Hey guys
I'm buying a 17' inboard sport boat and wanted to know how well the 1st gen would cope with that kind of weight. I don't know the boats wieght unfortunatly.

I have a 88 4runner, 8" lift in the back and 5" lift in the front.

 

Whats the tow capacity and tounge weight max of a first gen 4runner?

 

What engine and trans? and most importantly - with that much lift what tires are you running and did you change your GEARS?

With my '85 22re 5sp it was 3500 lbs rating. Towed either of these all over Oregon with no problems at all. The sailboat weighs about 2800 on the trailer, the ski boat probably 2200 or so.

 

I'm running 35x12.5 tires, haven't touched the gearing.

After reading this post (for search purposes) I don't think I'll have to many problems. Worst case I can put my stock tires back on for long distances.

Whats the max tounge wieght??? 100lbs?

 

Wow, I can't imagine trying to tow with 35s and stock gears. It was agonizing to drive the 3.0 before the gears were done, towing nothing!

I wouldn't put more than 100-150 lbs or so of tongue weight. And that depends on your hitch rating too. For that boat 100 lbs should feel good towing.

 

Your gonna have to look at the boat specs for the tongue weight. Its usually on there, sometimes you can adjust the wheels on the trailor to get it right....general rule is 10% of loads weight should be pushing down on the hitch or 60% in front and 40% in back the wheels being the divider between the two...

I rented a uhaul a couple weeks ago and the trailor recommend 160-240lbs on the hitch. They werent kidding either, when I had about 100 that thing swayed BAD. I dunno how much weight I moved up front but I could still lift the hitch so either it didnt have 160-240 (i'm not all that strong and I know when I'm lifting 160 lbs heheh) or the seesaw effect of the trailor made it easier to lift, dunno why it would though. Most likely I didnt have 160 lbs on the front but I did have 60%+ of the weight in the front of the trailor thus elimating sway.

To tow with 160-240 lbs on the hitch you need receiver hitch. Since the stock bumper doesnt hold up too well to that weight. It really depends on how far you plan on towing the boat. On long trips I wouldnt pull more then 1/2 to 3/4 of the max. Around tow you could pull max but I would be really really really careful on the boat ramps if I were you.

I picked up my Reese hitch at Advanced...it has a 500lbs tougue weight max....

 

Ooopppps I made a typo , I'm on 33x12.5 tires. I guess that was wishful typing lol

My 4runner already has an aftermarket hitch so I think I have my bases covered. The previous owner towed it with an old 2wd ranger so I should be fine. As for launching and pulling the boat out of the water I will use 4x4 lowand crawl it in and out =). I'll let you guys know how it works.

Thanks guys
Aaron

 

You seriously need trailer brakes. The first gen is rather underbraked as is, much less towing anything.

 

I was thinking the same thing. I just replaced the pads and shoes. I also was planning on setting the brake porportioning valve (load sensing valve) to max and see how the braking distance is then go from there. Unfortunatly I don't have the money or welding equipment to put brakes on the current trailer or buy a new trailer. just gotta be carefull I guess.