I am pretty sure the V6 4th gen have a lower tow rating than the V8 versions because the hitch itself is not mounted in the same way and thus can not safely tow the same load.
I also think that both are rated high enough to safely tow a 17' Casita but again this is something that is simple to check.
Look at the tag on the door frame and I think this info is stamped right on there?
If not it is still not Rocket Surgery to find out for sure.
When people say that one has a Weight Distributing Hitch and one does not I think this is not the best way to phrase that especially on here where the Term Weight Distribution Hitch possibly has another different meaning.
The difference on the truck is just how the actual hitch is mounted to the frame of the truck vs maybe mounted to the bumper instead in the V6 model.
So the hitch mount itself may have its mount points distributed further across the frame of the truck.
Weight Distribution Hitch talked about here is usually talking about the bars and chains between the truck hitch and the trailer tongue that are designed to shift the tongue load of the trailer to the front
axle from the rear
axle to level out the tow and restore handling and braking performance if yo are sagging in the rear too much when towing,the truck I mean!
Both are important obviously to get right but they are 2 very different issues.
Some feel that the way the V6 hitch is mounted might not be strong enough to use an actual WDH with them and if you agree luckily the frame mount heavier hitch is simple and inexpensive to switch out in a 4runner too.
Oddly there seems to be some mental block within the 4runner community including at the dealerships about these differences in the 4th gen 4runner hitch mounts too?
Like I said refer to the tag on the truck and/or the manual for the truck to see what it says about capacity.
Also there is a really great online
VIN search on Toyotas website where you can see the exact configuration of your truck from the factory which I think also tells this info.
You sign up for the Toyota Owners club or something like that and you can get this info as well as any dealer performed service and recall info that has been logged for it over the years.
Can be pretty handy and Lexus offers the same thing!