1st weekend towing RV travel trailer

[jediwebdude]

When we began RV shopping, I decided to trade in my 2004 V6 SR5 for a 2007 V8 SE. The additional 2000 lbs in towing capacity expanded our RV selection.

Last weekend we purchased a pre-owned RV TT from a private owner. It's a 2002 KZ 2405 with rear slideout (also has side slideout for couch). We were targeting trailers with rear slideouts for the purpose of keeping the towing length manageable for our 4Runner. I had set a length limit of 24', but the price of this 25' model was too good to pass up. The seller included a Reese load-leveling hitch system with anti-sway bar, and a brake controller. When parked, the trailer expands to 28'.

I was surprised at how well my new 4Runner towed the trailer. The anti-sway bar worked well. When cross-winds hit during a brief storm, I had no problem straightening out.

The trailer is 5100 lbs dry. Since I'm only camping at sites with RV hookups, I won't be using the water tank. Only the LP tanks were filled.

According to the 4Runner mpg computer, I averaged exactly 10 mpg. I never exceeded 55mph. Overall, I'm pleased with the setup. Only thing missing were towing mirrors. I ordered some McKesh mirrors (thx to another T4R.org thread).

-Phil

 

[jediwebdude]

parked and expanded

 

[jediwebdude]

another view

 

[jediwebdude]

kids using a Coronado SolarMax 60 solar telescope for viewing solar activity

 

[Koz]

Very nice set-up!

Koz

 

[charlier180]

Very Nice Travel Trailer.
Cannot go wrong with the McKesh Mirrors on your 4Runner.
They are a must for anyone towing a wider trailer.

Speaking of towing I will be heading out on a 1,300+ mile towing trip later this week.
This will be my longest towing trip to date with the 4Runner.
Should be a fun trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan and back.
Cannot wait to see what kind of actual gas mileage I get pulling my enclosed car trailer (aka "The Big Brick").

 

[mole177]

any pictures of the inside?

 

[spud72]

kids using a Coronado SolarMax 60 solar telescope for viewing solar activity

Good looking rig!

Glad to see a fellow geek on the boards. You're giving me the itch to break out the 10" dob!

 

[Falls]

Looks sweet , congrats on both purchases.

How can you have a trailer that big on and virtually no rear sag ?? Is that because of the load leveling hitch ? How does that work ?

 

[keylay31]

How can you have a trailer that big on and virtually no rear sag ?? Is that because of the load leveling hitch ? How does that work ?

same question

 

[Camprunner]

Looks sweet , congrats on both purchases.

How can you have a trailer that big on and virtually no rear sag ?? Is that because of the load leveling hitch ? How does that work ?

If the hitch, tow rig and camper are set up right you will have no sag and that is correct and it should be level.

The hitch/reciever has quite a bit of adjustment to it that and when you figure in the spring bars or load bars that you crank up this brings the ass end of the truck up to level.

There is quite a bit of load on the spring bars when you tighten them you have to jack up the front of the camper or rather crank it up with the crank that is mounted on the front of the camper before you can install the load bars/spring bars then you put them under load and this will raise the ass of the truck up.

Then most people install a sway control or brake sway control unit.

 

[Falls]

If the hitch, tow rig and camper are set up right you will have no sag and that is correct and it should be level.

The hitch/reciever has quite a bit of adjustment to it that and when you figure in the spring bars or load bars that you crank up this brings the ass end of the truck up to level.

There is quite a bit of load on the spring bars when you tighten them you have to jack up the front of the camper or rather crank it up with the crank that is mounted on the front of the camper before you can install the load bars/spring bars then you put them under load and this will raise the ass of the truck up.

Then most people install a sway control or brake sway control unit.

This sounds quite complicated , and very hard to picture . any pics of the set up.

 

[Camprunner]

Falls:

Go to www.reeseprod.com and click on weight distributing info

 

[Camprunner]

Falls:

Go to www.reeseprod.com and click on weight distributing info

Click info first then weight distributing info

 

[Camprunner]

I also towed my new camper for the first time this past weekend with my 06-V6 sport 4runner I have a Jayco 19H camper aprox 3,500 lbs empty and I figure around 4,300 to 4,500 max under full load.

I was able to keep her at 65mph no problem on the hiway in 4th gear. Then we got on this country road and some big long hills and I really had to work her. At times droping her into third gear and spinning her up to 3.5 to 4K at around 45 to 50 mph in a 55 zone to make the hill. I was really working the truck but it ran great and she did not use a drop of oil.

I have an updated hitch on the truck and I added a HD trans cooler to her for good mesure.

I think if I had known I was going to upgrade my camper I would have bought the V-8 4runner but I must say the V-6 did a fine job of pulling the new rig. It's the long hills with no running start that are the killer. (30 mph zone to a 55 zone and a long large hill/mtn in front of you.)

 

[charlier180]

Falls:

Go to www.reeseprod.com and click on weight distributing info

I use the Reese Dual Cam sway control and their weight distributing equipment with my 4Runner & trailer.
Lets just say I am a VERY SATISFIED customer. If you want to prevent sway and trailer sag you should take a look at these products.