4Runner as tow vehicle for 19'

[T&R]

Brian B-P, you totally missed my point which is evident because you're continuing to compare turbocharged engines against non-turbocharged engines.

[GRINGOandTICA]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

It's sad that you find joy in other peoples misfortune.

tow trucks are a thing of the past, every service station use to own one. Talk to a tow truck driver and ask him what brands he hardly ever tows. As for joy, I call it internet sarcasm.

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by GRINGOandTICA

tow trucks are a thing of the past, every service station use to own one. Talk to a tow truck driver and ask him what brands he hardly ever tows. As for joy, I call it internet sarcasm.

You can call it whatever name suits your purpose.

[Norseman]

Getting back to Erik. After 25 years plus as a Heavy Duty Mech the first thing is how much time it will be towing. At the end of the day its weight to power. I don’t want to above 70% max on the capabilities of the engine. My V8 4Runner pulls at 2500 rpm on the flats and 3300ish up a 6%er, red line is 5200. The motor will be on the road a long time. You can put all the stuff you want on a small motor, turbo, chips, pipes, spin it at 5000rpm and it will do the job. The but is how long will it last and how much of a beating will you get at the pump. Diesel’s and all about torque, you want to doctor it you for speed and the life to the next expensive rebuild will be short. Keep it stock with clean oil and it will it will still be pulling long after a couple of rebuilds on a high spinner. We will pay one way or the other if we try to cheat on trying to get away to cheap..

[Jubal]

Originally Posted by Norseman

Getting back to Erik. After 25 years plus as a Heavy Duty Mech the first thing is how much time it will be towing. At the end of the day its weight to power. I don’t want to above 70% max on the capabilities of the engine. My V8 4Runner pulls at 2500 rpm on the flats and 3300ish up a 6%er, red line is 5200. The motor will be on the road a long time. You can put all the stuff you want on a small motor, turbo, chips, pipes, spin it at 5000rpm and it will do the job. The but is how long will it last and how much of a beating will you get at the pump. Diesel’s and all about torque, you want to doctor it you for speed and the life to the next expensive rebuild will be short. Keep it stock with clean oil and it will it will still be pulling long after a couple of rebuilds on a high spinner. We will pay one way or the other if we try to cheat on trying to get away to cheap..

Accurate information !!

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by T&R

Brian B-P, you totally missed my point which is evident because you're continuing to compare turbocharged engines against non-turbocharged engines.

I don't think he missed it. Comparing a higher displacement engine (turbocharged) to a lower displacement engine (also turbocharged) for the sole purpose of determining which has the most HP is not the exercise. He's simply pointing out that there ARE viable 'replacements' for displacement alone, like turbocharging. My 2.7L Ecoboost has solved the towing capacity, HP and torque conundrum by turbocharging, so that it performs like a V8 and doesn't have to be one. I fail to see why that doesn't make sense, but to each his own.

[GRINGOandTICA]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

You can call it whatever name suits your purpose.

What attracted me to fiberglass TT was the true lite weight of them. I passed on the Airstream dream, which is how this all started for me. You can call it other's misfortune or lack of caring for their vehicle.

One of the most impressive things I saw this ride out West was a big diesel pusher changing a flat on the side of the road during sunset. He looked to have every proper tool at 65mph. That impact gun was spinning.

I'm more of a traveler than a camper.

[erikcampbell]

The 2016 4Runners now tow at a capacity of 5,000lbs vs the 4700lbs...is it worth it for me to wait to get the 2016 or get a good deal on the 2015? What do you think about the 300lbs towing difference?

[Bill and Earline]

Originally Posted by erikcampbell

The 2016 4Runners now tow at a capacity of 5,000lbs vs the 4700lbs...is it worth it for me to wait to get the 2016 or get a good deal on the 2015? What do you think about the 300lbs towing difference?

If you Google "2015 4Runner owner's manual" you will be able to open the entire 524 page owner's manual and read at page 456 that the 2015 is rated at 5000 lbs.

Not sure what may change in 2016. Hope this helps.

[soultrek]

Originally Posted by erikcampbell

The 2016 4Runners now tow at a capacity of 5,000lbs vs the 4700lbs...is it worth it for me to wait to get the 2016 or get a good deal on the 2015? What do you think about the 300lbs towing difference?

I'm guessing it's a data change, not a performance change. If that's a bad guess, then I wouldn't be concerned with a 300lb difference. My 2011 is rated for 5000lbs; and, as stated in post #8, I wouldn't hesitate to tow a 19 - at least initially.

[crnelson]

I have been researching tow vehicles for our 21, due date May 15th...I really like the 4runner and I called toyota to find out about tow weight...they stopped making the V8 sport that could tow 5,000 plus a few years ago, the dealership was even surprised that the V6 only pulled 4200...back to the drawing board for us...Lexus 460 or 470 used or 2014 durango...don't want truck.

