A 4.0-liter V6 engine with 278 lb.-ft. of torque and 270 horsepower is standard on the 4Runner. It has two distinct 4-wheel drive systems: full-time 4WD with A-TRAC and a Torsen limited-slip center differential with a locking mechanism, and part-time 4WD with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC). The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and Crawl Control (CRAWL) aid to increase traction, and Multi-terrain Select gives you the option to select from four settings that will help to give you the most traction possible in a range of off-road scenarios.
Out of all the trim options, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is the most daring. A 1.4-inch metal skid plate underneath the suspension and large TRD Bilstein high performance shocks with rear remote reservoirs and TRD-tuned springs help to safeguard your 4Runner on rough terrain. A selection of accessories is available for the TRD Pro to enable you personalize your car to suit your excursions.
In This Article...
Toyota 4Runner Towing Capacity
You won’t have to leave anything behind because the Toyota 4Runner’s potent 4.0-liter engine can pull up to 5,000 pounds. The 4Runner has a built-in electrical harness with 4- and 7-pin connectors and a towing hitch receiver. Check out these additional 4Runner features that make it easy to travel anywhere.
- Control for Hill Start Assist (HAC)
- descending assistance control (DAC)
- Deck plates
- Disc brakes with ventilation
- LED backlighting
- Aluminum wheels
- Headlights with projector beams
- front active headrests
- Navigational Integration
- built-in backup camera
Before visiting us at the dealership, you can explore our inventory online and schedule a test drive of any vehicle you’re interested in!
How much weight can a 4Runner tow safely?
When you choose a Toyota 4Runner, you have powerful hauling capability. So how much weight can the Toyota 4Runner V6 tow? The Toyota 4Runner V6 towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for all models due to the 4.0L V6 engine’s output of 270 horsepower and 279 lb-ft of torque.
How much weight can a 4Runner trailer tow?
The 4.0L V6 engine in the Toyota 4Runner, which produces 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, allows it to haul up to 5,000 pounds. For your upcoming outdoor vacation, it will essentially be able to tow a small powerboat or possibly a couple ATVs.
and 1985
The 2.4-liter 22R engine and solid front axle from the DX truck line were used in the first Toyota 4Runners that were sold. The 22R, later known as the 22RE, received fuel injection in 1985. Yes, we did own a 22RE in the venerable year 1985. Aside from 16 more horsepower, that improvement (?) also added some efficiency and reliability. According to a Toyota 4Runner brochure, the 1984 4Runner featured a load rating of 300 to 700 pounds (excluding passengers), a GVWR of 4,800 pounds, and a curb weight of 3,520 to 3,760 pounds. For the first two years of 4Runners, towing capacity is hard to locate, but it appears to be consistently between 2,500 and 3,000 pounds.
Can a 4Runner Tow 7,000 Pounds?
The optional 4.7-liter V-8 was the Toyota 4Runner’s best option for performance and hauling capacity. The towing capacities of the V-8-powered 2WD 4Runners and the 4WD vehicles were 7,300 pounds and 7,000 pounds, respectively, in 2007. So, sure, depending on how the vehicle is equipped, some years of the Toyota 4Runner can tow 7,000 pounds or more.
Which objects can a 2017 4Runner tow?
Towing capacity of the 2017 Toyota 4Runner With the 2017 Toyota 4Runner’s strong 4.0-liter engine and towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds*, you won’t have to leave anything behind. The 2017 4Runner has a built-in wiring harness with 4- and 7-pin connectors and a towing hitch receiver.
A camper can a Toyota 4Runner tow?
Small camper trailers like Airstreams can be towable by 4Runners equipped with V6 engines. Towing the majority of fifth wheels and equivalent trailers is no problem for 4Runners with V8 engines.
Finding out a trailer’s “dry weight first,” or its weight without any gear inside, is always a smart idea. A decent rule of thumb is to add an extra 1,500 pounds to the dry weight of the trailer if you’re towing it with cargo inside.
Even a full-sized RV can be rescued from a tight spot by the 4Runner. Don’t trust us? Take a look at this video:
Does the Toyota 4Runner offer a kit for towing?
