My first outing after re-gear and break in.

Attached Images

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here's my set up, from the folks at Happier Camper in Los Angeles.

Have had this for about a year, been all over the Sierra Nevada, Death Valley, and northern CA coast. Have broken a lot of stuff on the trailer, but mostly that's my own fault. I carry a lot of spare parts now.

This trailer does okay on easy to moderately rough trails, and unhooks pretty easily to leave at base camp for harder trails. Only weighs about 1500 lbs, so the 5th Gen pulls it pretty easily. Sleeps 4, as long as you're 6 feet or under.

Attached Images

     

Love these, looked into it before buying ours...only issue is it was they were too tall for our garage.

Black Series Patron.
It is a tongue heavy trailer, but can follow the 4Runner everywhere, so far.
With stock gears it was a pain on the highway in the mountains, 4.88s cured that.

Attached Images

 

What size tires are you running with the 4.88s? I’m haven’t decided between 4.56 and 4.88. I have a 6x10 enclosed trailer and I am definitely not satisfied with towing on stock gears.

Any input?

On my setup towing the Patriot with 285/70/17 KO2,s I re-geared to 4.56. It is much better with the regear, but not great. I don’t think there is getting to great with this powerplant short of throwing on a super charger. Regear just makes it more tolerable. I find the 4.56 a good compromise between how the truck drives with and without towing the trailer. Where you really notice a big improvement is on the trail in 4 low. I don’t think any regear will help when towing on the highway driving into a stiff headwind or up steep Colorado mountain passes. It’ll do it, but it sucks and about 9-10 mpg. But the regear does make it less shitty.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

here's our basically stock TRD OR with the 5x8 teardrop we built. its probably in the 1000lb range, but we haven't weighed it yet. we always pull it with the cargo carrier on our LFD rack, so our MPG's are usually 15 hwy at best due to the added drag, but otherwise it does great. we leave the teardrop parked and then go off and explore in the T4R.

Hey everyone, I’m getting my trailer next month and was wondering if I should have brakes added to it. It’ll weigh around 1200lbs dry and loaded would be roughly 1800lbs. I don’t see it reaching 2000lbs but it’s designed to haul an ATV if I ever get one.

Thoughts?

Attached Images

 

Hauling my 2000lb Camplite.

Sorry - didn't see this....
I have 33s with the 4.88s
It makes a big difference in the mountains.

2016 Limited with a Sonic Lite 169vrb. Pic is without the the WDH which makes it perfectly level. We’re looking to move cross country and putting on 2500+ and looking for some recommended mods.

Thinking about a trans cooler, new tires, new shocks, etc

Ideas?

Attached Images

 

The reality is that you really don’t need any of those things if you’re under the 5,000lb towing capacity and have a break controller.

Trans Cooler: not necessary for the trip, unless you are moving to the mountains where you will be towing often there...then maybe look into it.

New shocks: not necessary if the ones you have now are not leaky. If you want to upgrade the suspension then by all means do it. I may suggest adding airbags to the rear springs so you don’t have to crank the WDH as hard to get it level. It will put less stress on the hitch, frame and other components.

These are the ones I have and it drastically improves the driving experience when loaded and towing. I run 8psi when not loaded and it feels like OEM ride, and inflate to 15 psi loaded, 20-25 psi when towing.
Air Lift Company 60809 Airspring 1000 Toyota https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CW6IBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QQudGb0WED0D2

New tires: Not necessary if yours aren’t worn out, but probably the best upgrade of the 3 as it will improve the 4Runner on a daily basis. If towing often I’d look for an LT tire.

Some added things.

Invest in a torque wrench to make sure all of the trailer lugs are tightened throughout the trip (check every 500-1000 miles).

Be sure to always drive when towing in S4 (not drive). This unlocks the torque converter keeping transmission temps lower. Since when towing you’re likely (or should) stay at or under 70 mph you’re fine in 4th gear, and it’s what is recommended by Toyota engineers.

When routing your trip, there are usually parallel side roads to the interstate that allow you to drive at a more comfortable towing speed (55-70 mph) without feeling like you’re getting run over on the Interstate where the speed limit can often be 70+mph. It also allows for more scenic views. You don’t really loose a ton of time either since you can’t blast down the interstate at 80 mph while towing anyway. We went x-country 3 times doing this and it makes for a much more enjoyable experience IMO.



Good luck with the move!

I just sold my Runaway 6x8 Range Runner Off-road & upgraded to this 3300# GeoPro 19FBS. I just lifted my rig w/ the Dobinsons IMS kit along w/ stiffer springs. The rear coils are rated for 400-600# & it almost sits level. I went ahead & spent another $100 & got the Firestone airbags for extra control & to help w/ the load.

Driving through the mountains takes a lot of throttle control to keep the power & gears in the sweet spot. You can’t use cruise control because the rpm jumps up to 4K+ every little incline. My rig is definitely lacking a bit pulling this trailer. I may end up getting a super charger next year if work is good this year.

I just ordered a few things that will hopefully help out. I already had the S&B CAI, AirRaid Throttle Body Spacer & Pedal Commander, but also ordered the TRD Catback, URD Y pipe, Doug Thorley Headers & Vivid Racing Stage 2 Tune (91 octane). I’ve heard some good things about this stuff from other members in the GeoPro FB group that have a T4R & same trailer. I’ll report back once all is installed & it’s put to good use.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I really like this setup, unfortunately they stopped selling those trailers. Been looking at this model since my wife has a non-negotiable stance on toilet inclusion. Any complaints/issues on towing this?