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Toyota 4Runner Towing

121 messages,  Last post on Oct 10, 2012 at 2:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota 4Runner, Towing, SUV

Messages Page 13 of 13

#112 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [chuck1] by boats3

Nov 22, 2011 (5:53 am)

Replying to: chuck1 (Nov 21, 2011 10:10 pm)
NO, fully loaded I am 5500 lbs, the V8 4Runner is capable of towing 7K, but thanks for your concern.

#113 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [boats3] by chuck1

Nov 22, 2011 (10:44 am)

Replying to: boats3 (Nov 22, 2011 5:53 am)
Towing capacity is not GVRW----
 
It's the tongue weight, plus passengers, plus cargo, plus fuel.
 
If your tongue weight is 500 pounds, and you have three passengers at 150 pounds each (450lbs) and three suitcases at 50pounds each (150) pounds plus a full tank of fuel (20 gals 6.073=121 pounds) for a total of 1230. That is part of the GVWR.
 
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_gvrw

#114 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [chuck1] by boats3

Nov 22, 2011 (11:13 am)

Replying to: chuck1 (Nov 22, 2011 10:44 am)
You are incorrect and trying to give readers the wrong impression. EVERYTHING is in the camper. I don't know about you but I do not bring suitcases with me when I go camping. The entire unit fully loaded is 5500 lbs., been to the scales.

#115 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [boats3] by chuck1

Nov 22, 2011 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: boats3 (Nov 22, 2011 11:13 am)
Nope, I am not trying to give the wrong impression. All I am saying is that you must include any weight in the tow vehicle.
 
In the event of a serious accident, the first thing the other parties lawyer and insurance company will look at is your GVWR. If your over...try to prove you could operate safely being over the manufacturers recommendations-it will be a tough thing to prove.
 
This is the most often overlooked item when it comes to towing.

#116 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [chuck1] by dougtoms01

Sep 22, 2012 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Nov 22, 2011 12:02 pm)
Good point Boats3
With that understanding, my 2008 4.0 V6 has a curb weight of 4320 and GVWR of 5580. If I subtract the curb weight, I have 1260 lbs to account for fuel, passengers, cargo and tongue weight? Currently I am pulling a pop-up that weighs 1550 and tongue weight is only about 200lbs. Me, wife, dog and luggage probably less than 600 lbs so I should be fine. Once we add some goodies to the pop-up it probably weights 1800. It seems to pull fine and my trailer hitch company told me I don't have enough toungue weight for a WDH to work properly so I pull with factory hitch. Everything seems to work fine, but I am not going to try to pull a TT with this 4Runner. On the 2008 V6, the hitch is bolted to the frame only in the center of the rear frame, so for a WDH you do need to buy a hitvh that bolts onto both side rails of the frame. Sounds like the Lexus model is a choice of some. I am a little disappointed in the towing capability of the 4Runner. I thought I could upgrade to a 21' TT if I wanted too, but sounds risky. I've never had a SUV before and didn't think about how limiting the wheel base was. Better safe, but I'd love to be taking a TT from Ohio to California versus the pop-up. Wife will just not invest in a big truck . Also, from a towing standpoint, this is the best and most towers I've found anywhere. Real life experience beats opinions. I love the 4TR site, but it's best for mechanical stuff. Thanks

#117 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [dougtoms01] by chuck1

Sep 22, 2012 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: dougtoms01 (Sep 22, 2012 2:15 pm)
Some factory hitches will not handle a WDH. However, there are after market ones that will.
 
I towed with a 21 foot 4,000 pound travel trailer with an '05 -4Runner with the V8 for 4 years. I wanted a bigger trailer so I traded it in on a Silverado. It had almost 100K on it when I traded it in.
 
The 109.5" wheelbase does not make the 4Runner a great tow vehicle. It can be done but it's not a comfortable tow- it's really not that stable. It's the tail wagging the dog situation!

#118 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [chuck1] by dougtoms01

Oct 10, 2012 (7:57 am)

Replying to: chuck1 (Sep 22, 2012 5:28 pm)
Thanks Chuck,
What do you think about this option. I found a Jayco Featherweight, 18' TT. It's a M-165 Sport. The unloaded weight is 2850 and loads out at 3500 max. The tongue weight is 450. With the V6 option, this seems like the weight of a good size pop-up, just catching more wind. My hitch shop is saying I probably only need anti-sway, but they'll put a WDH on if I think I need it. Is the WDH mainly for any sag? I have a lift, so the rear sits level with 450lbs on the tongue. I am going to take it for a test tow this afternoon and see how it does. The length seems within your recommendations. I just can't trade tow vehicles, so I'll either keep my pop-up or see if this smaller TT will tow safely. Feedback much appreciated. Best regards, Doug

#119 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [dougtoms01] by chuck1

Oct 10, 2012 (10:45 am)

Replying to: dougtoms01 (Oct 10, 2012 7:57 am)
That's a safe tow combination you are considering with the M-165 Sport. The best way to know if you need a WD hitch is to hook it up. If the front end of the 4Runner raises more than an inch or so - this is taking the weight off your wheels that do the steering and IS NOT a safe situation. As I think I mentioned, the WD hitch distributes the weight evenly among all axles.
 
When I tow my 5,500 pound TT with about a 700 pound hitch weight, after I put the WD bars on the front of the vehcile is raised only 1/2" which is acceptable.
 
So just hook it up and take a tape measure to the front end both before and after.
 
Good luck.

#120 of 121 Re: need help from those who tow travel trailers [chuck1] by dougtoms01

Oct 10, 2012 (1:09 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Oct 10, 2012 10:45 am)
Thanks Chuck,
I just got back from towing it. I should have checked this, but I didn't see your response before I went. The trailer pulled up and down hills very good with the V6. I also got her up to 55mph on some 2 lanes and it felt very stable even without an anti-sway bar. The rear obviously sank down some after I hitched it up, but with my lift I am +2" in the rear versus the front. After hitching, I would say I was level at worse. I took a side picture of it I could send you. I don't see where you can post pics here. My email is dougtoms01fuse.net. If you shoot me a PM, I'll send you that picture. The front axle did not feel floaty at all reunning 55mph, so I don't think I lightened the front significantly. I think with an anti-sway bar I would be comfortable. I don't think the trailer is even designed for WDH. I didn't see any provisions that I am familiar with that would have the attachment points for the bars. Even the anti-sway bar attachment would have to be added, but this is common. Best regards, Doug">

#121 of 121 WDH for the Jayco M-165 Sport and 4Runner by dougtoms01

Oct 10, 2012 (2:31 pm)

Looks like they do sell a WDH and anti-sway system that will attach to this camper. Equilizer E-2 system. I think with that addition, this will be a pretty stable unit. The 4Runner curb wt. is 4300. The camper GVWR is 3500 packed out. Best regards,
Doug

Messages Page 13 of 13

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