Since this thread came back alive, I’ll follow up from my original post.
It was suggested above that I not tow with the 4runner and get a dedicated tow vehicle. Well, in a perfect world where I had unlimited funds and space to park another vehicle, that might be a practical suggestion.....but that isn’t the case. We will tow maybe 10-12 times a year and the 4runner will do fine for our use.
We did get the trailer I suggested above. It’s a 2018 flagstaff epro 17rk (2900 lbs dry and about 350 lbs tongue). We opted for a fastway e2 WD hitch (which also has sway control). I also installed firestone air bags for towing use, but also to assist when we have the back loaded for hauling (bags of mulch, for instance).
The 4runner does fine towing our camper. The WDH does a good job of leveling out the rig and keeping proper weight at the front of the truck. I do add just a bit of air to the bags (10 lbs roughly) and it helps some with rearend bounce.
The only issue we’ve encountered is the wind drag at higher speeds necessitating the use of s4.....the truck doesn’t like to stay in 5th gear (and/or the TC won’t stay locked), so we lock out 5th gear altogether and it works fine. Doing 65-70mph, rpms are in the 2500 range which is not terrible nor annoying. Mpg has been around 11-12 mpg which is on par with what other folks typically get towing these campers with a half ton truck.
Would I want to tow with this rig cross country for months at a time? No. But for our occasional use for regional trips to state parks, etc, it works great!