Integrated Towing Hitch Receiver: The Toyota 4Runner is more practical than many other vehicles in its market thanks to the integrated tow hitch. Engine: 4.0L V6 This engine’s output of 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque enables the Toyota 4Runner to pull 5,000 pounds.
Are 4Runners effective hauling vehicles?
The Toyota 4Runner has the newest towing capabilities to make hauling practically anything more simpler, including: Engine: 4.0L V6 With 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque from this potent engine, the Toyota 4Runner V6 hauling can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The Highlander or the 4Runner is superior for towing.
Highlander: This family hauler has 16.0 cubic feet of space for your belongings behind its third-row seat. When those chairs are folded, the volume rises to 48.4 cu ft. The Highlander has 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space when configured as a two-seat vehicle.
4Runner: The 4Runner, a five-seat vehicle, has a load capacity of 46.3 cu. ft. when the second-row seat is folded down. Although useful, an optional sliding deck takes up around one cubic foot of room. When the back seat is folded down, a tremendous 88.8 cubes of space become availablea vast and yawning chasm when compared to the Highlander. Although the third row is folded down, the 4Runner’s trunk space is only 9 cu-ft.
Conclusion: Even though the Highlander triumphs in passenger volume, the 4Runner dominates in cargo capacityunless you’re using the third row of the 4Runner.
Technology
Without a question, Highlander is the most suited to families of the two. Although only available on the Platinum model, the 12.3-inch infotainment system is still accessible. You do get an 11-speaker JBL Audio system in place of the rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The revolutionary Driver Easy Speak system amplifies the driver’s voice so that it sounds like an irate airline captain and broadcasts it through the back speakers. Toyota incorporates a wide range of safety features, including lane-keeping assistance, dynamic cruise control, pedestrian recognition technology, and pre-collision systems. With the exception of the blind spot monitoring system, which is not included in the base model, the majority of safety measures are part of the standard equipment. Additionally, only AWD models come with dynamic torque vectoring and trail modes.
4Runner: All models come standard with features including air conditioning, a reverse camera, cruise control, and a number of USB ports for charging mobile devices, including a 12V household socket in the cargo area. There is also a powerful JBL stereo available. However, the inside of the 4Runner is specifically designed for adventurers rather for folks who enjoy taking road trips with their families and grandmother, thus it lacks many of the driver assistance and safety features found in the Highlander. Hey, ten cupholders are at least present.
Conclusion: The Highlander delivers significantly more cutting-edge technology and advanced driving aids than the 4Runner. The latter, nevertheless, is also not exactly a deserted penalty area. Simply said, the designers of that vehicle invested their development funds in off-road enthusiasts’ favorite suspension components and equipment.
Powertrains
Highlander: The only gas engine available is a 3.5-liter V6 with 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The V6 as the new “basic” engine has increased the Highlander’s base price while also elevating the SUV’s level of luxury. The Sienna minivan’s popular engine is combined with the same 8-speed automatic transmission in this vehicle. AWD is now an option throughout the board, even on the entry-level L trim.
The remaining 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines left are currently exclusively offered on hybrid models. The RAV4 is powered by the same atkinson cycle engine, although it is tuned differently. Here, it generates a total output of 243 horsepower and has an ECVT transmission that is comparable to the RAV4’s.
4Runner: Toyota discarded the four-cylinder engine wisely decades ago, putting a durable 4.0L V6 engine beneath the hood of the 4Runner. This 24-valve engine produces 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a (very outdated) five-speed automated transmission. The 44 system, which is based on a rear-wheel-drive foundation, employs a Torsen-type locking center diff in high-zoot Limited trims, allowing one to easily handle challenging road conditions. High/low transfer cases are offered for the SR5 and TRD trims.
Conclusion: The 4Runner is considerably less elegant than the Highlander because it is much more agrarian. Choose the Highlander if your goal is to transport passengers in comfort comparable to a vehicle. The 4Runner will probably appeal to people who spend their weekends snowboarding in Whistler or BASE jumping off the Empire State Building.
Fuel Economy
Highlander: The Highlander performs admirably at the gas station for such a roomy car. Examples with front-wheel drive and a V6 engine get combined fuel economy of 24 mpg, or 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. When driving in the city, the economy for AWD models drops to 20 mpg. Highway mileage of 27 mpg results in a combined economy of 23 mpg.
