Those 2 vehicles are on my short list of desired tow vehicles for a small travel trailer. I'm aware of the tow ratings, limitations, etc. No need to belabor those points. Just wanting someone's personal, practical experiences. What kind of sway control/WD system do you use? Specific problems/issues you've had?Things you really like? How well does the tranny cooler work? That sort of thing, and any other helpful details, will be greatly appreciated.

Are we talking new explorers and for runners or a particular model year range for each? It will make a big difference in your answer

I towed with an '03 V6 and an '04 V8 4Runner. Started with a 10' pup then a 19' 3600lbs hybrid. Finished with a 26' 5k bunkhouse with the V8. They were good reliable tow vehicles that towed well, within their rated capacities. The 26'er was getting a bit long for the short wheelbase 4Runner though.I don't have experience with the new generation T4R but it has basically the same 4.0l engine as the older model. A little more power now and mated to a tranny with more gears should make it better than what I had.The only note I can add is that the stock T4R hitch is not rated, or recommended, to be used with a WD hitch. It is simply bolted to the rear cross member which isn't designed for the stress. If you want to use a WD hitch you should get a frame mounted hitch.

We towed a 19 ft Airstream with a 4Runner. Pulled just fine. We didn't try to take the world with us. Traveled mostly in the southern US. Also made two trips per year to Gatlinburg. Decent gas mileage. Used friction sway bar. No weight distribution due to factory hitch. Pulled at 60MPH. 4Runner is 2012 model.

I towed with a 2008 V8 4Runner for a few years. I also owned a 2009 with the V6. They are very very solid vehicles and would be more reliable and more capable for towing than an Explorer, IMHO. I know a guy on a 4Runner forum I used to frequent who has 400K+ miles on a 4Runner and still going. A V8 was an option from 2003 through 2009, same V8 that is in the Land Rover and the Lexus SUV. If you are thinking of used, buy one with the V8. The gas mileage isn't much different from the V6 and it's a much better towing machine, plus has a proper frame hitch from the factory. The V6 OEM hitch design was unimpressive and I wouldn't tow with it. I live in AZ so tranny heat when towing can be an issue. I removed the OEM trans cooler and put a larger aftermarket cooler on.Good luck!

"What kind of sway control/WD system do you use? On a front wheel drive Ford, WD essential and SC nearly required. Specific problems/issues you've had?2,000 to 5,000 pounds towing max is very limiting. Things you really like? Ford Exlporer looks good. American made. I'd go for an F150.

Towing with a 4Runner or Explorer---experiences, please!

45 Replies

BenK
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
Crazy, but that is the way of it...

Closed a couple of my small controls firms back in the day...

One was industrial controls (segment was in people movers) and had over 70% of the USA Ski Lift controllers in the 70's...till too many lawsuits with HUGE awards...on old, old equipment and saying it should meet 'current' safety standards...even though some of the stuff was over 10 years old.

YAN took up that vacated market and is doing well from what I can see
camp-n-family
Explorer
Feb 17, 2017
BenK wrote:
Bryan...very sage advice and suggest anyone thinking of that...ask their welder or shop if they would stand behind something like this...ditto if their insurance will...

carringb wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:
You can easily have a custom hitch made for a couple hundred bucks.

Maybe in Canada. There's not many shops willing to put their name on a custom fabricated hitch in the US. To many $ at risk if something goes wrong.

I hadn't thought about the American aspec of it, the land where everybody sues for everything and anything. It's not that way in Canada. Many shops here will custom fabricate. I've had it done several times. I guess that's why people come from all over the US to CanAm RV for custom work.
BenK
Explorer
Feb 12, 2017
Bryan...very sage advice and suggest anyone thinking of that...ask their welder or shop if they would stand behind something like this...ditto if their insurance will...

carringb wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:
You can easily have a custom hitch made for a couple hundred bucks.

Maybe in Canada. There's not many shops willing to put their name on a custom fabricated hitch in the US. To many $ at risk if something goes wrong.
SweetLou
Explorer
Feb 11, 2017
Madmartigan wrote:
SweetLou wrote:
I didn't read all 4 pages of reports so if I repeat I'm sorry. Short wheel base should be understood. Balance your loads and don't speed. Whipping a trailer with a short wheel base vehicle will be lets say exciting.

