Short answer: yes. Every Toyota 4Runner built since 2010 is rated to tow at least 4,700 pounds, and the current sixth generation is rated for up to 6,000. Most off-road trailers weigh a fraction of that.
The longer answer is where people get into trouble. Tow rating is only one of four numbers that matter, and on a 4Runner loaded for a week on the trail, it's usually not the first one you run out of. We build an M416-style overland trailer in North Texas, and a lot of the people who call us are towing with a 4Runner, so this is the conversation we have most often. Here's how to work it out for your truck.
Toyota 4Runner towing capacity by generation
These are the figures for the last two generations, which cover nearly every 4Runner you'll see at a trailhead today.
| Model years | Engine | Max towing | Max tongue weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2024 (5th gen) | 4.0L V6, 270 hp, 278 lb-ft | 5,000 lb (4,700 lb for 2014–2015) | 500 lb | Same rating across trims; brake controller is aftermarket |
| 2025–2026 (6th gen) SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited | 2.4L i-FORCE turbo, 278 hp, 317 lb-ft | 6,000 lb | 600 lb | Factory trailer brake controller available |
| 2025–2026 (6th gen) TRD Off-Road, Limited with hybrid | 2.4L i-FORCE MAX hybrid, 326 hp, 465 lb-ft | 6,000 lb | 600 lb | More torque, slightly less payload |
| 2025–2026 (6th gen) TRD Pro, Trailhunter, Platinum | 2.4L i-FORCE MAX hybrid, 326 hp, 465 lb-ft | 5,800 lb | 580 lb | Heaviest trims, lowest payload |
Toyota publishes the 6,000-pound maximum and the engine outputs in its 2026 4Runner press release. The trim-by-trim splits, the 5th-gen year exceptions, and the tongue-weight limits come from compiled spec data at TowingSpecs, so confirm them against your own owner's manual and door-jamb sticker before you hitch up.
The headline: a 2025 or newer Toyota 4Runner is rated to tow between 5,800 and 6,000 pounds depending on trim, and a 2010–2024 4Runner is rated for 5,000 pounds in most years.
The four numbers that actually decide it
1. Towing capacity
This is the maximum loaded trailer weight. Not the dry weight on the brochure, the weight of the trailer with your water, fuel, firewood, rooftop tent, and recovery gear in it. If a trailer has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) below your tow rating, you can't overload the truck with that trailer even if you max it out.
2. Tongue weight
Tongue weight is how much of the trailer presses down on your hitch ball. Toyota's 4Runner owner's manuals call for tongue weight in the range of 9 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight, as etrailer's technicians note when quoting the manual. Too little and the trailer can sway. Too much and the rear of the truck squats, the headlights aim at the sky, and steering gets light.
3. Payload
This is the one that bites 4Runner owners. Payload is everything the truck itself can carry: passengers, the cooler in the cargo area, the rooftop rack and whatever's on it, the steel bumper and winch you added, and the trailer's tongue weight. Every pound of tongue weight comes out of payload.
Published 6th-gen payload figures are calculated from GVWR minus curb weight, and they run from roughly 1,550 pounds on a 2WD SR5 to about 1,005 pounds on a Trailhunter (per TowingSpecs' calculations). That's before any modifications. A family of four can use up 600 pounds before anyone packs a bag. Add a 200-pound tongue and a heavy front bumper and a Trailhunter can be at its limit while towing a trailer that weighs a fraction of its tow rating.
The fix is simple but tedious: read the yellow Tire and Loading Information sticker on your driver's door jamb, or better, take the loaded truck across a CAT scale before your first big trip.
4. Trailer brakes
Toyota Canada's spec notes say a weight-distributing hitch is needed above 5,000 pounds of trailer weight, but that's not a concern with a small off-road trailer. Brakes are. Most states require trailer brakes above a set weight; in Texas, a trailer with a gross weight over 4,500 pounds needs them, per the Texas Department of Public Safety. Below that, they're still the single best safety upgrade you can have when you're descending a loose, steep grade with a loaded trailer pushing you. On a 6th-gen 4Runner, the factory brake controller is available; on a 5th gen, plan on an aftermarket controller.
