Get StartingandDriving -> Trailer towing Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

Dinghy towing

Trailer towing

Your vehicle is designed primarily as a

passenger−and−load−carrying vehicle. Tow-

ing a trailer will have an adverse effect on

handling, performance, braking, durability

and driving economy (fuel consumption,

etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend

on the proper use of correct equipment

and cautious driving habits. For your safe-

ty and the safety of others, you must not

overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your

local Toyota dealer for further details be-

fore towing.

CAUTION

D The maximum gross trailer weight

(trailer weight plus cargo weight)

must never exceed 2267 kg (5000

lb.).

If towing a trailer and cargo weigh-

ing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is

necessary to use

a

sway control

device with sufficient capacity. The

combination of the gross trailer

weight added to the total weight of

the vehicle, occupants and vehicle

cargo must never exceed a total of

the following.

WEIGHT LIMITS

Before towing, make sure the total trail-

er weight, gross combination weight,

gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight

and trailer tongue load are all within

the limits.

Your vehicle is not designed to be

dinghy towed (with four wheels on the

ground) behind a motorhome.

Two−wheel drive models

3992 kg (8800 lb.)

NOTICE

Four−wheel drive models

4173 kg (9200 lb.)

The total trailer weight and tongue load

can be measured with platform scales

found at a highway weighing station, build-

ing supply company, trucking company,

junk yard, etc.

Do not tow your vehicle with four

wheels on the ground. This may

cause serious damage to your vehicle.

Exceeding the maximum weight of

the trailer, the vehicle, or the ve-

hicle and trailer combination, can

cause an accident resulting in seri-

ous personal injuries.

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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

D The gross vehicle weight must not

Total trailer weight

Tongue load

exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight

Rating (GVWR) indicated on the

Certification Label. The gross vehi-

cle weight is the sum of weights of

the unloaded vehicle, driver, pas-

sengers, luggage, hitch and trailer

tongue load. It also includes the

weight of any special equipment

installed on your vehicle.

Tongue load

∗

15% ( ) or

1

100

D The load on either the front or rear

axle resulting from distribution of

the gross vehicle weight on both

axles must not exceed the Gross

Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed

on the Certification Label.

9

to 11%

Total trailer weight

∗

(

2

)

D Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-

ent weight capacities established by

the hitch manufacturer. Even though

the vehicle may be physically capa-

ble of towing a higher weight, the

operator must determine the maxi-

mum weight rating of the particular

hitch assembly and never exceed

the maximum weight rating speci-

fied for the trailer−hitch. Exceeding

the maximum weight rating set by

the trailer hitch manufacturer can

cause an accident resulting in seri-

ous personal injuries.

D The trailer cargo load should be

distributed so that the tongue load

is 15% for weight distributing hitch

∗

1

(

) or 9 to 11% for weight carrying

∗

2

hitch ( ) of the total trailer weight,

not exceeding the maximum of 226

kg (500 lb.). Never load the trailer

with more weight in the back than

in the front. About 60% of the trail-

er load should be in the front half

of the trailer and the remaining 40%

in the rear.

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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

HITCHES

BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS

D Never tow a trailer without using a

safety chain securely attached to

both the trailer and the vehicle. If

damage occurs to the coupling unit

or hitch ball, there is danger of the

trailer wandering over into another

lane.

D Use only a hitch recommended by the

hitch manufacturer and the one which

conforms to the total trailer weight

requirement.

D Toyota recommends trailers with

brakes that conform to any applica-

ble federal and state/provincial regu-

lations.

D The hitch must be bolted securely to

the vehicle frame and installed accord-

ing to the hitch manufacturer’s instruc-

tions.

D A safety chain must always be used

between the towing vehicle and the

trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the

chain for turns. The chain should

cross under the trailer tongue to

prevent the tongue from dropping to

the ground in case it becomes dam-

aged or separated. For correct safety

chain procedures, follow the hitch or

trailer manufacturer’s recommenda-

tions.

TIRES

D The hitch ball and king pin should have

a light coat of grease.

D Ensure that your vehicle’s tires are

properly inflated. See Section 7−2 for

instructions.

D Toyota recommends removing the hitch

when not towing to prevent injury and/

or damage due to the hitch in event of

a rear end collision. After removal of

the hitch, seal the installation area to

prevent entry of exhaust fumes and

mud.

D The trailer tires should be inflated to

the pressure recommended by the trail-

er manufacturer in respect to the total

trailer weight.

CAUTION

D If the total trailer weight exceeds

453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are

required.

NOTICE

Do not use an axle−mounting hitch as

it may cause damage to the axle

housing, wheel bearings, wheels and

or tires.

D Never tap into your vehicle’s hy-

draulic system as it would lower its

braking effectiveness.

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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

BREAK−IN SCHEDULE

PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK

D Toyota recommends that you do not

tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a

vehicle with any new power train com-

ponent (engine, transmission, differen-

tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first

800 km (500 miles) of driving.

D Check that your vehicle remains level

when a loaded or unloaded trailer is

hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has

an abnormal nose−up or nose−down

condition, and check for improper

tongue load, overload, worn suspension

or other possible causes.

