Its funny to me that Toyota offered the "tow package" for the 2nd gen 4 runners. Mine is barely able to "tow" itself to 70 mph on the highway. what in Sam Hain were they thinking? It's like offering a tow package on a kayak.

 

You can tow -- you just won't be going 70 mph. Unless it's down hill with a stiff breeze at yer back.

Ed

 

it is strange that my tow package is rated at over twice my towing ability....the most ive towed with my 4runner is my trailer (approx. 6x10) with two front end loader scoops of mulch, I know it was less than 2000lbs, because it didnt rip the step bumper (rated at 2000lbs max) on the Sonoma, and it put more strain than my 2 waverunners (both 700cc) when i tow them....I figure they weigh around 300lbs a piece plus the trailer, so.....1100lbs max for that. So I guess the most I've towed with the 4runner, 22RE is between 1400 and 1900lbs....and its quite a struggle, screaming alot of gears, nonetheless, the tow package is rated for prolly 5000 lbs (class III) Dont know where im goin with this......well, thats what i got to say.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/12000-lb-pull-22re-64942/

 

The 3.slow does surprisingly well towing considering it can't get out of it's own way. Don't expect to have people happy being stuck behind you, though. My previous 3.slow pulled a 3,000 lb camper all over the east coast, a glass bass boat around the northeast and the occasional load of bricks or sand bags reasonably well.

 

My '95 3.slow was loaded to the gills in the back, 4 people, roof rack carrier loaded, and towed a snowmobile on a 4x8 trailer from Utah to Washington...it did struggle up the hills but if you took it out of overdrive it could handle most everything at 60 or so...the bad part was the trip took 14hrs...the worst part was the gas mileage (11.5 average)...

 

Mine pulled an 1800 lb trailer going 60 in 3rd. Not much fun. I half expected something to let loose.

 

Mine pulls my 19' VIP and my parents 20' Montery ski boat just fine, even when I had my 34" swampers on

 

I used to pull this (see pic) with my 22RE 4Runner. Never had a worry, (unless it was windy!) Total weight is probably 4000 lbs. Driving skill and common sense have a lot to do with it too.

A friend pulled a 28 foot sailboat (around 8000 pounds on the trailer) from Wisconsin to Washington with a Nissan Frontier!! She had no problems but it was a REAL challenge - she bought an F250 Superduty not long afterward and quietly says it tows much better....