2025 (6th Gen) 4Runner Trailer Towing Guidelines

[Administrator]

Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) are always a common question among owners. I wanted to draft this guide up as a simple but dependable reference point for all owners curious about towing with the 6th Gen 4Runner and what the owners manual suggests.

Vehicle Weight​

Curb Weight (lbs)​

• Gas Engine (i-Force)
  • 2WD SR5: 4,455 lbs
  • 2WD TRD Sport: 4,610 lbs
  • 2WD Limited: 4,730 lbs
  • 4WD SR5: 4,685 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Sport: 4,850 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Off-Road: 4,850 lbs
  • 4WD Limited: 4,970 lbs
• Hybrid Engine (i-Force Max)
  • Hybrid TRD Off-Road: 5,225 lbs
  • Hybrid Limited: 5,370 lbs
  • Hybrid Platinum: 5,390 lbs
  • Hybrid TRD Pro: 5,455 lbs
  • Hybrid Trailhunter: 5,500 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs)​

• Gas Engine (i-Force)
  • 2WD SR5: 6,005 lbs
  • 2WD TRD Sport: 6,020 lbs
  • 2WD Limited: 6,130 lbs
  • 4WD SR5: 6,075 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Sport: 6,395 lbs
  • 4WD Off-Road: 6,240 lbs
  • 4WD Limited: 6,395 lbs
• Hybrid Engine (i-Force Max)
  • Hybrid TRD Off-Road: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Limited: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Platinum: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid TRD Pro: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Trailhunter: 6,505 lbs

Weight Limits, Equipment, and Setup Tips
(Reference: 2025 Owner’s Manual, pg. 205–213)
Link to Owners Manual: https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-4runner-owners-manual.pdf

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is rated to tow between 5,100–6,000 pounds depending on trim and drivetrain. Towing requires proper equipment, setup, and driving awareness to maintain safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.

Towing Capacity by Model​

Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) vary by drivetrain and trim:

• 2WD SR5: TWR 6,000 lb | GCWR 10,970 lb
• 2WD TRD Sport: TWR 5,000 lb | GCWR 11,025 lb
• 2WD Limited: TWR 5,100 lb | GCWR 11,245 lb
• 4WD SR5: TWR 5,095 lb | GCWR 11,235 lb
• 4WD TRD Off-Road: TWR 5,110 lb | GCWR 11,265 lb
• 4WD TRD Sport: TWR 5,115 lb | GCWR 11,285 lb
• 4WD Limited: TWR 5,210 lb | GCWR 11,485 lb

Unbraked TWR for all models is limited to 1,655 lb.

Tongue Weight​

Tongue weight should be 9–11% of gross trailer weight for conventional towing.
If using a weight-distributing hitch, adjust torque until the front axle weight (or fender height) returns to pre-trailer connection levels.

Equipment Requirements​

• Over 2,000 lb: Sway control device required
• Over 5,000 lb: Weight-distributing hitch required
• Trailer brakes are required above the unbraked TWR
• Toyota recommends using a Toyota Genuine hitch and wiring system
• Do not use a bumper-mounted hitch

Safety Checks Before Towing​

• Tires (vehicle & trailer) inflated to spec
• Trailer level when hitched
• Lights connected and tested
• Trailer cargo secured
• Proper tongue weight and load balance
• Mirrors comply with local towing regulations
• Trailer brake controller gain properly set if equipped

Driving Tips​

• Max recommended towing speed: 65 mph
• Slow down before turns, during wind, or on rough roads
• Increase stopping distance; avoid abrupt braking
• Use lower gears and engine braking on long descents
• Do not tow with the temporary spare tire
• Practice reversing with the trailer in a safe area

Break-In & Maintenance​

• Avoid towing for the first 500 miles
• For the next 500 miles, limit speed to 45 mph and avoid full throttle
• Towing increases wear—check fluids and hardware more frequently
• Retorque hitch bolts after approx. 600 miles of towing

2025 4Runner Trailer Towing Guidelines Diagram​

Refer to pages 205–213 of the Owner’s Manual for diagrams showing proper trailer hitch setup, trailer ball sizing, tongue weight distribution, and more.

 

[T-man]

Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) are always a common question among owners. I wanted to draft this guide up as a simple but dependable reference point for all owners curious about towing with the 6th Gen 4Runner and what the owners manual suggests.

Vehicle Weight​

Curb Weight (lbs)​

• Gas Engine (i-Force)
  • 2WD SR5: 4,455 lbs
  • 2WD TRD Sport: 4,610 lbs
  • 2WD Limited: 4,730 lbs
  • 4WD SR5: 4,685 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Sport: 4,850 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Off-Road: 4,850 lbs
  • 4WD Limited: 4,970 lbs
• Hybrid Engine (i-Force Max)
  • Hybrid TRD Off-Road: 5,225 lbs
  • Hybrid Limited: 5,370 lbs
  • Hybrid Platinum: 5,390 lbs
  • Hybrid TRD Pro: 5,455 lbs
  • Hybrid Trailhunter: 5,500 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) (lbs)​

