Topic: Another towing question

[MiniSimp]

I'm wondering if I can safely flat tow my 3300# 85 pick up with my 2001 4Runner V6?

4Runner Specs:
Towing capacity: 5000#
Curb Weight, lbs. 3440-3740
Horsepower: 183
Torque: 217
Transmission: 4 speed auto w/overdrive
Wheelbase, in. 105.3
Overall Length, in. 178.7-183.3

[*FFC*]

I know the runner will do it but it's a matter of yer truck bein able to be towed flat

[MiniSimp [OP]]

it's a matter of yer truck bein able to be towed flat

as long as the driveshafts are disco'd.

[Hyena]

The only problem i see is the runner having enough power to tow the truck up the hills.  do you still have the dakota?  how much can that tow?

[mudmaster]

Stopping coud be fun

[MiniSimp [OP]]

The only problem i see is the runner having enough power to tow the truck up the hills.  do you still have the dakota?  how much can that tow?

Dakota is gone, it sucked for towing though. (35" tires)

Stopping coud be fun

That is one of the things I'm worried about.

[*FFC*]

Stopping coud be fun

Hmmm... is there a way to run the brakes through the truck to the runner kinda like trailer brakes? Yer right, that could serve a problem on hills... flat would be fine

[notajeep]

I flat towed mine to moab a couple of times. Once with a 02 stroker and once with my fathers 01 4-runner. My truck weighs in at about 3000lbs. The runner had no problem pulling the hills or at freeway speed even stopping wasn't that big a deal. Just like pulling any other trailer you just need to give yourself some extra room to stop and pay attention. NOW THE WARNING........ Bb VERY cautious when TRYING to stop in the road is wet or braking while turning, ie mountain roads.  When pulling with a tow bar remember that the truck (being towed) responds much slower to turns than a normal trailer. So while you are turning the truck is still headed straight and will want to push your rear end out. In general this is not too much a problem. But if it is wet, or you are going down hill too fast and brake going into a turn this can and will cause you to spin out with no good results.
I have found that the heavier the tow vehicle the better when flat towing.
Hope this helps.

[freds40]

I flat towed mine to moab a couple of times. Once with a 02 stroker and once with my fathers 01 4-runner. My truck weighs in at about 3000lbs. The runner had no problem pulling the hills or at freeway speed even stopping wasn't that big a deal. Just like pulling any other trailer you just need to give yourself some extra room to stop and pay attention. NOW THE WARNING........ Bb VERY cautious when TRYING to stop in the road is wet or braking while turning, ie mountain roads.  When pulling with a tow bar remember that the truck (being towed) responds much slower to turns than a normal trailer. So while you are turning the truck is still headed straight and will want to push your rear end out. In general this is not too much a problem. But if it is wet, or you are going down hill too fast and brake going into a turn this can and will cause you to spin out with no good results.
I have found that the heavier the tow vehicle the better when flat towing.
Hope this helps.

I agree fully. Your Runner will pull the truck and will probably do okay even on hills (don't let the tranny go into overdrive on hills or even flat, you will kill the tranny) but just because it will pull it, doesn't mean you should. I've never been fond of towing a load that is within only a couple of hundred pounds of the towing vehicle when there are no trailer brakes. Not enough brakes are workable on the trails (I've done it) but on the road, you're not the only one that could get injured if you can't stop or your runner gets pushed around.

[mudmaster]

I agree fully. Your Runner will pull the truck and will probably do okay even on hills (don't let the tranny go into overdrive on hills or even flat, you will kill the tranny) but just because it will pull it, doesn't mean you should. I've never been fond of towing a load that is within only a couple of hundred pounds of the towing vehicle when there are no trailer brakes. Not enough brakes are workable on the trails (I've done it) but on the road, you're not the only one that could get injured if you can't stop or your runner gets pushed around.

Totally agree

[Ramrod]

I towed a toyota truck home from chico with a tow dolly behind a beat ass 93 gmc sonoma with a v6 and it did fine.

[V-Man]

Hmmm... is there a way to run the brakes through the truck to the runner kinda like trailer brakes? Yer right, that could serve a problem on hills... flat would be fine

 

  Ya it's a system called "air over hydraulic".. ya need air brakes on the tow vehicle, or a air over hydraulic system on the tow vehicle.

[V-Man]

I towed a toyota truck home from chico with a tow dolly behind a beat ass 93 gmc sonoma with a v6 and it did fine.

  you got it right dolly it, or better drop it on a trailer. No wait, he can't tow the truck on a trailer..it's TOO heavy .

 Boy is it nice to have a tundra with  10,000lbs towing capacity... . 

[MiniSimp [OP]]

No wait, he can't tow the truck on a trailer..it's TOO heavy .

Actually there is a 900# aluminum dual axle trailer with brakes on both axles. That would have me towing around 4200lbs. Still a lot though.

[V-Man]

Actually there is a 900# aluminum dual axle trailer with brakes on both axles. That would have me towing around 4200lbs. Still a lot though.

 
  no problem I can solve that problem for you all ya need is one of these with a couple aftermarket toys..you    and it goes 

[toyo487]

I towed a toyota FJ40 From Port Angels Wa to Newberg Or with my 1990 toyota 4runner.  My runner had a 22Re and a 5spd.  I had the FJ on a trailer, combined the trailer and the FJ weighed just as much as the runner.  You can definently tow your truck just be cautious of the vehichles around you when you are doing it and leave plenty of room.