I understand Lexus GX470 will have a dealer installed hitch available to bring tow capacity up to 6500lb. Will Toyota do the same for the 4Runner? I Believe they are built on the same frame. Any Info would be appreciated.
The '03 4Runners have a factory receiver that is built into the frame and is integrated into the rear bumper. I'm pretty sure that the towing capacity is 5000lbs, but I'd need to double check my manual to be 100% sure.
Originally posted by Sequoia2003 Thank you for giving great advise. Just saw some idiot on Interstate 5 here in WA in a Tacoma towing a 6000lb + 5th wheel camper.
Thats funny cause I see old people in Buicks and Town cars towing trailers that shadow the cars
The 4Runner should tow more than 5000 lbs easy. The problem is Toyota used a lousy hitch design for packaging purposes. The hitch is attached to the bumper and then to the frame rather than directly to the frame.
You can get a custom hitch made that attachs directly to the frame, but then you will have to remove your spare wheel since the new hitch will get in the way. I would say mount the spare wheel on the rear tail gate with a kit.
I wonder how the GX470's 6500 lbs hitch is designed? What does Lexus do with the spare wheel. If the Gx470 can tow 6500 lbs with a new hitch, then there is no reason why the 4runner cannot do it.
As long as the hitch receiver is bolted to the frame, it doesn't matter if it's bolted to the bumper. The bumper is also bolted to the frame...still doesn't make any difference.
Your Tacoma may pull 5000# or more, but trying to control a trailer that size and weight will be scary--and maybe dangerous.
It amazes me that people are so concerned about getting a 6500lb trailer hitch for a vehicle that could never tow more then 5000lbs safely. Why would anyone want to tow more then 4000lbs in a midsize SUV?
Here is another way of looking at it. Let’s say that Toyota put out a 10,000lb hitch on the upcoming 3/4 ton Tundra with the 5.4 liter motor. I wonder how many people with the 1/2 ton Tundra would be sprinting out the door to the Toyota parts department to buy a 10,000lb hitch for their older 1/2 ton Tundra? Who cares about the hitch, you can never tow that much weight anyway, and if you do, you’re gonna hurt someone or worse yet, kill someone.
I read a magazine article, I think it was in Truck Trend that said the tow limit is what you safely tow at after say the 5000 pound limit is when things start to break
Although for a body on frame truck with a V8, 5000 seems weak and if Lexus can tow 6500 then so can a Toyota, but I would rather a full size Suburban or an H2
Originally posted by Sequoia2003
It amazes me that people are so concerned about getting a 6500lb trailer hitch for a vehicle that could never tow more then 5000lbs safely. Why would anyone want to tow more then 4000lbs in a midsize SUV?
A chain is only as strong as it weakest link. Do you need a trailer hitch that strong? Probably not. But it is one link in the chain that you have some control over. If you can afford it, why not get something that might be a little stronger. It's called 'Overkill' and people do it all the time. We see it on this board with people using synthetic lubricants and premium fuel. (please lets not debate those two subjects here, they have their own threads) I am definitely not advocating towing more weight than one's vehicle is rated for.
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