Currently drive a 2wd Pilot but thinking of getting a boat next year and am borderline about being able to pull it with what I currently have. Main requirement would be the next vehicle would need to fit in my garage so it can't be too much bigger than my Pilotz. So I was thinking a 4Runner which has 5000lb of towing vs my 3500lb. Boat would be a 22' pontoon.

Does anyone pull with a 4Runner? How do they do? Any other ideas for a tow vehicle that fits this criteria? The Pilot is paid off and would sell for about $33k so I would set that as my budget so I wouldn't have to throw any more money at this deal. Thanks.

ReloadAg said:

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Currently drive a 2wd Pilot but thinking of getting a boat next year and am borderline about being able to pull it with what I currently have. Main requirement would be the next vehicle would need to fit in my garage so it can't be too much bigger than my Pilotz. So I was thinking a 4Runner which has 5000lb of towing vs my 3500lb. Boat would be a 22' pontoon.

Does anyone pull with a 4Runner? How do they do? Any other ideas for a tow vehicle that fits this criteria? The Pilot is paid off and would sell for about $33k so I would set that as my budget so I wouldn't have to throw any more money at this deal. Thanks.

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Buy a GX460. The 4Runner engine and transmission are crap without pulling any extra weight.

About the same HP roughly, the 4Runner has a bit more torque I should think and is RWD chassis on frame so it can bear the load better. I've seen pontoons towed by 4 runners at lake Travis where I launch.

MouthBQ98 said:

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About the same HP roughly, the 4Runner has a bit more torque I should think and is RWD chassis on frame so it can bear the load better. I've seen pontoons towed by 4 runners at lake Travis where I launch.

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There is zero low end torque with the 4Runner. I've always loved 4Runners based on their reputation of longevity. But, I've been so disappointed with the way my wife's drives.

Other options in your size range would be an Explorer or Grand Cherokee. No experience with either, just tossing worthless ideas.

Minivan?

Already have one of those too ha

ReloadAg said:

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Already have one of those too ha

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LX570

Furlock Bones said:

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ReloadAg said:

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Currently drive a 2wd Pilot but thinking of getting a boat next year and am borderline about being able to pull it with what I currently have. Main requirement would be the next vehicle would need to fit in my garage so it can't be too much bigger than my Pilotz. So I was thinking a 4Runner which has 5000lb of towing vs my 3500lb. Boat would be a 22' pontoon.

Does anyone pull with a 4Runner? How do they do? Any other ideas for a tow vehicle that fits this criteria? The Pilot is paid off and would sell for about $33k so I would set that as my budget so I wouldn't have to throw any more money at this deal. Thanks.

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Buy a GX460. The 4Runner engine and transmission are crap without pulling any extra weight.

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I wouldn't pull a boat with either one. Bodyweight is iffy at best but the shorter wheelbase is the problem.

I hear you on garage size -- I have the same issue -- but while i recommend you get advice from those that pull these things, I personally wouldn't pull a boat with anything shorter than a full size pickup with a super/double cab and standard bed. An Expedition would suffice as well, although that may put you out of your garage space.

Any chance you would be willing to pick up an older pickup and use it as a tow/utility vehicle?

How far?

Only about 10 miles to the ramp and back.

I got a Limited not too long ago......you'd be fine towing.

I would think 3000-3500 lbs for a short distance would be ok.

Short distance/low speed it will get the job done. Long distance on the highway will make you want to pull your hair out. You'll get 14 mpg getting your doors blown off by semi-trucks on any interstate.

How much better off would I be with a Tacoma over a 4Runner if I could get beyond the desire to park in the garage?

I've towed boats and a 16' utility trailer with my Xterra. It does have an awesomely sturdy drivetrain for its size, but we're talking the mighty 170Hp and 200ftLb torque of the VG33E here. Granted, it does hit peak torque at 2800 rpm which is pretty low for a v6. It gets the job done well enough with 2000 or 3000lb loads.

I'd imagine a 4Runner with a similar curb weight but 100 more horsepower would do just fine.

ReloadAg said:

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How much better off would I be with a Tacoma over a 4Runner if I could get beyond the desire to park in the garage?

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Probably negligible difference in any performance metric.

Thanks

A 4runner will pull it fine that short of a distance. I pulled a 20' CC from FW to Corpus Christi on vacation with ours loaded to the gills, 4 passengers, and a roof cargo box. No issues.

Transmission likes to hunt from 5th to 4th because Toyota has it geared for max mpg. Just slide the shifter over to 4th if in any kind repetitive hills to put the rpms where they need to be. Power for towing is adequate.

I wouldn't tow with anything less than an F150....and that's a terrible tow vehicle. Small boat is probably ok on it. I tow a 3Horse bumper pull and 20' lowboy occasionally with my F150 rig ride... and it sucks every time.

Have you looked at the Subaru Ascent? I have an Outback and a 4Runner and the Subie is a much better vehicle overall unless you are planning on doing a lot of off road driving.

Get an AWD pilot? Tows the same as the 4runner.

https://betterboat.com/pontoon/average-pontoon-boat-weight-10-common-examples/

A 4Runner is perfectly capable of towing a pontoon boat 10 miles to and from the ramp. Similarly, you can catch a slot redfish with less than 50 lb braid and kill deer with less than a 300 win mag.

CEPhD said:

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A 4Runner is perfectly capable of towing a pontoon boat 10 miles to and from the ramp. Similarly, you can catch a slot redfish with less than 50 lb braid and kill deer with less than a 300 win mag.

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Everything I've ever read on Texags is a LIE!!!

CEPhD said:

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A 4Runner is perfectly capable of towing a pontoon boat 10 miles to and from the ramp. Similarly, you can catch a slot redfish with less than 50 lb braid and kill deer with less than a 300 win mag.

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This so perfectly sums up the excess in our society. It is unfortunate I can only give you one blue star.