What overland trailers weigh compared with a 4Runner's rating
Here's how common off-road trailers we've compared before stack up against a 4Runner. Weights come from each manufacturer's published specs as of October 2026; the OVS loaded figure is our math (dry weight plus stated cargo capacity).
| Trailer | Dry weight | Max loaded (GVWR or stated) | Share of a 5,000 lb rating (loaded) | Share of a 6,000 lb rating (loaded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original military M416 | 670 lb | about 1,170 lb (500 lb payload) | 23% | 20% |
| YOLO YT416 Overland Edition | 1,100 lb | 2,200 lb | 44% | 37% |
| OVS Off-Road Trailer (kit) | 1,250 lb | about 3,264 lb (1,250 + 2,014 cargo) | 65% | 54% |
| Hiker Mid Range XL (5x9) | 1,200 lb | 2,900 lb | 58% | 48% |
Every trailer in that table fits comfortably inside the tow rating of any 4Runner from 2010 on. Rough estimate for tongue weight at Toyota's 9–11 percent guideline: a fully loaded 2,200-pound trailer puts about 200 to 240 pounds on the hitch, and a 2,900-pound camper puts about 260 to 320 pounds. Those are our estimates, not published specs. Your actual number depends on how you load the trailer.
So the honest summary: towing capacity isn't the issue. Payload and tongue weight are. If you're shopping for a heavier expedition camper in the 3,500 to 5,000 pound range, the 4Runner can still be within its rating, but you're giving up a lot of margin on steep grades and in the heat, and the payload math gets tight fast.
How the 4Runner actually feels with a trailer
A 4Runner is a short-wheelbase body-on-frame SUV, and that's mostly a good thing off-road. It turns tight on switchbacks and is easier to back into a campsite than a full-size pickup. Capital One's reviewer, towing a 3,500-pound load with a 2025 4Runner Trailhunter, found the hybrid had enough power on steep inclines in Tow/Haul mode and called backing up easier than in a full-size truck.
The tradeoff is fuel. That same test averaged 10.2 mpg towing, against an EPA combined rating of 23 mpg. A lighter trailer will do better than that, but plan your fuel stops as if your range drops by a third or more, and carry extra if the route is remote.
The 5th-gen V6 has less torque than the new turbo engines and a 5-speed automatic. It still tows a 1,000 to 2,500 pound off-road trailer without drama; you'll just be in a lower gear on long climbs and spend more time at higher RPM.
Setting up a 4Runner for an overland trailer
A few things we'd check before the first trip:
- Hitch and wiring. Confirm you have a 2-inch receiver and a 7-pin connector. A 7-pin is what carries the electric brake signal.
- Brake controller. Factory on a 6th gen if your truck has it, aftermarket on a 5th gen. Set gain with the trailer loaded, on gravel, not empty in a parking lot.
- Hitch height. A lifted 4Runner on 33s may need a drop hitch so the trailer sits level. A nose-high or nose-low trailer loads the axle unevenly and tows worse.
- Tire match. Running the same tire size on the trailer as the truck means one spare covers both. If your 4Runner runs 31s, a trailer on 31s is a nice match.
- Articulation. On rough trails, the hitch is the weak point. An articulating coupler (like a Lock-N-Roll or a lunette and pintle) lets the trailer twist independently of the truck. A standard ball is fine for forest roads and graded two-track.
- Width. A trailer that tracks inside your truck's footprint follows your line through the trees. A wide camper may not.
Where the YT416 fits a 4Runner, and where it doesn't
We designed the YT416 with mid-size rigs like the 4Runner in mind. The YOLO YT416 Overland Edition is a 1,100-pound all-steel M416-style overland trailer built in North Texas, listing at $11,495 with free shipping. Fully loaded, it maxes out at a 2,200-pound GVWR, which is 37 percent of a 6th-gen 4Runner's 6,000-pound tow rating.
