Safely towing 5000lb trailer?

I have a 2011 Limited 4runner and I need to tow a boat 1200 miles. The boat and Trailer are right at the 5000lb spec towing limit. I am concerned I will do damage to the vehicle or create a safety issue. Looking for any advice...

 

Load the 4Runner as lightly as possible.

Tow in S4, even S3 on any steep inclines.

Keep your speed at or below 65 MPH.

Otherwise, my only concern would be tongue weight. Tongue weight is usually 10-15% of the trailer's overall weight, so you might be over the 500# limit there.

 

Is your concern with the overall payload on the vehicle or the tongue breaking?

 

So does anybody know if a Weight Distribution Hitch would held considering I am going to be at the 5000lb towing limit and 500lb tongue weight limit?

 

I'm not sure what the exact consequences would be. For one, it would sag a lot, and take weight off of the front tires.

Do you know what the tongue weight is?

 

unfortunatly no. I assume in the 10 to 15% of the tow weight category.

 

It could, but now you're adding more tongue weight.

 

I havent towed much, but I’d be checking all the details and planning this out well. Maybe even having things weighed.

Thatbassguys’s advice on speed is important. This is not a trip to go fast on. Listen to what the vehicle is telling you it can do, not what you think it should do. Stop regularly to check condition of the trailer tires and your tires, etc. Im amazed at how some people tow in such a carefree manner at such high speeds. It’s like they’ve never watched youtube crash videos lol

This is a long trip, so you should
also really plan out what to when a trailer tire blows out, and be prepared for multiple if you have old tires

 

You are assuming your tongue weight is within the 10 - 15.

Need to find out what you are actually at.

 

I plan to stay at the 55 mph, not trying to rush. I have allocated 3 full days for the trip so I do not rush. I also plan to take the boat on the trailer to a weigh station so I can be sure of the weight. I figure from that I will know the range of the tongue weight. The last time I towed it I did not feel like the 4runner was being pulled down in back that much. The tires are in good shape and I have a spare. I checked tire bearings/grease and they look good. Surge breaks seem to be operating well also. Any other advice you would give me??

 

Question: With respect to the Trailer and 4 Runner tires, I have been told in the past that the trailer tire pressure should be at the max to keep the steel belts from shifting and creating heat. I assume the same would be true for the 4runner. So does anyone know if that is true in both cases?

 

It sounds like you have a good plan. Taking your sweet time is the best way!

I'm curious about the actual weight of the boat. If it didn't feel bad in the past, maybe it's not quite as heavy as you think.

What kind of boat?

 

This is true for the trailer tires. It is not true for the 4Runner tires, though. I'd run them at your regular daily pressure, or what the door says. I could see bumping the rears up a few PSI for the extra weight, but not much.

 

If taking it to the scale do this.

https://www.curtmfg.com/trailer-parts/couplers/learn-more

 

The boat is a Harris 22' Triton.
Great article (thanks) on how to figure out the Tongue weight. I will do that when I weight it in the next few days.
Ok on the tire pressure. I am most concerned about the tires. I plan to check the heat of all the tires every hundred miles or so, more often in the beginning.

 

Things I'd do (or have already one):

• install helper air bags on rear springs
• buy a scale and confirm acceptable tongue weight (IMPORTANT)
• use S4 gear to avoid transmission hunting chaos
• go 55-60mph
• buy an OBDII plug in and app for phone to check on trans temps first couple runs
• install a GOOD proportional brake controller
• buy the right stinger/ball to ensure trailer sitting level
• make SURE trailer brakes, wheel bearings, tires are in good repair (IMPORTANT)
• run additional 3-4psi pressure in rear tires when towing to account for increased load
• take a short test journey or two before setting off for a leisure day (don't waste your free time on mechanical hassles)

Jason

 

Not to be a Debbie Downer but I’ve towed for many years and it is my belief that manufacturers come up with their tow rating with a naked anorexic driver on dead flat roads. I have towed at the limit and will never do it again. No more than 80% of the rating for myself.

 

I'm going to disagree here. I tow my 22' boat regularly and have worked at a marina for 30+ years towing just about everything you can think of. I've never, ever heard that running a trailer tire at maximum pressure "keeps the steel belts from shifting." If that were indeed true, what about the steel belts in your truck tires? Besides, if you inflate your trailer tires to maximum pressure when they're cold, what's going to happen when they warm up and the pressure goes up even more?

If you want my 2 cents based on all of my years of experience, run the trailer (and truck) tires at the recommended - not maximum - pressure. You'll be just fine.

 

Trailer tires are designed to be run at maximum psi, measured cold. It doesn't matter if they gain pressure when you drive. That's why it says "cold" on the sidewall next to the maximum pressure.

You're right about truck tires, though. They should be inflated to the pressure recommended in the door jamb, or the properly adjusted pressure if one changes size or load range.

 

My bad. Sorry. I mixed up the trailer tire maximum pressure with passenger / truck tire maximum pressures. On the trailer tire, you're spot on. On truck / passenger tires, the maximum pressure should almost never be run.

 

And, I've heard of folks running the maximum pressure on their vehicles!

Sometimes due to misunderstanding, and sometimes in order to save fuel. Nothing like significantly reducing tread life and traction to squeeze out an extra .2 MPG.

 

Perhaps I’m too late. Here is my 2,200 mile journey with ~4,050 lbs and a ‘16 SR5. Maybe it will help you. Otherwise, I hope everything went well!

https://www.4runners.com/threads/mo...ht-over-2-200-miles-to-utah-first-post.27121/