MAINTENANCE

D Make sure the trailer cargo is securely

loaded so that it cannot shift.

D If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will

require more frequent maintenance due

to the additional load. For this informa-

tion, please refer to the scheduled

maintenance information in the “Sched-

uled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s

Manual Supplement”.

D Check that your rear view mirrors con-

form to any applicable federal, state/

provincial or local regulations. If not,

install the rear view mirrors required

for towing purpose.

TRAILER LIGHTS

D Your vehicle is equipped with a wire

harness stored in the rear end under

body. Some models are fitted with a

socket for trailer lights under the rear

bumper. Use either of them to connect

and operate the trailer lights. However,

the trailer lights must comply with fed-

eral, state/provincial and local regula-

tions. See your local recreational ve-

hicle dealer or rental agency for the

correct type of wiring and relays for

your trailer. Check for correct operation

of the turn signals and stop lights each

time you hitch up. Direct splicing may

damage your vehicle’s electrical system

and cause a malfunction of your lights.

D Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing

ball and bracket after approximately

1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.

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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

TRAILER TOWING TIPS

D Because stopping distance may be in-

creased, vehicle−to−vehicle distance

should be increased when towing

D Crosswinds and rough roads will ad-

versely affect handling of your vehicle

and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention

to the rear from time to time to pre-

pare yourself for being passed by large

trucks or buses, which may cause your

vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying

happens, firmly grip the steering wheel

and reduce speed immediately but

gradually. Never increase speed. Steer

straight ahead. If you make no extreme

correction with the steering or brakes,

the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.

When towing a trailer, your vehicle will

handle differently than when not tow-

ing. The three main causes of vehicle−

trailer accidents are driver error, exces-

sive speed and improper trailer loading.

Keep these in mind when towing:

a

trailer. For each 16 km/h (10 mph) of

speed, allow at least one vehicle and

trailer length between you and the ve-

hicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as

you may skid, resulting in jackknifing

and loss of control. This is especially

true on wet or slippery surfaces.

D Before starting out, check operation of

the lights and all vehicle−trailer connec-

tions. After driving

a

short distance,

D Avoid jerky starts or sudden accelera-

tion.

stop and recheck the lights and con-

nections. Before actually towing a trail-

er, practice turning, stopping and back-

ing with a trailer in an area away from

traffic until you learn the feel.

D Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns.

The trailer could hit your vehicle in a

tight turn. Slow down before making a

turn to avoid the necessity of sudden

braking.

D Be careful when passing other ve-

hicles. Passing requires considerable

distance. After passing a vehicle, do

not forget the length of your trailer and

be sure you have plenty of room befo-

re changing lanes.

D Backing with a trailer is difficult and

requires practice. Grip the bottom of

the steering wheel and move your hand

to the left to move the trailer to the

left. Move your hand to the right to

move the trailer to the right. (This pro-

cedure is generally opposite to that

when backing without a trailer). Also,

just turn the steering wheel a little at

D Remember that when making a turn,

the trailer wheels will be closer than

the vehicle wheels to the inside of the

turn. Therefore, compensate for this by

D In order to maintain engine braking effi-

ciency, do not use overdrive.

making

radius with your vehicle.

a

larger than normal turning

D Because of the added load of the trail-

er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat

on hot days (at temperatures over

30_C [85_F]) when going up a long or

steep grade with a trailer. If the engine

coolant temperature gauge indicates

overheating, immediately turn off the air

conditioning (if in use), pull off the road

and stop in a safe spot. Refer to “If

your vehicle overheats” in Section 4.

a

time, avoiding sharp or prolonged

turning. Have someone guide you when

backing to reduce the risk of an acci-

dent.

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’01 4Runner_U (L/O 0008)

D Always place wheel blocks under both

the vehicle and trailer wheels when

parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.

Put the transmission in “P”. Avoid park-

ing on a slope with a trailer, but if it

cannot be avoided, do so only after

performing the following:

When restarting out after parking on a

slope:

D Slow down and downshift before

descending steep or long downhill

grades. Do not make sudden down-

shifts.

1. With the transmission in “P” position,

start the engine. Be sure to keep the

brake pedal depressed.

D Avoid holding the brake pedal down

too long or too frequently. This

could cause the brakes to overheat

and result in reduced braking effi-

ciency.

2. Shift into gear.

3. Release the parking brake and brake

pedal and slowly pull or back away

from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply

your brakes.

1. Apply the brakes and hold.

2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-

der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.

3. When the wheel blocks are in place,

release your brakes slowly until the

blocks absorb the load.

4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.

CAUTION

4. Apply the parking brake firmly.

D Do not exceed 72 km/h (45 mph) or

the posted towing speed limit,

whichever is lower. Because insta-

bility (swaying) of a towing vehicle−

5. Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.

trailer

combination

usually

in-

creases as the speed increases, ex-

ceeding 72 km/h (45 mph) may

cause loss of control.

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StartingandDriving -> Trailer towing for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Third Generation (1996-2002)

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