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

SpeakEasy wrote:
I have a 2010 4Runner - SR5 - not the trail model. It's the V6, 4.0L, 270 HP model and is rated for 5000 lb towing.

I'm using it with WD hitch, and the TT weighs in at 4300 lb.

This whole discussion of the use of a WD hitch with the factory receiver is pretty confusing to me and pretty concerning. I'll discuss that in a minute. First I'll respond to coolmom's original question.

I have had this setup for one season - the 2016 camping season. We took a few short trips around our part of NYS, and we took a longer trip through the Appalachians (West Virginia) and then another trip through Vermont. We probably towed more than 3000 miles total. Lots of it was in mountains. On our first trip I was watching the transmission temperature like a hawk. Based on what I saw, I decided to install a supplemental transmission cooler. Excellent decision! After that, our temps were fine in all conditions. On the steeper hills of WV we knew the trailer was there, for sure, but I never felt we were under powered. I didn't experience what some folks call white knuckle driving. The whole setup seemed pretty stable to me, even though I knew the trailer was there. I don't have any concerns about my towing experience.

I am short of cargo capacity, however. With the tongue weight and the weight of myself and one passenger, I'm at or a bit over capacity. Therefore, I put virtually no cargo in the SUV. It all goes into the trailer. It works for us, because it is just the two of us, and we do pack light. If you have more people and more gear, it will be a problem for you.

Now as to the WD hitch issue. That is a HUGE concern to me, and I wish I had known about this before I bought this vehicle. However, having read the entire thread here and most of the thread over on the 4runner forum, it looks as if Toyota may have revised their restriction. Apparently there was a time when they were putting a clause in the owners manual telling people not to use a WD hitch with this vehicle. That clause is NOT in my owners manual. There is no restriction, no warning, no caution, not a word about WD hitches. But I checked, and the receiver I have is, in fact, the small square one that is bolted to a cross member. It is not the extensive kind with arms that lead forward up to the side frame members. I am very disappointed to discover this, and I am not sure what to do about it. I will contact Toyota and ask them for some clarification.

-Speak