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Tow capacity
Hi gang-
I have accepted a position in Vail Colorado.
I have a 2002 30' IB. I also have a Toyota 4Runner.
I cannot tow my 4Runner with all wheels down.
Anytime I want to take a trip in my LD and take my vehicle I rent a car hauler.

Do you think my LD would have any problems towing my 4Runner through the the high Rockies to Vail?
My 4Runner weighs around 4,600 lbs.

Thanks in advance.
Mark
2002 30' IB
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #1 –
I see frustration at a minimum, safety issues likely. I'll leave the latter to those who better know actual LD capacities.

A car hauler by itself will likely be in the 1500 lbs. range, minimum. So, you'll be over 6K loaded.

With 600-900 pounds of tongue weight (10-15%), I'm guessing you're beyond a stock receiver's capacity on a 30' LD. Yes or no - with that much weight, you're gonna be extremely slow heading up inclines. Our lighter 27' towing right around 5K is no walk in the park in the mountains.

You're not describing an experience I'd consider pleasant.
2011 RB
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #2 –
Is your 4 runner only 2 wheel drive?
2001  26 1/2  Rear Bath

2001  Jeep Wrangler
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #3 –
Why not call the Lazy Daze factory and ask?
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #4 –
Quote from: NADAZE!  - 
Hi gang-
I have accepted a position in Vail Colorado.
I have a 2002 30' IB. I also have a Toyota 4Runner.
I cannot tow my 4Runner with all wheels down.
Anytime I want to take a trip in my LD and take my vehicle I rent a car hauler.

Do you think my LD would have any problems towing my 4Runner through the the high Rockies to Vail?
My 4Runner weighs around 4,600 lbs.

Thanks in advance.
Mark

Where are you driving from to get to Vail? 
Do you just need to get the 4R to Vail and then are not planning on towing it in the mountains anymore, i.e, perhaps getting a more towable vehicle when you settle in Vail?
Do you know what the combined weight of the 4R and the hauler are? 

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #5 –
IMO, that is too much weight to pull, especially in the Rockies.
It's going to take two trips or finding a second driver, unless you are willing to ship the 4-Runner.
The rear bumper is Factory rated at 4000-lbs, add the expense of having the hitch upgraded to the cost of renting a trailer and the extra fuel used.
Shipping it is looking more attractive.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
Where are you driving from to get to Vail?
Do you just need to get the 4R to Vail and then are not planning on towing it in the mountains anymore, i.e, perhaps getting a more towable vehicle when you settle in Vail?
Do you know what the combined weight of the 4R and the hauler are?

Chris

I'll be driving from Northern Minnesota. I was thinking about selling the 4Runner and purchasing a RAV 4.
2002 30' IB
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #8 –
Quote from: NADAZE!  - 
I'll be driving from Northern Minnesota. I was thinking about selling the 4Runner and purchasing a RAV 4.
Of course. I sent you the manual. 

So all you really need to be able to do is get up and through the Eisenhower Tunnel and over Vail Pass. Heading W through the tunnel is not as bad as coming up the E side. The grade by Georgetown is a bear. Vail pass is not that bad, but still a challenge. If you are living in Vail buying a RAV4 makes sense. If you are living in Vail, good luck on finding a place to store your LD. You may have to find a town nearby.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #9 –
This won't solve your problem of being passed the 4,000Lb mark, but couldn't you use a car dolly instead of a full on car hauler trailer?  It would weigh significantly less. 

Paul
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #10 –
The Rav4 is a great car.  It just cannot flat tow in stock configuration.  We finally replaced our 96 Rav in 2011.  We looked at the Rav4,   Honda CRV and Suburu Forester.  All evaluated very close, but opted for an 11 Rav4.   Then we decided to get a LD a year or so later...  Rav4 would have needed a warranty-voiding transmission pump to keep things lubed.   We replaced it with a 2011 CRV.  20:20 hindsight. 

Consider that if you plan to tow something.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #11 –
Mark;   I must say you are facing really really bad odds.   FIrst this time of year the weather is enough problem but your load and all you really should give up on the idea of towing a vehicle that heavy in my home state mountains with your ld.
    IF you don't mind a suggestion since we have faced many like yours, id take the ld to vail , hop on a  plane and go get your car or as you said maybe sell your car and replace in Colorado altho sales taxes there are not friendly.    Hire a friend to drive the 4runner and fly them home?   lots of safer ways to get you happily to your new job in vail. 
Best of Luck to you
2005 Front Lounge
 
Re: Tow capacity
Reply #12 –
Mark, I see two issues.  The first is the 4000 lb limit that many have discussed.  A custom hitch might get you past that limit, but the shop doing the work would need to be both knowledgable and reliable.  The stock hitch cannot safely pull the loads you are talking about.

The second issue is the GVWR of your vehicle.  I believe that is 20,000 lbs, but I am not certain of that.  That limit reflects the total weight of fuel, water, waste tanks, cargo, passengers, towing equipment and towed items.  If you are not over that number, I think you have to be very close.  That rating is not something you can change.  Many component capacities are considered for that number.  They include your braking ability, tire loads, bearing loads, differential strength, drive shaft strength, transmission and engine strength, engine cooling, suspension, steering, and so on.  There is no way to modify your RV to boost that rating, because too many components go into it.

Check the GVWR for the vehicle.  It may be on the door or the frame by the driver's door.  Once you know that number, get the weight of your RV, loaded.  Add at least 1600 pounds for a tow dolly, more if it is a trailer, and add the weight of the 4Runner.  If you are near or above that number, forget about towing the 4Runner across the plains, much less in the mountains.  Your safe options become either finding a driver for the 4Runner, finding a carrier to transport the 4Runner, or selling the 4Runner.  One way to "find a driver" is to drive the RV to Vail, then take a train, plane or bus back to Minnesota, and you drive the 4Runner to Vail.

Before doing ANY of these, someone mentioned making sure you can have the RV at Vail.  I think that is REALLY good advice.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB