Towing an RV? 2015 Limited
 

I have recently been looking into buying an RV, nothing huge but nothing small. More midsize. I know the 4R limiteds have a towing capacity of 5,000. How much can I really push that? I am finding that many of the RVs I am wanting are around 4,700 to 5,500 in gross weight. So I was just wondering how much I can really push the capacity? Any recommendations or personal experiences with towing an RV?

2015 Limited 2WD

Will it tow it, yes. Will you hate towing it, YES!! Just not the right vehicle to tow much with.


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I tow a small single axle trailer at about 4000lbs fully loaded. It’s not the best, but it gets me there. Just don’t go expecting to break any speed records haha. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. I put airlift bags in the rear, and a weight distributing hitch, and it ended up being much more comfortable to tow without the massive sag in the rear.

Small RV
 

We recently purchased a Forest River Rpod. Don’t know what you are wanting but for 2, we really like it and the Runner pulls it pretty well. We did install an Andersen WDH and I have Airbags that I haven’t installed yet. I installed the redarc brake controller also.

Which Rpod model is that? How hard was the brake controller install? We are looking to buy an rv for cheapish and then fix it up to sell or keep. 2 people will normally use it but needs to be able to have 4.

Rv
 

It’s a Rpod 190, the table removes from the front dinette for an extra bed but any more than 3 would be close quarters. The brake controller is plug in play the factory plug is behind the drivers kick panel and plugs directly to the unit, no cutting.

If your truck is in top mechanical shape, rust isn't eating away critical structural components, and you have the proper brake controller, towing sway bar, I would do it occasionally. Really depends on the weight of the RV. After towing with 1/2-3/4 pickups I don't consider any 4runner a good tow vehicle unless it's for a max 1500 lb load or so. I know people tow more weight and more frequently, which is fine, but I would never want to push it in these trucks.

Do not overlook the legal ramifications should you tow over the stated capacity and be involved in some sort of accident.

Which air lift bags did you buy? I can't find any for 2015 models.

A few things to consider:

It's a relatively short wheel base vehicle for towing a lot. And the engine/gearing isn't ideal for a heavy trailer at higher speeds. The rear hitch is not super robust - it should be okay for a 5k lb trailer, but not much more. If you want to tow heavier, you'll need to look at an aftermarket hitch, or an OEM one for a Lexus GX460 may fit.

On the plus side; the 4runner has larger brakes than most 1/2 ton trucks. They're larger than a Suburban for example. They are significantly oversized for the vehicle. The brake feel isn't great. But the actual hardware is more than adequate for anything it'll pull.

I would also consider a transmission cooler if you're towing in the 5k lb range.

I would tow a 5klb trailer without too much worry. But, I'd make damn sure it was well balanced and I'd find the most aerodynamic one I could. I'd also count on going pretty slowly and getting passed a lot and getting poor mileage. If I were doing it regularly - I'd find a better tow vehicle. Maybe even just a GX460.

good luck

I'm not your lawyer, and this isn't legal advice, but...
This is the answer. You already know it's wrong ("I was just wondering how much I can really push the capacity?") and you're posting publicly - this doesn't end well.

These
 

These are the ones I ordered but haven’t installed them yet.

I pull a car on a flatbed regularly. It pencils out to about 5k total load. I have a dual axle trailer with one axle of trailer brakes. It pulls and stops adequately. When time to get a new vehicle, I will probably get something bigger for towing. I don't know how well it will do with something with a much greater profile such as a camping or box trailer. No airbags or weight distribution hitch. I don't get much squat, maybe the limited x-reas has something to do with it.

Recently after leaving a race with car on trailer, the trailer connector didn't seat all the way. I always check before I get on the road, but I didn't this time. A few miles down the road traffic came to a sudden stop and that's when I discovered my trailer brakes were not working. Pretty exciting code brown four wheel lockup, not something I want to experience again.

Point being, the 4Runner brakes are pretty good, but you must have trailer brakes and a decent controller if you are pulling much. I have never had any fade going down grades, but I did go through all four sets of pads in under 40k miles.

I dig the Redarc mounting as well. I have a Curt 51170 with included 2 side tape - on steering column for now. Some day I will work up the courage to drill a hole in the console for seamless mounting.

I pull a similar sized 1780 Winnie with an '18 SR5 and it's plenty capable. You won't forget it's back there though ;)

Depends on if you will be towing up and over hills or mountains. If yes to mountains, I would say keep it under 4K loaded. Swaying and braking should be your primary concern. I have towed around 9k without trailer breaks locally on flat ground. I was surprised as to how well it did, but I wouldn't want to do it for too long a distance for obvious reasons. Fortunately, I have a 3/4 ton diesel for towing.