• Gas Engine (i-Force)
  • 2WD SR5: 6,005 lbs
  • 2WD TRD Sport: 6,020 lbs
  • 2WD Limited: 6,130 lbs
  • 4WD SR5: 6,075 lbs
  • 4WD TRD Sport: 6,395 lbs
  • 4WD Off-Road: 6,240 lbs
  • 4WD Limited: 6,395 lbs
• Hybrid Engine (i-Force Max)
  • Hybrid TRD Off-Road: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Limited: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Platinum: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid TRD Pro: 6,505 lbs
  • Hybrid Trailhunter: 6,505 lbs

Weight Limits, Equipment, and Setup Tips
(Reference: 2025 Owner’s Manual, pg. 205–213)
Link to Owners Manual: https://trail4runner.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-4runner-owners-manual.pdf

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner is rated to tow between 5,100–6,000 pounds depending on trim and drivetrain. Towing requires proper equipment, setup, and driving awareness to maintain safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.

Towing Capacity by Model​

Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) and Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) vary by drivetrain and trim:

• 2WD SR5: TWR 6,000 lb | GCWR 10,970 lb
• 2WD TRD Sport: TWR 5,000 lb | GCWR 11,025 lb
• 2WD Limited: TWR 5,100 lb | GCWR 11,245 lb
• 4WD SR5: TWR 5,095 lb | GCWR 11,235 lb
• 4WD TRD Off-Road: TWR 5,110 lb | GCWR 11,265 lb
• 4WD TRD Sport: TWR 5,115 lb | GCWR 11,285 lb
• 4WD Limited: TWR 5,210 lb | GCWR 11,485 lb

Unbraked TWR for all models is limited to 1,655 lb.

Tongue Weight​

Tongue weight should be 9–11% of gross trailer weight for conventional towing.
If using a weight-distributing hitch, adjust torque until the front axle weight (or fender height) returns to pre-trailer connection levels.

Equipment Requirements​

• Over 2,000 lb: Sway control device required
• Over 5,000 lb: Weight-distributing hitch required
• Trailer brakes are required above the unbraked TWR
• Toyota recommends using a Toyota Genuine hitch and wiring system
• Do not use a bumper-mounted hitch

Safety Checks Before Towing​

• Tires (vehicle & trailer) inflated to spec
• Trailer level when hitched
• Lights connected and tested
• Trailer cargo secured
• Proper tongue weight and load balance
• Mirrors comply with local towing regulations
• Trailer brake controller gain properly set if equipped

Driving Tips​

• Max recommended towing speed: 65 mph
• Slow down before turns, during wind, or on rough roads
• Increase stopping distance; avoid abrupt braking
• Use lower gears and engine braking on long descents
• Do not tow with the temporary spare tire
• Practice reversing with the trailer in a safe area

Break-In & Maintenance​

• Avoid towing for the first 500 miles
• For the next 500 miles, limit speed to 45 mph and avoid full throttle
• Towing increases wear—check fluids and hardware more frequently
• Retorque hitch bolts after approx. 600 miles of towing

2025 4Runner Trailer Towing Guidelines Diagram​

Refer to pages 205–213 of the Owner’s Manual for diagrams showing proper trailer hitch setup, trailer ball sizing, tongue weight distribution, and more.

View attachment 1459

View attachment 1460

View attachment 1461

View attachment 1462

View attachment 1463

View attachment 1464

Thanks. But could you please verify a couple things?

1. There is conflicting information regarding the towing capacity: I have seen on various dealership websites where they say all hybrid 4Rs are rated at 6,000 lbs. and nonhybrids a little less. (I can do a screenshot of these or link if you like.)

2. There is also conflicting information as to whether the 6th gen has a receiver hitch that will accept a weight distribution (WD) hitching system. WD capable usually means it is mounted to the frame in at least two or three places (not just on rear cross member). Toyota requires a WD system to tow anything above 5,000 lbs. Again, I see conflicting information on various Toyota related sites on the hitching setup, and whether the factory receiver will support WD.

Any clarification you can provide would be much appreciated, as two people in my family are considering a 6th gen to tow travel trailers with, and one would definitely use a weight distributing hitching system.

 

[T-man]

So, after reading a ton of stuff and watching a bunch of videos, I think I've realized what is going on with the 6th gen's hitch receiver. Since all Toyota's new body on frame trucks and SUVs (including Lexus GX550) all share the new TNGA-F platform, they all have weight distribution (WD) capabilities. I looked at a GX550 hitch receiver yesterday, and it looks to be the same setup that's on the current 4Runner. And the GX can tow around 9000 lbs. and obviously requires a WD hitching system - therefore the 4Runner on the same TNGA-F platform must have WD capabilities built in.

What threw me off before was that on the 5th gen, the hitch receiver was bolted to the rear-most cross member, and was not very robust. And if someone tried to put a WD hitch on a 5th gen, it could easily twist the cross member. The new TNGA-F platform is much beefier back there, and even though it looks like the receiver is on a cross member like the 5th gen was, that new cross member is much more robust than the previous generation's frame.

At least that's my current theory . . .

Can anyone verify this?