Does anyone tow anything with a Forerunner?

[Dougal Short]

I am looking pretty seriously at buying a new Forerunner, but I am a little concerned about it's towing capacity. I currently drive a Tahoe, but I would like to go to something smaller...

My boat weighs pretty close to 5000 pounds with fuel and stuff, which is the rated capacity of the Toyota. I don't do a lot of "401" towing anymore, but some. The Tahoe does a great job...

If you have one of these little trucks, and tow something of consequence, I'd love to hear about your experience.

(I am aware of the GM Canyon small diesel option, but they look like they are stupid expensive... And also the Jeep diesel, but there isn't enough space in the back. And they get horrible reviews).

 

[franci]

Most people that tow anything of significant weight with a Toyota typically go for the Tundra.

Toyota Tundra Model Information Towing Capacity (4x2/4x4)
4.6L V8 Standard Bed Double Cab SR5 6,800 lb/6,500 lb
5.7L V8 Long Bed Double Cab SR5 10,100 lb/9,800 lb
5.7L V8 Long Bed Double Cab SR 10,100 lb/9,800 lb
5.7L V8 Long Bed Regular SR 10,500 lb/10,200 lb

 

[TheKing]

Remember that to not get in trouble with your insurance co (in case of an accident) you need to measure the TOTAL weight of what you're towing.

A 5000lb boat and trailer will never work on a 4runner because you will inevitably fill the tank of the boat with fuel, leave jugs of oil and chemicals on board, ropes/lifejackets/covers, personal items, the fishfinder and VHF radio that were aftermarket, etc etc.

I would not personally tow a boat with a boat described by the manufacturer as weighing 4500lbs or more.

Also remember max tow weight does have a margin, but you probably don't want to tow the max weight too far. I would tow a boat up to Muskoka every spring, leave it in the marina, and bring it back in the fall when close to the max weight. If you're going back and forth every weekend in traffic, or towing more than 100km or so, forget being close to the max weight as you'll start to stress out drivetrain parts.

 

[Dougal Short]

My boat, fuel and dive gear are pretty close to 5000, not just the boat. 95% of the towing I do these days is short jaunts... couple of miles... to a ramp. A few times a year, I'm back and forth on 80 kph highways. Maybe once a year, I down the 401 to Kingston or someplace.

I know that this won't tow as well as my Tahoe, but I guess I am really wanting some direct feedback. I am not interested in a pickup, so it's either this or another Tahoe or similar...

Since I have some concerns, I am pondering leasing one for a couple of years, so if it sucks, I'm not stuck with it. Alternately, one dealer has a gently used one as of yesterday and I am tempted to drag my boat down and see if I can hook it up and head around a few blocks... I have a feeling that that might be a hard sell!

I have read that Car and Driver review, but many of the things that they are critical of are actually beneficial in a tow vehicle... solid frame and axle, Hi/Lo range transfer case... It's still a "truck", not a sport "cute"... I'm not especially concerned about mileage. It can't possibly be worse than my Tahoe, not to mention the boat!

 

[Dougal Short]

Also remember max tow weight does have a margin, but you probably don't want to tow the max weight too far. I would tow a boat up to Muskoka every spring, leave it in the marina, and bring it back in the fall when close to the max weight. If you're going back and forth every weekend in traffic, or towing more than 100km or so, forget being close to the max weight as you'll start to stress out drivetrain parts.

To be honest, the bigger concern is not with the pulling, it's with everything else. I have pulled trailers that were about 8000 with my Tahoe and it pulled them fine, even though the rating is (I think) 6000 pounds. You start slowly and hit the 4-ways going up the hills~

It's when you need to stop in a hurry, or if you have to take "evasive" steps to avoid a deer in the road or a swerving car that the weight become a huge issue. That all goes into calculating a vehicles tow capacity. Having had my boat swing through a 180° arc when I hit some black ice was "interesting" in the Tahoe, but with anything smaller and lighter, I have no doubt that the boat would have either spun me right around, or taken me into the ditch. Thankfully there was nobody else on the road so after a while I was able to get a few wheels onto the gravel shoulder and that was the end of the problem. The funny thing was that the boat was pretty new then (With replacement-cost coverage), and I had just bought a new Yukon to pull it. Together, they were insured for almost $200,000. I think I had made MAYBE two monthly payments to the Broker. I entire time I was wrestling with my possessed trailer, all I could think of was how awkward that call to him was going to be if I totalled this pile of stuff. ;-)

 

[TheKing]

My boat, fuel and dive gear are pretty close to 5000, not just the boat. 95% of the towing I do these days is short jaunts... couple of miles... to a ramp. A few times a year, I'm back and forth on 80 kph highways. Maybe once a year, I down the 401 to Kingston or someplace.


Since I have some concerns, I am pondering leasing one for a couple of years, so if it sucks, I'm not stuck with it. Alternately, one dealer has a gently used one as of yesterday and I am tempted to drag my boat down and see if I can hook it up and head around a few blocks... I have a feeling that that might be a hard sell!

If that's all the distance you are towing, you'll be just fine. I'd actually avoid driving a bigger truck to tow, since you tow so little that you'll end up with a huge gas bill and driving a giant truck around when you don't need it most of the time. 4Runner is an excellent choice for your needs.

I'd pull into a truck weigh station and get your entire rig weighed. Then subtract weight of your truck and see exactly what the boat weighs. Then you know. A lot of people guess and they're way off so just be safe.

I'd tell the dealer that you are interested and take a short test drive. Then tell them you are very interested and want to take it home for a few hours... fit it into your garage, drive on highways and bumps, city traffic ,etc. If they believe your story and you make it sound boring enough that they don't want to come with you, you'll be fine (yes I know this is a bit of a lie..) Take it home, hook up boat and drive around a few km (don't abuse the truck, be nice). Then take it back and make your decision. While on the topic have you excluded the option of buying the used one? Maybe it's a good deal.

 

[Garrett]

I do not think you will be fine. Towing capacity is not just what you are towing, but also includes any occupants, upgrades, cargo, etc. If you are a 200lb male traveling with a similar friend, you are rapidly down to about 4000lbs for your boat and everything else (quote for a 2015 is you are starting at 4700lbs). Your brakes and transmission will be under heavy load and it is not going up hill you have to worry about, it is going down hill and fast braking in general. You are getting into the territory of the boat driving the car, and you really do not want that.

 

[DshRipRock]

By a smaller car and hire someone to tow it for you.

 

[Dougal Short]

All good points... I currently have a truck and car... I want to get rid of both of them and replace them one vehicle, so yes, it's all about compromise. The combo I have now is great... the truck pulls beautifully, and my little AWD car gets great mileage and is fun to drive. But there's a big cost to having the extra vehicle especially since both of them are getting to the point where they should be replaced.

I have weighed the boat when it was loaded with fuel and dive gear and it topped out at 4600 pounds or so. 98% of the time, the towing is very local and not on major highways. The trailer has decent brakes on it, but yes, having the "boat tow the car" is definitely something I am aware of. Honestly, that's even a factor with the Tahoe, especially if I'm driving through Toronto on the 401. It's literally impossible to leave enough stopping space between me and the vehicle in front of me. As we are all aware, leave a car length plus 5" and some Muppet will jam their car in their. That's where good defensive driving tactics come in... but at best, it's always a "white knuckle event" and something I try to avoid. The 407 is my friend...

Regarding the used one, I haven't abandoned the idea and may call the guy today... I suspect that that dealer might be open to a toot around a few blocks with a trailer, since it's a used vehicle. That particular model may not be equipped with the towing package (tranny cooler etc) and I have read that those things are best when they're factory installed...

Alternately, I am also just pondering replacing the Tahoe with a used pickup or something. Sometimes one's hobbies just cost money! :-(

 

[Dougal Short]

If you must have an SUV and have your mind set on a Toyota, why not look into the Sequoia? I think the max towing capacity is 7000 lbs. give or take, you get Toyota reliability, and huge amounts of cargo space with the seats folded down.

I am trying to get away from a giant vehicle. If I get down to the one vehicle, then it's going to get a lot of miles put on it... Like I said, it's all about compromise!

 

[dirkd101]

I am trying to get away from a giant vehicle. If I get down to the one vehicle, then it's going to get a lot of miles put on it... Like I said, it's all about compromise!

As you already tow with a big vehicle, you know how well it does.

There is no real compromise for what you are asking. Smaller vehicles don't do the job as good as a larger vehicle, therefore you would have no issues, short haul or a bit longer on the highway. There's nothing worse than getting behind a guy on the highway or elsewhere that is hauling more than he should. Trailer handling in windy conditions, rain or at highway speeds are different and a small vehicle, especially with a swerving trailer is not a nice sight to see for the rest of us on the road. That being said, as long as you are strictly a short haul guy, you may do well with the smaller vehicle. Why not just get rid of the car and keep the Tahoe? Regardless of how fun it is to drive and the mileage it gets.