Friends,

I tow both a boat and a small Winnebago with my 2012 4Runner. They both come in around the 4,000 pound range. There is obviously a difference in tongue weight I have to figure out. The boat does not give me any sag, but the Winnebago does.

Searching the threads I see two options. First is an airbag (Airlift 1000) set up that appears to be in the $100 range. The second is bumpers (such as Timbren). The bumpers appear to be in the $250 range.

Just wondering if anyone has strong feelings one way or the other. My vehicle is not lifted, and I don't wish for a horrendous ride when not towing.

Thanks so much, JG

I would go with air bags for your application. You can put air in them when towing to prevent sag and take air out when unloaded. I have them and have zero complaints. With 5-10 psi in them it still provides a good ride.


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Air bags have worked well for me too.

What brand of air bags? I get the sag when towing boat & W/frt leveled via Eibach's set @ 0.85 the front floats when towing at 55+ on highway.

I have no experience with towing with a T4R. I have a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton truck for towing so I can't answer what is best for the 4runner, but I can attest to the operation and usability of each weight handling system you mentioned.

I've had both types on various trucks. They both worked well when they were in use with a trailer hooked to my bumper. It's the cost factor, the convenience factor and complexity factor that really matter.

Here are my thoughts and experiences on using both types of systems:

Air bag systems: Cost can run the gambit. Base bags with schrader valves at the rear bumper or in the fuel door are pretty inexpensive however, a base air bag setup will mean you have to set and adjust pressures all the time manually. Pressing/venting the bags manually every time you hook/unhook a trailer and having to adjust pressures when out on the road on long trips gets old fast. Getting a more complex system with an onboard air pump makes all of that much easier but costs more. The more elaborate the setup, the higher the cost but the less you have to do to use them. Keep in mind that air bag systems usually specify a minimum pressure required at all times. This is to prevent damage to them from collapsing too much. This can happen because most systems replace the factory bump stops. If you have a manual setup and haven't towed anything for a while, chances are the bags are at 0 PSI and at risk of damage.


Towing specific bump stops: I'll just say Timbren's since they are probably the most popular brand on the market. They cost about as much as a mid-level air bag system for a reason. They work very well under load and have literally no maintenance once they are installed so they are very convenient right out of the box. They are usually very simple to install and only take 30 min, maybe an hour to do. However, the short comings I have found with Timbren's is when the vehicle is unloaded. The increased length of the Timbren means less suspension travel before contact. That's by design so you have less sag but the increased rigidity of the rubber spring makes the ride much more jarring when the stop pad contacts the bumper. On the 3/4 and 1 ton truck versions I have used, the bumper stays in contact with the axle even when unloaded and makes the rearend incredibly stiff to the point it will hop on rough roads. My solution was to remove them when not towing for a while. Looking at the kit for the T4R from Timbren, they specify a 1/2" to 1 1/2" gap between the rubber spring and frame so unloaded shouldn't be a problem on everyday road surfaces.

What it boils down to on a rig like a T4R is usage. How often do you tow with it? How far do you tow with it? How often do you hook/unhook during your trips and for what duration? Etc. Etc. Etc.

If I was in the market for a towing assist setup on my T4R, I would spend more on a mid-high level air bag system with onboard air and wireless controls.

Looks like you’re towing on the ball with the travel trailer. A weight distribution hitch like a blue ox would do you wonders as well. And it prevents dangerous sway.
Expensive but they’re worth EVERY penny.
The scary part about your trailer picture is how much weight is OFF the front tires. That’s extremely dangerous. WD hitches are designed to swing the weight back onto the front axle.

SwayPro Weight Distribution Hitch - Blue Ox

Not sure if it will show up but here’s a side by side of our setups. Look at your front wheel to fender gap.


Here’s mine full view


3500# Coleman trailer. Tongue is probably same weight as yours. I even had to add airbags too. Firestone. Inflated to 10-15psi and it’s a fine ride. Totally comfortable even 2 adults, 2 smaller kids, and ice chest FULL in the back of the 4Runner. Some folks get worried that the 4Runner can’t have WD hitches but I haven’t found any Toyota based writing for our 2016 that says specifically not to use one. 1500 miles of towing on ours

I think air bags would be a good option for your needs; I had the same sag with mine and I installed the Firestone Coil-Rite air bags. For the price its hard to beat!
Towed a loaded trailer from Michigan to Florida 1100+ miles and I really impressed at how well the air bag system worked.

Thanks so much all! I will start with Airbags, and also look into a better hitch system.

I second the concern about the ride attitude with your 4R hooked up the the camper.

It's apparent in your pics that the boat trailer has 2 axles and the Winnebago camper has one. With the rear end sag that your pic shows with the camper, I'd say that you have way too much weight on the hitch with that unit. Can you pick up the camper by the tongue? Maybe you can redistribute the load inside the camper? Or maybe there is a way to adjust the camper on the axle?

Does the boat trailer ride OK? If so, and the two towed systems are about the same weight (find a scale?), then I would really try to adjust the tongue weight on the camper.

I've hauled the large (11x6, dual axle) Uhaul trailer full of furniture over a 4 hour drive from southern VT/NH to NJ a couple of times over the past year, my 2012 TE did just fine.

Get you a weight distributing hitch it will make a world of difference.

Airbags. Firestone are better than airlift. Spend the extra , $20. I've had both in 5th gen 4runner. Both work fine. Firestone bag is narrower so it doesn't bind as much empty and has a bit better empty ride. So it's a little bit better option.

Also I would use a WDH if your 500+ lbs on the ball. They help with the crappy towing dynamics of travel trailers a lot. But the airbags really help firm up the rear end.

With the Winne, clearly the tongue height of the trailer and the ball height of the truck are different. Cheap way to improve it is a height adjustable tongue for the ball. It will def help, but IMO, airbags are the go to for towing longer hauls.

Amazon.com: LOCAME Adjustable Trailer Hitch, Fits 2-Inch Receiver, 6-Inch Drop/Rise Aluminum Drop Hitch, Tow Hitch for Heavy Duty Truck with Double Stainless Steel Pins, Red, LC0001 : Automotive

I second Jetboy. Firestone bags and weight distribution hitch for the camper.