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Towing 4000lbs?

Discussion in 'Towing' started by bacegarage, Mar 8, 2016.

  1. Mar 8, 2016 at 2:03 PM
    #1
    bacegarage

    bacegarage [OP] New Member

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    hi. can someone please provide some info on the towing capacity of the 2016 4runner?
    My 4runner is all stock. I saw that it can tow up to 5000lbs but when I had a weekend trip to mammoth I put a hitch rack with some stuff on it and my rear suspension sagged. I just got a 24 footer boat and it weighs below 4000lbs. Anyone know if the 4runner with stock suspension can handle towing a boat?

    Thanks
     
  2. Mar 9, 2016 at 6:58 AM
    #2
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    since the weight is within the capacity yes it can. the sagging will come from tongue weight, not overall weight, so if the load is distributed properly you shouldnt have any issues.
     
  3. Mar 12, 2016 at 8:49 PM
    #3
    bacegarage

    bacegarage [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. Does the 4runner have the trailer break assist?
     
  4. Mar 13, 2016 at 2:48 PM
    #4
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    not from the factory, you can get a wiring kit and a trailer brake controller and have it set up in less than 2 hours
     
  5. Mar 27, 2016 at 11:19 AM
    #5
    jpachard

    jpachard New Member

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    Just to be clear, your 2016 has the wiring all set for a brake controller. The connector is located in the drivers footwell, just behind the e-brake pedal. You should have the pigtail with a connector located in your gloves too. Once you purchase a brake controller( I went with a prodigy) you can just wire it up per the instructions and you should be all set.

    Cheers, James
     
    Kyblack76 and jr15642 like this.
  6. Mar 27, 2016 at 5:45 PM
    #6
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    the 2016's do? thats nice cause i had to buy a harness from toyota in order to wire mine up to a brake controller
     
  7. Mar 27, 2016 at 5:52 PM
    #7
    jpachard

    jpachard New Member

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    Yes, I just picked my 2016 up last week and the pigtail with the connector to hook into the other connector in the footwell was in my glovebox. I just attached the prodigy and the trailer brakes worked like a charm.
     
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  8. Mar 27, 2016 at 5:54 PM
    #8
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    nice!
     
  9. Dec 21, 2016 at 10:23 AM
    #9
    KYBubblehead

    KYBubblehead New Member

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    None yet - just got it :)
    So the '16's are prewired? I have an '04 I've not looked yet, but did older ones come prewired as well?
     
  10. Jun 3, 2018 at 1:03 AM
    #10
    jr15642

    jr15642 New Member

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    I keep seeing this in reference to the '16, does this apply to all 5th gens? I have a 2012
     
  11. Jun 3, 2018 at 7:12 AM
    #11
    Kyblack76

    Kyblack76 New Member

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    Man... I wouldn't tow 400lbs with this thing. Probably sits in 3rd gear all day, getting ya 6mpg while doing it. Just me, but, Im even tripping a bit, hauling some camping gear in it it, here in the future. Love my yota, but my god it's a turd, power wise. Just me...
     
  12. Mar 9, 2019 at 11:27 AM
    #12
    herscman

    herscman New Member

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    You might want to do some research on weight distributing hitches. It will help out with the sagging problem and will improve overall control while towing. They are not all that expensive and once you get used to hooking up, it's no big deal.
     
  13. Apr 16, 2019 at 5:00 PM
    #13
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    With a Tekonsha brake control you can have it set up in about 15 minutes.
     
  14. Apr 16, 2019 at 5:05 PM
    #14
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    They make single spring bar Load distributing hitches for 400# tongue weight 4000# trailer weight. In 2006 I bought one for my 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona and it worked great.

    [​IMG]

    I used it with my 2016 Highlander and will use it with my 2019 $Runner.
     
  15. May 29, 2019 at 9:43 AM
    #15
    4yoda2018

    4yoda2018 New Member

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    Look up ride rite by firestone airbags. They work great for sagging rear end while your towing
     
  16. May 29, 2019 at 11:39 AM
    #16
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    Using a load distributing hitch will shift some weight to the front axle. Much better/safer option than beefing up the rear. LD hitch will improve steering and front wheel braking under low traction conditions. Air bags on the rear won't do that.
     
  17. May 29, 2019 at 12:39 PM
    #17
    4yoda2018

    4yoda2018 New Member

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    The bags are to compensate for sagging, even with a distribution hitch you will still sag in the rear. There is still weight being distributed on the 4Runner hitch. Don’t get wrong a good distribution hitch will help. I would also recommend looking for a distribution hitch that has anti sway due to the short wheel base of the 4Runner.
     
  18. May 29, 2019 at 2:11 PM
    #18
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    In over 25 years of towing with a Pontiac Transport, Chevy Trailblazer, Dodge Durango, 2006 Dodge Charger Daytona, 2005 Ram Power Wagon, and Toyota Highlander, the only time I had sway problems was when I filled my freshwater tank with 30 gallons of water located just behind the front end of the trailer. The added 300#+ on the front made for a bit if imbalance. A properly balanced and LEVELED trailer doesn't need a sway bar. A sway bar is a band-aide for a poorly set up tow rig.

    If you are still sagging in the rear you have also NOT set up your LD hitch properly. The hitch is to be setup so that the front AND rear suspension compress equally. That is done by measuring the unladen distance of the fender well openings from the ground and then comparing the loaded distance. Both front and rear should decrease equally. When I setup my 2006 Dodge Charger for the light duty LD hitch I actually had to change the setup as my front suspension compressed more than the rear did.

    A 4000# trailer should have no more than 400# tongue weight. The 4Runner should have no problem taking that much tongue weight with a properly sized and setup LD hitch.
     
  19. May 29, 2019 at 2:17 PM
    #19
    4yoda2018

    4yoda2018 New Member

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    Got a 3k lbs trailer with a 480 lb dry tongue weight.
     
  20. May 29, 2019 at 6:52 PM
    #20
    powerwagon896

    powerwagon896 New Member

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    Then you have a poorly designed trailer.
     
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