It runs 31-inch Falken Rubitrek A/T tires on Timbren axle-less independent suspension rated at 2,200 pounds, with Dexter electric brakes and a 7-pin harness. The bed is 48 by 72 inches, the tongue extends up to 20 inches so a rooftop tent clears the tailgate, and at 72 inches wide and 65 inches tall it fits in most garages. The coupler is a standard 2-inch ball, swappable for a lunette eye or Lock-N-Roll if you want full articulation. Every trailer ships with a federally recognized VIN and a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
Where it's not the best fit for a 4Runner owner:
- If payload is already tight. A heavily built Trailhunter or TRD Pro with a full family aboard may not have the margin for a 200-plus pound tongue. A lighter trailer, or loading heavy items over the trailer's axle line, helps.
- If you want 33s on the trailer to match the truck. Our trailer runs 31s. If tire commonality matters most, look at a coil-sprung kit trailer that accepts larger tires.
- If you want a hard-sided sleeping cabin. A squaredrop camper gives you that; the YT416 needs a rooftop tent, sold separately.
For a broader look at those options, our honest comparison of off-road trailers under $15,000 lays out the specs side by side, and our guide to picking the right tow vehicle covers the same math for other trucks. If you're thinking about towing a surplus military trailer instead, our M416 trailer guide and M416 restoration cost breakdown will help you price it out.
If the YT416 looks like the right match for your 4Runner, the full spec sheet, current pricing and lead time are on the YT416 Overland Edition product page.
The bottom line
A 4Runner is one of the better mid-size platforms for towing an overland trailer. It has the frame, the tow rating and the off-road manners. The things to watch are payload, tongue weight and fuel range, not raw towing capacity. Weigh your loaded truck once, keep the trailer under about half your tow rating, run trailer brakes, and you'll have plenty of margin for the steep, loose stuff.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a Toyota 4Runner tow?
A 2025 or 2026 Toyota 4Runner is rated to tow up to 6,000 pounds, with the TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum trims rated at 5,800 pounds. Most 2010–2024 4Runners are rated for 5,000 pounds, with 2014 and 2015 models listed at 4,700 pounds.
What is the tongue weight limit on a 4Runner?
Compiled spec data lists 600 pounds for most 2025–2026 4Runner trims, 580 pounds for the TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum, and 500 pounds for 2010–2024 models. Toyota's owner's manuals recommend keeping tongue weight at 9 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight. Check your own manual and door-jamb sticker.
Can a 4Runner tow an off-road trailer on trails?
Yes. The off-road trailers we compared weigh roughly 1,200 to 3,300 pounds fully loaded, well under the tow rating of any 2010-or-newer 4Runner. On rough trails, an articulating coupler, trailer brakes and a trailer that tracks inside the truck's width matter more than tow rating.
Does towing a trailer reduce a 4Runner's payload?
Yes. The trailer's tongue weight counts against the 4Runner's payload, along with passengers, cargo and aftermarket parts. Calculated payload on 2025–2026 models runs from about 1,005 pounds on a Trailhunter to about 1,550 pounds on a 2WD SR5, so a loaded family trip can use most of it.
Do I need trailer brakes to tow with a 4Runner?
It depends on the trailer's weight and your state. In Texas, trailers with a gross weight over 4,500 pounds must have brakes. Many off-road trailers include electric brakes regardless, and they make a real difference on steep, loose descents.
Can a 4Runner tow the YOLO YT416?
Yes. The YOLO YT416 Overland Edition weighs 1,100 pounds dry and has a 2,200-pound GVWR, which is less than half of any 2010-or-newer 4Runner's tow rating. It has Dexter electric brakes, a 7-pin harness and a standard 2-inch coupler.