[erikcampbell]

Originally Posted by crnelson

I have been researching tow vehicles for our 21, due date May 15th...I really like the 4runner and I called toyota to find out about tow weight...they stopped making the V8 sport that could tow 5,000 plus a few years ago, the dealership was even surprised that the V6 only pulled 4200...back to the drawing board for us...Lexus 460 or 470 used or 2014 durango...don't want truck.

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

If you Google "2015 4Runner owner's manual" you will be able to open the entire 524 page owner's manual and read at page 456 that the 2015 is rated at 5000 lbs.

Not sure what may change in 2016. Hope this helps.

I looked up the manual and you're right about what it says. But if you google towing capacity of a 2015 4Runner it says it's @ 4,700lbs.

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by crnelson

I have been researching tow vehicles for our 21, due date May 15th...I really like the 4runner and I called toyota to find out about tow weight...they stopped making the V8 sport that could tow 5,000 plus a few years ago, the dealership was even surprised that the V6 only pulled 4200...back to the drawing board for us...Lexus 460 or 470 used or 2014 durango...don't want truck.

I thought about a Lexus 460. But the rear door is a 'barn door' with the hinges on the right side of the vehicle. So it wouldn't open while one is hitched up. Also, it requires premium gas.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by GRINGOandTICA

One of the most impressive things I saw this ride out West was a big diesel pusher changing a flat on the side of the road during sunset. He looked to have every proper tool at 65mph. That impact gun was spinning.

I would be impressed, too. My lighter motorhome didn't even come with a spare, because the owner would not be reasonably expected to be able to jack the vehicle up, loosen the wheel nuts, lift the huge wheels and tires, and get the nuts tight enough again. The assumption is that we would call for a service truck if we ever have a tire failure.

Lighter can certainly mean more manageable.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by crnelson

I have been researching tow vehicles for our 21, due date May 15th...I really like the 4runner and I called toyota to find out about tow weight...they stopped making the V8 sport that could tow 5,000 plus a few years ago, the dealership was even surprised that the V6 only pulled 4200...back to the drawing board for us...Lexus 460 or 470 used or 2014 durango...don't want truck.

Did the "surprised" dealer look in the manual?

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

If you Google "2015 4Runner owner's manual" you will be able to open the entire 524 page owner's manual and read at page 456 that the 2015 is rated at 5000 lbs.

Originally Posted by erikcampbell

I looked up the manual and you're right about what it says. But if you google towing capacity of a 2015 4Runner it says it's @ 4,700lbs.

Google doesn't provide any information, only links to pages that seem to match your search parameters. Whatever the source found with the assistance of a Google search, if it isn't Toyota it doesn't matter much what they say.

I did a Google search for "towing capacity of a 2015 4Runner" (in Canada, so results are selected for Canada), and the first match (a paid ad) points to Toyota Canada's 4Runner page, which includes capacity specs that include

Towing Capacity kg (lbs)
2,268 (5,000)

That manual, of course, is an even better source.

I don't know where the incorrect 4700 pound value comes from - perhaps Edmunds - but it seems irrelevant to me.

[Bill and Earline]

Originally Posted by erikcampbell

I looked up the manual and you're right about what it says. But if you google towing capacity of a 2015 4Runner it says it's @ 4,700lbs.

I just read one of their brochures on-line. The Limited 4x4 is listed at 4700. The Limited in 2wd is 5000. Others are at 4900 and 5000 depending, apparently on the weight of the options, and the brochure did mention compliance with the new test standard.

Any weight of passengers and load in the tow vehicle count, too.

I've been pleased with the ability of our 4Runner towing our 21, but I've got my eye out for the upcomimg Titan Diesel or maybe a Ram 1500 Eco-diesel, and then there's always the Ford Eco-Boost, which can be had in an SUV as well as the F150.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by LeonW

I thought about a Lexus 460. But the rear door is a 'barn door' with the hinges on the right side of the vehicle. So it wouldn't open while one is hitched up. Also, it requires premium gas.

I assume you mean GX 460; the LS 460 is a sedan.

Since the spare tire is not on the rear door of the GX, I'm surprised that the door is side-hinged.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

I just read one of their brochures on-line. The Limited 4x4 is listed at 4700. The Limited in 2wd is 5000. Others are at 4900 and 5000 depending, apparently on the weight of the options...

Good find - I eventually got to the same brochure. This reinforces the importance of looking at the specific vehicle considered.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by T&R

Brian B-P, you totally missed my point which is evident because you're continuing to compare turbocharged engines against non-turbocharged engines.

I do understand your point, which was that turbocharged and non-turbocharged (normally aspirated is the technical term) cannot be compared. I just respectfully disagree (and I explained why) - boost is pretty good substitute for displacement. Having a different opinion is allowed, you know...

[LeonW]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I assume you mean GX 460; the LS 460 is a sedan.

Since the spare tire is not on the rear door of the GX, I'm surprised that the door is side-hinged.

Right, I was referring to the GX460