Quote:
Originally posted by suuny
Thanks everyone for the info.
should I watch out for the weight in the trailer not to exceed 5000 pounds, does this exclude weight in the car.
Also incase can I load stuff on the top of the 4runner.
Is it OK driving incase it snows or rains?
Thanks
Sunny
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According to your first post you can only load Approx. 1800 Lbs in the trailer. If you load it properly you will not exceed the 5000lbs limit. 4400 lbs is the max trailer weight + trailer cargo.
Read pages 292-295 and pages 304-313 of the Owner's Manual.
It does a fairly good job of explaining what and how much you can load in the 4Runner and Trailer combined.
The only thing I thought was BS was on page 313. it states not to exceed 45MPH while towing. That is very, very, very conservative and there for legal reasons. The road, weather, and traffic conditions will determine what speed is safe for you. Your seat of the pants feel will get better the farther you tow. After the first couple hours you will start to feel more comfortable. By then you will have a good Idea of what your personal limits are. Everyones are different.
I may few comfortable towing that trailer at 65-70MPH and you may only want to go 60MPH.
Rain is just like anytime slow down and increase your following distance, again it is a comfort level thing. to increase your visiblity in the rain treat your windshield with Rain-X. It really works. Also buy the Rain-X washer/deicer fluid if you can find it. It helps too.
Snow is very difficult and dangerous to tow in. I have done it a couple times (I grew up in Michigan) but I don't like to do it. It is much safer to stop and let the plows and salt trucks do there thing than end up in a ditch. The trailer can push you right through an intersection or try and pass you when you put on the brakes.
Check the trailer tires and hitch/ball connections at every fuel or bathroom stop. make sure nothing is coming lose or looks wrong or is going flat. A quick walk around, kick the tires, give the hitch a good shake make sure the nut holding the ball on has not worked its way lose. I have had it happen.
After you read the manual if you have anymore questions please post I am sure plenty of us can find an answer or help ya out.
Good Luck.