Summary

• The 2024 Toyota 4Runner has the identical towing capability of 5,000 kilos whatever the trim stage, limiting its potential to deal with heavier masses.
• The 4Runner’s underpowered engine and five-speed computerized transmission contribute to its decrease towing efficiency and elevated gasoline consumption.
• The 4Runner’s off-road capabilities can influence its towing and payload capacities resulting from its gentle suspension and shorter wheelbase, which have an effect on stability and steering whereas towing.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner would possibly as nicely be known as the 2010 Toyota 4Runner, as few issues have modified for the reason that fifth-generation mannequin was first launched. All jokes apart, the present 4Runner actually is 14 years outdated, however why change one thing that simply works? The current generation 4Runner is one of America’s favorite vehicles and this is obvious once you take a look at its sales figures.

Now, this text will concentrate on towing and hauling with the 4Runner. To get this clear from the get-go, the outdated drivetrain of the Toyota 4Runner is a somewhat massive hold-back to its hauling, however particularly to its towing talents. That being stated, it may nonetheless deal with some comparatively heavy masses.

With that in thoughts, on this article, we’re going over the payload and towing numbers of the present technology of 4Runner. Finally, we might be going over what holds the present 4Runner’s towing talents again.

In order to provide the most recent and correct data doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Toyota, and Motortrend.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Towing Capacity

Typically, every mannequin of car, whatever the model, could have completely different towing capacities throughout most of its trim ranges. Towing capability is extremely affected by the load of the automotive or truck. So, if a selected trim stage is extra well-equipped and heavier, its towing capability decreases.

The similar is true for 4WD or 2WD variants of sure fashions. In the Tundra lineup, for instance, a 2WD geared up mannequin can tow greater than a 4WD resulting from its decrease weight. This, nevertheless, isn’t the case with the 4Runner. When you head out to purchase a fifth-generation 4Runner, you’ll obtain the identical tow score whatever the trim stage you decide. That tow score is 5,000 kilos. So, sure, towing with the 4Runner is restricted to smaller and lighter masses, which to some may very well be somewhat disappointing.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Payload Capacity

Payload, like towing, follows the identical development relying on the trim stage. However, within the case of the 4Runner, payload capability appears to be a bit mystical. Toyota doesn’t clearly state it on its web site, however most obtainable sources show a weight of 1,700 kilos.

In truth, the 4Runner payload is so mystical that folks categorical their concern concerning the load they will legally carry in boards hoping to get a stable reply. This is a vital topic, as an obese car is not simply unsafe; it’s also uninsured. Insurance insurance policies decline to cowl prices when a crashed car is on the street at a weight exceeding its gross car mass score.

While we aren’t positive why Toyota doesn’t showcase payload beneath the Weight/Capacities part of the 4Runner on their web site, we can provide you a tip on decide the payload of your particular 4Runner or the 4Runner you might be considering of shopping for. What you need to do is simply find the curb weight of the trim you own or you’re looking at, and subtract it from the gross vehicle mass rating (the heaviest your 4Runner might be whereas driving on public roads). This ought to provide you with a somewhat correct quantity on the quantity of further weight you may haul in your 4Runner.

What Determines Tow And Payload Capacities

Contrary to popular belief, payload, and towing capacities are not only determined by engine power. A sure car can produce extra energy than one other one whereas nonetheless having the ability to tow extra. Payload and towing are judged primarily based on brakes, axle power, gearing, wheel bearings, suspension stiffness, cooling capability, wheelbase, and energy.

This is why, once you look beneath a heavy-duty truck like a Ford F-250, you see an enormous differential and eight-lug wheels. It’s all there to make sure the car has the power wanted to tow and haul safely for years to return. Now, this brings us to why the present technology 4Runner doesn’t carry out nice at towing.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Specifications

(Source: Toyota)

The 4Runner’s Towing Performance

There are fairly just a few elements that lower the 4Runner’s towing and payload talents. Firstly, let’s begin with the apparent. Its 4.0-liter V-6, although an incredibly reliable engine, is underpowered. This is made even worse by its five-speed computerized transmission.

The mixture of those two parts results in a unending downward spiral of the 4Runner not having the facility, but in addition the transmission additional reducing the facility delivered to the wheels by means of mechanical losses, and never sufficient gears (old torque converter automatics have significant mechanical power loss issues due to their design).

Understanding this lack of gearing is somewhat easy. Imagine using a bicycle up a hill, because the hill will get steeper, you shift down, rising your RPMs and reducing the load in your legs. So, to a sure extent, the extra gears you’ve, the extra of an opportunity you must discover the candy spot between RPMs and energy. Well, with solely 5 gears, and mechanical energy losses, the 4Runner doesn’t have a lot of a selection. This results in a screaming engine and extra gasoline consumption whereas towing – particularly on steep gradients.

The 4Runner’s Off-Road Abilities Also Contribute To Its Towing And Hauling Capability

In most instances, the extra succesful a car is off-road, the much less succesful it’s in the case of towing and hauling. This is somewhat apparent as quickly as you check out the towing capacities of a car just like the 4Runner or the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (3,500 kilos). But why is that this the case? Firstly, an off-roader must have a comparatively gentle and long-travel suspension setup, to make sure it may articulate by means of uneven surfaces with a purpose to keep contact with the bottom.

Toyota 4Runner Vs. Competition

(Source: Toyota, Ford, Jeep)

As you may think about, the gentle suspension will sag as quickly as you load it. This can result in a rearward-leaning car that, in flip, results in mild and unresponsive steering. Also, off-road-focused vehicles like the 4Runner, are inclined to have a shorter wheelbase for the sake of a superb breakover quantity. Short-wheelbase automobiles, although, aren’t as secure in the case of towing which results in a decrease payload score.

4Runner TRD Pro Off-Road Specs

(Souce: Toyota)

The 4Runner Shines In Other Areas

The lack of towing talents isn’t an excessive amount of of a difficulty within the case of the 4Runner, because the car was by no means meant to be a tow rig. The 4Runner’s goal is to function a cushty every day driver but in addition as a succesful journey machine. Therefore, it primarily must have the traits of an off-roader and never these of a heavy-duty truck.

Some of those off-road traits on the top-of-the-line TRD Pro mannequin embody Fox suspension, off-road-oriented tires, skid plates, crawl management, Multi-Terrain Select, and extra. Also, let’s not neglect that the identical historic transmission and engine that rob the 4Runner of its towing talents also provide it with some of the best reliability ratings on the market. This is just because they’re extremely easy items.

Also value noting is that the car’s inside, as an example, strikes a stability between rugged performance and luxury. The dashboard, with its intuitive format, affords ease of entry to the car’s varied programs, whereas the infotainment system, although not the newest available in the market, gives enough connectivity for each Android and Apple customers. The seating is upholstered in sturdy supplies; subsequently, it affords consolation for lengthy journeys and resilience in opposition to the damage and tear of adventurous use.

In phrases of security, the 2024 4Runner has advanced to incorporate extra fashionable options. Toyota does not maintain again on security and has geared up the SUV with Safety Sense P. Therefore, the 14-year-old 4Runner does provide a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alerts, and computerized excessive beams. Additionally, adaptive cruise management provides a layer of comfort and security.

Of course, the 4Runner additionally affords the liberty of modification and personalization. The aftermarket help for this mannequin is huge, permitting you to equip your 4Runner with a variety of aftermarket elements, from upgraded suspension kits to off-road tires and tenting setups.

The 2024 4Runner might not be an awesome towing rig. However, it stands as a testomony to Toyota’s dedication to producing dependable and sturdy automobiles whereas additionally subtly integrating fashionable enhancements to fulfill the evolving wants of consumers and rules. Ancient it might be, however it might even be the final historic car on the street.