The Highlander hybrid, which achieves an astounding 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, is now also available with FWD. The AWD variants’ city mileage drops by 1 mpg while maintaining the same highway mileage.
4Runner: The 4Runner’s enormous curb weight and barn-door aerodynamics make it difficult for drivers to achieve fuel economy ratings of more than 20 mpg. In city driving, the 42 and 44 variants are also rated at 17 mpg. Two-wheel drive vehicles should achieve 21 mpg on the interstate; the addition of 44 will reduce that number by 1 mpg.
Conclusion: The Highlander will undoubtedly use less fuel than the 4Runner, so that much is certain. Blame physics and drivetrain effectiveness together. Both cars are made to run on ordinary gasoline with an octane rating of 87. Get the Highlander Hybrid if fuel efficiency is your top priority.
Capability
5,000 lbs is the amazing maximum towing weight for a V6 Highlander. However, exercise cautious. A top-tier AWD model’s payload capacity is only 1,280 pounds, so a 500-lb tongue weight for the trailer leaves less than 800 lbs for passengers and cargo.
4Runner: Don’t believe claims that it can haul more weight than its car-based relative because of its bulky body-on-frame design. The 4Runner 42 or 44 is only capable of towing 5,000 pounds. The four-wheel drive version comes close to the 4,700 lb curb weight limit while still permitting a payload of about 1,500 lb. The unibody architecture provides a benefit in that regard. Off-road enthusiasts will like the TRD Pro trim’s Nitto Terra Grappler tires and front skid plate for challenging maneuvers. Your dogs can get some fresh air by sliding down the rear window of the 4Runner.
Bottom Line: The 4Runner is clearly superior in terms of overall capability. Despite having a smaller towing capacity than the Highlander, it can tow a large trailer and carry much greater loads thanks to its sturdy body-on-frame construction.
How much weight can a V8 4Runner trailer tow?
How much can a Toyota 4Runner tow? is a good question to ask Toyota of Brookhaven if you’re searching for strong towing power in a full-size SUV. We’re happy to inform you that the 2021 Toyota 4Runner has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
A camper can a 6 cylinder engine pull?
Travel trailers that are lightweight, like the Scamp, weigh between two and four thousand pounds. Lightweight trailers can be up to 30 feet long, yet 6-cylinder automobiles can still tow them. The majority of the more recent versions have complete bathrooms and appliances that rival those seen in larger recreational vehicles. They have enough room and comforts to create a cozy, short-term home away from home. Their fuel-efficient design makes them more efficient.
What is the towing capacity of a 2016 Toyota 4Runner?
The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is a fantastic SUV suitable for many different tasks. The 4Runner is designed for success with a 270-hp engine and superb technological features including the Toyota Entune suite and a rearview camera. The 2016 Toyota 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 pounds thanks to its robust engine and high-quality overall construction. That is a substantial amount of hauling power for an SUV. Here are a couple items that also weigh around 5,000 pounds to put it in context.
Grand Pianos
Perhaps you are the reincarnation of Beethoven, and you must have a grand piano in every room of your house in order to make the most of your skill before you start going deaf. That’s very unlikely, I guess. However, the 2016 4Runner has got your back if you do need to move a couple grand pianos for any reason.
What may my 4Runner be used to tow?
The 4th Gen V8 4runners are renowned for being the best towing 4runner models ever produced. I didn’t get the chance to put this to the test until September of 2021, when we had just gotten married and were planning a lavish honeymoon.
From Southern Ontario to British Columbia, we traveled more than 10,000 kilometers across the nation in a 19-camper trailer. I’m going to share all I discovered along the way in this article.
Most 4Runners have a towing capacity of at least 5,000 lbs. This mid-size SUV tows well for its class. But it’s crucial to be aware of its constraints. It cannot tow as much as a full-size pickup truck due to its lightweight and short wheelbase, but it can still complete the task.
My fourth-generation V8 4runner did a fantastic job, in my opinion, pulling a modest camper trailer. The weight of this trailer was about half (3,200+ lbs) of what the 4runner is designed to haul (7,000 lbs).
Having said that, I probably wouldn’t want to haul anything larger than that over a long distance. Why is that? I’ll explain it in more detail in the following sections: