Towing Trailer with a 4Runner

Blatz wrote:
Obviously I own a 4runner a 2015 to be exact. My situation is almost identical to the OP. My new TT is a Riverside Retro 180R with an actual dry weight of 3560 lbs. I've researched the hell out of whether my 4Runner will work with that TT. What I've found is the people who just look at the numbers say it's not a good TV for that TT. Then the people who have actually towed with their 4Runner in a similar situation say they've had no issues at all. Maybe the 4Runner is underrated? I don't know that answer. I can give my assessment in a couple of weeks on how it works.

Looking forward to that. good luck.

I have a 2016 4Runner and tow a Coachmen Clipper 17bh with a dry weight of 2969lb and tongue weight of 420lb and use a WDH and try to keep the trailer light when towing.

Before I bought the WDH I called Toyota Customer Service and spoke with 2 Engineers on separate occasions and both Engineers said there was no problem using a WDH.

My Inquires are on file with a case number so I feel totally confident using one hearing it from the experts.

I received this from Toyota this afternoon in response to my query.:

"Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

We appreciate you taking time to e-mail us with your inquiry.

Toyota does not have any restrictions on the use of a weight distributing hitch for towing a small travel trailer. We do apologize as there is no literature available which prohibits the use of this component.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Erik A.
Toyota Customer Experience Center"


" Customer By Web Form 03/06/2017 08:16 PM

I have a 2016 4Runner Limited. I occasionally tow a small travel trailer and use a weight distributing hitch. The owner's manual is silent on using one of these weight distributing hitches. The total tongue weight and trailer weights are all within the specs in my owners manual.

Is it permissible??"

Clearly, this is different information than was given to Speakeasy a few years ago. In any case, I hope this helps to put the matter to rest regarding WDH use on the current generation of 4Runners.

Greg

2012Coleman wrote:
Speakeasy - I can't see how asking about your 2010 model answers a question about the 2016 model owned by both the OP and Minnie1801. That's 5 - 6 years different.

Since you have an active contact at Toyota, why not specifically ask about the 2016 year model which is the one in question. Tell them you are considering upgrading to the 2016 model year.

Well the current "generation" of 4Runners began in, I believe, the 2009 model year. In any event, the 2010 is considered the same generation as the 2015 and 2016 models.

It's not my problem any more. I made my decision and traded my 4Runner. I didn't want to, but I felt that I needed to. If anyone else wants to contact Toyota they are certainly capable of doing so.

-Speak

Blatz wrote:
Obviously I own a 4runner a 2015 to be exact. My situation is almost identical to the OP. My new TT is a Riverside Retro 180R with an actual dry weight of 3560 lbs. I've researched the hell out of whether my 4Runner will work with that TT. What I've found is the people who just look at the numbers say it's not a good TV for that TT. Then the people who have actually towed with their 4Runner in a similar situation say they've had no issues at all. Maybe the 4Runner is underrated? I don't know that answer. I can give my assessment in a couple of weeks on how it works.

Yeah, I think you'll have to decide for yourself just how good the 4 runner does as a tow vehicle. Since you will be within the vehicle's ratings, there is nothing to keep you from trying it with fairly good confidence.

What I've seen on this Forum and with direct conversation with other RV'ers is that a vehicle operated at it's limits may seem like an adequate combination but owners typically upgrade that vehicle, finding that a larger truck makes towing much more enjoyable. Of course, not everyone is a situation where buying a larger truck is an option or needed. A lot of this is, indeed, "in the eye of the beholder". That may be some of the reason you are discovering different information about the 4 runner as a tow vehicle.

Blatz wrote:
Seems like Minni 1801 is the only one posting who has experience with a 5th gen 4Runner. I'm just curious where does it say not to use a WDH on a 5th gen 4Runner? I don't see it in the manual, I haven't read any official Toyota statement, and I even asked a certified Toyota mechanic and he hasn't herd that either.

It doesn't anymore. It did for the previous generation (pre 2010)

Obviously I own a 4runner a 2015 to be exact. My situation is almost identical to the OP. My new TT is a Riverside Retro 180R with an actual dry weight of 3560 lbs. I've researched the hell out of whether my 4Runner will work with that TT. What I've found is the people who just look at the numbers say it's not a good TV for that TT. Then the people who have actually towed with their 4Runner in a similar situation say they've had no issues at all. Maybe the 4Runner is underrated? I don't know that answer. I can give my assessment in a couple of weeks on how it works.

Speakeasy - I can't see how asking about your 2010 model answers a question about the 2016 model owned by both the OP and Minnie1801. That's 5 - 6 years different.

Since you have an active contact at Toyota, why not specifically ask about the 2016 year model which is the one in question. Tell them you are considering upgrading to the 2016 model year.

Minnie1801 wrote:

SpeakEasy wrote:

Blatz wrote:
Seems like Minni 1801 is the only one posting who has experience with a 5th gen 4Runner. I'm just curious where does it say not to use a WDH on a 5th gen 4Runner? I don't see it in the manual, I haven't read any official Toyota statement, and I even asked a certified Toyota mechanic and he hasn't herd that either.

I e-mailed the factory directly with this question, and here is their response:

[COLOR=]Dear {Mr. Speakeasy}

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and thank you for having owned multiple Toyotas.

We apologize for any confusion that may have been caused by the other manuals.

We appreciate the opportunity to clarify that Toyota does not recommend using a weight distribution hitch for the 2010 4Runner.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

James F.
Toyota Customer Experience Center



-Speak

Speakeasy,

I'm going by what the manual with my 2016 4Runner states and my direct experience. Your 2010 4Runner was the first year of the 5th Generation. Maybe there have been changes over the last several years?

Greg

Here is the actual e-mail I sent to Toyota to pose my question. You will note that my question to them is very much like the question you are posing.

Here it is:
"I am the owner of a 2010 4Runner SR5. I have a question about the proper use of the factory-installed trailer hitch for towing a travel trailer. My question has to do with the use of a weight-distribution system on my trailer. I have learned that in some 4Runner owner’s manuals there are statements that a weight-distribution system is not to be used and can cause damage to the vehicle. I have not been able to find such a statement in my owner’s manual. My question is, is it safe for me to use a weight distribution system with this hitch? If so, what have you changed, in terms of the engineering, from the earlier models where the use of weight distribution was a problem.

Thank you."


I guess you will draw your own conclusions. I know what conclusions I drew.

-Speak

SpeakEasy wrote:

Blatz wrote:
Seems like Minni 1801 is the only one posting who has experience with a 5th gen 4Runner. I'm just curious where does it say not to use a WDH on a 5th gen 4Runner? I don't see it in the manual, I haven't read any official Toyota statement, and I even asked a certified Toyota mechanic and he hasn't herd that either.

I e-mailed the factory directly with this question, and here is their response:

[COLOR=]Dear {Mr. Speakeasy}

Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and thank you for having owned multiple Toyotas.

We apologize for any confusion that may have been caused by the other manuals.

We appreciate the opportunity to clarify that Toyota does not recommend using a weight distribution hitch for the 2010 4Runner.

Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

James F.
Toyota Customer Experience Center



-Speak

Speakeasy,

I'm going by what the manual with my 2016 4Runner states and my direct experience. Your 2010 4Runner was the first year of the 5th Generation. Maybe there have been changes over the last several years?

Greg