Montero low towing capacity

[MummifiedCircuitry]

I've been looking at buying a M100 trailer and was checking out the tow rating for my 1997 Montero SR. Google shows it as 1500#, but that seems quite low, that's the same as a 4cyl Honda Element or 4cyl Toyota Rav4. For example, a V6 4runner has a 5000# tow rating. I've never towed anything with the Montero, is it really that weak for towing or are the real life ratings higher? I find it hard to believe that a little unibody 4cylinder has the same rating as a body on frame V6 vehicle.

 

[nckwltn]

I think it's nearer 5k lbs...do a search on 4x4 wire, I know the same question is something that has come up before, but I don't recall the answer

 

[midknightryder]

According to the owners manual I have. The tow rating is 5000 lbs with trailer brakes, 2000 lbs without trailer brakes.
MKR

 

[BEG]

I've been looking at buying a M100 trailer and was checking out the tow rating for my 1997 Montero SR. Google shows it as 1500#, but that seems quite low, that's the same as a 4cyl Honda Element or 4cyl Toyota Rav4. For example, a V6 4runner has a 5000# tow rating. I've never towed anything with the Montero, is it really that weak for towing or are the real life ratings higher? I find it hard to believe that a little unibody 4cylinder has the same rating as a body on frame V6 vehicle.

Are you sure? When I google "1995 Montero tow rating" I get 5k lbs:

https://www.google.com/search?q=1995+monteor+tow+rating&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=1995+montero+tow+rating

edit* I just realized yours is a '97. Don't know where I got '95 from, but they should be the same unless there's something radically different between the two model years I'm not aware of.

 

[ManfromSnowyRiver]

Definitely 5K, and I can tell you it will handle a bunch more.

 

[montero98ls]

I think 1500lbs is if you just have the little bolt on hitch and 5000lbs for a full hitch that also attaches to frame.

 

[calicamper]

Could just be regarding trailer brakes vs not.

 

[MummifiedCircuitry]

Are you sure? When I google "1995 Montero tow rating" I get 5k lbs:

https://www.google.com/search?q=1995+monteor+tow+rating&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=1995+montero+tow+rating

edit* I just realized yours is a '97. Don't know where I got '95 from, but they should be the same unless there's something radically different between the two model years I'm not aware of.

That's funny, I searched for "1995 Montero towing capacity" and it does say 5000#, then I tried 1996,1997,1998,1999,2000 and they all say 5000# except the 1997 says 1500#. I guess I should trust google results less.

 

[ManfromSnowyRiver]

That "little Bolt" on the hitch is part of the frame. Given the right hitch it will handle just about anything. A receiver hitch will only be marginally better.

 

[montero98ls]

Good to know. I was wondering about that. I only have the little one and wondered if I should get the one that also attached to the side but guess I'll save the money.

 

[BEG]

Good to know. I was wondering about that. I only have the little one and wondered if I should get the one that also attached to the side but guess I'll save the money.

The stock hitch is tied to both frame rails, like so (eurosonic's rig):

I wouldn't use it as a recovery point but it should be fine for towing within the rated capacity with a proper bolt-on class III receiver like this one from Curt Manufacturing:

 

[montero98ls]

I have the one pictured with the drop and a straight shot one, but seen one for sale that has a bar and also attaches to sides. So either is fine for 5k towing but the smaller one shouldn't be used for recovery?

 

[BEG]

I have the one pictured with the drop and a straight shot one, but seen one for sale that has a bar and also attaches to sides. So either is fine for 5k towing but the smaller one shouldn't be used for recovery?

Recovery pulls can exceed the towing capacity of the receiver by several orders of magnitude. My preferred method is to use rated recovery points on both frame rails attached with a bridging strap.

 

[Gruni14]

I recall reading in some Montero literature:
1,000# trailer weight w/o trailer brakes
5,000# trailer weight with trailer brakes feature
Tongue weight = 500#

 

[montero98ls]

Recovery pulls can exceed the towing capacity of the receiver by several orders of magnitude. My preferred method is to use rated recovery points on both frame rails attached with a bridging strap.

Ya, was wondering that as well. I know they say a winch should be rated 2.5x gvwr, so figured same for pulls, I've always seen the guys on YouTube in the outback pull with the snatch strap through the receiver, wouldn't it be almost the same since they both tie into the frame? And also I don't understand when people weld 1/4" recovery points to a frame that's 3/16". Not trying to argue anything but confused as I want to make any future recovery as safe as possible.