Toyota 4Runer

I see that max specified by Toyota is 5000#, the hitch is only good for 500# tho and that will be your problem. Equalizers and sway control have nothing to do with max carry capacity and trailer hitch max.

Base 3852 max 4500 lbs Airstream 19 ft. Towed with 12 4Runner. Your hitch if oem is not designed for weight distribution if that is what you mean by equalizers. It is rates to tow 5000 lbs.

bgum wrote:
Base 3852 max 4500 lbs Airstream 19 ft. Towed with 12 4Runner. Your hitch if oem is not designed for weight distribution if that is what you mean by equalizers. It is rates to tow 5000 lbs.

This is correct. I looked at 4Runners rather closely a while back. The hitch is not adequately connected to the frame to be used with a WD hitch. It's only a very short hitch bolted to a small rear portion of the frame.

Some of the 4Runners I looked at had only 4 pin connectors, and those were not properly wired, but came out under the bumper. Seriously. So double check that.

There is a lot of info about this if you google "4Runner towing" on several different forums about Toyota & 4Runner.

agesilaus wrote:
I see that max specified by Toyota is 5000#, the hitch is only good for 500# tho and that will be your problem. Equalizers and sway control have nothing to do with max carry capacity and trailer hitch max.

Only if the 4Runner can't use weight distribution but as a general statement that's not true at all ... the stock GM hitch on my own Silverado is rated at 600 / 5000 lbs weight carrying but 1100 / 10,500 lbs weight distribution. This applies to any manufacturer installed hitch designed to be used for weight carrying OR with weight distribution.

That is exactly the point. The oem hitch is not designed for weight distribution. A Lexus hitch will fit that vehicle and is designed for weight distribution. It involves the frame rails.

bgum wrote:
That is exactly the point. The oem hitch is not designed for weight distribution. A Lexus hitch will fit that vehicle and is designed for weight distribution. It involves the frame rails.

So it would seem the OP is doing, or planning to do, what he shouldn't do - use a weight distribution hitch with his 4Runner, his option being to replace it with a Lexus hitch that is designed to accept the use of what he calls his "equalizers". ;)

Thanks to all for the info and advice. I'm Taking the 4Runner to a hitch specialty dealer to determine what can be done to beef up my hitch. Safe travels all.

BoatingWilly wrote:
[]Thanks to all for the info and advice. I'm Taking the 4Runner to a hitch specialty dealer to determine what can be done to beef up my hitch. Safe travels all.

I think if it were me I'd take bgum's suggestion that a Lexus hitch will solve your problem and ask your hitch shop whether they know about it. If you get a blank stare for an answer try another hitch shop.

BoatingWilly wrote:
Thanks to all for the info and advice. I'm Taking the 4Runner to a hitch specialty dealer to determine what can be done to beef up my hitch. Safe travels all.

does your 4runner have the rest of the factory tow package?
pre-wiring for brake controller, trans cooler, tow gearing.