We started out towing a 19ft Fleetwood with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 Limited with an Equalizer hitch. I installed HD rear coils, an a/m tru-cool tranny cooler, heavy duty rear sway bar and all things considered it towed like a champ. Tranny took everything I threw at it and motor and tranny never over-heated even during high altitude heavy pulls. No, it wasn't racing up the hills, but for what it was I was pleased.
Then one day we were flying along a highway in WY and the trailer blew a tire. It whipped the Jeep around like a rag doll and we were inches from laying the whole rig on its side. My parents were towing behind us and saw the whole thing. That was the last year we towed with the Jeep and I went and bought a 3/4 ton truck. Speaking from experience, wheel base was the biggest issue with those smaller tow vehicles.

Case and point. All the Mods made come standard for towing with a full size truck usually and the longer wheelbase just might save you and your family's lives.
Madmartigan
Explorer
Feb 10, 2017
SweetLou wrote:
I didn't read all 4 pages of reports so if I repeat I'm sorry. Short wheel base should be understood. Balance your loads and don't speed. Whipping a trailer with a short wheel base vehicle will be lets say exciting.

We started out towing a 19ft Fleetwood with a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 Limited with an Equalizer hitch. I installed HD rear coils, an a/m tru-cool tranny cooler, heavy duty rear sway bar and all things considered it towed like a champ. Tranny took everything I threw at it and motor and tranny never over-heated even during high altitude heavy pulls. No, it wasn't racing up the hills, but for what it was I was pleased.
Then one day we were flying along a highway in WY and the trailer blew a tire. It whipped the Jeep around like a rag doll and we were inches from laying the whole rig on its side. My parents were towing behind us and saw the whole thing. That was the last year we towed with the Jeep and I went and bought a 3/4 ton truck. Speaking from experience, wheel base was the biggest issue with those smaller tow vehicles.
carringb
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
camp-n-family wrote:
You can easily have a custom hitch made for a couple hundred bucks.

Maybe in Canada. There's not many shops willing to put their name on a custom fabricated hitch in the US. To many $ at risk if something goes wrong.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
Go to any hitch shop and get one modified or custom made. I did a little searching on the t4r.org forum and found some that were able to use a hitch off the Lexus460, slightly modified. I wouldn't do anything drastic like trading before trying it first. You can easily have a custom hitch made for a couple hundred bucks.
SpeakEasy
Explorer
Feb 02, 2017
Well this really sucks.

Turns out that there are NO after-market hitches for the 2010 4runner. So I can't replace the factory hitch with one that is more robust for weight-distribution.

And - I got an authoritative answer from Toyota that they do not recommend weight distribution with the 2010 4Runner.

So now I have to trade in my 4Runner for a truck. I'm thinking a Ford F150. I'll open a new thread for that discussion.

I traded my Highlander which was rated for 3500 lb for the 4Runner which is rated for 5000 lb thinking I was doing the right thing. Now I find out that I was barking up the wrong tree.

-Speak
SweetLou
Explorer
Jan 31, 2017
I didn't read all 4 pages of reports so if I repeat I'm sorry. Short wheel base should be understood. Balance your loads and don't speed. Whipping a trailer with a short wheel base vehicle will be lets say exciting.
coolmom42
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2017
MFL wrote:
For your application (smaller light wt trailer), I would take a close look at the F150 with 5.0 V8. It will get about the same mileage as the 3.5 Eco, towing or daily driving. It will be cheaper to purchase, with good availability in used market.

The short bed 150s are very car like, but still truck advantage, with things like stronger hitch, integrated brake controller, and anti-sway control.

Jerry

Worth checking into, thanks.

My significant other has a F150 with the Ecoboost, and is very pleased with it for towing and general use.

I do NOT like the big console from the 40/20/40 seat fold down. It's very clunky and in the way. But apparently they can be swapped out for a regular console, not cheap though. That's really the only thing I don't like about the truck.