Towing a 20' Nautique 206 with a 2013 Toyota 4-Runner, do you have experience?

[ranfire]

I have a 1996 Air Nautique 206 (with tower, no ballast) on a tandem axel trailer. I just replaced the trailer breaks so they work well. From brief research on this site, I am guessing the wet weight is about 4000 lbs or perhaps a bit more. We are considering buying a Toyota FourRunner (I think it is the SR5 model) that states 5000 lbs towing capacity to replace our older Chev. Surburban 1500.
In addition to short trips to a local lake (30 minutes), we tow 3 to 4 times a year from sea level to the lake at about 2000 feet elevation, a 2.5 hour drive mostly freeway.

Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with the Toyota's 4-runner's towing capabilities at the higher end of their listed capabilities? And/or can you share any experience on the accuracy of my guess on the weight of my boat listed above?

Thanks!

[NautiqueJeff]

There was no 206 in 1996. The 206 came out in 2003.

If you have a 1996, you likely have a Sport Nautique.

Here's the weight info for 1996 boats.



Just in case, here's the weight of the 206. You'll have to add in the trailer weight.

[migs]

I saw a 4runner pulling a Malibu 23LSV just the other day on the freeway. 4Runner looked like it was about to pop a wheelie.

[Lakejackson]

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...w-ratings.html
You should read this article. I have owned Ford,Dodge, and Toyota. My toyotas have always been superior.

[seth]

You will be more than fine, probably pleasantly surprised. No personal experience with the new 4 Runner, but they look awesome! I had a 96 T-100 with the 3.4L V6 and towed a 98 malibu sunsetter v-drive with it and was surprised at how well it towed that boat.

[DanielC]

I am in a similar situation. I tow a 1997 Ski Nautique with a 1996 Ford Aerostar.

If you have a choice, get a Four Runner with a lower (higher numerically) rear axle ratio. This allows the engine to be reviing slightly higher and gives you more power to tow with. There is a slight sacrifice in fuel economy, but really not that much. It takes the same amount of power to move a vehicle down the road at a constant speed.
If you have a low geared rear axle, the engine revs more, but with relatively light throttle.
If you have a higher geared rear axle, the engine is turning slower, but you need more throttle to make the power.

[Drock]

I tow my 03 210 SANTE with a Tacoma(also the 4.0L) just fine. Doesn't like hills but gets the job done.

[CMW]

Used to tow an 08 210 (little heavier than your boat) with a 4 runner SR5 (5000 lbs towing). It Worked... Hated it. Felt a little unsafe to.

[Silver Surf]

I'm a big Toyota fan!! Currently have 4 in the Driveway. I would try to find a older V-8 4runner 03-09 rated at 7000 towing. A used Lexus GX 470 or a 99-2008 Landcruiser/Lexus LX470 6500 towing. Sure they aren't new... But its a Toyota and they run forever. We Sold our V-8 4runner for a Landcruiser because we needed a Third row. Now that we have a Landcruiser, Hands down Its the best out there when it comes to resale value.

[jmo]

Towing a 210 or other vdrives are not good comparisons as the are at least 1,000 lbs heavier between the boat and the heavier trailer that are under them.

If its just you and a passenger in the 4runner you should be okay, if you are going to load it up with gear and people, then you are closing in on the max for that vehicle, which should still be okay, but not great.

Bigger is better when it comes to towing, I worry about the shorter wheel base of the 4runner in comparison to the boat as it is more likely to end up with boat steering the 4runner in an emergency stop or turn to avoid an accident. Towing at the limit is just unpleasant, I would recommend going bigger if you load up the vehicle on the long trips, if not your probably okay.

HTH's,

JMO

[beach]

I tow my 03 210 on a tandem with an 06 v8 4runner. It tows fine for me and worked well in an one emergency stop. I'm not towing in the mountains, but northern Alabama/Tennesse isn't flat either. I haven't had trouble maintaining the speed limit. Would a 3/4 ton diesel truck tow better? Yes, but it'd cost a lot more and I doubt I'd be averaging 19mpg(not towing). At least when taking into account the price premium for diesel per gallon.

The newer 4runners are heavier so they should be more stable, but they also got rid of the v8. The new v6 is more powerful than the old one, but it doesn't have the torque of the old v8.

I would see if the dealership would let you test drive with the boat in tow.

Also, I know for mine, toyota had a ball mount that was shorter than the generic ones. That reduces the lever arm of the trailer and helps with stability when towing with a vehicle with a shorter wheelbase.

[Willandbill]

I tow my 2012 Ski Nautique 200 open bow, with tower, Bimini, and light accessories with a 2010 toyota FJ Cruiser without any problems. Boat, trailer, etc. probably right at 5000lb limit of truck. Mileage does drop from 18-20 down to 14-16. I can't justify a huge tow vehicle when I tow 500 miles a year and still feel safe with the smaller truck.

[Sullivan]

I tow my 200 promo boat from time to time with my wife's 2011 4Runner. It does just fine. Its a Toyota so don't be afraid to rev the heck out of it. Once, you put the skinny pedal down and it drops into the right gear it takes off.

[ranfire]

Yes right,
not a 206, great info on weights. Thanks

[chris196]

I towed a 1998 Ski with a 1996 tacoma V6 for a few years. That's the first generation tacoma so smaller than current ones. It was rated for 5K and it did ok. It would do the tow you're talking about, but wouldn't like it.

I now have a 2010 Nissan Frontier with the 4.0 V6. The frontier and tacoma/4runner are almost identical in specs. The frontier does a lot better job of towing. The sport nautique you're talking about will be a little heavier, but I think you'll be fine.
BTW, the frontier is rated at 6.3K tow capacity. I think the current tacoma is the same. 4runner is less, but it's a big vehicle.