seen them this winter in traveling in Arizona. They still have the same Airstream and 4Runner. Their success is in the hitch setup and, knowing them, conservative and sensible driving.

cheryl

[Rich W]

I pull a 2006 Safari 23' (4700 lb GVWR) with my 2004 4Runner V8 with no problem at all. since you say you have the 7,000 towing capacity I'm guessing you have the 4WD and V8 also. If you have the towing package you shouldn't have any issues. I have the Equalizer hitch. The towing package includes various upgrades, including the HD transmission cooler, HD frame hitch and brake controller wiring just above the emergency brake pedal.

The 4Runner handles the trailer very well, nice ride, but the mirrors don't extend quite far enough. I haven't found any mirrors that will fit or work without vibrating except for McKesh. My wife doesn't like how they look on the TV so we still use the Camco mirrors. The convex on the right is OK but the flat one on the left has a bad vibration. I may get another convex.

I think you'll be pleased at how well it will tow.

[paiceman]

Longboard is yours a V6 or V8. If it's an 8 I don't see much of an issue. If it's a 6 you could probably get away with it, but would not be very happy. We have a 2015 V6 and its really under powered. We do not tow with it at all, like it very much, but under powered and a gas hog.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by Longboard6

Will my 2006 Toyota 4Runner adequately tow 2015 23FB Flying Cloud. It has 7000 lb tow rating.

Hey there L6..... what are your thoughts at this point? Has the forum info helped you with your question? Luv to hear your feedback.

[KJRitchie]

I used a 2005 4Runner 4.7L 2x4 to tow my 17' Casita but no way would I have used it to tow my 25fb. We replaced it with a 2010 Tundra.

Kelvin

[jpons]

I have been towing a 20 footer special edition safari (5,000 lbs) with my 05 v6 4Runner for 3 years now and have been very happy. Last summer took a 5 week trip from ME to MT and back and did fine. Only had an issue when towing up a steep hill and going very slow (because of traffic) my transmission overheated, so I had to pull off for 10 minutes to let it cool. A tranny cooler is super easy to install and fixed the issue.

-J


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

I used a 2005 4Runner 4.7L 2x4 to tow my 17' Casita but no way would I have used it to tow my 25fb. We replaced it with a 2010 Tundra.

Kelvin

How come, Kelvin? What problems did you experience?

[KJRitchie]

I never tried. My experience with the 4Runner and Casita was good but hitting some interstate grades between Sheridan, Wy and Billings, MT with the Casita in tow I had to shift to 3rd gear to maintain 55mph and that was with 3 people, cargo behind the passenger seat and 3500lbs of Casita in tow. My 25fb is twice as heavy and a bigger profile so I opted to go for a longer and wider wheel based tow vehicle.

Another reason to go with a truck was to store some larger items my wife wanted to get such as folding reclining chairs which I couldn't put in the 4runner without putting the rear seats down. Now we've got an inflatable kayak and its accessories and a 200w portable solar panel. Maybe a Honda 2000w generator in the future.

Possibly if we'd gone with a 20' or a 23' Airstream we might have kept the 4Runner to try it out but once we settled on the 25fb it just didn't feel comfortable to me to even try to tow it with my 4Runner. My 25fb has a 1100 hitch weight compared to our Casita's 420lbs. Also my 4Runner was approaching 70k miles and I was starting to think I needed the timing belt changed soon which was about a $1000 job from reading around the forums.

Kelvin

[Rich W]

I think an 1100 lb. hitch weight is over the limit for the 4Runner. I've had to drop to 3rd a couple of times coming through the Tennessee mountains but it doesn't drop below 55. Handling has been good, even up to 70 with heavy truck traffic.

I agree on the Tundra, that's what we have talked about if we get a larger trailer. None of the Toyota SUV's go over about 8,000 towing capacity. You need to move up to the pickup.

I think the 90K maintenance includes the timing belt and other major things that need to be done. I'm at 75K now and I need to confirm before our next long trip.

[KJRitchie]

Toyota recommends 90k or a certain number of years which ever comes first. If the timing belt fails the engine is ruined. The Tundra has a different design and doesn't require the same maintenance.

Kelvin

[Longboard6]

Gee, you bring up a point I had not considered. How did you come by this info? I'm do for the 90K service this summer. Is your info common knowledge with the Toyota service people? Thanks again,
Longboard6

[Longboard6]

I checked 90K service on my 4Runner and found they replace timing belt. I will check on the water pump issue as well as idler cable (which I believe is loose). Thanks for cluing me in on this aspect.

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Toyota recommends 90k or a certain number of years which ever comes first. If the timing belt fails the engine is ruined. The Tundra has a different design and doesn't require the same maintenance.
Kelvin

The 4.7L V8 is an interference engine so you don't want to take a chance on a belt breaking. 90K or 9 years, whichever comes first. It would definitely be expensive. The 4.7L was used in the 03-05 4Runner. Not sure if the 06 had a V8. The Tundra uses the same 4.7L. They are all interference engines so you should follow the required maintenance schedule. Please see attachment for the 2006 Tundra 4.7L V8

You can use the tool at the Gates site to see if your engine is interference.
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