Anyone tow with a Toyota?

[IROC]

After spending 4 hours driving back from a track that is 1.5 hours from my house in a painfully uncomfortable car, I am seriously considering getting a trailer.

I'd be towing it with a 2001 Toyota DoubleCab pickup (3.4 liter V6 with about 220 ft-lbs of torque IIRC). I'm thinking a no-frills steel trailer or possibly an aluminum one if I could find one for the right price. Car weighs about 2400 lbs.

Anybody tow with a Toyota? How's it do?

Thanks...

[briankeithsmith]

I towed with a Tacoma Pre-Runner (3.4 V6) for about 2 yrs.
Worked great. I just took it easy leaving stop lights, stop signs and it worked great. Once rolling I could pull 80-85mph on the interstate.

Just make sure the trailer is as light as possible, and has trailer brakes and a good sway bar kit. I also ran a weight distributing hitch/sway bar.

Brian

[IROC]

Thanks, Brian. Looking for trailers.... :>)

[kurquhart]

I tow a featherlite open trailer with a 964 (4500# total) with a 2000 Tundra V8. No isssues at all, although I wish it had a tow package for the transmission cooler (longevity).

[air-cool-me]

here is a post i made in the tech forum.





i used a u-haul tow dolly.. i just took an 11mm and raised up the front as high as it could go.

(later i lowered it back down a bit so i would have some suspension travel)





this is after 1600 miles and 28 hours..


i used bungee cords because the car doesn't have a wheel lock .



no need to worry about the drive train if it isn't touching the ground..

[campbellcj]

My tow rig is a 2005 Land Cruiser and a Carson 16' steel open-bed trailer (dual axle w/ electric brakes.) It works really well and the comfort level and peace of mind are huge compared to the few years where I drove the p-car to the track.

[IROC]

Originally posted by campbellcj
My tow rig is a 2005 Land Cruiser and a Carson 16' steel open-bed trailer (dual axle w/ electric brakes.) It works really well and the comfort level and peace of mind are huge compared to the few years where I drove the p-car to the track.

Yep, this is what I'm thinking. I've been driving back and forth to the track since 1993. It's about time to break down and buy a trailer...

[emcon5]

I towed my Rabbit race car with my 98 Tacoma, with no drama. It also doubled as my hotel that weekend:



With the car, trailer, spares, tools and all the other crap needed for a race weekend, it was probably right at the 5000 lb rating, and it was very well mannered, more so than towing behind my friends full size Bronco. I think the long wheelbase helps.

Keep in mind the tow rating is not just the trailer, it counts extra stuff in the tow vehicle as well.

Tom

[cstreit]

Do a search on 4-runners We towed for a bit with ours. I'd recommend the investment in an aluminum trailer to reduce the overall weight, it was WAY worth it!

[Nader]

I towed a 2150lb Spec Miata on a 1800lb steel trailer (plus ~200lbs of tires, tools, fuel, etc.) with a 3.4L 4Runner. Struggled up hills. A lighter trailer (or stronger truck) would be nice. The steel ramps for my trailer probably weigh 100lbs. Get a tranny cooler and turn off the overdrive when you tow.

[Randy Blaylock]

I towed my VW race car with my.....VW street car, Yeah!

Actually, it was a STUPID idea, but then sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. It's a different story now with a FL/Stacker combo, whatever...

[boyt911sc]

This is my 4Runner as tow vehicle:

[pantera]

Posted the same question to the forum not long ago. Got great feedback.Spoke to owners of V6's. Bought a new 4 Runner with V8. Toyota 4Runner As Tow Vehicle?

Dan

[htron435]

Brian -

I'm stocking new 18' aluminum trailers with the longest available ramps -- see my ad in the cars for sale forum. They weigh only 1050 lbs, and I can get 16' that weigh only 950 lbs. MSRP/retail is 4585 for the 18', but I've got some room if you're interested (send me a PM). Put this one side by side with a trailex or featherlite and you'll buy this one every time -- super build quality.

[IROC]

Thanks for all the responses.

Jay - I am out of town right now, but am interested in your trailers and will PM you about that when I get a chance.

Thanks!

[unclebilly]

I have towed lots with Toyotas.

I used to rebuild wrecked toyota trucks and have had several (over 15) of these little trucks - I just sold my ultra low mile 88 4Runner on Monday.

With an 87 4X4, I used to tow all sorts of other vehicles on my car trailer. I towed both of my 50s F100 pickup trucks over the rocky mountains with my 4runner.

The biggest load i ever had on my car trailer was 4800 kgs (including the car trailer) and i had 3 Jaguar 4.2 engines in the box of the pickup at the time. I have brakes on my trailer so stopping was never an issue. I did have to use low range in this case on a really steep hill (better to rev than lugg). I know the load was 4800 kgs because I stopped at the scales - they were closed.

So yah, your Toyota will tow a Porsche no problem.