Can I tow a Toyota 4Runner

No - you can tow the 4Runner, but you definitely need a real receiver - the bumper pull won't cut it. Not only is the bumper not rated for the weight, it's way too high for a proper mount, and it also limits your turning radius.

I would install a transmission temperature gauge, to keep an eye on the transmission. Heat is what kills it, and if you manage the heat, you'll be fine. Keep it out of overdrive in mountainous areas (to prevent the transmission from hunting back and forth between gears).

As for equipment, a low flatbed trailer is preferable to a car dolly - it will save the wear on the towed vehicle. If you have to use a car dolly, put the front wheels on the dolly, disconnect the 4Runner's rear drive shaft from the rear axle, and secure it up against the frame. Make ABSOLUTELY sure it can't come loose. Heavy wire through the yoke and around the frame, tied in such a way so that it can't slide rearward.

Given the above, and with a healthly amount of common sense applied during the trip, I think you'll be fine. Make sure you get a spare tire for the trailer/dolly to bring with you. Some people forget that trailers get flats, too.

You will have the added expenses of getting your vehicle ready for towing, Much added fuel costs, stress,saftey factor, TIME Have you considered shipping the vehicle ??? probably cost $1400-1500

It may not even cost that much. I recall when I went to Hawaii, that it would have only cost me about 700 to ship a car from the port at Long Beach to Honolulu. Mind you this was back in 98 and it may have been a price for military shipping a second vehcile.

Yep, I have considered shipping and that is still an option that is on the table. Which is why I also asked if anyone knows a dependable and reputable auto shipper. Right now the ones I have priced are about $1000. And yes, this is in conjunction with a military move. Unfortunately, the government no longer pays for shipping vehicles inside the US, which is why I am trying to save money by towing. I really am only concerned about crossing the mountains while towing, but I guess worst case scenario, I could have my other driver (going to split driving with someone) just drive the Toyota through the "rough" spots of the trip and then trailer through the easy, flat parts.

If I do have to buy a Class IV hitch, anybody recommend a particular model or brand?

Additional info You might consider driving the Toy and shipping the Dodge. Be reasistic

When did they stop shipping vehicles in CONUS? This has to be something with in the last two years. What pure and mindless bullshit that is, just another way to f*ck our service members over!

I would not be overly concerned with towing it. I towed a 12x6 U-haul trailer, fully loaded, from AZ to NY a few years ago using my 97 Ram

I would not buy a hitch from U-haul only because they are so expensive. Home Depot, Wal-Mart, JC Whitney area ll good places to go. I have always used Reese and never had a lick of trouble.

This is an excellent po> >

Its been at least 5-6 years (how long I've been in) because I distinctly remember being told on each move that the only places that government will pay to ship a vehicle to are OCONUS and then its only one. I hear you though, when just about every family now owns two vehicles, it does make these moves difficult sometimes.

Got any idea what that trailer weighed loaded? Trying to make a comparison. As I said above, I figure that with added weight of a trailer or dolly plus the 4Runner I am figuring max about 6200# (5570# Toyota plus trailer wt) and thats probably a heavy estimate.

Been looking on JC Whitney myself. Found this one:

What branch are you in? What rank? Something just doesn't sound right about them not flipping the cost for moving a vehicle on a PCS in CONUS? I have only been out 2 years, after serving 16 and NEVER, single or married was told anything even remotely similar.

Man, honestly have no idea on the weight anymore. If I had to guess, I would say somewhere around 3 or 4k. It was a completely enclosed trailer, which I figure was about 1500 or so.

USMC - Officer. Check the Joint Federal Travel Regulations @

Well the more I investigate it doesn't really matter. Looked at Penske, Uhaul, etc. None of the car dolly's or trailers that you can rent are capable of hauling a 4Runner. Either the wheels are too big or its too heavy. Looks like my only option is to have it shipped unless I am wrong. Will have to find out tomorrow. Maybe I can convince the government to reimburse me. Wife has a medical condition that prevents her from driving, and I can't very well drive two vehicles at once. Maybe I can use some kind of doctors note to get reimbursed. Certainly would make the trip easier.

Are you sure?? I've seen some fairly large cars on rental trailers.

I'm starting to see what you mean. The tire issue isn't a big deal to resolve. How much does it weigh?

Well that explains it. Thanks for your service.

Anyway, thinking about this it is mo that by the time you get done messing around getting the truck set up to tow, renting the trailer, paying for the extra gas and toll, plus the stress and bs of a cross country ride you'd be probably be way better served shipping whichever one of the two is cheaper. Also if you do ship, go to the company not a broker.Tell them your in the military maybe they have a government rate.

I hear ya regards the German Sepherd. Ours is 9 years old now and rides back and forth to Fl with us. You'll never have a better friend.

Roy

Check the Joint Federal Travel Regulations @

@

Wow! What a way to screw the military over even more!!! I am SOOO glad I am not in anymore, it is stupid shit like this that I do not miss and hated to deal with. I wish you the best, have a safe move however you accomplish it and as Roy said, thanks.

i was going to suggest a reese myself. having forgotten what vehicle he has to tow with i've assumed a 97 ram 1500 in my search. valley and drawtite both make good hitches too. here's a class IV from etrailer.com that looks reasonable. been a wile since i bought a reciever hitch. last couple of trucks already came with them.

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I am pretty much resigned to shipping a vehicle. Just going to have to figure out which one. The Ram will only be about $100 more than the Toyota to ship. My question now is which one do you think would be better on gas mileage while pulling one of those small Uhaul trailers (less than 1500#).

The 2004 Toyota 4Runner is a 4.0L V6 generating about 245hp and 283 ft- lbs of torque. Its a stock factory setup.

The 1999 Dodge Ram is a 5.2L V8 (318) generating originally 230hp and

My guess would be the 4Runner since it doesn't generate much less torque than the Ram and it has more horsepower.

Any thoughts?

Unless the Ram has a shell, the Toyota will have somewhat better aerodynamics for towing a small enclosed trailer.

I get 18 MPG in my 2006 RAM CTD at 70MPH with no shell. When towing a toyhauler, it goes down to about 12.5MPG.

The ram 1500 would be my choice. i would expect about 9 mpg towing at interstate speeds with it. being a full sized truck pulling what will be a fairly light load for it (you stated previously a small uhaul trailer) it should handle well. I'm sure the 4 runner would do the job nicely too, but IRRC those are more along the lines of a Dakota sized vehicle. my personal preference is to pull with the larger vehicle always.

NOTE: my guess/estimate of 9 mpg is just that a guess. I'm basing that on my personal previous experience with my wife's 5.9L durango and v10 2500 trucks. (both previously sold) with each truck unloaded we were seeing 10 ~ 13 mpg empty. your actual mpg will depend greatly on your driving habits and load. keep in mind I've never owned a 4 runner and have no idea what mpg you could expect out of one when towing. my recommendation was solely on the size of the tow vehicle.

I'm with Chris on this for all the reason's he mentioned. Ship the toy and tow with the truck. You will be more comfortable in the bigger cab, also more room for the dog.

On 22 Mar 2007 20:22:17 -0700, "Wolfpack6" wrote: I'd use the older larger to tow . No wear on the newer smaller vehicle that way.